Metacritic (80)
OpenCritic (81)
Noisy Pixel (9.5/10, video):
Inverse (9/10):
Hey Poor Player (4.5/5):
GamePitt (9/10):
GameSkinny (9/10):
Millenium (85/100, review in French):
Gamersky (8.5/10, review in Chinese):
PSX Brasil (85/100, review in Portuguese):
The Mako Reactor (8.5/10):
Video Chums (8.4/10):
RPGFan (81/100):
God is a Geek (8/10, video):
RPG Site (8/10):
Hardcore Gamer (4/5):
WayTooManyGames (8/10):
SpazioGames (7.9/10, review in Italian):
IGN Italy (7.9/10, review in Italian):
Everyeye.it (7.8/10, review in Italian):
Finger Guns (7/10):
Eurogamer Italy (7/10, review in Italian):
Siliconera (7/10):
OpenCritic (81)
Noisy Pixel (9.5/10, video):
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is some of the most fun I have had within the action-JRPG genre, period. The adventure includes everything you could ask from the series, with the addition of an addicting gameloop, well-written character-driven narrative, a stellar soundtrack, and great controls. This is not a title to be slept on. Any fans of JRPGs worth their salt should give this adventure a shot, regardless if they have experience with the Ys series. Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is a masterpiece that only seems to stumble when balancing its level of difficulty.
Inverse (9/10):
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is an epic tale with a vibrant world within its walls. With its tried and true gameplay, this latest entry nimbly balances familiarity with the rush of innovation. You'll develop true affection for the characters throughout this massive 40-50 hour game, partly because the side quests are so compelling. Despite some issues with performance, the strong points vastly outshine them. Adol always yearns for great adventures, and I can't wait to see where the wind takes him next.
Hey Poor Player (4.5/5):
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is, let's just come out and say it, pretty weird. But the most important question to me, however, is whether it's any fun or not. And, despite all of the changes, I think that it is. Would I want this to be the formula for every Ys game from here on out? Heck no. But a literal antithesis to Ys VIII's Seiren Island—which is absolutely what this game is—is really charming in its own way, and the fact that Falcom was able to add so many novel features while still keeping this game Ys-like at its heart is genuinely impressive.
GamePitt (9/10):
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is, by far, my favourite Ys adventure so far; Adol is a badass! Although the game started off a little slow for me, making me feel like the game was going to be a short and repetitive bunch of missions within a single city, I was happy when the game expanded and new mechanics and areas were opened up to me. The story had me hooked as soon as the narrative introduced a strange introduction early on, making me constantly try and guess what was happening – I simply couldn't stop playing until the game had explained itself to me! I have issues with the presentation and performance of the game but if I step back and ignore resolution and framerate, I had so much fun and quickly became addicted to the satisfying combat and interesting quests.
GameSkinny (9/10):
Ys IX is a departure in several ways from previous games, from the more concentrated setting to the deeper focus on character stories, and it pays off in all ways. A few narrative missteps and some awkward progression mechanics aside, it's an outstanding RPG and an impressive step forward for the Ys series.
Millenium (85/100, review in French):
Similarly to its predecessor, the only thing Ys is missing is a budget in line with current standards. Many might be repelled by the aged graphics and the crude direction, but those who manage to get past that will find the very best of old-school A-RPG. Thanks to explosive fights, very generous content and heroes whose powers give a good boost to the exploration, Ys is a must-have for fans of modest but lovingly made Japanese productions.
Gamersky (8.5/10, review in Chinese):
Ys IX adapts every positive aspect of its predecessor, and adds a new dimension of exploration. For those who love the series, it can offer joy and fun as usual. But as for the haters or newcomers, it is still lack of attraction.
PSX Brasil (85/100, review in Portuguese):
With a very fun and enjoyable story, even if its not without its issues, Ys IX: Monstrum Nox evolves the series' combat system to new heights, being another great title that lives up to the beautiful legacy of its name.
