Ys IX: Monstrum Nox

Our analysis

A very good action RPG with outstanding, fluid combat built on dodging, guarding, and monstrum traversal abilities, plus an engaging story and the strong characters the series is known for. The drab city and prison setting lacks the wonder of the previous entry, and the Switch version suffers real performance issues with frequent frame drops outside in the city. A day-one patch could push it higher, but as reviewed it lands as a solid but compromised port.

Our analysis

The ninth entry in the long-running mid-budget action-RPG series is pleasant and digestible rather than ambitious, with a tired setting, last-gen graphics and combat that boils down to button-mashing across interchangeable party members with differing damage types. The plot, structured like a D&D campaign, has enough intrigue to see through, and the open-world traversal powers like gliding and wall-running are genuinely fun. Charming and undemanding, if firmly a few steps behind the industry.

Our analysis

A great entry point to the series, this action RPG continues Adol's adventures without requiring prior knowledge. Smart design touches like fast travel, streamlined systems, and platforming-based traversal keep it feeling fast and light, with engaging action combat and a lighthearted tone. Drawbacks include dated visuals, a slow start, drab dungeon settings, and easy default difficulty, but it succeeds as relaxed RPG comfort food.