Wow, what a ride! It was really, really fun. The only other Ys games I've ever played were 7 (but I didn't beat it.. Got to the end and had to return it to my friend I was borrowing it from), and Memories of Celceta. Since I have such a huge backlog of games, I tend to play on the easiest mode to get through each game quickly. I finished at about 56 hours! I almost got over 75% of the trophies, but I accidentally skipped a few quests and also got too lazy to run back to go fishing and do some other side stuff. I came in not expecting TOO much story-wise, but I was definitely excited from the reviews I read and from how much I love Ys's battle system. I really enjoyed the world-building they did on the island and in Eternia. Falcom is just too good.

I waited to play it until after the localization patch was released, and I was quite pleased with how everything was translated/fixed. I especially thought Ricotta was really cute (and I read in another thread how the way she was translated made her not that likeable/cute, so I assume that was before the patch) and I really, really liked Hummel a lot. He had many cute sides to him that I didn't expect, and he also from time to time said some unexpected heartwarming lines. Doesn't help he's voiced by KENN, haha. When I first started the game, I thought I wouldn't like Laxia because I tend to not like tsunderes, but she was written well. I liked her character development a lot. Reja and the pikkards were so cute!! Kinda wish there was a trophy for collecting all the vegetable seeds for him and completing the garden! I also love Reja's character design!! Quina was also absolutely adorable! I really wish Dogi was a part of the main party, but I guess we'd be too OP, haha. Am I mean to say I was quite disappointed Sir Carlan ended up being alive? He made me so irritated, haha. I didn't expect the Captain would die, especially early in the game. I had a bad, off feeling about Kiergaard, but who knew he'd turn out to be the serial killer, haha. Overall, I enjoyed the characters and it was fun getting to know almost everyone. I'm sad to say that I actually thought Olga was gonna betray Dana somehow... I don't know why. I just had a feeling, but it turned out I was wrong, and I'm glad I was cos their friendship was beautiful. I definitely felt for Rastell as well. And Dana's final form at the end- she looked so beautiful!! The twist with Paro-- That really shocked me!! I KNEW he would have a significant role in the game, but not to that extent!! That was seriously a great surprise!! Also, Dana was so freaking fun to play as. She runs so fast too so it was really fun zooming through areas I needed to get through. The Underground Sanctuary reminded me of the Schoolhouse in Trails of Cold Steel, haha.

I really enjoyed the fishing aspect! The huge fish were actually a challenge at times. My hand actually started aching, haha. As usual, the battle system was really, really fun. And the OST... omg don't get me started on that... Seriously, the OST was fantastic. My definitive top favorite tracks have to be: A Footprint in the Wet Sand, Lost in Green, and the menu theme, Lacrimosa of Dana. But of course, there were a TON of other standout tracks in the game.

One question, regarding harvest points. I had all harvest points except for 2 in Pangaean Plains. I ran up and down that whole area five times and couldn't find anything. I Googled, and one Gamefaqs Board said that it had something to do with Dana's era, so I guess I missed something? Which doesn't seem plausible to me because I always made sure to get 100% in every area... By the end of the game, on the top of the map, it said I had 100% on the map, treasure chests, and harvest points, but when I went in the start menu and checked in my journal, and also when I scrolled over to Pangaean Plains, I was still missing 2 harvest points there. Is it some sort of glitch?

What did you guys think of the game? It had a beautiful story, and I appreciated that "Lacrimosa" didn't turn out to be some random word, but actually had significant meaning. I'd say I give Ys 8 a solid 8, 8.5/10. I think I was able to say everything I thought of the game. I probably forgot some other stuff I liked about the game, but it was a fun ride and I'm so glad I finally beat it! I'm happy I can now go to my collector's edition and finally read through the artbook and Adol's Codex that I've been avoiding reading because of potential spoilers!!