Ys III: Wanderers from Ys

"Even the meek can attain heights undreamed of."

The irony in the title quote for my review, taken straight from the game, is stated simply by the fact that it explains the success of Ys. Falcom is a company that has, for almost two decades, been meek, unpopular, unappreciated, and defenseless against larger behemoth companies like Squaresoft and Enix. It has an almost religious following in Japan, yet goes almost unheard of in the states. This is because Falcom has little advertising recourses on our borders, and it's only release failed miserably. Is it because they decided to bring over the wrong game?

Visuals
The graphics are really nothing special when you consider how primitive they are. But they definitely surpass standard fare for 1991, when the SNES was just beginning to hold it's own at the beginning of the console wars which still draw on to this day.

Although SNES was capable of producing 7 layers of scrolling, parallaxing, and sprite modes at the same time, Ys hardly ever uses more than 3 of those utilities in the same screen. Nevertheless, the game still has some rather impressive, semi-animated scenes in the beginning and the end of the game. The game opens on our hero, and his companion wandering through a busy town. This scene looks smooth, and anime-ish, but lacks movement. The streets are littered with various people, who have great deals of detail, but Adol and Dogi are the only two who move. The second half of the cinematic opening is much more impressive, as Adol and Dogi tread through a large grass plain, and then into a lush forest. On their way there, they're attacked by a large wildcat, and in an impressive display of graphical genius, the whole plain comes alive with color as Adol saves the day by splitting the creature in half.

That's about as good as it gets, unfortunately. The actual in game visuals are a mixed bag. The character sprites are very small, but still quite detailed, sprites are rarely recycled. The enemies range from half the size of a character, to almost half the size of a screen. The detail in some of the monsters is seamless, such as the Estarions, which have fluid movements. The real impressive enemies are the bosses, however. They're very flashy, and their special attacks are even more flashy. My personal favorite is Garland, who unleashes a violent streak of lightning across the screen that causes it to flash brightly several times. Sure, it sounds simple by today's standards, but if you grew up playing Nintendo, this kind of thing blew your mind back in '91.

All right, enough about the sprites. Let's talk backgrounds. Some aren't very impressive, but others are full of life. As I said earlier, few backgrounds have layers exceeding mode 3. There is little movement going on in most areas, but the Lava Pit and Clock Tower are definitely my favorite areas. They flourish with life (and death). In the Lava Zone, you can see streams of magma slowly forging it's way through the rock of the underground. In the Clock Tower, you see massive gears and cogs spinning, cob webs in corners, and dripping water from pipelines.

So, the graphics aren't perfect. Far from it. But, they still get the job done, and monster designs are almost flawless. It rightfully deserves a solid
0.9

Audio
Somewhat like the graphics. Nothing unbelievable by today's standards, but quite charming way back when. Sound is hardly an area of big concern. It rarely hinders or heightens a game's performance, but it helps to have a strong Audio field.

Fortunately, Ys III has it in spades. Sounds are almost seamless. Although the game doesn't really have that many sound effects, every one is different, and every one shines through with utmost precision. Every time Adol swipes his sword, you can hear it cleaving through the wind. And when that sword collides with an enemy nearing death, you can hear it gargle and spill it's entrails upon the ground below. Unfortunately, every monster has the same gargling death sound, even the ones without mouths, which isn't really a bad thing, it's just... queer. Bosses are the only exception. Your ears are greeted to a violent array of high pitched screeches as the enemy slowly fades from sight.

The game's sounds are solid, but there is no sound played during the two cinematic events at the opening and closing credits. But maybe this is for the better, as sound may just interrupt the great music being played during these events.

But, however nice the sounds may be, there's just a few that could've made the experience better. Background sounds for instance. Maybe wind rolling down the mountain peaks atop the Eldam Range. Or maybe even thunder rumbling in the background of Galbalan's massive fortress.

Despite a few things lacking that could've made it a bit better, the sounds that are in the game are still very good. So, I give them
0.9

Music
Music has to be one of the most crucial parts of a game, to me at least. Music is the lifeblood of the game, the pulse, the heart. It's what keeps it going. If I have to hit the mute button and tune up one of my CD's when I'm playing a game, it automatically gets a zero in that area.

