Ys: Wanderers from Ys

About

Ys: Wanderers from Ys is a side-scrolling RPG that shifts the Ys series into a new direction. Adol Christin and his friend Dogi explore Redmont while battling enemies with a directional sword system that replaces the series' earlier grid-based combat. The game introduces jumping, magical rings for healing and shields, and key items needed to solve environmental puzzles. Each level scrolls horizontally, letting Adol duck, dodge, and slash through enemies in a tighter, more responsive action loop than previous entries. Longtime fans note this 1989 title as a turning point. The switch to platformer mechanics and item-based progression laid groundwork for later Ys games, though it remains distinct in the franchise. Early entries in the series had simpler systems, but Wanderers from Ys added depth with its ring magic and puzzle elements. Playing it feels like stepping into a precursor to more complex titles while retaining the fast-paced core that defines the Ys legacy.