Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana Switch Version In-Depth Review: An Epic Adventure of Survival on a Desert Island

Hello everyone, I'm your old friend, a Switch player and game critic with over 10 years of gaming experience. Today, I want to talk to you about one of the latest works in Falcom's classic ARPG series, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana, on the Switch. This game was originally released on PSV in 2016, and later ported to PS4, PC, and Switch. The Switch version not only includes all the content from previous versions, but also has a unique advantage in terms of portability.

1. Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana Game Introduction: An Adventure of Survival on a Desert Island

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana tells the story of the red-haired adventurer Adol Christin who is shipwrecked in the Gria Elt sea and stranded on Siren Island. On this mysterious island, he needs to cooperate with other survivors, explore unknown areas, fight fierce monsters, and uncover the truth hidden behind the island. At the same time, players will also experience the past of the mysterious girl Dana, with the stories of two time periods interwoven, eventually converging into a magnificent epic.

The biggest feature of this game is its unique desert island survival setting. Players not only need to fight, but also need to collect resources, build camps, recruit survivors, and use their skills to overcome various obstacles. This game experience, which combines adventure, combat, and simulation management elements, allows players to feel the pressure and challenge of survival while exploring the unknown.

2. Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana Switch Version Game Review: In-Depth Analysis

2.1 Gameplay: Combat System, Exploration, and Collection Elements

Ys VIII's combat system inherits the series' consistent fast pace and refreshing feel. Players can control Adol and his companions, using their unique skills and attributes to engage in fierce battles with various monsters. The game has multiple difficulty options, even beginners can easily get started, while veteran players can challenge higher difficulties and experience more thrilling battles.

In terms of exploration, Siren Island has rich terrain and scenery, including dense forests, steep mountains, mysterious ruins, and more. Players can freely explore these areas and discover hidden treasures and secrets. Collection elements are also very rich. Players can collect various resources, ingredients, and herbs for making equipment, dishes, and medicines.

2.2 Graphics: Graphics Performance on the Switch Version

The graphics of the Switch version are acceptable in handheld mode, but in TV mode, the jagged edges are more obvious and the texture mapping is slightly rough. However, considering that this is a port and the limitations of the Switch's capabilities, such graphics performance is acceptable. If you have high requirements for graphics, you may need to consider versions for other platforms. But if rumors are true, the future Nintendo Switch 2 will have a huge improvement in graphics performance, then playing the game on the Nintendo Switch 2 will be a completely different experience. nintendo switch2 first look

2.3 Sound Effects: Classic BGM, Igniting Adventure Passion

The music of the Ys series has always been highly praised, and Ys VIII is no exception. The BGM in the game is full of passion and vitality, and can appropriately enhance the atmosphere whether it is combat, exploration, or plot performances. Especially the battle music, which is even more exciting. In terms of sound effects, the voice acting of various monsters and characters are very well done, enhancing the immersion of the game.

2.4 Story: Dual Protagonist Narrative, Unveiling the Island Truth

Ys VIII's plot adopts a dual protagonist narrative, players can not only experience Adol's adventure story, but also learn about Dana's past. The stories of two time periods are intertwined, gradually revealing the truth behind Siren Island. The plot is full of ups and downs, suspense, and reversals, making it addictive. Especially Dana's story is even more touching.

2.5 Controls: Smooth and Refreshing, Easy to Get Started

Ys VIII's controls are very smooth and refreshing, whether it is movement, attack, or using skills, it is easy to get started. The button layout of the Switch version is also very reasonable, even long-term play will not feel tired. However, in handheld mode, due to the limitations of the Joy-Con controllers, the accuracy of operation may be slightly affected. It is believed that the future Nintendo Switch 2 will optimize the experience of the Joy-Con controllers.

3. Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana Pros and Cons Analysis

3.1 Pros:

• Excellent combat system: Fast-paced, refreshing, easy to get started, difficult to master.
• Rich exploration elements: Siren Island has rich terrain and scenery, hiding various treasures and secrets.
• Engaging plot: Dual protagonist narrative, full of ups and downs, suspense, and reversals.
• Classic BGM: Ignites adventure passion, enhances the atmosphere.
• High replayability: Rich collection elements, side quests, and hidden elements allow players to immerse themselves in it for a long time.

3.2 Cons:

• Graphics performance: The graphics of the Switch version are slightly rough in TV mode.
• Some plots are slightly lengthy: Individual plot segments are slightly lengthy.
• Optimization: The game may experience frame drops in some scenes, affecting the experience.

4. Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana Compared with Similar Games

Compared with similar ARPG games, the biggest feature of Ys VIII is its unique desert island survival setting. Compared with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Ys VIII's plot is more linear, and the combat is more refreshing, while Breath of the Wild focuses more on freedom and exploration. Compared with the Xenoblade Chronicles series, Ys VIII's combat is simpler and more direct, and the plot is easier to understand.

In general, Ys VIII is an excellent ARPG game. It combines adventure, combat, and simulation management elements to bring players a unique gaming experience. Even after the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, it is believed that this game will still occupy a place in the hearts of players with its excellent gameplay.

5. Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana Score

Based on the above analysis, I give the Switch version of Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana a score of 8.5/10.

• IGN：8.5/10 (Reference: https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/09/12/ys-viii-lacrimosa-of-dana-review)
• Metacritic：82/100 (Reference: https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/ys-viii-lacrimosa-of-dana)

Rating Reasons: Excellent gameplay, engaging plot, classic sound effects, but slightly insufficient graphics performance.

6. Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana Switch Version Game Guide: Beginner's Guide

6.1 Getting Started

• Choose the right difficulty: The game offers multiple difficulty options, beginners are recommended to choose normal or easy difficulty.
• Familiarize yourself with the combat system: Master the character's attack methods, skills, and attributes, and make reasonable use of dodge and defense.
• Collect resources: Collect various resources for making equipment, dishes, and medicines.
• Build a camp: Build a camp, recruit survivors, and use their skills to overcome various obstacles.
• Explore the map: Explore the map and discover hidden treasures and secrets.

6.2 Advanced Tips and Strategies

• Attribute Restriction: Attribute restriction relationships exist in the game, and reasonably using attribute restriction can make it easier to defeat enemies.
• Skill Combination: Different skill combinations can produce different effects. Try different skill combinations to find the fighting style that suits you best.
• Defense Counterattack: Mastering the skills of defense counterattack can turn defeat into victory at critical moments.
• BOSS Battle Strategy: Develop different combat strategies for different BOSSes, such as using the BOSS's weaknesses, dodging the BOSS's attacks, and so on.

6.3 Walkthrough Methods for Levels or Challenges

• Specific Level Guide: Provide detailed walkthrough steps and precautions for specific levels.
• Challenge Guide: Provide detailed challenge techniques and strategies for various challenges in the game.

6.4 Best Equipment, Skill Combinations, etc.

• Best Equipment Recommendation: Recommend the best equipment in the game, including weapons, armor, and accessories.
• Skill Combination Recommendation: Recommend the best skill combinations in the game, for different characters and fighting styles.

6.5 Speedrun Techniques and Hidden Elements Guide

• Speedrun Techniques: Share speedrun techniques in the game to help players complete the game faster.
• Hidden Elements Guide: Uncover the hidden elements in the game, such as hidden BOSSes, hidden treasures, and so on.

7. Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana Game Recommendation: Who is This Game Suitable For?

7.1 Suitable for:

• Players who like ARPG games
• Players who like adventure themes
• Players who like story games
• Players who like collecting elements
• Players who like fast-paced battles

7.2 Not Suitable for:

• Players with extremely high graphics requirements
• Players who don't like linear plots
• Players who don't like grinding

7.3 Purchase Advice:

• Sufficient Budget: You can buy the Switch version to enjoy the fun of portability. If the Nintendo Switch 2 is released and has better graphics performance, then the Switch 2 version is a better choice.
• Limited Budget: You can consider the prices of other platforms and choose the version with the best price/performance ratio.
• Pay Attention to New Game Release Information: Pay attention to the release information of new games in the Ys series, there may be more surprises.

The Nintendo Switch 2 has not yet been released, and the nintendo switch2 price is not yet known. But overall, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is a game that is very worth playing. Whether on the Switch or on the future Nintendo Switch 2, it can bring players an unforgettable adventure experience. Even after the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, it is believed that this game will still occupy a place in the hearts of players with its excellent gameplay.

8. Conclusion: Looking Forward to the Performance of the Ys Series on the Nintendo Switch 2

In general, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is an excellent ARPG game, and it has also shown its unique charm on the Switch platform. Although the graphics performance is slightly insufficient, the gameplay, plot, and sound effects are excellent. If you are a fan of ARPG games, then this game should not be missed. For the future Nintendo Switch 2, I am very much looking forward to the Ys series being able to show more powerful graphics and a smoother experience on a higher-performance platform. nintendo switch2 compatibility I believe that Falcom will continue to bring us more wonderful Ys works. Thank you for reading, see you in the next issue!