But, fortunately, Ys probably has the best soundtrack of any early SNES game I've ever played. Even Act Raiser, Super Castlevania IV, and Final Fantasy II/IV cannot touch Ys III's Godlike BGM score. The music isn't perfect, however. It's better than the MSX and Genesis sound card versions, but X68000's FM synths and Turbo Duo's redbook CD audio cannot be surpassed. Falcom tried their best to imitate the hard rock themes produced by the X68000 using the MIDI quality sound of the SNES, but it simply didn't come out right.

Nevertheless, what was produced would not be matched for many years to come as far as the SNES is concerned. The themes are fast paced, strong, powerful, and inspiring. I will eternally have Heated Battle, Valestine Castle, and Sealing Time embedded in my memory as three of the greatest pieces of music ever recorded.
I get chills every time I enter the clock tower, just because I know Sealing Time is about to start. That's how much these themes mean to the game.

I couldn't possibly explain what they sound like. Words simply cannot describe them. Download MP3's, buy a soundtrack, or even buy the game and put it in your CD burner. You have to hear this music!!!

Absolutely astounding music that will touch you and leave you with fond memories. Even if the game sucked (which is certainly does not), it's still worth the buy just for the sound track. Easily a perfect
1.0

Conversion
This often overlooked category is really as important as anything. It basically contrasts and compares the changes made from Japanese to English, and also from console to console.

Like almost every RPG, it started off in Japanese. Now, I've thoroughly played the Japanese version through, and I didn't notice anything different gameplay-wise or any sort of scenes removed. However, the translation is absolutely horrid. Whole parts of the dialogue have been either neglected, or improperly received. The storyline was so mangled, it's hard to believe they're the same game.

The whole thing with Chester and Elena was really screwed. The emotion they shared in the Japanese version was totally drained from the American version. The ending was reshaped beyond recognition, from the moment Galbalan's ominous voice rumbled, to the final credit. An awful mess. It does get some points for essential areas though. A mangled storyline might not be as big a deal as key characters and key items being renamed, thus making things a tad confusing (like the Genesis version).

Not only was the translation converted rather badly, but the aforementioned music wasn't exactly a bright spot either. The music, in it's own SNES retrospect, was amazing, but compared to the previous X68k, PC88, and Turbo Duo versions?! It could've been much, much worse though. The music still retained it's awesome vibe.

Awful translation, lackluster music conversion. But name translation was seamless, so I'll give them
3.0

Gameplay
This has got to be the most important part of the game. After all, gameplay is what makes the game A game, right? Sometimes a company will make a bold move and totally change the way a sequel in their series works. It reminds me of Zelda 2, which diverted from it's popular perspective, and wasn't as popular with the fans..

Ys has suffered a similar change. It has strayed from it's overhead view, to a platforming, more Castlevania-esque type of angle. Not only that, but the quirky, ''Run into your enemy at the right spot.'' type battles are no longer in place. Now Adol's sword is controlled manually. He can now jump and crawl as well.

It's not unlike most action genre games. You traverse a 2D, side-scrolling plain, and slash anything that moves. The only difference is, RPG elements still remain. Your attack and defense power are determined by the weapons and items you buy in the town, or find along your adventure.

Unfortunately, there is no more magic. But there is a new Ring System. Adol has the ability to wield five rings. The Power Ring, Shield Ring, Time Ring, Healing Ring, and Protection Ring. Each ring has it's own purpose. Power Ring and Shield Ring double your attack and defense, Time Ring slows all enemies on screen, Healing Ring is pretty much self explanatory, and Protection Ring will make you invincible as long as you're equipped with it.

This isn't free to use as much as you want though. There is a Ring Meter, much like you life meter, which drains as long as you're wearing the ring. The rate at which it is drained depends on which ring you're wearing. In other words, 10 RP will give you about ten seconds of increased attack or defense, but only one second of invincibility.

More fast paced, exciting gameplay. Sure, they sacrificed originality, but who cares?! It's fun!
1.0

Control
The controls are seamless. Every action is performed in the exact instant in which you press the button. Adol moves very fast, so you have to know when to stop, or else you'll run smack into enemy ranks. You can hold the attack button, and Adol will slash normally, repeatedly, for as long as you're depressing it. However, hold Up on the D-Pad while holding the attack button, and Adol will slash upward an amazing 20 times per second!!! Move over Strider Hiryu..

