Ys X -NORDICS-: latest details and pictures (characters, gameplay systems) and Mini Soundtrack sampler
Last week, Nihon Falcom shared some more details for Ys X -NORDICS-. We get a look at a few new characters (including the villains), as well as some new gameplay systems.
Let’s start with the new characters:
- Feria (voiced by Risa Shimizu), aged 23
“The princess’s big day—I wouldn’t miss it for the world!”
Feria is a resourceful fighter who leads the Balta Navy’s Third Fleet and is known as one of its “twin pillars”,alongside Gunnar, the chief warrior.
She is the right-hand man of Grimmson, the leader of the Balta Navy, and she also looks out for his only daughter, Karja.
She was not originally a Norman, but for various personal reasons, she decided to join the Balta Navy.
- Ezer (voiced by Yuki Sakakihara), age 15
“Princess Karja, are you hurt?”
Ezer is a young boy who works as a chamberlain to the Bartas, Karja’s family. Despite his youth, he is polite and attentive,and he always puts his master Karja first.
Like Feria, he is not a native Norman, but seems to have emigrated from somewhere else…
- Jord (voiced by Tomoyo Takayanagi)
“Nothing irritates me more than wasting time…”
A highly intelligent Greeger, Jord is a sadist who attacks the people of Obelia Bay and uses them like slaves.
She is furious with Karja for harming her with the power of Mana, stalking Adol and his friends like an evil shadow.
- Lag (voiced by Masahiro Ito)
“You humans never cease to amuse me.
Yes, quite amusing, indeed!”A highly intelligent Greeger, Lag seems to be interested in the culture and customs of humans. He sometimes appears before Adol and his friends to ask them strange questions.
Compared to Jord and Odr, Lag is less belligerent rather than simply aloof, making his true intentions difficult to discern.
- Odr (voiced by Kazuki Kyan)
“Adol and Karja, be strong–
Then come and kill me.”A highly intelligent Greeger, Odr is an incredible fighter among his kind. He is particularly interested in Adol and Karja, who use the power of Mana, and challenges them to battle.
He has high expectations for their progress, and he seems to encourage Karja in particular to grow as a warrior.
Nihon Falcom also shared some details about the Greeger: immortal enemies that can appear in Obelia Bay and threaten its peace.
Immortal creatures that appear around Obelia Bay.
It is impossible to kill them, as their wounds heal instantly no matter what weapons are used to attack them. The only way to repel Greeger is to display overwhelming superiority in battle, making them lose their will to fight. That said, it is possible to inflict deep wounds upon them with Adol and Karja’s Mana powers.
Many beast-like Greeger are known to exist, but there are also rumors of humanoid individuals with a high level of intelligence.
Next: some details about Release Lines, which are this game’s equivalent of the growth tree found in many RPGs. Here’s how it works:
- Level-up in battle and gain Mana points
- Use Mana points to unlock “Spots” in the Release Line
- *By unlocking Spots, you can acquire Adol/Karja-specific skills and crystals to be used in Solo Mode!
- Plant “Mana Seeds” in the unlocked Spots
- *“Mana Abilities” for battle are activated according to the Mana Seed’s lineage
- Progress down the Release Line by leveling up and unlocking Spots
- *By progressing down the Line, you can acquire exclusive skills for Dual Mode!
The two playable characters, Adol and Karla, each have their own Release Line with unique abilities to unlock.
Using Mana Seeds, you can activate Mana Ability lineages. Abilities from the same lineage can overlap, which means that if you select multiple abilities from a given lineage, you can focus on certain traits (like attack or defense, for example). Whether you go for a specialised character or an all-rounder is entirely up to you!
Here’s the four types of lineages you can choose from:
- Valor: Attack-based abilities.
- Raises damage inflicted & knockdown values.
- Fortitude: Defense-based abilities.
- Effects include reduced damage and increased speed of recovery from status effects.
- Optimism: Raises the level of abilities other than attack/defense.
- Effects include increased dash speed and extended skill chain activation time, etc.
- Darkness: Abilities that come with pros and cons.
- Effects include increased damage during status effects, increased critical rate when HP is low, etc.
There’s also a 5th type of lineage, called Reverie. Mana Seeds from the Reverie lineage contain Valor, Fortitude, and Optimism traits.
Finally, Nihon Falcom has shared a preview video of the Mini Soundtrack album included in the Adol Christin Edition in Japan, allowing us to get an early taste of the music. The video also features some footage!
- TO BE FREE
- Tooki Umi ni Ikirusha
- Heat Hazard
- Violent Warriors
- Hardhearted Rock Line
- Yesterday’s Journey, Tomorrow’s Dream
- Hitomi no Naka no Shounen Kenshi
- SO MUCH FOR TODAY （YsX Ver.）
Ys X -NORDICS- (Switch) comes out on September 28th in Japan.
Source: Gamer / Clouded Leopard Entertainment
