Gameplay Today - Because You're Always Gaming

Ys Seven is part of a long running RPG series dating back to 1987. The game has evolved in its own ways in terms of perspective over the years, but at its core remains an action RPG. Personally I've never had much interest in this series back when it originally was released. If this is the way the series has headed, consider me a believer.

The story picks up in Ys Seven supposedly after the events of the sixth game. It's a bit unclear but I presume its the point with a series that keeps the same reoccurring main characters. In this title the protagonists goto a foreign country terrorized by Titannos (Read: Big Bosses) and a need to awaken five dragons of legend propels the tale.

The star of all Ys titles is Adol, a red haired swordsman who finds himself travelling the world and stepping into the main character limelight wherever he goes. His companion on this journey is Dogi who has been in the Ys series since at least the second game. Dogi was originally a thief, but now fights for good on your side. His character boils down to being the big brute who is the butt of other characters jokes. This is in contrast to Adol's silent hero who manages to convey some opinion with nodding or my awkward favorite; 'Adol explains the situation and how he feels to NPC'. It's a bit silly mid conversation with several characters to have Adol throw up a text box like that.

The PSP's biggest problem with controls is the Analog stick, it is so uncomfortable that being forced to use it for long periods of time just doesn't feel good. The surprising thing is Ys Seven makes use of the d-pad and it feels a lot more responsive and precise than the analog stick in a 3D environment. Part of the mastery of this RPG is getting used to moving and constantly dodging attacks to survive long enough for a blow to be dealt by your team.

In battle you will find yourself constantly switching among party members. Each party member specializes in light or heavy strikes, which results in enemies being impervious to one or the other. While I didn't prefer Dogi's slower punch attacks having to be prepared to switch quickly is an entirely different element used in other action RPGs. The action will only stop if you pause the game or bring up the inventory.

To describe the battling best is to call it Secret of Mana sped up and with all the control of your fate in your hands. Every attack is avoidable in Ys Seven if you are quick or smart enough to do so. A great difference from Mana is bosses they cannot cast a spell that freezes the screen and damages everyone.  Speaking of the bosses they seem at times ripped strait out of 1990s action RPGs until you start facing off against the even bigger baddies. I have gone into a few battles underleveled but was able to survive simply based off pattern learning and quick dodge pressings.

The AI is not too bright, but the game is kind enough not punish you for the AI walking into death traps. AI controlled party members take damage but a lot less if you were actually controlling them. I would whole absouletely recommend throwing the weakest party members at bosses first and working your way down the line to Adol for cleanup. If things go terribly wrong, at least Adol will be really healthy.

Graphically the game is pretty and the camera knows this. Many times the camera will pan in a way to show off your party running against gorgeous backdrops. The models may lack perfection of a Final Fantasy X model but each character looks defined and different enough to keep the game from being confusing. Actually my one and only gripe from the game is the animation, or lack of when a character is lying down or kneeling to a standing position is jarring. The character just fades out and then fades in standing straight up.

The soundtrack reminded me a lot of Secret of Mana, no it just completely tops it. A massive soundtrack that brings all the nostalgia of the 1990s gaming while still sounding completely fresh just warms my heart. RPGs of present day struggle so much to grab the heart strings during a sad scene, most resorting to gospel and chanting to evoke those feelings. It's really refreshing to see a game actually set the mood again with a pure instrumental rock.

I am sold that Ys Seven is one of the sleeper hits on PSP that will be overlooked by many. At $30.00 it is a steal to anyone that remotely liked a previous Ys title, Secret of Mana, 90's action RPGs or RPGs in general. Falcom made a brilliant game last year that we now get to enjoy thanks to Xseed putting an excellent translation behind the game. I really cannot recall the last time an action game has impressed me this much, delivering on every single front.