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|composer = [[Yuzo Koshiro]] (original) <br> [http://vgmdb.net/artist/700 Mieko Ishikawa] (original) <br> [http://vgmdb.net/artist/708 Ryo Yonemitsu] (arranger)
|composer = [[Yuzo Koshiro]] (original) <br> [http://vgmdb.net/artist/700 Mieko Ishikawa] (original) <br> [http://vgmdb.net/artist/708 Ryo Yonemitsu] (arranger)
|series = ''[[Ys (series)|Ys]]''
|series = ''[[Ys (series)|Ys]]''
|released = '''TG-CD'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP=December 21, 1989|NA=1990}}'''Virtual Console'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP=October 16, 2007|NA=August 25, 2008|EU=September 5, 2008}}'''Nintendo DS'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP=April 18, 2008|NA=February 24, 2009}}'''PSP'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP=July 16, 2009|NA=February 22, 2011|EU= [[PSN]] February 23, 2011}}
|released = '''TG-CD'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP=December 21, 1989|NA=1989<ref>{{GameFAQs|id=918280|name=''Ys I & II''}}</ref>}}'''Virtual Console'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP=October 16, 2007|NA=August 25, 2008|EU=September 5, 2008}}'''Nintendo DS'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP=April 18, 2008|NA=February 24, 2009}}'''PSP'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP=July 16, 2009|NA=February 22, 2011|EU= [[PSN]] February 23, 2011}}
|genre = [[Role-playing video game]]
|genre = [[Action role-playing game]]
|modes = [[Single player]]
|modes = [[Single player]]
|ratings = [[Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]]: Everyone (Virtual Console)<br />[[Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]]: Teen (Nintendo DS)
|ratings = [[Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]]: Everyone (Virtual Console)<br />[[Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]]: Teen (Nintendo DS)
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}}
}}


{{nihongo|'''''Ys I & II'''''|イースI・II|Īsu Wan Tsū}} is a [[Japan]]ese [[role-playing video game]] compilation consisting of [[Video game remake|enhanced remake]]s of the first two [[Ys (series)|''Ys'' games]], released for the [[TurboGrafx-16|PC Engine CD-ROM]] by [[Nihon Falcom Corporation|Nihon Falcom]] and [[Hudson Soft]] in 1989. It was released as '''''Ys Book I & II''''' for the [[TurboGrafx-16|TurboGrafx-CD]] in North America in 1990, and was a [[Pack-in game|pack-in title]] for the [[TurboDuo]] in 1992.
{{nihongo|'''''Ys I & II'''''|イースI・II|Īsu Wan Tsū}} is a [[Japan]]ese [[action role-playing game]] compilation consisting of [[Video game remake|enhanced remake]]s of the first two [[Ys (series)|''Ys'' games]], released for the [[TurboGrafx-16|PC Engine CD-ROM]] by [[Nihon Falcom Corporation|Nihon Falcom]] and [[Hudson Soft]] in 1989. It was released as '''''Ys Book I & II''''' for the [[TurboGrafx-16|TurboGrafx-CD]] in North America in 1990, and was a [[Pack-in game|pack-in title]] for the [[TurboDuo]] in 1992.


''Ys I & II'' was released on the [[Virtual Console]] in Japan on October 16, 2007, in North America on August 25, 2008,<ref>{{cite news|title=One WiiWare Game and Two Virtual Console Games Added to Wii Shop Channel|url=http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/TRMLGNn1idOEIX4p62FML5LivmFUEDAa|publisher=Nintendo of America|date=2008-08-25|accessdate=2008-08-25}}</ref> and in Europe and Australia on September 5, 2008.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hanabi Festival concludes with two more titles|url=http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/2008/hanabi_festival_concludes_with_two_more_titles_9474.html|publisher=Nintendo of Europe|date=2008-09-05|accessdate=2009-08-27}}</ref>
''Ys I & II'' was released on the [[Virtual Console]] in Japan on October 16, 2007, in North America on August 25, 2008,<ref>{{cite news|title=One WiiWare Game and Two Virtual Console Games Added to Wii Shop Channel|url=http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/TRMLGNn1idOEIX4p62FML5LivmFUEDAa|publisher=Nintendo of America|date=2008-08-25|accessdate=2008-08-25}}</ref> and in Europe and Australia on September 5, 2008.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hanabi Festival concludes with two more titles|url=http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/2008/hanabi_festival_concludes_with_two_more_titles_9474.html|publisher=Nintendo of Europe|date=2008-09-05|accessdate=2009-08-27}}</ref>


