Play Ys - Wanderers from Ys Online

Summary

Ys III: Wanderers from Ys stands out in the series for swapping the classic top‑down view for a side‑scrolling platformer vibe that feels oddly reminiscent of Zelda II. The shift isn’t just cosmetic; combat now demands a button press for each swing, stripping away the auto‑attack that defined earlier titles. Yet the familiar Ys backbone remains—experience points, gear upgrades, and a magic system that trades wands for rings, with MP rebranded as “Ring Power.” The soundtrack, originally penned by Mieko Ishikawa, received a lush overhaul on the X68000 thanks to Masaaki Kawai, whose arrangements later appeared on several dedicated music CDs. Over the years the game has resurfaced on a parade of platforms: a 1991 Genesis launch, a 2022 floppy‑disk re‑release for the X68000, and a 2024 Switch port of the PC‑8801 version via D4 Enterprise’s Eggconsole. A forthcoming 2026 compilation will bundle the X6800‑era trio with a fresh port of Ys I & II, ensuring the side‑scrolling adventure stays accessible for retro fans and newcomers alike.

Storyline

Three years after the events of Ys I and II, swordsman Adol Christin and his ex‑thief companion Dogi return to Dogi’s hometown—Redmont (called Sarina in some versions). They discover the town is under pressure from the forces of Valestein Castle, which are also hunting a set of mysterious statues. After rescuing Mayor Edgar from a quarry and learning from Elena that the statues were once used to seal the demon Galbalan, Adol sets out to retrieve them.

Adol’s quest takes him to the Illsburn Ruins, a mountain hermit, and a fiery dragon‑guarded cave where he secures the second, third, and fourth statues. Along the way he meets Father Pierre, Chester (Elena’s brother), and Bishop Garland, while Chester repeatedly tries to claim the statues for himself. The statues are eventually seized by Valestein soldiers, prompting Adol to storm the castle, defeat Garland, and confront the repentant Lord MacGuire.

The climax unfolds on Galbalan’s island fortress, a place described in the gamesdb as a haunted coal mine, an active volcano, and a blizzard‑swept peak. Adol bargains with the freed demon, defeats him, and watches Chester sacrifice himself to sink the island. In the quiet after the battle, Elena confesses her love for Adol before they part, echoing the game’s casual title, Return of the Wanderers, as the heroes prepare for new adventures.