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Ys IV - The Dawn of Ys

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What is Ys IV - The Dawn of Ys?

NEC PC Engine CD
RPG
5· 0 votes

Ys IV - The Dawn of Ys is an action role-playing game released for the NEC PC Engine CD in 1993. Developed by Alfa System and published by NEC Home Electronics, it was only made available in Japan. As the fourth installment in the Ys series, it continues the adventures of Adol Christin and continues the series' tradition of fast-paced, real-time combat. The game takes advantage of the PC Engine CD's storage capacity, featuring a larger world and animated cutscenes compared to earlier entries. In Ys IV - The Dawn of Ys, the player controls Adol Christin as he explores the land of Celceta. Movement across the overworld and dungeons is viewed from a top-down perspective, while combat occurs in real time by running into enemies. The game uses a bump-to-attack system common to the early Ys titles, where damage is dealt by colliding with foes at the correct angle. As Adol defeats enemies, he gains experience and levels up, increasing his stats. The player can equip different weapons and armor, and use magic spells obtained throughout the adventure. The game also features a save system, allowing progress to be recorded at various points. Ys IV - The Dawn of Ys stands as a beloved entry among series fans due to its refined gameplay and presentation. Its substantial world and story make it one of the more ambitious titles on the PC Engine CD. Because it never received an official Western release, the Japanese version is the only way to experience this chapter in its original form, though fan translations have since made it more accessible. For those interested in classic action RPGs and the Ys series specifically, this game represents a high point for the franchise on the platform.

GAME INFO

Platform: NEC PC Engine CD
Genre: RPG
Publisher: NEC Home Electronics
Developer: Alfa System
Released: 1993
Players: 1
Region: Japan

How to play Ys IV - The Dawn of Ys online

Getting Started

When you first load Ys IV - The Dawn of Ys, the title screen appears. Press Start (Enter) to proceed. The game is entirely in Japanese, but the main menu options are straightforward: choose to start a new game or continue from a saved file. If you are new to the series, select the first option. After a brief opening scene, you will control Adol in the town of Redmont. Your immediate task is to talk to townspeople and gather information about where to go next. The game's core loop involves traveling between towns and dungeons, defeating monsters to gain levels, and advancing the story through conversations and key items.

Combat is performed by running the character into enemies. You must hit them from the side or back to deal damage; hitting them head-on will hurt Adol. Experiment with positioning until you feel comfortable. The B button (S key) makes Adol run faster, which is useful for both attacking and evading. You can equip weapons and armor by opening the menu (press Select then choose the equipment option). Remember to save frequently at churches or save points indicated on the map.

Since the menus are in Japanese, it helps to memorize a few common kanji: the save option typically appears as a flag or a specific character. If you are unfamiliar with the language, consider using a fan translation patch or walkthrough to navigate the item and magic screens. The game is fairly linear early on, so following the path of the story will guide you naturally from one area to the next.

CONTROLS

Controls

Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
X: I button
S: II button
Enter: Run / Start
V: Select

Ys IV - The Dawn of Ys FAQ

Can players save progress in Ys IV - The Dawn of Ys?

Saving is possible at churches or designated save points found in towns and dungeons. The game also offers a continue option from the title screen to load previously saved data.

What type of game is Ys IV - The Dawn of Ys?

It is an action role-playing game with real-time combat and a top-down perspective. The player controls a single character, gains experience and levels, and explores a large overworld with multiple dungeons.

Is Ys IV - The Dawn of Ys exclusive to NEC PC Engine CD or did it appear on other systems?

While the core Ys IV story was adapted on other platforms like the Super Famicom and PlayStation 2, this specific version titled The Dawn of Ys was produced only for the PC Engine CD and remains exclusive to that system in Japan.

All NEC PC Engine CD games