==Overview==
==Overview==
''Ys I & II'' consists of early [[Video game remake|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]],<ref name="gtm_falcom_156">{{cite journal|last=Szczepaniak|first=John|title=Falcom: Legacy of Ys|journal=[[GamesTM{{!}}Games<sup>TM</sup>]]|date=7 July 2011|issue=111|pages=152–159 [156]|url=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/35/yshistory05.jpg/|accessdate=2011-09-08}} ([[cf.]] {{cite web|last=Szczepaniak|first=John|title=History of Ys interviews|url=http://blog.hardcoregaming101.net/2011/07/history-of-ys-interviews-by-john.html|work=Hardcore Gaming 101|accessdate=8 September 2011|date=July 8, 2011}})</ref> a [[Red Book (audio CD standard)|Red Book CD audio]] soundtrack,<ref name="gtm_falcom_155">{{cite journal|last=Szczepaniak|first=John|title=Falcom: Legacy of Ys|journal=[[GamesTM{{!}}Games<sup>TM</sup>]]|date=7 July 2011|issue=111|pages=152–159 [155]|url=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/35/yshistory04.jpg/|accessdate=2011-09-08}} ([[cf.]] {{cite web|last=Szczepaniak|first=John|title=History of Ys interviews|url=http://blog.hardcoregaming101.net/2011/07/history-of-ys-interviews-by-john.html|work=Hardcore Gaming 101|accessdate=8 September 2011|date=July 8, 2011}})</ref> and voice acting.<ref name="gtm_falcom_155"/><ref name="gtm_falcom_156"/> The game's [[Language localisation|English localization]] was also one of the first to use [[Dub localization|voice dubbing]].<ref name="gtm_falcom_156"/>
''Ys I & II'' consists of early [[Video game remake|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]],<ref name="gtm_falcom_156">{{cite journal|last=Szczepaniak|first=John|title=Falcom: Legacy of Ys|journal=[[GamesTM{{!}}Games<sup>TM</sup>]]|date=7 July 2011|issue=111|pages=152–159 [156]|url=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/35/yshistory05.jpg/|accessdate=2011-09-08}} ([[cf.]] {{cite web|last=Szczepaniak|first=John|title=History of Ys interviews|url=http://blog.hardcoregaming101.net/2011/07/history-of-ys-interviews-by-john.html|work=Hardcore Gaming 101|accessdate=8 September 2011|date=July 8, 2011}})</ref> a [[Red Book (audio CD standard)|Red Book CD]] [[Video game music|audio soundtrack]],<ref name="gtm_falcom_155">{{cite journal|last=Szczepaniak|first=John|title=Falcom: Legacy of Ys|journal=[[GamesTM{{!}}Games<sup>TM</sup>]]|date=7 July 2011|issue=111|pages=152–159 [155]|url=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/35/yshistory04.jpg/|accessdate=2011-09-08}} ([[cf.]] {{cite web|last=Szczepaniak|first=John|title=History of Ys interviews|url=http://blog.hardcoregaming101.net/2011/07/history-of-ys-interviews-by-john.html|work=Hardcore Gaming 101|accessdate=8 September 2011|date=July 8, 2011}})</ref> and voice acting.<ref name="gtm_falcom_155"/><ref name="gtm_falcom_156"/> The game's [[Language localisation|English localization]] was also one of the first to use [[Dub localization|voice dubbing]].<ref name="gtm_falcom_156"/>


In both games the player controls a red-haired swordsman named Adol Christin. In the first game he must seek out the six Books of Ys. These books contain the history of the ancient, vanished land of Ys, and will give him the knowledge he needs to defeat the evil forces currently sweeping the land of Esteria.
In both games the player controls a red-haired swordsman named Adol Christin. In the first game he must seek out the six Books of Ys. These books contain the history of the ancient, vanished land of Ys, and will give him the knowledge he needs to defeat the evil forces currently sweeping the land of Esteria.


