Ys IX: Monstrum Nox Review Summary
Last updated: 2026-07-17
- Improvement over Ys VIII
- Fast and fun combat
- Excellent music and soundtrack
- Feels like Ys VIII clone
- Weaker than previous games
- Story pacing issues
Emotions
Archetypes
- Sample precision
- Helpful reviews
- 94%
- Unhelpful reviews
- 6%
- Protest reviews
- 0%
- 74%Helpful reviews with positive sentiment
- 26%Helpful reviews with negative sentiment
- Positive points
- 747
- Negative points
- 554
- Gameplay points
- 398
- Perf. points
- 39
- Rec. points
- 166
- Misc points
- 3
| Point | Description | Importance |
|---|---|---|
Improvement over Ys VIII
| Players frequently state that Ys IX improves upon Ys VIII in terms of boss quality, level design, combat, exploration, and siege mechanics, calling it a more refreshing and less grindy experience. | 64% |
Fast and fun combat
| Combat is repeatedly praised for being fast-paced, rewarding, exhilarating, and enjoyable, with many noting the satisfaction and speed of battles. | 42% |
Excellent music and soundtrack
| The music is consistently praised as top-notch, great, and mesmerizing, with specific mentions of Falcom's quality and captivating tracks that enhance the experience. | 41% |
Great exploration mechanics
| Exploration is highly valued, with abilities like gliding and wall-running enhancing vertical movement and making discovery more rewarding. | 33% |
Good gameplay for fans
| The game offers new elements while retaining the core Ys experience, with references and features that appeal to longtime fans. | 33% |
Likeable and well-written characters
| Many reviews praise the characters for being interesting, charismatic, endearing, and having their own individual stories that contribute to the overall narrative. | 32% |
Varied player opinions
| Some players find combat good, but not groundbreaking, while others think the game is one of the best entries, showing a mix of opinions. | 27% |
Engaging story experience
| The story is described as good, enjoyable, and worth experiencing, with a notable twist and a great balance that keeps players engaged. | 24% |
Fast exploration with abilities
| Monstrum abilities such as gliding and wall-running make exploration smooth and satisfying, enhancing the overall gameplay flow. | 22% |
Stellar character designs
| Character designs are highlighted as excellent, detailed, and stellar, with great models and animations that contribute to the visual appeal. | 21% |
Meaningful side quests
| Side quests are described as interesting, tied to characters, and offering decent story bits, adding depth to the overall experience. | 15% |
Runs well on Steam Deck
| The game runs perfectly or with minimal configuration on Steam Deck, making it a great portable experience. | 11% |
Enjoyable Monstrum mechanics
| Monstrum abilities are found to be enjoyable and fun, adding variety to both combat and traversal. | 11% |