The Mako Reactor (8.5/10):
Overall, I've enjoyed my time with Ys IX: Monstrum Nox once again and it is definitely worth playing for fans of modern Ys games. Given the references it makes to earlier games and its overall lack of polish in some areas, I don't think it is the best Ys game to play as a newcomer. That remains Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana or Ys: The Oath in Felghana depending on whether you want to get into the games through a modern or older entry. The gameplay and traversal additions and improvements in Ys IX: Monstrum Nox are definitely the real draw here and they make it a ton of fun to play overall. I wish Falcom had spent a bit more optimising the game technically though. Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is one of Falcom's most ambitious games ever but that ambition needed a bit more time to be fully realised. Despite all my problems with Ys IX: Monstrum Nox, it is still an excellent action RPG and one that most Ys fans will adore.
Video Chums (8.4/10):
For all that Ys IX: Monstrum Nox does that's new, there's no denying that it's still a tried-and-true Ys game at its core. Although I wish it took more risks with its setting and gameplay, it's still a great action RPG that fans like me will love.
RPGFan (81/100):
Ys IX is a satisfying JRPG that builds on the exploration elements from other recent Ys games, but doesn't play to its strengths enough with pacing issues and empty spaces distracting from the action.
God is a Geek (8/10, video):
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is a great RPG with fast paced combat and plenty to do in its dense world.
RPG Site (8/10):
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is another excellent addition to the Ys series. Its darker tone and gloomier atmosphere help it to stand out from the rest of the series, but it somehow works in its favor. The character writing and narrative framing is a remarkable step-up from previous titles, yet still preserves the thrilling intense action that the Ys series is known for. Some of Monstrum Nox's sidequests stand among the best in the entire series. I have a few qualms with its repetitive structure, though what truly stings is the frequent crashes I experienced on the PS5. I loved my time with Adol's adventure throughout Balduq and look forward to his next big adventure.
Hardcore Gamer (4/5):
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is a continuation of what fans have come to expect from the series and the Monstrum gifts add a new and fun gameplay mechanic. In some ways the Monstrum gifts make this the most fun Ys game to play even though there are other arguments against it being the best one.
WayTooManyGames (8/10):
Adol's awkward goth phase may have started on his 34th birthday, but thankfully, it ended up being the good kind of goth. The one that listens to Nightwish and reads 19th century literature, not the phoney one that hangs out at Hot Topic and thinks that Keanu Reeves' role in 1992's Dracula was competent.
SpazioGames (7.9/10, review in Italian):
Ys IX is probably a step back if directly compared to Lacrimosa of Dana, due to the uneven balance between action and story, but it's still a very solid JRPG, graced by a fast paced combat system.
IGN Italy (7.9/10, review in Italian):
While not innovating or distorting the original formula, Ys IX Monstrum Nox still proves to be an eventful and extremely rewarding action-JRPG.
Everyeye.it (7.8/10, review in Italian):
The night of the monsters may therefore not be the shocking event that we all expected, especially after the achievements of Lacrimosa of Dana, but a good story and the tested gameplay of the series, here embellished with a handful of new mechanics and above all by the Gifts of the Monster, which among other things greatly lighten the exploratory phases, still make it a delightful action RPG.
Finger Guns (7/10):
Ys IX Monstrum Nox may come from an established franchise, but it treads the line of least resistance, trying to be as safe as possible. While its painfully slow narrative ends strongly, combat remains its strongest asset. It takes no risks, ending up as an almost cookie-cutter version of the previous title in a different setting.
Eurogamer Italy (7/10, review in Italian):
Once again, Falcom proves its talent for making great games, with tight production times and limited budgets: a must-have for the devoted fans of the series and an accessible starting point for new players.
Siliconera (7/10):
Ys IX had a lot of potential to clean up everything Ys VIII did wrong with the series, but instead, the developers decided to double-down on those previous decisions. At least in Ys VIII, the hideout where Dogi hangs out and the tower defense elements to protect it make some sense. In Ys IX, the hideout feels forced, and the tower defense element for the Grimwald Nox feels incredibly out of place and forced.
At least the game still knows how to make fun of itself.
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