Ys X: Proud Nordics

 
Developed by Nihon Falcom and heavily upgraded for PC by PH3, Ys X: Proud Nordics is a vastly expanded re-release of the 2024 action-RPG hit. Launching in early 2026, this definitive version brings young Adol Christin’s seafaring adventure to PC with massive technical improvements, while also acting as a flagship title for the Nintendo Switch 2 in Japan. Instead of just polishing the graphics, the developer added new story content, making it an essential journey for long-time series fans who missed the original launch.
Core Gameplay

Dual Combat System: Combat shifts seamlessly between solo action and a dual-character mode. You control both Adol and the pirate princess Karja simultaneously, utilizing specific guard mechanics and combo attacks to shatter enemy defenses. Furthermore, this dual system replaces the traditional three-person party of older games, resulting in a much tighter, more focused combat flow.
The Power of Mana: Exploration is heavily reliant on the newly introduced Mana String and Mana Burst abilities. These powers allow you to swing across massive gaps, demolish heavy boulders, and unlock hidden platforms inside intricate dungeons. Therefore, revisiting older islands with new abilities is constantly rewarding.
Naval Exploration: For the first time in the series, you take command of your own upgradeable ship, the Sandras. You can engage in fast-paced naval combat, discover uncharted islands, and recruit rescued sailors to join your crew. Additionally, building out your ship’s armaments and crew capacity forms a highly addictive secondary progression loop.
Massive PC Enhancements: The PC port of Proud Nordics is technically brilliant. It features DLSS 4.5 support, fully uncapped framerates, and extensive ultrawide monitor options. As a result, the game scales beautifully from high-end desktop rigs down to the Steam Deck OLED.

Comment cela se passe-t-il ?
Ys X: Proud Nordics feels like a fantastic blend of Kingdom Hearts III’s pirate ship combat and the breakneck speed of Nier: Automata. While other modern RPGs heavily emphasize cinematic cutscenes over gameplay, this title remains aggressively focused on keeping the player moving and fighting. Moreover, the addition of the new story content in this version rounds out the narrative beautifully. However, players who strongly prefer turn-based combat might find the hyper-kinetic action overwhelming.



Jeu
Principale différence
Meilleur pour




Ys VIII : Lacrimosa of DANA
Focuses on building a massive castaway village on a single island rather than open-ocean sailing.
Fans of deep base-building and survival elements.


Les contes d'Arise
Features a larger, four-person active party in combat and a much darker, slower-paced narrative.
Traditional JRPG players seeking epic drama.


Kingdom Hearts III
Offers a very similar feeling of light, arcade-style naval combat, but heavily relies on Disney licensing.
Players looking for a massive nostalgia trip.



Détails clés

Développeur : Nihon Falcom (PC Port by PH3)
Éditeur : NIS America / Clouded Leopard Entertainment
Plateformes : PC (Steam, Epic, GOG), Nintendo Switch 2 (Japan initially)
Date de sortie : Early 2026 (PC upgrades) / July 31, 2025 (Switch 2 Japan)
Genre : Action RPG
Vibe : High-speed swashbuckling adventure

Pour qui ?

Must-play for: Hardcore Falcom fans who want the absolute definitive, technically superior version of Adol’s latest journey.
Perfect for: Action RPG lovers who prefer fast, parry-heavy combat systems over slow, menu-driven battles.
Skip if: You already exhausted the base version of Ys X : Les pays nordiques and don’t care enough about technical upgrades to replay it.

Pourquoi ça marche
Ultimately, Ys X: Proud Nordics succeeds because it refuses to let the legendary franchise grow stale. Nihon Falcom took a massive risk by stripping away the traditional party system; however, the resulting duo-combat mechanics with Adol and Karja are the tightest the series has ever seen. Furthermore, the PC-specific upgrades provided by PH3 ensure that the vibrant world runs perfectly on modern hardware. By successfully blending excellent ground combat with surprisingly fun naval exploration, this release easily stands as one of the finest action RPGs available today.