Fans of the long-running Ys action role-playing series will have a new entry to explore this summer with the Nintendo Switch release of Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta on June 30. Preorders for the “Day One Edition” are currently available at Amazon, Walmart, and GameStop.
Originally released for the PlayStation Vita in Japan in September 2012, the game follows the amnesiac adventurer Adol Christin as he explores the Great Forest of Celceta. He is tasked with mapping the region by the Romun Army, and seeks to recover his lost memories along the way. The game was later released in North America and PAL regions in 2013 and 2014, respectively. A Windows version followed in 2015, and a PlayStation 4 version in 2019 and 2020.
Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta is identified by Nihon Falcom as the fourth main installment in the Ys series, following a period where development was outsourced for earlier entries. The narrative directly follows the events of Ys X and lays the foundation for gameplay mechanics later seen in Ys VIII and subsequent titles.
The Switch version offers a unique feature for audiophiles: players can choose between the original soundtrack and a newly recorded, re-interpreted version. Adol also possesses a unique ability to regain lost memories by interacting with orbs of light scattered throughout the forest, with their locations marked on the in-game map after resting at a camp. Companions Duren and Ozma also have unique abilities – Duren can kick open locked chests, although Ozma can destroy cracked walls with his spear, but only underwater.
Gameplay centers around a strategic, party-based combat system, requiring players to adapt their tactics during battles. The game emphasizes exploration of the vast and mysterious land of Celceta, utilizing a robust mapping system to uncover challenges and rewards. The release in Japan in May 2025 featured the option to switch between the original and re-recorded soundtracks.
