Ys IV: The Dawn of Ys (1993). Play online

Summary

Ys IV: The Dawn of Ys returns to the classic Ys I/II gameplay, using a top‑down view where enemies are struck simply by running into them, and the series‑long magic system is restored for added depth. Hudson Soft handled the development under license from Nihon Falcom, granting the team enough freedom to shape the presentation while keeping the core feel of earlier installments. The soundtrack showcases Falcom Sound Team J.D.K. members Atsushi Shirakawa, Naoki Kaneda, Takahiro Tsunashima and Masaru Nakajima, with CD‑DA tracks arranged by Ryo Yonemitsu and additional console‑chip programming by Osamu Narita. Critically, the game earned solid scores – Famitsu’s mixed‑ratings averaging around 7½/10 and a high 96% from Joypad – affirming its quality among Japan’s action‑RPG fans. In 2025, Edia announced a TurboGrafx‑CD re‑release slated for 2026‑27, promising modern accessibility for new audiences.

Storyline

Ys IV: The Dawn of Ys picks up two years after the events of Ys II and slots in before Ys III: Wanderers from Ys. The adventure opens with Adol Christin back in Minea, the very town where his journey began in Ys I. He spends some time catching up with familiar faces, exchanging stories and reminiscing about past exploits. After these conversations, a new curiosity pulls him toward the distant continent of Celceta.

Motivated by rumors of ancient mysteries, Adol decides to set sail for Celceta, embarking on a fresh quest that will bridge the gap between his earlier adventures and the challenges that await in the next chapter of the series.