Games Happy

Again in 2024, NIS America launched Ys X: Nordics within the West following its Japanese debut a 12 months prior. This was a notable launch for a lot of causes together with it being Falcom’s first new sport to launch on Nintendo and Sony consoles on the identical time in Japan. For the West, a PC model by way of PH3 was additionally added. I lined all platforms again in 2024, and have since purchased and performed the Japanese launch of Ys X: Proud Nordics for Nintendo Swap 2 for my Ys collection Swap 2 backward compatibility function. That brings us to at present. You would possibly surprise if there may be any level to only writing in regards to the Swap 2 model of Proud Nordics once more, and usually you would be proper. The distinction this time, is that the Swap 2 (and PS5) variations of Ys X: Proud Nordics for the West function not solely Falcom’s work, but in addition PH3 engaged on the console variations. I’ll deal with the Swap 2 Western launch right here as a result of the day one patch shouldn’t be stay on PS5 but. 

Earlier than attending to how the Western launch improves upon the Japanese model, I’ll rapidly cowl the Proud Nordics technical improve. Ys X: Nordics was clearly a sport constructed across the authentic Swap {hardware} and scaled up. This was completely different to the Dawn ports that have been constructed for PS4 and the likes of how Horizon which felt prefer it was constructed for PS5. Ys X: Nordics on the unique Swap delivered the most effective trendy Ys but when it comes to visuals and efficiency after how middling to mediocre the Ys VIII and IX ports have been. Ys X: Nordics on Swap focused 30fps and delivered a barely tender visible expertise each docked and handheld. 

Ys X: Proud Nordics for Nintendo Swap 2 delivered the biggest improve in decision and body fee that I’ve seen thus far with it not solely working with a 60fps goal by default, however even providing a 120fps goal efficiency mode each docked and handheld. The visuals noticed some cuts for this, however it was a implausible handheld expertise. I bear in mind it solely actually struggled noticeably when taking part in the brand new places added in Ys X: Proud Nordics.

Word: For the photographs above, I used 4K seize for the High quality mode and 1440p seize for the Efficiency mode on account of seize card bandwidth limitations. You’ll be able to nonetheless see the huge improve within the English launch’s 120fps goal Efficiency mode.

Ys X: Proud Nordics’ Japanese launch is already what I think about top-of-the-line upgrades on Swap 2, however the Western launch takes issues additional. Once I first booted it up, Ys X: Proud Nordics appeared extra steady than the noisy Japanese launch when performed within the perfomance mode. I then tried the default 60fps mode and that additionally appeared higher than what I remembered of final 12 months’s launch. I redownloaded the Japanese launch and was shocked to see how a lot of a picture high quality enchancment the Western launch is. I spoke to PH3’s Durante about this and he instructed me how Ys X: Proud Nordics on Swap 2 is the primary Swap 2 launch PH3 has labored on and the way it added DLSS to the Western launch. You’ll be able to learn my interview right here. Durante additionally instructed me about engaged on including PSSR to the PS5 Professional model, however I am going to save the PS5 model for one more article. 

The one unlucky factor about Ys X: Proud Nordics is that there is no such thing as a improve path for present homeowners and no save switch. The latter I can perceive to a point since there are adjustments even to base sport content material in elements, and whilst you can load a transparent save to start a New Recreation Plus run, that is just about a brand-new launch. Additionally it is launching at full worth with loads of the bottom sport DLC included, however not all. 

Word: For the photographs above, I used handheld seize utilizing the Swap 2’s screenshot performance. There isn’t any different technique to get handheld seize proper now. You’ll be able to simply see the distinction in high quality between the English and Japanese releases with the previous being so much higher even within the Efficiency 120fps goal mode.

Yet one more factor to notice with regards to how this compares to the PS5 launch, the Swap 2 model of Proud Nordics nonetheless has loading screens in between areas and if you exit buildings or homes. The PS5 model of the bottom Ys X: Nordics and the brand new Ys X: Proud Nordics model each don’t function loading screens. The sport simply fades out and in to transition between places. The Swap 2 model is notably slower due to the loading screens right here. 

I am in two minds about Ys X: Proud Nordics proper now. For individuals who have by no means performed it earlier than, Ys X: Proud Nordics on Swap 2 is my favourite model of the sport by far due to the wonderful handheld and docked expertise within the Western launch. When you already performed Ys X: Nordics and need to replay it, Ys X: Proud Nordics is one of the best ways to take action, however it’s laborious to advocate for many who simply need to expertise the brand new content material. 

On a technical degree, I think about Ys X: Proud Nordics on Swap 2 as a lot of an improve because the Swap 2 Editions of No Man’s Sky and Factorio. We do not see many video games enhance this a lot visually between areas anymore. Often, the delayed Western launch of a Japanese sport ships with all of the updates from the get go. With Ys X: Proud Nordics, NIS America and PH3 did much more than simply that to ship an enhanced model of my favourite transportable launch of Ys X.

Ys X: Proud Nordics launches on February 20, 2026 for the West on PS5, Nintendo Swap 2, and PC (Steam, GOG, Epic).