In ''Ys II'' Adol is transported to Ys, and begins a quest to unravel the secrets of the land, and finally rid it and Esteria of evil. All English translations of ''Ys II'' were part of a compilation; no standalone version has been localized.
In ''Ys II'' Adol is transported to the [[Floating island (fiction)|floating]] civilization of Ys, and begins a quest to unravel the secrets of the land, and finally rid it and Esteria of evil. All English translations of ''Ys II'' were part of a compilation; no standalone version has been localized.


===Reception===
==Remakes==
===Windows===
⚫
In 1990, the game received the [[Game of the Year]] award from ''OMNI Magazine'', as well as many other prizes.<ref name="gtm_falcom_156"/> The game was reviewed in 1991 in ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #172 in "The Role of Computers" column. The reviewers gave the game 5 out of 5 stars.<ref name="Dragon172">{{cite journal
⚫
|title=The Role of Computers
⚫
|author=Lesser, Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk
⚫
|journal=[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]
⚫
|issue=172
⚫
|date=August 1991
|pages=55–64 [58]}}</ref>

==PC remake==
''Ys I & II Complete'' was released in Japan for Windows PC on June 28, 2001. It contained updated graphics and [[full motion video|FMV]] sequences.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgamer.com/games/ys/ys12c/ys12c.html|title=Ys I & II Complete|publisher=RPGamer|accessdate=2009-02-05}}</ref>
''Ys I & II Complete'' was released in Japan for Windows PC on June 28, 2001. It contained updated graphics and [[full motion video|FMV]] sequences.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgamer.com/games/ys/ys12c/ys12c.html|title=Ys I & II Complete|publisher=RPGamer|accessdate=2009-02-05}}</ref>


==PlayStation 2 remake==
===PlayStation 2===
''Ys I & II: Eternal Story'' was released on [[PlayStation 2]] on October 7, 2003. Based on ''Ys I & II Complete'', it also added new characters and items alongside the previous game's improvements.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q4-2002/122802a.html|title=Ys I & II Resurrected for PlayStation 2|last=Stone|first=Courtney|publisher=RPGamer|accessdate=2009-02-06}}</ref> ''Eternal Story'' was also a Japan-only release.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgamer.com/games/ys/ys12es/ys12es.html|title=Ys I & II: Eternal Story|publisher=RPGamer|accessdate=2009-02-05}}</ref>
''Ys I & II: Eternal Story'' was released on [[PlayStation 2]] on October 7, 2003. Based on ''Ys I & II Complete'', it also added new characters and items alongside the previous game's improvements.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q4-2002/122802a.html|title=Ys I & II Resurrected for PlayStation 2|last=Stone|first=Courtney|publisher=RPGamer|accessdate=2009-02-06}}</ref> ''Eternal Story'' was also a Japan-only release.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgamer.com/games/ys/ys12es/ys12es.html|title=Ys I & II: Eternal Story|publisher=RPGamer|accessdate=2009-02-05}}</ref>


==Nintendo DS remake==
===Nintendo DS===
''Legacy of Ys: Books I & II'' was released on [[Nintendo DS]] in the [[United States]] on February 24, 2009.<ref name=IGNpreview>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/news/legacy-books-coming|title=Legacy of Ys: Books I & II Coming to the U.S.|last=Sines|first=Shawn|publisher=IGN|accessdate=2009-01-06}}</ref> The remake includes 3D graphics, updated sound, and multiplayer for up to 4 people.<ref name=IGNpreview/> Each copy of the first printing of the game also includes a bonus [[soundtrack album|soundtrack]] [[compact disc|CD]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/948/948957p1.html|title=Ys Delayed, Adds Bonus CD|last=Hatfield|first=Daemon|publisher=IGN|accessdate=2009-03-03}}</ref>
''Legacy of Ys: Books I & II'' was released on [[Nintendo DS]] in the [[United States]] on February 24, 2009.<ref name=IGNpreview>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/news/legacy-books-coming|title=Legacy of Ys: Books I & II Coming to the U.S.|last=Sines|first=Shawn|publisher=IGN|accessdate=2009-01-06}}</ref> The remake includes 3D graphics, updated sound, and multiplayer for up to 4 people.<ref name=IGNpreview/> Each copy of the first printing of the game also includes a bonus [[soundtrack album|soundtrack]] [[compact disc|CD]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/948/948957p1.html|title=Ys Delayed, Adds Bonus CD|last=Hatfield|first=Daemon|publisher=IGN|accessdate=2009-03-03}}</ref>


