Help me decide: Ys VIII - PS4 or Switch?

Do you travel a lot or play the Switch during your daily commute?

Yes: Switch
No: PS4

I picked up the Switch version at launch and played around 15 hours of it before putting it on hold.

Performance wise, I saw nothing wrong with it. Then again, I also played the other games on PSP (or rather, the ones I could) and those were all 30 FPS so eh.

You do get the extra bonus of it being portable, which is the reason I picked it up. It's really nice to just pick it up and play it whenever. Even at home, tabletop mode allows for positions I don't think I could ever pull off with a fixed position screen. Too bad it's as far from the Ys I fell in love with as it gets, but that's a problem with the game itself, not the Switch port.

Checked some PS4 footage and it doesn't even seem to be a proper 60 FPS port job. Some animations are visible lower resolution (first boss' attacks or dodge rolling), which is kinda crappy, all things considered.

I can't imagine playing this game at 30 as opposed to 60 fps. The game is like 90% excellent, incredibly fluid combat.


Edit: FYI there is a demo on PSN

Switch version comes with all the DLC but as a tradeoff is slightly more expensive. As you've mentioned I've heard the performance is solid but it's 30fps on Switch and 60 on PS4 which can make a big difference in a reflex heavy twitch action game like YS. The PS4 Pro version is true 4K (and it's gorgeous) while the Switch is 720p.

Also of course switch is portable you could be slaying dinosaurs on the toilet or on your commute if that's your thing.

You get a little extra content from the Vita ver. in the Switch version, but PS4 does deliver that fps. I own both but wound up putting more time in the Switch version. Your mileage may vary, but there isn't like a bad choice in there.

I decided to go with the Switch version but if you vastly prefer 60fps, then this is kind of a no brainer in favor of PS4.

For me, I already have a ton of Switch games in my backlog, so going forward I only buy the exclusives on Switch, otherwise PS4/Vita (I love trophies). So like Golf Story, BombChicken, and Hollow Knight (not totally exclusive, but still) I'll get on Switch, but like Stardew Valley and Undertale I'll get on PS4/Vita (crossbuy ftw).

I have plenty of stuff to play portably, I don't need to add to that list.

The Switch version is the only way I could buy and finish the game. I have been too used to the PSP entries, I believe that Ys works better on handhelds. The format of YsVIII proves it since you're constantly making progress that motivates you to keep playing.

Then again, it also depends on what you want.

If you want portability, then Switch.

If you want 4K gfx and 120 fps gameplay, then PS4.

PS4

I have played both, The Switch version has this awful grainy filter on it that is really ugly and distracting. The PS4 version is crystal clear and sharp in comparison.

So if you care about portability, The Switch, otherwise, get the PS4 version.

raketenrolf said:

I vastly prefer 60fps gameplay, especially on action oriented games.

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PS4.

PS4 unless you absolutely need to play portable.

Do you want to play in bed?

I bought it for PS4 before the Switch announcement, and wish I had waited and got the Switch version instead for the extra content and portability.

Personally I get all JRPGs on Switch.

I think the need for 60 fps with this game is rather overstated. I played it on hard and never had a problem with timing guard and dodge actions at 30 fps. The Switch version looks really bad on a bigger screen, though, unless you soften the image by lowering your monitors / tvs sharpness value quite a bit. I did this with my monitor and it became okay-ish, but still not great.

So my recommendation boils down to practically the same others have stated already, but not from the framerate standpoint, instead going off of the visuals. The game is no looker anyway, but if you want passable monitor/tv visuals, go with the PS4 version. If you're more inclined to play it portably, Switch.

The PS4 version looks better and runs at 60 FPS. The Switch version has some of the visual upgrades of the PS4 version and the content that wasnt in the Vita version, but runs at 30 FPS with some drops.

If you want to play it portable, Switch will do you just fine.

If you want the best experience, get the PS4 version.

Only get the Vita version if you are a diehard for that system. It's still a great game there but it does have some slowdown, lacks content added to the PS4 and Switch versions, and is obviously not as impressive visually.

I feel like the only way I could ever finish this would be on Switch. I'm playing and loving DQ11 on PS4, but the fact that I can't just play it wherever/whenever I want is killing me.

I almost always go for Switch versions even when they're technically inferior. Personally though, I really found 60fps important for this game. OP try the PS4 demo, then decide.

raketenrolf said:

But I also played Memories of Celceta on Vita and enjoyed it a lot.

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If you were able to get into that, then I don't really see any problem with the Switch version tbh. Celceta ran pretty much under 30 fps all the time while still not looking all that great. But it still felt good enough on the Vita, and so does Lacrimosa of Dana on Switch.

If portability isn't a must then PS4 is the obvious choice.

Look, thousands of Japanese players played the original Vita version and had a great time with it, and that is the worst looking version of the game with the worst performance. I played that version first and enjoyed it a lot, even if the PS4 version is a better experience. So you really can't go wrong with either because both are better than the original release, and the original release was still good.

