Ys and the Abyss: A Classic RPG's Legacy

Ys is a relatively simple game that spawned many more games, but more importantly, myriad versions of itself. Ys I was ported more than 10 times, and while many are functionally identical to the original version, others have entirely self-contained play and narrative lineages worth preserving, or at least, worth a look. I played 7 of the most interesting versions. Here's a brief look at Ys: The Vanished Omens.

Also known as Ancient Ys Vanished and The Ancient Land of Ys, this early Falcom title is sometimes credited as the birth of action rpgs, when in truth, other games directly inform Ys' inception. Real folk tales inform Ys, even! This is a longform retrospective look at both the history of Falcom, from all the way back in the PC-88 era, and the ways Ys was adapted for other consoles and changing times.

** One correction: Mobygames DOES have a page for Ys I on the Sharp X68000, but it's separate from the main listing.

the sequel: https://youtu.be/geScjMvgBqA

COME CHILL:
https://www.patreon.com/kbash
https://bsky.app/profile/kbash.bsky.social

Sources and Further Reading:
https://pastebin.com/ZSBWgFUD

Music:
the OSTs of every version of Ys I, and a smattering of Napple Tale, Golden Sun, Valkyrie Profile, Unicorn Overlord, Folklore, Legend of Mana, and Trials of Mana. I'll make a pastebin if someone yells at me

0:00 Early Falcom & the Action RPG
8:20 the original YS
11:19 how most people will ever experience Ys
15:44 a quick guide to Ys
18:26 starting Ys is weird
25:26 Famicom Ys... Man what...?
29:59 Sharp X68000 Ys
37:07 the shrine and bump combat
46:40 the Mine and DYs
58:21 Darm Tower
1:06:26 the many flavors of Ys bosses
1:16:40 the funny Darm Tower prank
1:19:00 Dark Fact
1:23:24 splintering stories
1:32:19 the books of Ys
1:33:48 from each according to their ability
1:38:00 Ys' music, and storytelling
1:41:36 Ys and the oral tradition