''StageSelect.com'' awarded the Nintendo DS remake an 8 out of 10 and considers it a nostalgic addition to anyone's collection.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stageselect.com/47767--Reviews--legacy-of-ys-books-i-ii.aspx | title=Legacy of Ys: Books I & II Review |last=|first=|publisher=StageSelect.com|accessdate=}}</ref>
''StageSelect.com'' awarded the Nintendo DS remake an 8 out of 10 and considers it a nostalgic addition to anyone's collection.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stageselect.com/47767--Reviews--legacy-of-ys-books-i-ii.aspx | title=Legacy of Ys: Books I & II Review |last=|first=|publisher=StageSelect.com|accessdate=}}</ref>


===PlayStation Portable===
==PSP remake==
''Ys I & II Chronicles'' was released on [[PlayStation Portable|PSP]] on July 16, 2009.<ref>[http://www.gamefaqs.com/psp/958945-ys-i-and-ii-chronicles/data Ys I & II Chronicles Release Information for PSP - GameFAQs<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> It is also based on ''Ys I & II Complete''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.psxextreme.com/psp-news/1553.html |title=Falcom Reveals Ys Chronicles, Ys Seven - PSP News |publisher=Psxextreme.com |date= |accessdate=2011-10-13}}</ref> XSEED Games localized and published the game in North America, where it was released on February 22, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://xseedgames.com/news.php?id=118 |title=XSEED Games |publisher=[[Xseed Games]] |date=2011-01-25 |accessdate=2011-02-10}}</ref> It was also released in Europe (only on [[PlayStation Network]]) on February 23, 2011. When starting a new game, the player can choose between two different game modes, which will display character portraits from the 2001 Windows release, or entirely new portraits created for this release. The soundtrack can be changed at any time during the game, between that of the [[NEC PC-8801|PC88]] release, the 2001 Windows release, or an entirely re-orchestrated soundtrack created for the PSP edition.
''Ys I & II Chronicles'' was released on [[PlayStation Portable|PSP]] on July 16, 2009.<ref>[http://www.gamefaqs.com/psp/958945-ys-i-and-ii-chronicles/data Ys I & II Chronicles Release Information for PSP - GameFAQs<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> It is also based on ''Ys I & II Complete''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.psxextreme.com/psp-news/1553.html |title=Falcom Reveals Ys Chronicles, Ys Seven - PSP News |publisher=Psxextreme.com |date= |accessdate=2011-10-13}}</ref> XSEED Games localized and published the game in North America, where it was released on February 22, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://xseedgames.com/news.php?id=118 |title=XSEED Games |publisher=[[Xseed Games]] |date=2011-01-25 |accessdate=2011-02-10}}</ref> It was also released in Europe (only on [[PlayStation Network]]) on February 23, 2011. When starting a new game, the player can choose between two different game modes, which will display character portraits from the 2001 Windows release, or entirely new portraits created for this release. The soundtrack can be changed at any time during the game, between that of the [[NEC PC-8801|PC88]] release, the 2001 Windows release, or an entirely re-orchestrated soundtrack created for the PSP edition.


==PC remake for Windows 7/Vista==
===Windows 7/Vista===
''Ys I & II Chronicles'' was released in Japan for Windows PC on December 24, 2009.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20110719035029/http://www.falcom.co.jp/newgames/win_7/ys12ch.html Falcom Game Catalog<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> It is also based on ''Ys I & II Complete''.
''Ys I & II Chronicles'' was released in Japan for Windows PC on December 24, 2009.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20110719035029/http://www.falcom.co.jp/newgames/win_7/ys12ch.html Falcom Game Catalog<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> It is also based on ''Ys I & II Complete''.

