Play Ys IV: The Dawn of Ys Online

Summary

Ys IV: The Dawn of Ys brings the classic Ys feel back to the PC Engine CD‑ROM² with a crisp top‑down view and the series’ signature “bump” combat. You run straight into enemies to deal damage, earn experience, and level up Adol’s strength just like in the early titles, while the magic system from Ys II returns to add a strategic layer.

The soundtrack is a standout, featuring original compositions by Falcom’s Sound Team J.D.K. members Atsushi Shirakawa, Naoki Kaneda, Takahiro Tsunashima, and Masaru Nakajima. Ryo Yonemitsu arranged the CD‑DA tracks for the disc, and many pieces were also programmed directly onto the console’s internal sound chip by Osamu Narita, giving the game a rich audio palette that still impresses retro fans.

Critics praised the title, with Famitsu’s four‑review scores averaging 7.25/10 and France’s Joypad awarding a striking 96%. After a long dormancy, Edia announced a TurboGrafx‑CD port slated for release between fiscal 2026 and 2027, promising a new generation of players a chance to experience this uniquely Hudson‑crafted chapter of the Ys saga.

Storyline

Ys IV: The Dawn of Ys takes place two years after the events of Ys II and before the happenings of Ys III. The story opens with Adol Christin returning to Minea, the very town where his adventure began in Ys I.

He spends some time hanging around and chatting with old friends, soaking in the familiar atmosphere. After these conversations, Adol decides to set sail for the overseas land of Celceta, setting the stage for his next journey.