Ys Book I & II

n/a

Ys Book I & II
System(s): CD-ROM², Virtual Console (Wii), PlayStation Network
Publisher: Hudson Soft Nihon Falcom
Developer: Nihon Falcom, Alfa System
Genre: RPG
Number of players: 1
Template:ReleasesPSN Release Date RRP Code JP 1989-12-21 ¥84248424 HCD9009 US 1990 TGXCD1002 JP ▼ 2007-10-16 800pts800 QABJ US ▼ 2008-08-28 800pts800 QABE EU ▼ 2008-09-05 800pts800 QABP AU ▼ 2008-09-05 800pts800 QABP
ESRB PEGI OFLC CERO A

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Ys I.II (イースI・II Īsu Wan Tsū) is a Japanese action role-playing game compilation consisting of enhanced remakes of the first two Ys games, released for the CD-ROM² by Nihon Falcom and Hudson Soft in 1989. It was released as Ys Book I & II for the TurboGrafx-CD in North America in 1990, and was a pack-in title for the TurboDuo in 1992.

Overview

Ys I & II consists of enhanced remakes of the first two games released in the Ys series, Ys I: Ancient Ys Vanished and Ys II: Ancient Ys Vanished – The Final Chapter. It was one of the first video games to use CD-ROM, which was utilized to provide enhanced graphics, animated cut-scenes, a Red Book CD audio soundtrack, and voice acting. The game's English localization was also one of the first to use voice dubbing.

It was the second role-playing game released on the CD-ROM format, six months after Tengai Makyou: Ziria (Far East of Eden). Ys I & II was also the first action RPG released on CD-ROM, and the first CD-ROM based RPG released in North America. The game was critically acclaimed upon release for being one of the first games to effectively demonstrate the potential of the CD-ROM format, including a lengthy adventure, animated cut scenes, Red Book music, and voiced dialogues.

Soundtrack

The game's early Red Book audio soundtrack was composed by Yuzo Koshiro and Mieko Ishikawa and arranged by Ryo Yonemitsu. As one of the first CD soundtracks in a video game, the music and audio have been critically acclaimed since its 1989 release.

The December 1990 issue of GamePro (№17, p134) stated that the music "to this game is definitely high budget" with "43 stunning tracks." In Electronic Gaming Monthly, Ed Semrad praised it for having "a true CD soundtrack" and "spoken intermissions" with "perfect" voice acting, while Steve Harris praised it for having "the most amazing sound track that explodes from the CD like a major motion picture." Electronic Gaming Monthly (№15, p16/18) gave the game an award for the Best BGM and Sound in a Video Game. Electronic Gaming Monthly (№14, p25) said the "soundtrack is true CD quality and among the best ever made."

Critical Reception

The game was widely acclaimed by critics upon release. In Japan, Famitsu's panel of four reviewers gave the game scores of 9, 9, 9, and 8, out of 10, adding up to an overall score of 35 out of 40. This made it one of their two highest-rated games of 1989, along with Makai Toushi Sa·Ga (The Final Fantasy Legend). It was also one of only seven games to have received a score of at least 35/40 or more from Famitsu up until 1989. [1]

TurboPlay (№2, p7) praised the game in its review, stating that the introduction sequence is "mind-blowing," that "everything, from the graphics to the gameplay, is incredible." The November 1990 issue of VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (№22) gave it a score of 9 out of 10, with the reviewer describing it as "one of the most detailed, involved games I have ever played," concluding that it "is the first game worthy of being put on CD. No one can ever claim that CD-ROM games are just a gimmick ever again." The December 1990 issue of GamePro (№17, p134) gave the game scores (out of 5) of 4 for graphics, 5 for sound, 5 for control, 5 for challenge, and 5 for overall fun factor.

In the 1991 Video Game Buyer's Guide issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly (№15, p16/18/78), panel of four reviewers gave the game scores of 10, 9, 8, and 8. Ed Semrad gave it a rare score of 10 out of 10, stating that the "perfect game finally happened." He concluded that, combining the soundtrack with "two, not just one, full blown RPG's, each with lengthy" graphics and voiced intermissions, "you get the ultimate in this genre." The lowest score for the game at the time was 8 out of 10 from another Electronic Gaming Monthly reviewer, Steve Harris, who praised it as "an outstanding game adventure" while criticizing the game as "slow for me" but nevertheless concluding that "the quality is obvious."

Physical Scans

CD-ROM² Version

NEC Retro Average
Publication Score Source Dragon 100 №172, p58 Electronic Gaming Monthly † 88 №15, p16/18/78 Weekly Famitsu 88 №26 Famitsu.com 100 2007-03-05 Famitsu.com 100 2013-01-21 GamePro † 96 №17, p134 RPGFan 92 2001-08-15 Video Games & Computer Entertainment 90 №22

	94
Based on 8 reviews

CD-ROM², JP
Cover
Disc

CD-ROM², US
Cover
Disc Map

Virtual Console Version

NEC Retro Average
Publication Score Source IGN 85 September 5, 2008

	85
Based on 1 review