I want to get into Ys. Where do I start?

[Rman]

I have Vita (PSP), Switch, and PS4.  I know these games are available for all these platforms but where do I start?

[Chooky]

get the psp remakes of the first two games to start with.

[demi]

Probably at the beginning?

https://isu.fandom.com/wiki/Ys_Games

You can play pretty much every Ys up to this point via PSP/Vita. Keep in mind these are remakes/remasters so they aren't like the originals.

There are a couple that aren't available digitally/remade.

These are Ark of Napishtim, which is on PS2/PSP scratch that it's on steam. There's also Lost Kingdom of Sand which is only on SNES (there is a translation).

The games are technically in "chronological order" but you don't have to play them in order. They are individual releases and can be enjoyed at any point.

[Himu]

1-3

3r (oath of felghana) if you want the best ys experience and want to get into the series asap.

1&2 if you want to start from the beginning.

[archnemesis]

The PSP remakes are a great place to start. Ys Origin is another good alternative.

[Tuckers Law]

I just recently started the series up and finished the psp versions of 1 & 2 on PC, and thought they were pretty good for introducing me to Ys world. Apparently the rest of the Ys games after 2 have a more conventional combat system, and in truth I did hate the bump system at first, but after realizing I didn’t have my sword equipped, it overall grew on me and I enjoyed the 15-ish hours spent on them.

[Rahxephon91]

Eh I don't think 1/2 are really worth playing and 3 is different to what the series is now anyway. Either way 3 is on the PSP so it may be worth trying that one out. I'd honestly just start with VII which is on the PSP, then go to Memories of Celceta which is on the Vita(soon PS4 I think?), and then VIII on either PS4 or Switch.

[tiesto]

Do you have a hacked Wii perchance? If so I'd recommend the Turbo CD versions of Ys 1 and 2. Origin and Oath in Felghana are probably my favorites, both are available on PC (GOG/steam) and don't really require that much computing power to run.

[Bebpo]

Start with Origins honestly
Oath is better but I think the adventure aspect of it is pretty dated so you might need to faq around to figure out where to go. Origins is just a pure dungeon crawler. Both have great action and bosses.

Then play 6 which is worse but still similar.


Then play the rest which are nothing like those 3 games and either like them, love them or hate them.

[demi]

Possibly! Each game is ... relatively different

[Rahxephon91]

Similar question:If I tried playing Ys:SEVEN on Vita twice and dropped it (up until you meet some girl in a forest village I think?) because it was a bit generic and hand-holdy is there a chance that I might like the older/newer games?

Maybe 3 and the older ones. Maybe Memories of Celceta as theres a cool exploration aspect.

But Memories and VIII are kind of just as generic in art and story as VII. It really is the gamelay that keeps you going.

[Bebpo]

Similar question:If I tried playing Ys:SEVEN on Vita twice and dropped it (up until you meet some girl in a forest village I think?) because it was a bit generic and hand-holdy is there a chance that I might like the older/newer games?

Yeah, like Rax said, if you don't like 7 don't bother with Celceta or 8. Haven't played 9 so can't comment on that one. Like demi said the older ones are all pretty different so you could still enjoy them.

I hate 7/Celceta/8
I love Oath/Origins
I like 6
I don't have any opinion on 1/2/9. Tried playing 1 a few times but never got into the run and bump style, but not gonna hate on 1/2 since haven't given them a real shot.