Info about Ys: Memories of Celceta:

Official game description:
World-famous red-haired adventurer Adol Christin awakens in the unfamiliar land of Celceta, remembering nothing more than his own name. Bereft of his past, Adol explores the town he happened to wander into, searching for any clues at all to his identity. Joined by a thief who claims to have spent some time at his side these past weeks, the young adventurer helps rescue doomed miners from a collapse – an act which ingratiates him to the local Romun Army general. Impressed with their skills, the pair is enlisted to explore the Great Forest of Celceta and map its vast expanses – a task which many have attempted in the past, but from which none have ever returned alive.  
Eager to unravel the mystery of his past and the cause of his predicament, Adol sets off with his new-old thief friend, Duren, to chart the untamed wilderness that claimed his memories. Along the way he meets numerous other individuals who seem to have encountered him before, and must carefully determine who among them can be trusted.  
Developer Nihon Falcom originally revisited the land and characters of Japanese cult favorite Ys IV in 2012 with **Ys: Memories of Celceta** on the PlayStation Vita, and the game found its way to North America the following year. Now, this re-envisioning moves from the small screen to PC monitors, with a bevy of updates and enhancements to fully take advantage of its new platform.  
Featuring a unique take on the party-based combat system that’s come to define modern Ys titles, as well as one of the largest and most varied overworlds in the series’ long and illustrious history, **Ys: Memories of Celceta** brings a greater sense of adventure to the Ys universe than ever before, with this PC iteration serving as the definitive version of one of the franchise’s most pivotal entries.
Key Features
------------
*   **Fully Enjoy the Land of Celceta with a Host of PC Enhancements**  
    This remaster comes with a wide range of HD resolutions, fixed framerates up to 120 fps with the option to unlock the framerate altogether, fully customizable control bindings, fully integrated mouse support, and more!  
*   **Explore One of the Most Expansive Locales in the Series’ History**  
    The overworld of Celceta metes out battle and exploration in equal measure, accompanied by a robust mapping system with customizable waypoints and clear, detailed icons that aid the journey of Adol and company through this mysterious new land where enigmas and obstacles wait around every bend.  
*   **Experience a Crucial Cornerstone of Ys Lore**  
    The events that occur over the course of Ys: Memories of Celceta’s lengthy campaign serve as some of the most important and far-reaching in the franchise, yet remain entirely self-contained so even series newcomers can fully enjoy the story.  
*   **Throw Down the Gauntlet in Time Attack and Boss Rush Modes**  
    Fan-favorite Time Attack mode returns, complete with its ultimate Boss Rush challenge, pitting Adol alone against implacable foes or allowing for full-on party combat to keep the battle going well after the main story has been completed. Steam leaderboards have been implemented as well, accessible and viewable even in-game to see how you stack up against other Celcetan boss-slayers around the world!

Release date: Jul 25, 2018

Categories: Action RPG, Party-based Combat, Exploration, Crafting, Boss Rush, New Game+, Time Attack Mode

