Do you like anime? RPGs? Actually, it doesn't matter, you can still love the game even if you're not an anime fan. So here we are, it's time for a JRPG! Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is not a new game, it was developed by Nihon Falcom and published by NIS America, Inc., and it was released on April 16, 2018.

The story starts with Adol Christin, a red-haired adventurer who finds himself shipwrecked on a mysterious island called the Isle of Seiren. He’s not alone, they are other survivors from the ship around the island, and together they try to build a village and survive while searching for a way to escape. Strange creatures roam the land and Adol begins to have dreams about a mysterious blue-haired girl named Dana and her life.
You don’t just play as Adol, you also step into Dana’s story, which is happening in a completely different time, in the past.



Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is an action RPG, so hack and slash, you need to fight and dodge! Additionally, you’re not limited to just one character, you can switch between party members and find the playstyle that suits you best. Personally, I usually feel like playing the main character, it just feels right, you know? So when I did play the game, I also picked the main character. Now things have changed for me and I decided I will pick whatever playstyle I enjoy the most, and I’m glad I made this decision.
Don’t get me wrong, playing the main character is fine and usually still the most enjoyable. So in reality, I don’t feel like changing too, but as long as you enjoy it, do whatever you want, but don't forget to check out other characters too before you decide!



Combat might be simple to learn and dodging is important, but it's fun! Well.. fun for me!
Outside of combat, you explore the island, gather materials, rescue survivors, and build up your village. There is also a lot of side stuff to do, side quests, crafting, fishing, and even defending your base from monster raids. The map opens up gradually, and you unlock new areas by solving puzzles or using new abilities. There is a lot of exploration and I did 100 percent of this game, it was fun and does not feel like a hassle either, it is a pleasure.

There are also special battles called Raids and Hunts. In Raids, monsters attack Castaway Village in waves, and you have to defend it using your party and the village’s defenses like catapults and barricades. Your performance is ranked (S, A, B, C) and higher ranks give better rewards, rare items, elixirs, and gear. Hunts are different, you track down powerful beasts across the island and defeat them for valuable loot. Both types of battles are fun and rewarding, and they even affect your reputation, which ties into the ending you get. Don't skip them! it's fun!




Adol may be known as a silent protagonist, but he isn’t a completely silent, he does speak from time to time, usually during cutscenes, battles, or when reacting to something important. It might seem a little weird at first, but I actually like it, Adol still feels expressive and far from a blank, boring character. Visually, the game still looks great, of course, it doesn't look super realistic like some other new games, but once you get into it, it's still enjoyable and doesn't bother you at all. Each character looks different and has their own personality too, so that's all we really need, right?

I don’t really have much more to say, I really like this game, so of course I’m going to recommend it. I have already played Ys IX: Monstrum Nox, and I’m planning Ys X: Nordics next. So far, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana stands out as my favorite, especially in terms of story and overall experience. If you’re thinking about starting your adventure with the Ys series, I would totally recommend beginning with this one.

System Requirements

Minimum:

• OS *: Windows 10/8.1/7 64-bit
• Processor: Core i3-2100 3.10 GHz
• Memory: 4 GB RAM
• Graphics: Geforce GTX 650 Ti
• DirectX: Version 11
• Storage: 30 GB available space
• Sound Card: Onboard

Recommended:

• OS *: Windows 10/8.1 64-bit
• Processor: AMD FX-8320 8-Core
• Memory: 8 GB RAM
• Graphics: Radeon R7 370
• DirectX: Version 11
• Storage: 30 GB available space
• Sound Card: Onboard