==Reception==
{{VG Reviews
|agg1 = [[GameStats]]
|agg1Score = 9.0 / 10<ref>{{cite web|title=Ys Book I & II|url=http://www.gamestats.com/objects/964/964417/|publisher=[[GameStats]]|accessdate=10 February 2012}}</ref>
|Dragon = {{rating|5|5}}<ref name="Dragon172"/>
|EGM = 8.75 / 10<ref name="egm_ys"/>
|IGN = 8.5 / 10 (Wii)<ref name="ign_ys_book">{{cite web|last=Thomas|first=Lucas M.|title=Ys Book I & II Review|url=http://uk.wii.ign.com/articles/902/902424p1.html|publisher=[[IGN]]|accessdate=10 February 2012|date=August 25, 2008}}</ref>
|rev1 = ''[[Computer Gaming World]]''
|rev1Score = Positive<ref name="cgw_ys"/>
|rev2 = RPGFan
|rev2Score = 92%<ref name="rpgfan_ys_books">{{cite web|last=Harris|first=Stephen|title=Ys Books I & II|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/ys1&2/Ys_Book_1&2-2.html|publisher=RPGFan|accessdate=10 February 2012|date=08/15/2001}}</ref>
|rev3 = ''[[TurboPlay]]''
|rev3Score = "Incredible"<ref name="turboplay_ys"/>
|award1Pub = ''[[Omni (magazine)|OMNI Magazine]]''
|award1 = [[Game of the Year]]<ref name="gtm_falcom_156"/>
}}
In 1990, the game received the [[Game of the Year]] award from ''[[Omni (magazine)|OMNI Magazine]]'', as well as many other prizes.<ref name="gtm_falcom_156"/> The August/September 1990 issue of ''[[TurboPlay]]'' magazine praised the game in its review, stating that the introduction sequence is "mind-blowing," that "everything, from the graphics to the gameplay, is incredible" and that it gets the reviewer's "vote for having the greatest sound and music track ever recorded for a video game."<ref name="turboplay_ys">{{cite journal|title=Y's - Book 1 & 2|journal=[[TurboPlay]]|year=1990|month=August/September|issue=2|url=http://archives.tg-16.com/archive-one/TP-02-07.jpg|accessdate=3 February 2012|page=7}}</ref> ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' reviewed the game in its December 1990 issue, where reviewer Roe R. Adams (who worked on the ''[[Wizardry]]'' series) stated that the "hottest advance in gaming this year has been the debut of programs on CD-ROM disks from Japan" and that "''Ys'' is the first CD-ROM available here to actually show off the new capabilities of the technology." He praised the enhanced graphics, the "spectacular" [[anime]] [[cutscene]]s, the "lush" background music, and speech "heard in [[Voice acting|real voice]], not [[Speech synthesis|digitized]]!" He also praised the plot, including the "suspense" and "sense of urgency" during the climax, and the gameplay, including the various [[Quest (gaming)|mini-quests]] and the [[Artificial intelligence (video games)|enemy AI]] that "actually pursue the player, homing in on him and attacking." His only criticism against the game was the unusual "bump-and-grind" combat system.<ref name="cgw_ys">{{cite journal|last=Adams|first=Roe R.|title=Lands and Legends: TurboGrafx 16's Ys & II|journal=[[Computer Gaming World]]|year=1990|month=December|issue=77|pages=93-4}}</ref>

⚫
The game was reviewed in 1991 in ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #172 in "The Role of Computers" column, where the reviewers gave the game 5 out of 5 stars. The review praised many aspects of the game, including "important
characters whose voices can actually be heard," the cinematic sequences being "well done" and "extremely satisfying to watch," and the animation being "the best we've seen" in a TurboGrafx game, concluding that it is "a great adventure game that offers long play value, music, cinematic sequences, and role-playing action."<ref name="Dragon172">{{cite journal
⚫
|title=The Role of Computers
⚫
|author=Lesser, Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk
⚫
|journal=[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]
⚫
|issue=172
⚫
|date=August 1991
|pages=55–64 [58]}}</ref> ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'''s panel of four reviewers gave the game scores of 10, 9, 8, and 8, averaging out to 8.75 out of 10 overall. The magazine's 1999 Video Game Buyer's Guide described the game as still "one (well, two actually) of the best RPGs around."<ref name="egm_ys">{{cite journal|title=1999 Video Game Buyer's Guide|journal=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|year=1999|page=139}}</ref>