Feature scans:
- Proton/Linux: score 15; verdict: Works well with minor Proton tweak; summary: Ys: Memories of Celceta runs well on Steam Deck using Proton GE, with only a single minor issue where an ending cutscene does not play. No other Linux-specific compatibility problems were reported. The game is considered playable on Linux through Proton with minimal friction.
- Steam Deck: score 35; verdict: Minor Issues - Playable; summary: Ys: Memories of Celceta runs well on Steam Deck despite its 'Unsupported' status. Users report smooth gameplay with minor caveats: a quirky launcher that requires the controller to be active before launch, and a missing ending cutscene. Most players find it perfectly playable and enjoyable on Deck.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $20.00 - $30.00
  - Reasoning: Multiple reviews explicitly mention the game being around $25 as a great value for the content length, and strongly endorse purchasing at full MSRP. This indicates the community considers $25 a fair base price, with $20-$30 as a reasonable range accounting for sale discounts and full price acceptance.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 28.0h
  - Story completion: 20.0h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: Story completion estimates range from 20 to 36.5 hours, with multiple reviews citing 20 hours for a normal playthrough. Game completion (100% map, all quests, optional bosses) is reported as 28 hours, while all achievements may require 73.6 hours including multiple playthroughs. No evidence for typical session length or endgame playtime was found. Confidence is moderate due to variation in reported times.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Players report early friction from tutorial popups and slow progression, but the game becomes more engaging after the initial tutorial phase when party exploration and memory collection begin.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: After duren joins the party and memory collection begins
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Tutorial popups overload; Slow progression early; Need patience; Early flaws
  - Unlock drivers: After tutorial events; Party system clicks; Exploration opens up; Mapping mechanic
  - Conditions: Early game tutorial-heavy; Progression feels slow initially; Player may need to invest first few hours
- Player Archetypes:
  - Veteran Ys Fan (buy)
    - Motivation: To experience Adol's legend from a new angle and appreciate how the series evolved
    - Playstyle: Compares mechanics to previous entries, may be critical of changes, enjoys story and series continuity.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: fan of the series; old-school Ys fan
    - Reference games: Ys VIII; Ys Seven; Ys Origin; Ys I & II
  - Newcomer Friendly Casual Player (buy)
    - Motivation: To enjoy a light action RPG experience without needing series background
    - Playstyle: Plays on easier difficulty, values streamlined gameplay, may not engage deeply with grinding or complex systems.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: new to Ys; casual player
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Completionist Explorer (buy)
    - Motivation: To achieve 100% map completion and find all secrets and achievements
    - Playstyle: Methodically explores every area, uses guides, grinds for full completion, often returns to previous areas with new abilities.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: completionist; lover of the grind
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Action Combat Aficionado (buy)
    - Motivation: To engage in fast-paced, skill-based combat with dashing and guarding mechanics
    - Playstyle: Aggressive, uses dash and guard cancels, practices timing, seeks challenge from combat.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Ys Origin; Ys Seven


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Fast and fluid combat (weight 0.8): Players consistently praise the combat system for being fast, responsive, and snappy, emphasizing its fluidity and consistent fun factor across multiple reviews.
- Quality-of-life improvements over Ys (weight 0.49): Many reviews highlight significant improvements over previous titles, particularly Ys Seven and Ys VIII, including better controls, skill systems, and simplified crafting.
- Distinct and interesting characters (weight 0.45): The cast of playable characters is praised for being charismatic, diverse, and well-implemented, with each having unique skills and play styles.
- Excellent soundtrack (weight 0.38): The game's music receives high praise, with players describing it as exceptional, beautiful, and featuring standout tracks that enhance the overall experience.
- Engaging exploration and map (weight 0.35): Exploration is highlighted as a strong point, with rewarding map completion mechanics, a sense of adventure, and enjoyable world design.
- Graphical improvements over predecessors (weight 0.26): Players note significant graphical upgrades compared to earlier Ys titles, particularly Ys Seven, with improved fidelity and style.
- Engaging story with good pacing (weight 0.23): The story is considered interesting and well-paced, with early arcs that draw players in and a narrative that ranks among the better Ys entries.
- Flash Guard and Flash Move mechanics (weight 0.13): The Flash Guard and Flash Move mechanics are praised for adding depth to combat, especially during boss fights, making encounters more strategic.
- Variety of side quests (weight 0.13): Side quests and hidden quests are noted as interesting and often humorous, providing additional content beyond the main story.

