Released and translated by Clouded Leopard Entertainment and developed by Japan's Falcom Studio, Ys X -Norman Glory- has officially launched today. This is an enhanced version of Ys X - Adventure in the North -, originally released in 2023, allowing players to experience new content on the Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam platforms.
This version is not just an enhanced edition of Northern Expedition; it also introduces brand new characters, story chapters, and map areas. Even though I played Northern Expedition back in 2023, the new content and the noticeably improved graphics quality and smooth frame rates on the Nintendo Switch 2 have drawn me back into the world of Norman Glory.
【No prior experience needed】
The Ys series and Trails of Heroes series are signature IPs from Falcom Studio, with each installment featuring a standalone story that doesn’t rely on previous games. The narrative follows protagonist The Adventurer with Red Hair Ateru Kristin and his friend Dogi, embarking on a brand new adventure with each release.
Story Summary
Norman Glory follows the journey of Yatulu as he arrives in the northern seas Aobei Liya Bay, where he encounters the local marine tribes Norman. At the beginning of the story, he faces an attack from the undead Gulige, which propels him into a thrilling adventure. He unexpectedly gains the divine power of Mana and, alongside Kaja, who possesses the same strength Princess Norman, they confront the impending crisis that looms ahead.
Using the Ship as the Base of Adventure
Set against the backdrop of a tropical island, the ship becomes the players' Base, making exploration and sailing essential elements of the experience. On the open sea, players will encounter various enemies and challenges, which makes strengthening the ship a crucial mission. In addition to collecting materials to enhance the vessel, players should also remember to rescue scattered residents, as their inclusion can boost the ship's capabilities and allow them to take on different roles aboard, such as running a shop or providing medical services.
【Exploration System】
As the story unfolds, players will acquire various artifacts and unlock different exploration abilities. For instance, the initial Rope helps players traverse obstacles, while the later Glide allows free movement across water surfaces or mud. Additionally, there's an ability similar to 透視眼 translates to "X-ray Vision." that enables players to discover hidden treasure chests.
Therefore, with the acquisition of new abilities, players might discover more new items when visiting previously explored maps in the game.
【Combat System】
The game features a real-time combat system, allowing players to engage in regular attacks and use SP to perform various skills. The cooperative techniques of the two protagonists add more variety to the battles. As players become more proficient with their skills, they will unlock advanced abilities, each with its own unique characteristics, offering different strategies for combat.
The Ys series has consistently delivered smooth combat, and its performance on the NS2 platform once again proves its excellent capabilities, ensuring fluid visuals and stable effects.
【Image Quality Enhancement】
The improvement in overall image quality goes beyond just the battle scenes; the clarity of animations, the sharpness of characters, and the high-definition quality of the visuals have all seen significant upgrades.
【New Elements】
For players who have previously played the NS version of Northern Expedition, the newly added characters Kanut and Astrid in Norman Glory can be seen as DLC. The post-completion unlock of Realm of Muspelheim is a limited-time challenge dungeon that is unrelated to the main storyline.
Although the NS2 has been on the market for some time, there aren’t many Japanese RPGs or ARPGs to choose from. This time, Norman Glory is perfect for play, whether in portable mode or docked mode. If you have an NS2 and are unsure about which game to pick, this game that combines adventure, combat, exploration, collection, and story—Ys X - Norman's Glory -—is definitely worth having.
Finally, if you already have Ys X - Northward Adventure - and a clear save file, you can directly inherit your Norman Glory along with its level and items; otherwise, players who have not completed Northern Adventures will be unable to transfer their save files to Norman Glory. Please pay close attention.
Ys X - Norman's Glory - is now available and can be experienced on Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam.
