Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA remains one of Falcom's best games, and the new PS5 version is a great entry point into the series thanks to its enhancements. If you already own the PS4 version, it isn't worth grabbing, but this is the best console version of Ys VIII, and the low asking price makes it an easy recommendation for newcomers.

If you’ve never played this defining entry of the franchise, the PlayStation 5 port is the best way to do so. Alternatively, if you’re a veteran fan or achievement hunter, this release has a separate trophy list, allowing for another Platinum if that’s your jam. Ys IX is also scheduled to receive a native PlayStation 5 version next year, and while the improvements probably won’t be as substantial as with VIII, I hope it turns out as well as what’s happened here.

There’s little incentive for fans that already have a copy of another version to purchase the PlayStation 5 port again. But this is an absolute must-play for anyone seeking an adventure. It’s wonderful to see so many players across different platforms being able to enjoy Nihon Falcom’s magnum opus.

Ys VIII remains a fundamentally great action JRPG that looks its best on PS5, but its underwhelming DualSense feedback is a huge missed opportunity.

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA for PS5 is a good way to get into the franchise, even if we haven't played a previous game in the series. It is a game with a charming story, memorable characters and quite long. Its gameplay is fun, strategic and seamless. Graphically superior but with those old-fashioned textures.

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana on PlayStation 5 is basically the very same game it was on PlayStation 4 and Switch with the added benefits of a very smooth frame rate and some visual enhancements.

A masterpiece to be done at least once in a life time thanks to a rocking universe, a magic soundtrack and a dynamic gameplay.

Ys VIII is still great, then, and although it's not worth shouting about, the experience is enhanced on PS5. A slight resolution boost, better shadows, and a much improved draw distance gives the game's somewhat aged visuals an edge. Load times are basically non-existent as well.

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana was a great game in 2016 an it still is in 2022, but the lack of improvements or noticeable additions make this PS5 version a bit questionable.

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA is a wonderful game, but this PS5 upgrade doesn’t do much to justify its existence. You get the DLC and an obtuse 120 fps mode, sure, but you’re basically still getting the exact same experience as if you played the PS4 version on a PS5 or Pro. The game itself is highly recommended, but console upgrades should have more features and this feels like less than the bare minimum.