Overview

Ys II: Ancient Ys Vanished – The Final Chapter is an action role-playing game developed by Nihon Falcom. This title follows the adventures of Adol Christin, continuing from where Ys I left off. It features a blend of action-packed gameplay with an engaging storyline, enriched with a fantasy setting.

Gameplay

The game builds upon its predecessor by introducing new elements, such as magic spells, in addition to the traditional melee combat. Players navigate various dungeons and landscapes, defeating monsters and solving puzzles. The gameplay is characterized by its “bump” combat system, where players collide with enemies to inflict damage without the direct use of weapons.

Storyline

In the narrative, Adol Christin finds himself on the floating continent of Ys, where he must uncover the mysteries of the land. The story emphasizes themes of heroism and discovery as Adol interacts with different characters and overcomes challenges to restore peace.

Technical Aspects

Ys II was praised for its memorable soundtrack and the graphics which were considered advanced for its time. It contributed significantly to establishing Nihon Falcom’s reputation in the RPG genre.

Historical Context

The game was initially released in 1988 for the NEC PC-8801 and later adapted for various platforms. It is noteworthy for being part of a pioneering series in Japanese action RPGs, influencing subsequent titles in the genre with its innovative mechanics and storytelling approaches.

Trivia

Ys II was eventually bundled with Ys I as “Ys I & II” for the TurboGrafx-CD, featuring enhanced audio and animated cutscenes, which garnered it a bigger audience outside Japan.