Common complaints:
- Ending is rushed (weight 0.37): Multiple players complain that the game's ending feels abrupt, lacks an epilogue, and provides no closure. The rushed pacing in the final act undermines the overall story experience.
- Disappointing Ys entry (weight 0.28): Several players consider this one of the weakest Ys games overall, pointing to poor first impressions, a thin story, and too much dialogue at the expense of combat. Compared to series highlights like Ys: Dawn of Ys, it falls short.
- Lacking story depth (weight 0.21): A common criticism is that the story feels bland, weak, and flat. Players find the narrative lacking in substance and engagement, making it a weak point of the game.
- Final boss underwhelming (weight 0.21): The final boss is described as weak in difficulty and design, with a short, anticlimactic fight that fails to provide a satisfying conclusion. This adds to the disappointment around the ending.
- Mixed visuals and graphics (weight 0.21): Visuals are described as a mixed bag and rough around the edges, and the graphics feel dated despite the game's recent release. No camera control also adds frustration.
- Map completion tedious (weight 0.17): Achieving 100% map completion is considered tedious, requiring exhaustive exploration, hugging borders, and grinding. This frustrates completionist players.
- Weak soundtrack (weight 0.17): The music and soundtrack are criticized for being disappointing and not up to the usual Ys standard. Players find the audio less memorable and engaging than in previous titles.
- Restricted early teleportation (weight 0.15): Early game teleportation is limited to same-color monuments and is only fully unlocked later with an item. This restriction slows exploration and convenience.
- Cliched story and characters (weight 0.13): Players note that the story and characters are filled with cliches, plot holes, and predictability. The narrative lacks originality and depth.
- Poor voice acting (weight 0.09): Voice acting is described as minimal, stiff, and not standout, failing to enhance character immersion. This detracts from the overall presentation.
- Absent characters (weight 0.09): Familiar characters like Dogi and the doctor are only mentioned in flashbacks or memories, which disappoints fans hoping for their involvement.
- Too easy on normal (weight 0.09): The game is considered too easy on Normal difficulty, reducing the challenge and engagement for players seeking a tougher experience.
- Uninspired design (weight 0.09): Level design, bosses, and soundtrack are described as uninspired compared to previous Ys games, making the game feel less creative and polished.
- Worse than original Ys IV (weight 0.09): When compared to the original Ys IV, this game's story and characters are considered worse, with certain elements like revisiting characters cut entirely.
- Button-mashy combat (weight 0.09): Combat is criticized as button-mashy and dull, lacking the fluidity and depth expected from the series.
- Slow start (weight 0.09): The story takes a while to get going, requiring patience before the narrative and gameplay become engaging.

Gameplay feedback:
- Action RPG with party combat (weight 0.88): The game is an action RPG featuring a party-based combat system where you control three active members with fast, real-time action. Players can switch between characters to utilize their unique skills and abilities.
- Fast and snappy combat (weight 0.6): Combat is consistently described as fast-paced and snappy, with real-time action including skills, EX moves, and timing-based dodge and guard mechanics. This core element is central to the game's appeal.
- Crafting and equipment enhancement (weight 0.43): Players can gather materials to craft, refine, and enhance weapons and armor. The crafting system covers weapon forging and upgrading with gathered resources.
- Similar to Ys Seven and Eight (weight 0.41): The game is frequently compared to Ys Seven and Ys VIII, sharing a similar combat system, party structure, and overall gameplay loop. It is noted to be harder than Ys VIII.
- Side quests and exploration (weight 0.32): The game features sidequests, hidden quests, and exploration off the main path. This encourages players to explore a large map with a percentage completion tracker.
- Timing-based defensive mechanics (weight 0.2): Key defensive mechanics include Flash Guard and Flash Move, which reward precise timing with bonuses. These are also referred to as perfect guard and perfect evade.
- Puzzles using character abilities (weight 0.17): Puzzle solving elements appear throughout the game, often requiring the use of character-specific abilities or items. This adds variety to exploration and progression.
- Skill progression system (weight 0.17): Characters have skill progression and learning systems, with some skills auto-learned. This is similar to the skill system in Ys VIII.
- Fixed camera perspective (weight 0.16): The game uses a fixed camera system, which is noted as a stylistic choice. This perspective is reminiscent of early 2000s JRPGs.
- New Game plus mode (weight 0.1): A New Game+ mode is available that allows players to inherit levels and items from a previous playthrough. This encourages replayability.
- Boss fights rely on timing (weight 0.1): Boss battles emphasize timing-based movement and pattern dodging. Success requires players to learn attack patterns and execute precise actions.
- Map and fast travel system (weight 0.09): The game includes a map with fast travel via statues, facilitating navigation across the world. Exploration is also tracked with a percentage completion mechanic.
- Approximately 25 to 32 hours long (weight 0.09): The game is described as a short RPG, with a playtime of around 25 to 32 hours. This is suitable for a focused, action-oriented experience.
- Time Attack boss rush mode (weight 0.09): A Time Attack mode, also known as Boss Rush, is available. This mode allows players to fight bosses in a timed challenge format.
- Free party composition (weight 0.09): Players have freedom in choosing their party composition from the available characters. This allows for strategic customization based on player preference.

