Ys IX: Monstrum Nox (2021)

Developer: Nihon Falcom, PH3 GmbH, Engine Software BV
Publisher: NIS America, Inc.
Platforms: Windows
Genres: Action, RPG
Rating: 4.7 of 5, 1,912 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 45 hours
Where to get it: Steam

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A fast-paced action RPG where you dash through a dark fantasy city, scaling walls and dodging enemies with flashy attacks, driven by a mysterious story and a great soundtrack.

action-packedfast-pacedatmosphericdark fantasyhack and slashstory richexplorationrewarding combat

What players say

Players praise the exploration and combat, especially the boss quality and level design, but many find the story weaker than Ys VIII and a slow start. Performance and polish are rarely mentioned, the main criticisms center on a disappointing ending and repetitive late-game areas.

Screenshots

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More by Nihon Falcom

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.