REVIEW: ‘Ys X: Proud Nordics’ Is An Unforgettable Adventure

Nihon Falcom and NIS America have returned with Ys X: Proud Nordics, an enhanced and greatly expanded edition for current-gen systems. When Ys X: Nordics first graced our screens in 2024, it brought a breath of fresh ocean air to a classic and sometimes stale action RPG genre. It broke away from the traditional party mechanics we had grown so accustomed to in modern entries, opting instead for a tight, intimate dual-protagonist narrative that felt remarkably personal.

I know what you’re thinking: Does a game from late 2024 really need a definitive edition already? Honestly, yes. Falcom didn’t just slap a fresh coat of paint on this and call it a day. Ys X: Proud Nordics uses current hardware and a massive injection of new content to smooth out the original’s rough edges, proving this is the way the game was always meant to be played.

It is a prime example of how to approach an expanded re-release, adding a massive amount of meaningful content and packing in every piece of previously released DLC. This is an outstanding game that really sets the bar for definitive editions, offering a truly vibrant and dynamic universe you will never want to leave.

At the heart of Ys X: Proud Nordics is a surprisingly heartfelt and grounded story.

At the heart of Ys X: Proud Nordics is a surprisingly heartfelt and grounded story. The game takes us back to the early days of the series’ protagonist, Adol Christin. At just 17 years old, Adol is a bit greener here, armed with endless curiosity and his signature fiery red hair.

His journey brings him to the treacherous, island-dotted expanse of the Obelia Gulf, where he crosses paths with the Norman people—a rugged, seafaring culture of warriors and pirates that draws heavily on real-world viking lore.

It’s here that he meets Karja Balta, the Pirate Princess and only daughter of the Balta Seaforce’s jarl. By a twist of fate, Adol and Karja are magically bound together by a mystical force known as Mana, forcing them to cooperate if they want to survive against the Griegr, a mysterious army of undying monsters threatening the Gulf.

The setting might be fictional, but the writing is surprisingly down-to-earth, particularly when it comes to Karja. Instead of just relying on typical fantasy tropes, Karja’s struggles with her father’s massive legacy and the brutal expectations of the Norman people carry real weight.

It feels like you are in the room with real people facing real problems. The pacing of her relationship with Adol—moving from reluctant, handcuffed allies to genuine Shield Brethren—is some of Falcom’s absolute best character work. She is stubborn and fiery, but fiercely protective of her crew. 

The Cross Action system lets you seamlessly control both Adol and Karja.

If you are coming into Ys X: Proud Nordics expecting the three-person, weakness-exploiting party system of recent Ys titles, you are in for a massive shift. The game employs a “Cross Action” system that lets you seamlessly control both Adol and Karja, and it is honestly one of the most engaging combat loops I have played in years.

The system is divided into two distinct styles that you must fluidly weave between to survive. Solo Mode is all about fast-paced offense, allowing you to control either Adol or Karja while the AI competently handles the other. You can swap between them on the fly, pinging out skills and attacks in safe windows. It requires careful attention, as enemy attacks are color-coded: blue attacks demand perfectly timed dodges, keeping you light on your feet.

On the flip side, holding down the guard button pulls Adol and Karja together, transforming them into an unbreakable defensive unit known as Duo Mode. In this stance, your movement is slowed, but you can block devastating red attacks. Successfully guarding fills up your Revenge Gauge, which you can then cash in to unleash incredibly powerful, synchronized parry attacks that completely decimate enemy health bars.

Ten hours of entirely new gameplay make the “Proud” edition worth the repackage.

Bouncing between the frantic pace of Solo Mode and the heavy, rhythmic guarding of Duo Mode is what keeps the combat from ever getting stale. Bosses have massive health pools and fortified shields that demand you use both stances. When you finally lock into the rhythm of dodging a blue attack, swapping characters, and immediately snapping together to parry a red attack, it just clicks. It’s immensely satisfying, especially when accompanied by the flashy visual effects of their combined Mana strikes.

Progression is equally satisfying. As you level up, you earn points to spend on the Release line—a sprawling skill tree where you slot in colored gems to boost your stats, unlock new passive abilities, and deepen the combat synergy between the two leads. It forces players to take a thoughtful approach to building their characters, rewarding creativity over mindless hacking and slashing.

But let’s talk about the main event: the new “Proud” additions. It would have been easy to just bundle in the old DLC and call it a definitive edition, but there is roughly ten hours of genuinely great new gameplay bolted onto the campaign.

The most substantial addition is the explorable Öland Island. Situated in the northern reaches of Obelia Bay, this massive landmass houses dense, uncharted wilderness and ancient ruins. The storyline here is phenomenal, diving deep into previously unrevealed truths about the history of the Norman people.

