Ys IX: Monstrum Nox (v1.1.3 & ALL DLC)

Balduq is a towering prison city where every alley, rooftop, and barricaded district hides another piece of a supernatural conspiracy. Adol Christin arrives as a celebrated red-haired adventurer but quickly becomes one of the cursed Monstrums, fighters marked with strange powers and hunted by the authorities meant to keep order. Ys IX: Monstrum Nox blends brisk action-RPG combat with a gothic urban mystery, trading the series’ usual sprawling wilderness for a dense, vertical metropolis under Romun Empire control. Its mood balances pulpy anime drama, oppressive city streets, and the satisfying momentum of becoming powerful enough to move across the skyline.

Combat is fast, readable, and built around switching between six playable Monstrums, each representing a different damage type and fighting style. Well-timed Flash Guards block attacks without losing momentum, while Flash Dodges reward precise evasions with openings against aggressive enemies and oversized bosses. Every hero also carries a traversal Gift: one runs up walls, another glides across gaps, while others reveal secrets or destroy obstructions, steadily opening Balduq’s locked-off corners. Between story missions, players take on requests for residents, improve equipment and skills, gather materials, and defend the city in Grimwald Nox battles, arena-like incursions where waves of monsters threaten the streets.

What makes the adventure memorable is how closely exploration and character abilities connect; acquiring a new ally does not simply add another combatant, it changes how the city can be navigated. Balduq feels more compact than the open regions of Ys VIII, but its layered rooftops, hidden collectibles, and gradually unlocked districts give it a strong sense of place. The party-based combat retains the series’ famous speed while Boost Mode and special attacks add extra spectacle during difficult encounters. Fans of action-heavy JRPGs such as Tales of Arise or previous Ys entries will find plenty to enjoy, while newcomers can jump in easily thanks to its self-contained story and approachable, responsive combat.