Ys VIII Lacrimosa of DANA may be the best JRPG on Vita. Adol shipwrecked on a mysterious island explores two timelines. Epic combat, overwhelming story, legendary music. Masterpiece.
Your verdict
Category
Action RPG1 player12+
Description
Adol Christin is shipwrecked on Seiren Island and discovers Dana and the Eternian civilisation in this Falcom action JRPG. Published by NIS America, released in the United States in September 2017. Action-RPG with open-world island exploration, alternating Adol and Dana gameplay, epic soundtrack. US edition.
Ys VIII - Lacrimosa of DANA review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
MAX
Story
★★★★★
"Masterful"
Seiren Island is built on a contrast of vegetation: palms and pale sand on the coast, dense canopy and filtered light inland, pale stone ruins at altitude, each zone keeping its own dominant hue. The prehistoric creatures are modelled with heavy masses that set them against Adol's slender silhouette, and Dana receives the most visible care.
A peak of the series, Falcom's music combines flamboyant rock, orchestra and vocal themes of rare generosity, from the galvanising "Sunshine Coastline" to moving melodies. Each battle and each discovery pulse with an infectious energy. This sonic richness, vibrant and inspired, is celebrated as one of the finest scores of the JRPG.
Shipwrecked on a cursed island haunted by prehistoric fauna, an adventurer gathers survivors while sharing the dreams of a mysterious young woman. The tale binds survival, exploration and a time drama of unexpected scope. This generous adventure, sincere in its emotion, is hailed as a peak of the series.
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first minutes"
Addictiveness
"Obsessive"
Shipwrecked on a mysterious island, you alternate lightning-fast fights, exploration in every direction and the rebuilding of a village that grows before your eyes. Each zone cleared and each survivor found opens a new objective. A few repetitive side quests crop up, but the drive of the action and the curiosity of the island make each session hard to close.
Difficulty
"Difficult"
Lifespan
"Massive"
Washing up on a mysterious island and rebuilding a village while exploring it unfolds an action-RPG of fine scope, rich in brisk combat and discovery. The long quest, the side quests and the exploration feed dozens of hours. That generosity, a peak of the Ys series, offers a lifespan action-RPG fans cultivate.
Complete: box, manual and disc/cart very clean. Lightly handled.
Q1 damagedQ6 completeQ10 new
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Collector interest
A peak of the Falcom saga, Ys VIII Lacrimosa of DANA strands Adol on a cursed island in an adventure hailed as a high point of the action RPG, released in the United States in a limited Vita run. The console's end of life and demand for this entry have made it a coveted piece. Its interest combines this fan-favorite status and this physical scarcity.
Memorable bosses
On a cursed island peopled with prehistoric creatures, the fights gain in scale without surrendering the velocity dear to the series. Perfect dodges, counters and party coordination open breaches against titanic bosses. An acclaimed soundtrack and an impeccable sense of tempo lift these duels among the most memorable of modern action-RPG.
Is Ys VIII - Lacrimosa of DANA still worth playing in 2026?
The eighth entry of the Falcom saga, Ys VIII Lacrimosa of DANA offers an action RPG adventure where Adol Christin finds himself shipwrecked on a mysterious island with enriched action combat system and free exploration. The sublime anime art direction, fluid combat system and epic scenario make it an absolute peak of the Ys saga on Vita. For anyone fond of Ys or seeking a portable action JRPG peak, an absolutely essential recommendation today still without any hesitation on the Sony portable machine for absolute saga fans truly here indeed.
