Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana Review

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As someone who’s only dipped their toes into the vast ocean of Ys games, I went into Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana with a mix of curiosity and cautious excitement. My history with the series is minimal—I’ve only played a handful of the games, but I’ve really enjoyed every moment of the ones I’ve experienced. When I heard that this reimagining of Ys III: Wanderers of Ys, one of the highest regarded entries in the Ys series, I knew I had to see what all the fuss was about. Now, after finishing the game, I can confidently say that Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana isn’t just a standout title for Ys fans—it’s a shining example of how to respectfully modernize a classic game.

For those unfamiliar, The Oath in Felghana is a complete reimagining of Ys III: Wanderers from Ys, a 1989 game originally released as a side-scrolling action RPG. This isn’t just a simple remake, though; it’s a full overhaul of the original, with high-definition visuals, remastered music, and significant gameplay improvements. The biggest draw for me was the promise of a more fleshed-out experience, and this version doesn’t disappoint.

Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana Review

The story follows Adol Christin, the series’ iconic red-haired adventurer, as he journeys to the land of Felghana alongside his long-time companion Dogi. What starts as a casual visit to Dogi’s hometown quickly escalates into a battle to save the land from a dark force threatening its people. Without diving into spoiler territory, the narrative offers a classic tale of heroism, betrayal, and mystery, with plenty of emotional moments sprinkled in. While the story isn’t groundbreaking, it’s engaging enough to keep you invested throughout, with the characters and worldbuilding adding plenty of charm.

One of the most exciting updates in this reimagining is that Adol Christin is no longer a silent protagonist. For the first time in The Oath in Felghana, Adol has a voice actor, which adds a whole new layer of personality to the character. Hearing him interact with others, express determination, or react to tense situations made me feel connected to his journey. The addition of voice acting for the supporting cast also helps bring the story to life, giving each character a distinct identity.

Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana Review

If there’s one thing that defines the Ys series, it’s the fast-paced, challenging gameplay, and The Oath in Felghana is no exception. This game is tough—but in the best possible way. Combat is smooth, responsive, and incredibly satisfying, with plenty of room for skill and strategy. Adol’s arsenal of abilities and magic gives you a lot of options in battle, and learning to master his moves against increasingly challenging enemies is a rewarding experience.

For those seeking an even greater challenge, the game offers a variety of difficulty settings, including brutally hard modes for seasoned players. Personally, I stuck to Normal for my first playthrough, and it felt just right—challenging but never unfair. However, I can easily see hardcore players relishing the opportunity to test their skills on Hard or Nightmare difficulty.

The game also shines in its boss battles. These encounters are some of the highlights of the experience, combining tight mechanics, clever design, and a fair but demanding level of difficulty. Every boss fight feels unique, forcing you to learn their attack patterns and adjust your strategy accordingly. It’s a thrilling test of your skills and a big reason why I couldn’t put the game down once a new big battle started up.

Another aspect that impressed me was the variety in the game’s environments. From lush forests to scorching lava caves, the different biomes and dungeon types are a joy to explore. Each area has its own distinct aesthetic and atmosphere, making the world of Felghana feel alive and immersive. The level design encourages exploration, with plenty of secrets to uncover, treasures to find, and shortcuts to unlock.

Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana Review

What stood out most to me, though, was how well the game integrates Adol’s magic into both combat and traversal. His spells aren’t just useful for taking down enemies—they’re also essential for navigating the world. Whether it’s using a wind-based ability to glide across gaps or a fire spell to melt obstacles, there’s a great sense of synergy between Adol’s powers and the environment. This adds an extra layer of depth to the gameplay, making exploration feel dynamic and rewarding.

Visually, Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana is a treat. The high-definition graphics are crisp and vibrant, giving the game a fresh coat of paint while staying true to the series’ iconic character designs. The character illustrations have been updated as well, but what I loved most is the option to switch between the remastered visuals and the classic artwork. Similarly, the game lets you toggle between the original soundtrack and the newly remastered version. Both options are fantastic, but I found myself leaning toward the remastered score—it’s energetic, emotional, and perfectly complements the action-packed gameplay. If there is one minor gripe I had with The Oath in Felghana, it is that some of it’s side quests and objectives feel like padding and don’t carry the same level of quality as the engaging main questline.

On the Nintendo Switch, the game performs beautifully. Whether I was playing docked on my TV or in handheld mode, the experience was smooth and seamless. I didn’t encounter any noticeable technical hiccups, which is a testament to how well this version was optimized for the hardware.

It’s clear that Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana is the definitive version of this beloved game. With its stunning visuals, enhanced music, and modern gameplay refinements, it sets a new standard for how to update a classic while respecting its roots. The added customization options, like switching between classic and modern assets, show a real dedication to giving players the best of both worlds.

As someone relatively new to the Ys franchise, I can confidently say this is a game that anyone can enjoy, whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer. Its mix of fast-paced action, challenging combat, and engaging exploration makes it a must-play for anyone who loves action RPGs.

Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana Review

Final Thoughts

Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana exceeded my expectations in nearly every way. It’s a game that feels both nostalgic and fresh, combining classic design principles with modern sensibilities. The challenging gameplay, memorable boss battles, and dynamic use of magic make it a joy to play, while the polished visuals and remastered soundtrack elevate the experience even further.

For me, this wasn’t just a reimagining of a fan-favorite title—it was an invitation to dive deeper into the world of Ys and discover what makes this series so special. Whether you’re a veteran adventurer or someone setting foot in Felghana for the first time, this is a journey worth taking.

A Nintendo Switch review code was provided by the publisher for the purpose of this review.

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9

Played On: Nintendo Switch

  • + Great story with challenging and rewarding gameplay
  • + Quality of life changes that modernise the original
  • + Option of using the updated illustrations and soundtrack or classic version


  • - Side quests lack the same engagement as the main questline

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