Ys IX: Monstrum Nox (NSP, XCI) ROM + v1.0.3 Update + All DLCs

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is a 2019 action role-playing game developed by Nihon Falcom. A part of the Ys series, it was released for the PlayStation 4 in Japan in September 2019 and worldwide by NIS America in February 2021. The game received additional releases for Windows, Nintendo Switch, and Stadia in July 2021, and PlayStation 5 in May 2023. Ys IX received generally positive reviews from critics. Unsheathe your curse and smite the darkness. Ys IX: Monstrum Nox (イースIX -Monstrum NOX-?) is the ninth installment of the Ys series. It features Adol Christin’s adventure in the prison city of Balduq in Gallia. Adol Christin is cursed by a mysterious woman and becomes a monster, a powerful being who can exorcise monsters. To escape from the city of Balduq, he must ally with five other Monstrums, each possessing their unique Gifts, and halt the Grimwald Nox, a shadowy dimension on the brink of spilling into the real world.

GAMEPLAY

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is an action role-playing game played from a third-person perspective. It further builds on the gameplay foundation of Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana, where players control multiple main characters that can be switched between on the fly, each with their play styles and unique skills. Players collect a variety of weapons and items by defeating enemies and opening chests.

Players can consume SP to unleash a character’s unique skill attack, and SP can be restored by landing hits on enemies or it can regenerate faster when the player is not attacking. Boost mode, a returning game mechanic from Ys: The Oath in Felghana and Ys Origin, temporarily increases damage dealt, decreases damage received, and increases attack and movement speeds. New to Ys IX, each party member has traversal abilities, called Monstrum Gifts, such as gliding and running up walls. Players can reach various places and locate hidden secrets in the city of Balduq and dungeons by utilizing these actions.

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox largely builds on the gameplay foundation of Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana, where players control multiple main characters that can be switched between on the fly, each with their play styles and unique skills. Skills: Consume SP (Skill Points) to unleash a character’s unique skill attacks. SP will restore when you land hits on enemies, but it can also quickly regenerate while not attacking. Later in the game, Valkyrie Hammer can also be used to restore SP.

Boosting: A returning mechanic from Ys: The Oath in Felghana and ”Ys Origin. It can be activated once the Boost Gauge is at least halfway full and continuously drains with time. In addition to increasing damage dealt and reducing damage taken, Boosting also increases attack and movement speeds, allowing for bigger and better combos to be performed. EXTRA Skills: Can only be activated during Boost mode. EXTRA Skills boast tremendous power and massive ranges of effect, but they will instantly deactivate Boost mode.

SETTING

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox takes place in Balduq, northeast of Esteria in the Gllia region, under Roman control. Balduq is known as the “prison city” for its large prison facility inside the town and its architecture featuring high walls as a result of being built in the fortified era. The city is an important nexus for transportation in the region, resulting in a wide range of inns, bars, and trade centers. In more recent years, public facilities such as theaters and baths have started to be developed too. In more recent years, rumors of enigmatic individuals called “Monstrums” are said to have started appearing. The Monstrums are said to possess unique supernatural abilities, some of them seem to be helping the poor and helpless, while others are outlaws up to no good.

This dichotomy has earned them both notoriety and ire from the many denizens of Balduq. Balduq Prison, located at the edge of the city, is supposedly the largest prison facility of the Roman Empire. Originally, it was a fortress built to protect the Roman border, but it has recently been repurposed as a prison facility. Featuring only one entrance through a drawbridge, and surrounded by steep rock walls and deep moats, it is said to be inescapable. The townsfolk do not hold the prison facility in high regard, as the facility is also used to detain critics of the empire and political prisoners.

SYSTEM

Monstrum Gifts: The supernatural powers of the Monstrums, are called Gifts. Each Monstrum has its unique Gift, they can be activated anywhere in the city, field, or dungeon, and they’re useful not only for battling enemies but also for clearing dungeons and exploring the city. As you gain the cooperation of the Monstrums that appear in Balduq, the number of different abilities you can activate will increase. Sacramentals: Special items known as Sacramentals can be obtained through exploring or when certain conditions are met. By equipping Sacramentals, the entire party will receive a special benefit that can greatly aid during combat or traversal.

Azure Petals: Blue flower petals scattered throughout Balduq are said to bring fortune and joy to those who gather them. Various rewards are earned by delivering them to Marguerite in the city. For some reason, Marguerite’s manner of speech seems to change upon reaching certain milestones. Graffiti: Old scrawlings found in various locations throughout Balduq. They can be examined and reported to Professor Vallin, the anthropologist, to earn various rewards. In addition to offering valuable insights into the past, certain special graffiti will bolster the Monstrums’ stats when examined.

Grimwald Nox: The Grimwald Nox is an alternate dimension in which the Monstrums gather to fend off countless hordes of evil spirits, known as Lemures. Eradicating the Lemures and dispelling the Grimwald Nox will release various barriers placed throughout Balduq, allowing the exploration of more locations throughout town.
Connection with other games: If the player has a save file of Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana or Ys: Memories of Celceta, they can receive an in-game bonus for each save they have in their system. Nintendo Switch and PS5 version players can receive both bonuses with a save file of Ys VIII only. Each of these games doesn’t need to be completed for the bonus, only the save file on the system is required.