RPGFan reviewed the game in 2001 and gave it a 92% score. It described it as "the first RPG on the first video game console CD-ROM" and stated that its "release heralded the evolution of the standard [[Role-playing video game|role-playing game]]," promising "a much larger, more colorful world, populated with lifelike characters who communicated with voice instead of text." It praised various aspects of the game, including the responsive controls, the graphics as having "stood the test of time," the soundtrack as an "audio masterpiece," the "vocal performances" and "dubbing" as surpassing "most gaming dubs produced today," the "fantastical world," and the "story of tragedy, hope and life."<ref name="rpgfan_ys_books"/> [[IGN]] reviewed the [[Wii]]'s [[Virtual Console]] release of the TurboGrafx-16 game in 2008 and gave it a score of 8.5 out of 10. The reviewer Lucas M. Thomas described the "incredibly simplistic gameplay design choice" of "ramming" into enemies as "interestingly addictive" and found that it "streamlines the entire experience, which benefits the progression of the game's plot." He also praised the soundtrack as "one of the best to be heard" on the Virtual Console and concluded that it is "hard to argue against the value of getting two games' worth of content combined together into one double-length adventure."<ref name="ign_ys_book"/> In recent years, the game's early [[Red Book (CD standard)|Red Book]] audio soundtrack, composed by [[Yuzo Koshiro]] and Mieko Ishikawa and arranged by Ryo Yonemitsu, has been praised as some of the best [[video game music]] ever composed, by ''[[GamesTM]]'',<ref name="gtm_falcom_154"/> Kurt Kalata of [[Gamasutra]] and Hardcore Gaming 101,<ref name="kalata_ys">{{cite web|last=Kalata|first=Kurt|title=Ys|url=http://hardcoregaming101.net/ys/ys.htm|work=Hardcore Gaming 101|accessdate=3 September 2011|date=11/27/2010}}</ref> and RPGFan.<ref name="rpgfan_falcom">{{cite web|title=Falcom Classics II|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/falcomclassics2/Falcom_Classics_2-2.html|work=RPGFan|accessdate=3 September 2011|author=Ryan Mattich}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 05:36, 16 March 2012

Ys I & II
Developer(s)Nihon Falcom
Alfa System (TGCD)
Team Digi (PS2)
Dreams (DS)
Publisher(s)Nihon Falcom
Hudson Soft
Designer(s)Masaya Hashimoto (director, designer)[2]
Tomoyoshi Miyazaki (scenario writer)[2]
Programmer(s)Masaya Hashimoto (original)[2]
Hiromasa Iwasaki (remake)[3]
Composer(s)Yuzo Koshiro (original)
Mieko Ishikawa (original)
Ryo Yonemitsu (arranger)
SeriesYs
Platform(s)TurboGrafx-CD, PC, PlayStation 2, Virtual Console, Nintendo DS, PSP
ReleaseTG-CD
Virtual Console
Nintendo DS
PSP
Genre(s)Action role-playing game
Mode(s)Single player

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 PC Engine CD-ROM 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.

Ys I & II was released on the Virtual Console in Japan on October 16, 2007, in North America on August 25, 2008,[4] and in Europe and Australia on September 5, 2008.[5]

Overview

Ys I & II consists of early 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,[6] a Red Book CD audio soundtrack,[3] and voice acting.[3][6] The game's English localization was also one of the first to use voice dubbing.[6]

In both games the player controls a red-haired swordsman named Adol Christin. In the first game he must seek out the six Books of Ys. These books contain the history of the ancient, vanished land of Ys, and will give him the knowledge he needs to defeat the evil forces currently sweeping the land of Esteria.

In Ys II Adol is transported to the floating civilization of Ys, and begins a quest to unravel the secrets of the land, and finally rid it and Esteria of evil. All English translations of Ys II were part of a compilation; no standalone version has been localized.