There are some actions you most likely will never use, such as crawling. It's really only useful when you're facing a stationary enemy who cannot reach you if you crouch, or if you're in a narrow space (and there's only one area where this is required).

Item use is pretty simple. Just open up your menu, and equip the item you want to use by moving the flashing cursor over it's picture. At any time during the game, you can press the A button and it will activate instantly.

Seamless control, with instantaneous activation of essential items.
1.0

Plot
Arguably the most important aspect in an RPG. Does Ys III live up to it's superiors? Certainly not. The storyline is actually rather bland and uninteresting. It's a shame, too. Ys I & II had wonderful storylines, and unforgettable moments. Ys III falls short a few miles..

After saving Esterior from the clutches of evil, twice (bare in mind, this game takes place AFTER Ys IV - Mask Of The Sun), Adol travels with his old companion, Dogi. During their travels, they hear a rumor about Dogi's home country, Felgana, and they travel towards it. It seems their suspicions were right. As Adol and Dogi traverse the bridge leading to Dogi's hometown, Redmont, news of bad crops and monster attacks sends Adol into another adventure.

Things don't pick up until an enigmatic young girl named Elena appears. Although I strongly dislike Elena, for reasons I'll explain later in the review, her appearance is essential. Elena requests Adol to find her brother, Chester, who has secretly been working for Lord McGaya, the tyrannical ruler of Felgana. It is when Adol confronts Chester that he learns of the plot behind his motives. Lord McGaya, along with a wizard named Garland, are planning to revive a horrid beast called Galbalan, whom ripped the world of Felgana asunder before a brave young warrior sealed him away.

Of course, Adol must face Galbalan, save the world, again. Blah blah blah. It's the same typical farce found in every other 5 RPGs ever made. It's only made somewhat interesting toward the end of the game. The translation has a big part to play in the hideous butchering of the storyline, but all in all, it's an average
0.5

Characters
Character design and personality placement is also very important. Unfortunately, Ys III has little articulation in this area. Adol isn't the reckless killing machine he was in the first two games. Now, he hardly ever says a word, and acts ''proper'', like some aristocrat from the revolutionary era.

Not only that, but Dogi too sounds like that as well. DOGI. The same man who's foul mouth tore open the stomachs of gamers with laughter far before Final Fantasy VII's dialogue was ever legalized.

There is hardly any development in the newer additions. Most characters are just clones. Elena is a romantic item for Adol added just because Lilia isn't around, and that is very CHEAP. Chester is sort of like a not-as-cool Dark Fact, with the whole ''bad guy who isn't REALLY a bad guy'' thing going on. Garland, albeit very cool, is just a clone of Dalles from Ys II.

Come on, Falcom. Where's the originality?!
0.4

Replay
The game is rather hard. Enemies in the later half of the game can kill you in several hits, even if you have the strongest armor and max HP. But it's still rather short, so it isn't painstaking to run through it again. So it's a fairly obvious
1.0

Excitement
Well, this, in my humble opinion, is the most important area of my review. If it isn't fun, it's a bad game, no matter what the overall score is. Despite the mediocre, dime-a-dozen storyline, and sad characters, Ys III - Wanderers is an all around delightful experience. With beautiful visuals, stellar sound, and gorgeous sound track, you'll be playing for hours. Even if you never leave the music test screen..
1.0

Statistics
Console: Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Publisher: Falcom
Producer: Sammy
Release Year: 1991
Difficulty: Very Hard
Time: 10 - 20 Hours
Price: $5 - $10
Elusiveness: High
Alternate: Genisis/Mega Drive, MSX PC, X68000, PC-88, Turbo Duo/PC Engine
The Good: Castlevania-esque Action
The Bad: Bad Translation
Best Char: Adol
Best Villain: Garland
Sexiest Girl: That one chic who sells stuff!
Best Weapon: Flame Sword
Best Skill: Amulet Bustahhh!!!!
Damage Max: 255 (Lame)

Scores
Visuals: 0.9
Audio: 0.9
Music: 1.0
Conversion: 0.3
Gameplay: 1.0
Control: 1.0
Plot: 0.5
Characters: 0.4
Excitement: 1.0
Replay: 1.0
Overall: 7.9

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 10/11/01, Updated 11/11/01