Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta Review

Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta — A divisive yet defining chapter in the Ys legacy.

As far as long-running RPG series go, Ys has a lot of history, and Nihon Falcom is a big part of that. Falcom has spent decades perfecting what makes Ys unique: fast-paced fighting, tight exploration, and a focus on the adventurous spirit of its red-haired main character, Adol Christin. Falcom is known for its consistent output and unique design philosophy.

Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta isn't just another game; it's a revised version of Ys: Memories of Celceta, which was a revised version of Ys IV. Ys IV has been around for a long time and has been in many different forms. In the early 1990s, versions were developed by outside companies such as Hudson Soft and Tonkin House. But it wasn't until Falcom went back to the story in 2012 that the game became "canonical."

Falcom's plan to update older games for newer systems, such as the Nintendo Switch, continues with this Memoire release.

Celceta is a masterpiece that connects old and new Ys designs. It falls between remasters like Ys Origin and later marvels like Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana. Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta is very interesting because it feels like a test run for what the series would become. The way it works and is put together sets the stage for later games like Ys IX: Monstrum Nox and even Ys X: Nordics.

It has simpler systems, more rigid exploration features, and a story structure that doesn't always hit the mark, but it also has traces of older design ideas. This is what makes the game interesting and frustrating, based on what you look for in an RPG.

At the start of the story, Adol is lost and confused as he wanders around the city of Casnan. This is a common scene in RPG stories. The majority of the older entries describe how he arrived at this location by chance or after a shipwreck. In contrast, he begins this one with a state of mental and physical disorientation.

Adol goes on an adventure through the huge and dangerous Great Forest of Celceta with the help of a strange friend named Duren. A Roman official asks him to make a map of the area, and on his trip, he also seeks his lost memories. These memories appear as pieces scattered across different places, offering him glimpses into the past, including rare details about his youth.

This is one of the most interesting setups in the series, at least on paper. A huge, unmapped forest full of secrets, combined with a main character trying to figure out who he is, should make for a very interesting story. And sometimes it does. Celceta's ancient history and mystery, along with themes of fallen countries and divine beginnings, give the story a sense of scale and intrigue.

But the story falls apart in execution.

The amnesia plotline feels more like a plot device than an important story tool a lot of the time. There isn't enough depth in the character arcs, and many party members don't get the growth they need. Even the bad guys have trouble making an impression, which makes the story feel strangely scattered.

Some parts of the story, like memory flashbacks, are emotional and interesting, but they don't always feel linked to the main plot. By the time the story ends, it has some good ideas, but it lacks the impact and cohesion of better entries like Ys VIII.

The game loop in Revelations: Persona is what really sets it apart. Based on the party-based system that was first seen in Ys Seven, the game lets players switch between characters at any time. Each party member is good at a specific type of attack—slash, strike, or pierce—which adds a simple yet useful layer of strategy.

Because enemies have weaknesses that match yours, players should switch roles often rather than sticking to one playstyle. Combat is quick, sensitive, and fun. A basic move gives you skill points (SP), which you can then use to buy special skills. When players use these skills repeatedly, they improve, giving them a sense of progression closely linked to how they fight.

Also, the Extra Skill system is a strong finisher that builds up as you fight and rewards players who play aggressively. As a result, the fighting system always feels interesting without getting too hard to understand.

Advanced features like Flash Guard and Flash Move make battle even better.

A well-timed guard cancels damage and makes enemies vulnerable to critical hits, while a well-timed dodge slows time and locks enemies in place for a short time. These features give the game more depth and reward skilled players without being too hard for new players. Dungeon planning and exploration are also very important.

There are many different trails, hidden items, and environmental puzzles in the Great Forest. Some items, like boots that let you dash up vertical surfaces or things that make your party smaller, add light puzzle-solving elements. On the other hand, not all mechanics fall perfectly. You need to chart Celceta as your main goal, but the map-completion method can get repetitive over time.

It's common for players to have to touch the edges of the map in order to fully record exploration percentages. This can break the immersion and feel too fussy. The game's progression is a mix of standard leveling and upgrading gear. In a familiar way, experience points raise stats, and materials can be used to improve weapons and gear.

One big change is that you can now give gear status effects, which adds a small but welcome level of personalization. Side quests can be as easy as "go get something" or as complex as running a shop or negotiating rewards. They can bring in extra money and give you something new to do. These help slow things down and give you the tools you need for harder fights.

The way Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta looks shows that it was originally made for the PlayStation Vita. The Memoire version has better texture quality and sharpness, but compared to newer games, the overall look still feels a bit dated.

The character models and settings aren't as detailed or dynamic as they are in later games, but they're still good enough. Despite this, the visual style can still give you the impression that you are on an adventure, particularly in the lush forest sequences. The positive aspect is that the performance is satisfactory.

Fifty frames per second (FPS) is the frame rate at which the Switch version of the game plays smoothly, ensuring that the fast-paced battles remain smooth and snappy. Because of the efforts of the Falcom Sound Team, music has always been an essential component of Ys. All thanks to them. Many people truly enjoy the original soundtrack for Memories of Celceta; it features bright, unforgettable tunes.

A new piece of music has been added to the Memoire version, and at any point, you have the option to switch between the original and this version.

 The revised sound may be appreciated by some players, while others believe that it does not have the same impact as the original. This method with two options is a pleasant addition because it gives gamers the opportunity to select the experience that they desire. However, the new arrangements have been met with mixed reactions, making them one of the remake's more controversial elements. 

Voice acting, on the other hand, doesn't feel open enough. There are only partial voiceovers, unlike more recent Ys games, which feature fully voiced scenes. There are many different things in Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta. It has fast combat, rewarding exploration, and important progression systems, so on the one hand, it's a lot of fun to play.

On the other hand, it has a significant problem: the tale it presents does not make the most of the powerful notion it presents. Because it is a piece of history, it holds significant importance for the Ys series. It illustrates the transition from simple design concepts used in previous games to the more sophisticated approach used in subsequent games.

For beginners, this is a simple approach to get started. On the other hand, it provides veteran fans with additional insight into Adol's history and the series' evolution over the years. Even if it has a few issues, the majority of them are with the narrative and some peculiar design choices, it is still an excellent action role-playing game that is simple to recommend.

Despite the fact that it is nowhere near as wonderful as Ys VIII or Ys IX, this game is nevertheless an essential and enjoyable component of Adol's journey.