Remakes

Windows

Ys I & II Complete was released in Japan for Windows PC on June 28, 2001. It contained updated graphics and FMV sequences.[7]

PlayStation 2

Ys I & II: Eternal Story was released on PlayStation 2 on October 7, 2003. Based on Ys I & II Complete, it also added new characters and items alongside the previous game's improvements.[8] Eternal Story was also a Japan-only release.[9]

Nintendo DS

Legacy of Ys: Books I & II was released on Nintendo DS in the United States on February 24, 2009.[10] The remake includes 3D graphics, updated sound, and multiplayer for up to 4 people.[10] Each copy of the first printing of the game also includes a bonus soundtrack CD.[11]

StageSelect.com awarded the Nintendo DS remake an 8 out of 10 and considers it a nostalgic addition to anyone's collection.[12]

PlayStation Portable

Ys I & II Chronicles was released on PSP on July 16, 2009.[13] It is also based on Ys I & II Complete.[14] XSEED Games localized and published the game in North America, where it was released on February 22, 2011.[15] It was also released in Europe (only on PlayStation Network) on February 23, 2011. When starting a new game, the player can choose between two different game modes, which will display character portraits from the 2001 Windows release, or entirely new portraits created for this release. The soundtrack can be changed at any time during the game, between that of the PC88 release, the 2001 Windows release, or an entirely re-orchestrated soundtrack created for the PSP edition.

Windows 7/Vista

Ys I & II Chronicles was released in Japan for Windows PC on December 24, 2009.[16] It is also based on Ys I & II Complete.

Reception

In 1990, the game received the Game of the Year award from OMNI Magazine, as well as many other prizes.[6] The August/September 1990 issue of TurboPlay magazine praised the game in its review, stating that the introduction sequence is "mind-blowing," that "everything, from the graphics to the gameplay, is incredible" and that it gets the reviewer's "vote for having the greatest sound and music track ever recorded for a video game."[23] Computer Gaming World reviewed the game in its December 1990 issue, where reviewer Roe R. Adams (who worked on the Wizardry series) stated that the "hottest advance in gaming this year has been the debut of programs on CD-ROM disks from Japan" and that "Ys is the first CD-ROM available here to actually show off the new capabilities of the technology." He praised the enhanced graphics, the "spectacular" anime cutscenes, the "lush" background music, and speech "heard in real voice, not digitized!" He also praised the plot, including the "suspense" and "sense of urgency" during the climax, and the gameplay, including the various mini-quests and the enemy AI that "actually pursue the player, homing in on him and attacking." His only criticism against the game was the unusual "bump-and-grind" combat system.[21]

The game was reviewed in 1991 in Dragon #172 in "The Role of Computers" column, where the reviewers gave the game 5 out of 5 stars. The review praised many aspects of the game, including "important characters whose voices can actually be heard," the cinematic sequences being "well done" and "extremely satisfying to watch," and the animation being "the best we've seen" in a TurboGrafx game, concluding that it is "a great adventure game that offers long play value, music, cinematic sequences, and role-playing action."[18] Electronic Gaming Monthly's panel of four reviewers gave the game scores of 10, 9, 8, and 8, averaging out to 8.75 out of 10 overall. The magazine's 1999 Video Game Buyer's Guide described the game as still "one (well, two actually) of the best RPGs around."[19]

RPGFan reviewed the game in 2001 and gave it a 92% score. It described it as "the first RPG on the first video game console CD-ROM" and stated that its "release heralded the evolution of the standard role-playing game," promising "a much larger, more colorful world, populated with lifelike characters who communicated with voice instead of text." It praised various aspects of the game, including the responsive controls, the graphics as having "stood the test of time," the soundtrack as an "audio masterpiece," the "vocal performances" and "dubbing" as surpassing "most gaming dubs produced today," the "fantastical world," and the "story of tragedy, hope and life."[22] IGN reviewed the Wii's Virtual Console release of the TurboGrafx-16 game in 2008 and gave it a score of 8.5 out of 10. The reviewer Lucas M. Thomas described the "incredibly simplistic gameplay design choice" of "ramming" into enemies as "interestingly addictive" and found that it "streamlines the entire experience, which benefits the progression of the game's plot." He also praised the soundtrack as "one of the best to be heard" on the Virtual Console and concluded that it is "hard to argue against the value of getting two games' worth of content combined together into one double-length adventure."[20] In recent years, the game's early Red Book audio soundtrack, composed by Yuzo Koshiro and Mieko Ishikawa and arranged by Ryo Yonemitsu, has been praised as some of the best video game music ever composed, by GamesTM,[2] Kurt Kalata of Gamasutra and Hardcore Gaming 101,[24] and RPGFan.[25]

