This Ys prequel bets on vertical dungeons and fast action combat inside a single great tower. Three characters with distinct styles replay the adventure differently. Snappy, boss-tough, a compact Ys that is fiercely effective.
Your verdict
Category
Action RPG1 player12+
Description
Three heroes climb a demon tower to find a vanished goddess, centuries before the series. Published by DotEmu, released worldwide in 2020. Characters with distinct styles and their own storylines, fast combat and colossal bosses, leveling up and a high-energy soundtrack.
Ys Origin review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
4/5
Story
★★★★★
"Captivating"
Falcom Sound Team jdk unleashes energetic symphonic rock that propels the climb up the tower, guitar riffs and virtuoso keyboards trading off at breakneck tempo. Every boss theme becomes a call to dig deeper, and that galvanizing energy remains the hallmark of the most beloved Ys soundtracks.
Gameplay
"Masterful"
Fast combat, colossal bosses and a high-voltage soundtrack distil here everything that makes Ys great. The choice of three heroes with distinct storylines offers real replay value, where so many action-RPGs settle for a single run. The tower to climb stays readable and brisk; the visuals show their age a bit, but the frantic pace easily smooths the wrinkles.
Fun
"From the very first minutes"
Addictiveness
"Captivating"
Difficulty
"Easy"
Lifespan
"Massive"
This Ys prequel retells the same tower climbed by three characters with radically different styles, almost tripling the adventure. Replay value also comes from boss rush, high difficulty modes and a scoring system that nudges veterans toward perfection. Its snappy progression and well-hidden secrets still justify starting over today.
At the dawn of the Ys saga, the tower's guardians unleash a deluge of projectiles and phases where memorization meets the sharpest reflexes. The frantic pace of the action and the swelling music turn these duels into adrenaline sprints. Mastering dashes, spells and attack windows rewards persistence with exhilarating surges of tension.
Is Ys Origin still worth playing in 2026?
Ys Origin remains one of the best entry points into the series, because it concentrates all of its strengths, fast combat, colossal bosses and a high-octane soundtrack. The choice between three heroes with distinct styles and storylines offers real replay value, where many action RPGs settle for a single run. The tower-climbing structure stays legible and snappy. The visuals show their age a bit, but the frantic pace more than compensates. For lovers of demanding Japanese action RPGs and rousing music, it has lost none of its bite.