JRPGS in bed = heaven

ghibli99 said:

I feel like the only way I could ever finish this would be on Switch. I'm playing and loving DQ11 on PS4, but the fact that I can't just play it wherever/whenever I want is killing me.

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This is exactly why I'm waiting for the Switch version. This killed me with Persona 5 lol

I haven't played the Switch version but the PS4 version plays buttery smooth and looks really crisp. Go with PS4 unless you need portability.

For me, portability is huge when it come to finishing a game longer than 10-15 hours.

I can never finish long games when tied to my TV. I'd say Switch.

In addition to what's been mentioned, I'll add the point Ys VIII was designed as a portable game originally, via Vita. This really shows in the raids, which feel tailor made for a short 10-15 minute play session but feel unnecessarily grindy on the console.

Xita said:

This is exactly why I'm waiting for the Switch version. This killed me with Persona 5 lol

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Yeah, I think if P5 had been on a handheld, it wouldn't have taken me over a year to finish it. I blasted through (relatively speaking) P3P and P4G.

As for DQ11 Switch, I'd wait too, but there's no way I'm waiting until next year to play a new localized DQ. :)

This series has always intrigued me but I haven't done much research. What about it engages people? Is it the story, the characters, the battle mechanics?

does not run well on Switch iirc

Piscus said:

This series has always intrigued me but I haven't done much research. What about it engages people? Is it the story, the characters, the battle mechanics?

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Exploration, characters, battle system. For me these are the three main points to Ys. I'd say especially the exploration and battle system. The story is a way to get you started into your adventure and gives some guidance, but I didn't play a Ys yet that was all that heavy on its story.

Piscus said:

This series has always intrigued me but I haven't done much research. What about it engages people? Is it the story, the characters, the battle mechanics?

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The boss battles, music and combat is generally regarded as top tier action RPG stuff.

The series has kinda lost me since the shift to anime/party JRPG over the older action platforming style. But I'm gonna give 8 a shot once it goes on sale on PS4.

I loved the PS4 version but it's not stable 60 FPS. I found the framerate quite problematic really.

gordofredito said:

does not run well on Switch iirc

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Yes, it does.

Piscus said:

This series has always intrigued me but I haven't done much research. What about it engages people? Is it the story, the characters, the battle mechanics?

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Fast paced action combat is the main draw of Ys.

PS4, 60fps.

Game is combat focused so PS4 hands down.

Piscus said:

This series has always intrigued me but I haven't done much research. What about it engages people? Is it the story, the characters, the battle mechanics?

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I would say gameplay is probably what people enjoy most about the series, along with the settings and characters. It feels like an adventure. The music in the series is also fantastic. Ys games typically have fun, simple stories, fun action, and great music.

Oh yeah, right. The music in Ys games is absolutely fantastic. The soundtrack on its own makes you wanna play the game. It's great.

Piscus said:

This series has always intrigued me but I haven't done much research. What about it engages people? Is it the story, the characters, the battle mechanics?

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Exploration + combat. All of the Ys games I've played have had a map that you fill out and get rewards for once you hit a certain % of completion. There are also items that you can use to backtrack and access previously unavailable areas.

As for the combat, it's top notch for an action RPG, which is why there's so much discussion about the importance of 60 FPS ITT.

Story and characters are whatever.

OH yeah, duh, the music! It's so good.

This is great feedback guys, thank you!

raketenrolf said:

Question in the title.

The obivious pros for the PS4 version are resolution und framerate (60fps), while on Switch it runs only at 30fps but it's portable.

It's kind of hard to decide for me because both versions have pretty good advantages. I vastly prefer 60fps gameplay, especially on action oriented games. Then again, playing a game like Ys on a handheld is great as well.

Are there any other pros or cons that I probably don't know of? Can't find much about this game over google. Just your typical kinda useless youtube side-by-side comparisons.

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I don't know how it is for you but for me, the only way I'll complete games these days is if I play them on the Switch, due to its play anytime anywhere nature.

You honestly can't go wrong with either.
I got the Switch version, portability is great for blasting through some of the more grindy/ not as interesting sections of the game.

I'm sure ( somewhat unstable) 60 fps are of course better than the (mostly) 30 fps of the Switch version, but the combat isn't Bayonetta. I never felt at much of a disadvantage, similar to how Souls games are perfectly playable at 30 fps.

Is portability a big deal for you? If the answer is yes, Switch It is.

As someone who owns the Switch version and wants to get it on another platform, would people recommend PC (now that it's been patched) or PS4 (slim)?
For reference, here are my PC's specs:


To answer the OP, the Switch version is perfectly playable. If you value portability and enjoyed it with Seven and Memories of Celceta, then Lacrimosa of Dana on Switch is very much in the same vein as those as far as sacrifices made to ensure that portability.

Switch.