References

  1. ^ Template:GameFAQs
  2. ^ a b c d Szczepaniak, John (7 July 2011). "Falcom: Legacy of Ys". GamesTM (111): 152–159 [154]. Retrieved 2011-09-08. (cf. Szczepaniak, John (July 8, 2011). "History of Ys interviews". Hardcore Gaming 101. Retrieved 8 September 2011.)
  3. ^ a b c Szczepaniak, John (7 July 2011). "Falcom: Legacy of Ys". GamesTM (111): 152–159 [155]. Retrieved 2011-09-08. (cf. Szczepaniak, John (July 8, 2011). "History of Ys interviews". Hardcore Gaming 101. Retrieved 8 September 2011.)
  4. ^ "One WiiWare Game and Two Virtual Console Games Added to Wii Shop Channel". Nintendo of America. 2008-08-25. Retrieved 2008-08-25.
  5. ^ "Hanabi Festival concludes with two more titles". Nintendo of Europe. 2008-09-05. Retrieved 2009-08-27.
  6. ^ a b c d e Szczepaniak, John (7 July 2011). "Falcom: Legacy of Ys". GamesTM (111): 152–159 [156]. Retrieved 2011-09-08. (cf. Szczepaniak, John (July 8, 2011). "History of Ys interviews". Hardcore Gaming 101. Retrieved 8 September 2011.)
  7. ^ "Ys I & II Complete". RPGamer. Retrieved 2009-02-05.
  8. ^ Stone, Courtney. "Ys I & II Resurrected for PlayStation 2". RPGamer. Retrieved 2009-02-06.
  9. ^ "Ys I & II: Eternal Story". RPGamer. Retrieved 2009-02-05.
  10. ^ a b Sines, Shawn. "Legacy of Ys: Books I & II Coming to the U.S." IGN. Retrieved 2009-01-06.
  11. ^ Hatfield, Daemon. "Ys Delayed, Adds Bonus CD". IGN. Retrieved 2009-03-03.
  12. ^ "Legacy of Ys: Books I & II Review". StageSelect.com.
  13. ^ Ys I & II Chronicles Release Information for PSP - GameFAQs
  14. ^ "Falcom Reveals Ys Chronicles, Ys Seven - PSP News". Psxextreme.com. Retrieved 2011-10-13.
  15. ^ "XSEED Games". Xseed Games. 2011-01-25. Retrieved 2011-02-10.
  16. ^ Falcom Game Catalog
  17. ^ "Ys Book I & II". GameStats. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  18. ^ a b Lesser, Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk (August 1991). "The Role of Computers". Dragon (172): 55–64 [58].{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  19. ^ a b "1999 Video Game Buyer's Guide". Electronic Gaming Monthly: 139. 1999.
  20. ^ a b Thomas, Lucas M. (August 25, 2008). "Ys Book I & II Review". IGN. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  21. ^ a b Adams, Roe R. (1990). "Lands and Legends: TurboGrafx 16's Ys & II". Computer Gaming World (77): 93–4. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  22. ^ a b Harris, Stephen (08/15/2001). "Ys Books I & II". RPGFan. Retrieved 10 February 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ a b "Y's - Book 1 & 2". TurboPlay (2): 7. 1990. Retrieved 3 February 2012. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  24. ^ Kalata, Kurt (11/27/2010). "Ys". Hardcore Gaming 101. Retrieved 3 September 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  25. ^ Ryan Mattich. "Falcom Classics II". RPGFan. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
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