Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana review

• Available on PS4, PS5, Switch
• Released on 7 January 2025
• Developed by Nihon Falcom

If you’re an action RPG fan, 2025 is already off to a promising start. Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana has landed on PS4, PS5, and Switch, giving new life to a beloved classic. Originally a reimagining of Ys III: Wanderers from Ys, this updated version polishes things up with high-def visuals, a remastered soundtrack, and a few extra treats for longtime fans.

Right out of the gate, this remaster feels generous. Not only have the visuals and audio been given a nice upgrade, but character portraits have been redrawn, and for the first time, Adol Christin actually speaks thanks to new voice acting. Don’t worry, purists: all of these features are optional, and you can even choose from multiple soundtrack versions.

Gameplay-wise, there are a handful of quality-of-life improvements that make things smoother. You can now switch items on the fly, making magic and equipment swaps much quicker. New difficulty settings also help open the game up to players of all skill levels, whether you’re looking for a laid-back journey or a serious challenge.

That said, under all the polish, this is still very much a game from another era. Combat is straightforward: tap a single button to attack, with no block or dodge options aside from jumping. Magic adds a bit of variety, but don’t expect deep, modern systems here.

This simplicity can make things feel repetitive, especially when you’re mowing down enemies screen by screen with the same attack. Thankfully, the occasional puzzle or enemy that requires a specific tactic helps keep things from becoming totally monotonous.

For longtime Ys fans, though, this won’t be much of a problem. There’s plenty of classic adventuring to enjoy: upgrading gear, hunting down hidden items, and chatting with townsfolk to uncover side quests. It’s the kind of game that rewards exploration and dedication.

However, a word of warning: those boss fights can get brutal. While regular enemies go down without much fuss, the game’s big baddies can be a serious test of patience, even on lower difficulties. And you can’t heal during these fights, so prepare to retry a few times.

Still, for fans of the series — or anyone craving a taste of old-school action RPG fun — Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana is worth checking out. It might not have the depth or flair of newer entries, but it’s a loving update of a fan favorite, and spending more time with Adol is always a good time.