Game: Ys X: Proud Nordics
Genre: Action, Adventure, RPG
System: Nintendo Switch 2 (also on Windows (Steam) and PS5)
Developer|Publisher: Falcom | NIS America
Age Rating: EU 16 | US Teen
Price: US $69.99 | UK £62.99 | EU € 69.99
Release Date: February 20th, 2026
Review code provided with many thanks to Reef Entertainment.
Ys X: Proud Nordics – The Definitive Edition of a Great Ys Game
There’s something reassuring about setting sail with Adol again. The red-haired adventurer has been at this for a long time now, and with Ys X: Proud Nordics, we’re getting the most complete version of his latest voyage.
Originally released as Ys X: Nordics, this new edition lands on Nintendo Switch 2 (alongside PC and PS5) with upgraded performance, added story content, gameplay tweaks and a fresh island to explore. It’s very much the “definitive” package.
The big question is simple: if you already played the original, is it worth boarding the ship again? And if you didn’t, is this the best way to jump in?
Simple answer, maybe, and heck yes, but let’s talk about it.
A Pirate Princess and a Quiet Hero
The story goes like this. Adol arrives in Obelia Bay chasing adventure, only to find himself entangled with pirates, specifically Karja Balta, the so-called Pirate Princess.
Through a twist of fate (and a few chains), the two are bound together by Mana. They begin on opposite sides, wary and defensive, but quickly realise they’ll need each other to face the undead Griegr and the growing threat across the sea.
Adol, as ever, is mostly the strong, silent type. He’s curious, brave and dependable, but rarely the loudest voice in the room. Karja, on the other hand, brings fire to every conversation. She’s blunt, confident, and carries herself like someone who’s used to commanding. Beneath that hardened exterior, though, there’s depth. Watching her open up over time remains one of the game’s strongest narrative threads.
This new edition adds a substantial side arc centred on Öland Island. Here we meet Canute and Astrid, newcomers with their own ties to Karja and the Norman forces. Their involvement adds extra political tension and expands the world’s lore in interesting ways.
The English voice acting continues to impress. Performances feel natural, and emotional beats land well. It keeps you invested from the early skirmishes right through to the later revelations.
Combat Still Delivers
Combat is where Ys has always thrived for me, and that hasn’t changed here.
You can fight in Solo Mode, controlling either Adol or Karja individually, or switch into Combo Mode, controlling both together for heavier coordinated attacks. Switching is seamless, and chaining moves feels satisfying without being overly complicated.
Adol leans into speed and flowing sword combos. Karja favours weighty axe strikes and shield techniques. Together, they unlock powerful joint skills that can swing a battle in seconds.
It’s responsive, fast and energetic, exactly what you’d hope for from an action RPG. Boss fights remain epic, demanding movement, timing and buggy meaty health bars.
Exploration feeds naturally into combat. You’ll venture across islands, dive into dungeons, uncover treasure, complete side quests and strengthen your abilities along the way. It’s a familiar loop if you’ve played recent entries, but it’s one that still works well.
Sailing
Yes, the ship is back.
Naval travel once divided opinions, but I’ve always enjoyed it. There’s something peaceful about steering between islands, watching the horizon open up before the next dungeon crawl.
Proud Nordics adds a few refinements to sailing. Movement feels smoother, and there are new traversal options that let you move faster when needed. It’s not dramatically different, but it’s polished.
Ship battles return, too, adding variety to the pacing. They’re not the deepest system in the game, but they break up land-based combat nicely.
Performance and Presentation on Switch 2
On Nintendo Switch 2, this version runs impressively well.
You’re given the option to prioritise graphics or performance at the start. I opted for performance mode, and it delivers a consistently smooth experience both docked and handheld. Frame pacing feels stable, and combat benefits greatly from that fluidity.
Visually, it retains its clean anime-inspired style. Environments aren’t pushing extreme realism, but the ocean vistas and island landscapes still look inviting. Dungeons are atmospheric without being overly elaborate. Very much mimics Falcom’s other popular Trails series.
If you played the original Switch release, you will notice the smoother overall feel. It’s subtle, but welcome.
New Content
The expanded Öland Island storyline is the major addition. It feels like a substantial DLC folded directly into the core adventure. New areas, extra bosses, more side content and additional character moments give returning players something meaningful to explore.
Then there’s a time-trial dungeon designed for players who want a serious challenge. Limited time and adjustable modifiers via special items make it a demanding test of skill.
It’s optional, but it gives completionists something extra to sink their teeth into.
The Double-Dip Dilemma
Here’s where things get slightly complicated.
If you poured dozens of hours into the original Ys X: Nordics, there’s no save transfer. You’ll be starting from scratch. That makes this feel primarily aimed at newcomers.
The improvements are real. The additional story content is neat. The performance boost is noticeable.
But if you’ve already completed the adventure recently, this may not feel essential right now.
For first-time players, though, this is absolutely the version to pick.
Conclusion: Y The Long Face
Ys X: Proud Nordics is the most complete version of an already strong action RPG. The refined performance, expanded story and extra challenges make it the definitive way to experience Adol and Karja’s journey across Obelia Bay.
If you’re new to Ys or skipped the original release, this is an easy recommendation. Fast combat, enjoyable exploration and a solid central duo carry the experience confidently.
If you’re a returning veteran, your enjoyment will depend on how ready you are to relive the voyage.
Either way, Falcom proves there’s still plenty of life in this long-running series.
Final Verdict: I Like it a Lot
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