Performance notes:
- Smooth framerate and performance (weight 0.33): Players consistently note very smooth framerates, unlimited FPS, and no stuttering. Overall performance is praised across various hardware.
- Steam Deck runs well (weight 0.25): Multiple players report successfully completing the game exclusively on Steam Deck. Performance is described as good, compatible, and smooth with no issues.
- HDR and graphics issues (weight 0.19): HDR is sometimes mistaken for bloom and should be disabled. Some settings like shadow do not work as described, requiring workarounds.
- 120FPS and high settings (weight 0.17): Some users report excellent visual quality at 120FPS with maximum settings, indicating strong optimization for high-end systems.
- PC port crashes frequently (weight 0.16): A minority of users report constant crashes, freezes during cutscenes or dialogue, and random game closures on PC.
- No bugs or issues (weight 0.12): Some players experienced zero bugs, crashes, stutters, lag, or frame drops, calling it a good PC port.
- Config tool and options (weight 0.11): The port includes configurable key bindings, graphics settings, and a helpful configuration tool, improving user experience.
- Map transition lag (weight 0.05): Users report lag when changing maps or teleporting, which can disrupt gameplay flow.
- Low UI resolution (weight 0.05): The UI resolution is reported as low, which may affect readability, especially on higher resolution displays.

Recommendations:
- Play other Ys games instead (weight 0.39): Several reviewers suggest that players should try other Ys titles, such as Ys VIII or Ys IX, instead of this one. They consider those games to be better experiences.
- Recommend for action RPG fans (weight 0.38): The game is particularly recommended for fans of action RPGs and fast-paced combat. It appeals to players who enjoy real-time action and character progression.
- Good entry for Ys series (weight 0.36): This game is highly recommended as an entry point for the Ys series, particularly for newcomers. It offers a solid foundation and enjoyable vibes that fans of the series will appreciate.
- Worth buying on sale (weight 0.28): Players strongly recommend purchasing this game when it is on sale, as it provides good value for money. It is considered a worthwhile purchase at a discounted price.
- Positive overall recommendation (weight 0.28): Many reviews give a strong overall recommendation, praising the game as a worthwhile purchase for fans of action RPGs and Japanese role-playing games.
- Only for series fans (weight 0.19): Some reviews indicate that the game is only recommended for dedicated fans of the Ys series. Newcomers or non-fans may not find it as enjoyable or accessible.
- Not for newcomers (weight 0.16): This game is explicitly not recommended as a starting point for newcomers to the Ys series. Other entries are better suited for beginners.
- Difficulty and replayability (weight 0.14): The game requires multiple playthroughs for full achievement completion, with recommendations to start on easy or normal and later on nightmare. It offers replay value for dedicated players.
- Dated but enjoyable (weight 0.12): The game has dated aspects but is still enjoyable for those who appreciate older JRPG styles. It offers a nostalgic experience for fans of early 2000s games.
- Important for lore completion (weight 0.11): For fans interested in completing Adol's journey and experiencing the full Ys lore, this game is considered important to play. It contributes to the series narrative.
- Platform concerns (weight 0.11): Some reviews mention issues with the Steam version, such as missing language options, and recommend using other platforms or fan patches. This affects the buying decision.
- Good value for price (weight 0.09): The game is considered good value at its price point, especially when on sale. It provides a decent amount of content for the cost.
- Skip or play last in series (weight 0.09): Some reviews advise skipping this game or leaving it for last when playing through the Ys series. It is not considered essential compared to other entries.
- Not recommended due to flaws (weight 0.08): A few reviews express regret or recommend against purchasing due to significant flaws. These players found the game disappointing or not worth the investment.
- Cautious for non-Ys fans (weight 0.08): Non-Ys fans are advised to be cautious, as the game may not appeal to them due to its dated graphics or gameplay. Better starting points exist within the series.
- Achievement hunting considerations (weight 0.08): Achievement hunters need to plan for multiple playthroughs, starting with easier difficulties. The game's New Game+ mode is required for full completion.
- Not for hardcore gamers (weight 0.05): The game is described as not suitable for hardcore gamers, implying it is more accessible and less challenging. It may not satisfy players seeking high difficulty.

