Can A PS5 Port For A 2019 JRPG Be Worth The Price of Admission? A Ys IX: Monstrous Nox Review

By: Janette

Players: 1
Platforms: PlayStation 5
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Ys IX: Monstrous Nox has actually been out since 2019. This one isn’t particularly new. But the PlayStation 5 release is, hence this review. If you like anime action JRPGs, a bit of over the top edge lord silliness, and haven’t already bought Ys IX previously, this might be up your alley. But if that particular mix isn’t already something you’re into, it’s hard to say this is the one to change your mind, especially this version.

​Ys games, as previously mentioned, are action JRPGs. You can hack, you can slash, you can do some magic, you get some party members, you get gear, and so on. I can’t knock the franchise in this aspect, it’s solid, fluid, and feels good. Your dodges and parries feel great, your jumps don’t feel floaty. While you’re not battling on the field map itself and instead going into a separate zone for your battles, it doesn’t break up the flow of the game. While this kind of design may feel dated, both Ys IX and Tales of Arise are showing that it’s a fine way to handle combat, and people aren’t griping too much about it. You’ll find no complaints from me about the core gameplay loop; it’s enjoyable!

And honestly, the story in this one is fine! It’s a little over the top, but it’s fine! It’s stereotypically anime as hell, but it’s enough to keep you going. You start off as Adol, you try to escape prison. Situations ensue. I really don’t want to dive too deep into it, but while it’s nothing groundbreaking or nothing you won’t see coming, it’s a perfectly serviceable story to keep you playing.

And another bonus for Ys IX: they really expanded exploration in this one! Each party member's Monstrum Gifts make traversing the map a genuine joy! It's fun to glide and wall run and do silly little things to explore every nook and cranny, even if you're mostly in "one place". 

My real issue with the game is why this port is even a thing. Ys Ix came out originally for the PS4 in 2019. It’s on PC and Switch as well. The PS4 version is even compatible with the PS5 and got a 4k patch to support UHD. The PS5 version is just a straight port, and the minor upgrades to it playing “natively” aren’t worth the price. No extra content, nothing. Just a “this runs slightly better than just putting you PS4 disk in your PS5” version of a 4 year old game for $50. You can’t even transfer your save from the PS4 (as of this writing)! So what’s the point? And with that, Ys IX was mired with complaints about feeling and looking dated compared to its peers, so another 4 years hasn't been exactly kind to it.

​Truly, Ys IX is good. Not great, not the best game, but a solid action JRPG, with a little bit of cheese, that has good but getting to be outdated visuals, fun music, and enjoyable combat. Personally though, I think you’re better served just finding a PS4 copy at this point for your PS5 than paying $50 for this. But if you’re itching to spend that kinda money, buy Tales of Arise instead. Everything you might want from Ys IX is there, and it took better advantage of making a PS5 native version. However, if you can get this on sale, yeah, why not. It’ll keep you busy enough without you regretting your time spent with it too much.

For more info about Ys IX: Monstrum Nox, check out NIS America's site!

Story: B-
Gameplay: B+
Graphics: C+
Music/Sound: B+
Value: C

Overall: C+

Pros:
+ A solid entry in the Ys franchise
+ More fleshed out exploration than seen in previous Ys games
​+ Does run smooth and look decent

Cons:
- Native PS5 release hardly distinguishable from PS4 version upscaled on a PS5
- Asking price does include some DLC costumes but not any way to transfer an old save
​- This is still a 4 year old game masquerading as something new, and Ys IX was feeling dated upon its original release

A copy of this game was provided to us free-of-charge by the publisher for the purpose of this review. This did not affect our review in any way.