Along the way, you meet Canute and Astrid, a pair of Shield Brethren whose surprising connection to Karja’s past adds a beautiful layer of emotional weight to the narrative. There’s also a deeply intriguing mystery revolving around a new character who perfectly complements the main campaign, tying seamlessly into the lore established in the base game.

New Mana Actions and traversal opportunities further expand Ys X: Proud Nordics.

Beyond the expanded narrative, Ys X: Proud Nordics introduces several fantastic gameplay additions that drastically alter how you interact with the world. A brand-new Mana Action called Mana Hold allows you to physically move heavy environmental objects, opening up completely new, clever puzzle mechanics in both old and new dungeons.

For those looking to test their combat mastery, Muspelheim offers a challenging, roguelite-inspired timed dungeon that rewards you with high-tier loot for quick, precise enemy takedowns. If you prefer something more straightforward and brutal, The Bergen Coliseum serves as a dedicated arena where you can replay souped-up versions of various boss battles for extra rewards.

Outside of combat, traversal gets a massive boost with thrilling new Mana Ride Challenges that test your racing skills across the Gulf. The introduction of fast-moving Ocean Currents also serves as a massive quality-of-life feature, adding swift nautical pathways to the map that drastically reduce the time it takes to sail from island to island. All of these minor and major changes come together beautifully, helping turn a very good game into something truly special.

The Sandras acts as your mobile base of operations throughout the game.

You can’t have a game about seafaring Vikings without a ship, and the Sandras acts as your mobile base of operations throughout the game. Initially, the ship handles a bit like a clunky tugboat. However, as you gather materials from island-hopping, rescue townsfolk to join your crew, and engage in naval combat, you can upgrade the Sandras into a terrifyingly fast and powerful dreadnought.

Naval combat offers a welcome break from on-foot action. You will find yourself engaging in heated broadside battles with enemy fleets, consulting maritime maps, and discovering hidden islands that hold secret treasures. There is a genuine sense of discovery when the fog of war clears on the nautical map to reveal a new archipelago.

 The best moments, however, are the boarding sequences. After wearing down a large enemy vessel, you can grapple over and engage in close-quarters combat right on their deck. Taking over a ship and claiming its treasures is an addictive loop that never gets old. With the addition of the new oceanic currents in Ys X: Proud Nordics, navigating the vast stretches of the Gulf feels incredibly smooth and completely eliminates the pacing issues that plagued the original release’s mid-game exploration.

Yukihiro Jindo’s music is nothing short of spectacular.

Music is such a vital component for a successful RPG, and Yukihiro Jindo’s work on the Ys X soundtrack is nothing short of spectacular. The score perfectly matches the high-energy combat and the sweeping, adventurous tone of the high seas. The heavier rock tracks constantly added to the adrenaline of boss fights, while the acoustic town themes helped make the normal interactions feel warm and inviting. Jindo knows exactly when to drop an electric guitar solo and when to pull back for an emotional string arrangement, and it elevates every single cutscene.

Visually, Ys X: Proud Nordics is stunningly beautiful. The anime-inspired art style is something we tend to see often in games of this genre, but it always just seems to work perfectly here. Each character feels distinct, and the vibrant colors and lighting make every island location feel incredibly unique. The sound design complements this beautifully, from the crashing of the ocean waves to the heavy clank of swords parrying a blow.

The technical jump is quite impressive, too. The new Performance Mode hits a buttery smooth 120fps, which feels practically mandatory once you see how fast the Cross Action combat gets. If you prefer eye candy, Quality Mode locks in at a super-stable 60 fps while drastically sharpening the image. It takes the game from a sometimes grainy struggle on older hardware to a pin-sharp dream.

Ys X: Proud Nordics fixes everything from the base game while adding in a wealth of new features.

If there is anything holding Ys X: Proud Nordics back from being absolutely flawless, it’s the pacing of the opening hours. Like many Falcom titles, it takes its sweet time setting the stage. You will need to power through a few hours of slow exposition and limited combat options before the training wheels come off and the Cross Action system truly opens up. Additionally, while the Sandras becomes a powerhouse later on, those early nautical battles can feel a bit sluggish and repetitive compared to the lightning-fast on-foot action.

Ys X: Proud Nordics is an authentic, thrilling, and often deeply emotional journey that perfectly captures the spirit of adventure. The development team has managed to fix nearly every minor grievance from the base game while tossing in a wealth of new narrative and gameplay features that make it far and away the definitive way to experience Obelia Gulf. Whether you are a longtime Ys fan or a newcomer looking for a genuinely fantastic action RPG, you owe it to yourself to set sail with Adol and Karja.

Ys X: Proud Nordics is available now on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.