Other player notes:
No miscpoints

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.23): Players felt the game was a letdown compared to other Ys titles, particularly due to a weak and abrupt ending with no epilogue, as well as a story filled with cliches and plot holes. The soundtrack was forgettable, and the difficulty was too easy, especially on Normal mode, leading to a lack of accomplishment. Additionally, the game felt inferior to entries like Ys Seven and Ys Eight in almost every aspect.
- Frustration (weight 0.18): A major source of frustration was the map completion system, which was bugged and often required tedious wall-hugging to reach 100%, with some players softlocked at 99.8%. Technical issues like crashes, freezes, and black screens, especially during dialogues and cutscenes, were also common. The lack of a warning before the point of no return, combined with a poor camera system and repetitive quests, further added to the annoyance.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.16): Players consistently praised the fast-paced, snappy combat and the satisfying perfect dodge and block mechanics. The sense of adventure, exploration of the Great Tree, and lively soundtrack were also highlights. Many found the party-based combat and skill progression to be fun and engaging, making for an overall enjoyable action RPG experience.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.12): Players felt satisfied with the game's well-designed systems, including fluid combat, rewarding exploration, and balanced difficulty. The port quality was highlighted as excellent, with smooth 4K performance, high frame rates, and useful features like auto-save and fast skip. Improvements from Ys SEVEN, such as polished mechanics and convenience features, also contributed to a fulfilling experience.
- Annoyance (weight 0.06): Annoyance stemmed from several design issues, including a camera that required constant manual adjustment, too many tutorial popups, and the late unlock of useful abilities like fast travel and sprint. Technical annoyances like a weird launcher and configuration loading every time were also noted, along with a translation that some found painfully unfunny.
- Joy (weight 0.04): Players expressed joy at the fun controls and good background music, as well as the enjoyable scenario and character camaraderie. The availability of the game on PC at a low price and the legendary soundtrack also contributed to a positive, happy experience.
- Excitement (weight 0.04): Excitement was generated by the super tight, high-speed combat and creative enemies, along with rewarding boss battles that require skillful play. The fixes and improvements from Ys SEVEN, such as smoother gameplay and new mechanics like flash guard and flash step, also created high energy. The game's compatibility with Steam Deck and its on-time release from Xseed added to the positive anticipation.
- Slight disappointment (weight 0.03): Players felt slightly let down by the weak music that didn't touch the soul as much as the Trails series, and by the rather simple ending. The graphical mix bag, pacing issues, and basic quests also contributed to a feeling of the story being lighter than expected.
- Admiration (weight 0.03): Admiration was expressed for the game's beautiful and convenient presentation, including a 10/10 soundtrack and impressive maze design. The refinement of game systems and significant graphics improvement over the previous game were also praised, along with the character of Adol being seen as both beautiful and badass.
- Love (weight 0.02): Players loved their time with the game, finding it engaging without ever feeling bored, and appreciated it as a great JRPG deserving its place in the series. Despite some flaws, the overall experience was positive and enjoyable for fans of the Ys series.
- Boredom (weight 0.01): Boredom resulted from a story perceived as too bland and stretched, alongside pointless and uninteresting puzzles like lock picking. These factors made the game feel less engaging and more tedious.
- Appreciation (weight 0.01): Appreciation was shown for the combat and skills, which were excellent for their time, and for how the game expanded the Eldeen lore with rich action and interesting locations. The highly responsive and smooth combat, along with customization options, were also commended.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Surprise came from the game far exceeding expectations, turning a casual check into full immersion. Some players were also surprised that the game was unsupported on SteamDeck despite playing fine.
- Regret (weight 0.01): Regret was expressed over the wasted potential of the game as a 25th anniversary title, with key characters like Dogi and the doctor only appearing in memories. The fact that two magic items remained unlocked at the end also added to the feeling of missed opportunity.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion arose from unresolved plot threads, such as the unexplained fiance and brother of Frida, and a persistent problem that occurred even after a fresh reinstall without any patch.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Amusement came from the funny stories and dialogues of villagers like Sandra, as well as the suggestion to play on Nightmare with power metal music. Some players found the game's janky charm and writing style amusing enough to enjoy despite rolling their eyes.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.01): Nostalgia was felt by long-time fans who appreciated the classic formula reminiscent of early 2000s JRPGs and comfort food. References to previous Ys IV games and music evoking Ys 1 also contributed to a sense of classic adventure.
- Exhaustion (weight 0.01): Exhaustion was caused by the excessive number of mini-dungeons at the end of the game, which felt like padding and made the late-game experience feel drawn out.
- Entertainment (weight 0.01): Players described the game as very entertaining, particularly praising the enjoyable flow of battles and discovery throughout the adventure.
- Captivation (weight 0.01): Captivation was driven by the captivating spirit of exploration and the engaging story puzzles and overall gameplay flow that kept players immersed in the game world.}