As it prepares to be released on Nintendo Switch in a few weeks, we are working on the PS Vita version of Ys VIII, the version in which the title was first developed.
Developed by Nihon Falcon, published in the West by Nis America and distributed by Koch Media, Ys VIII Lacrimosa of Dana dates from September 2017 in France, with the simultaneous release of the PS Vita and PS4 versions.
Play again as Adol, the mythical character of the saga, who will share the headliner with Dana, a young woman who appears to him in a dream. When Adol falls asleep the player follows Dana's story. The events that take place in this dream world have a special importance on the unfolding of the story in the real world and, conversely, Adol's actions influence Dana's destiny.
Following a shipwreck during a boat trip, the young Adol you play as finds himself on the island of Seiren. This island, unknown to you, will become by force of circumstances the new habitat of our hero. For this, he will have to build a camp worthy of the name. Dominated by hostile wildlife, Seiren is a real challenge for the adventurer that you are, who will also have to fight for his survival. While exploring the different portions of the island, Adol will meet monsters, but also humans, sometimes peaceful and who will offer you to rally your cause, sometimes enemies.
During your exploration, you are accompanied by two teammates who will support you during the battles. If the classic level monsters will have no difficulty for you, the game will take on all its flavor during boss fights. Each has specific weak points, the ability to control one of your acolytes will become essential since they will wield different weapons. Indeed Ys VIII rests on a triangle of weapons between the sharp, piercing and blunt. But that's not all since the game also allows you to dodge, parry and even counterattack in a lightning way. As in Zelda BOTW, if you dodge an attack or counterattack at the time of an enemy charge, the slow time allows you to place devastating combos.
But combat isn't the only place you'll spend time in Ys VIII. The camp that will serve as a base in the heart of this unknown jungle will grow day by day as you meet. The new inhabitants you will meet during your exploration will be very useful, since they will help you in their own way your village. Like Dragon Quest Builders, you can improve your daily life by completing various quests. And in the same way as the latter, you will suffer regular attacks from the monsters of the vicinity. These defensive battles will also allow you from time to time to gain new abilities for your characters.
Between exploration, construction and dynamic, simple, but technical combat, Ys VIII Lacrimosa of DANA shows again that the PS Vita still has it under the sole. Although the console died in the bud in the West against its competitor the Nintendo 3DS, in Japan, where it had satisfactory results many quality games were able to see the light of day. It is therefore with joy to see games of this type exported to us, especially when they are translated into French. For J-RPG fans, it's a safe bet for Sony's end-of-life handheld console.
