The wait is finally over for Ys fans. Ys X: Proud Nordics officially launched on February 20, 2026, and it’s bringing some serious changes to the beloved action RPG series that’s been captivating players for decades.
NIS America dropped the news with barely contained excitement, and honestly, who can blame them? This isn’t just another Ys game – it’s packing features that could shake up everything we know about the series.
Players worldwide have been diving into Adol’s latest adventure since this morning. And if you’re wondering what makes this entry special, buckle up because NIS America isn’t messing around with this release.
The big selling point here is those “new mechanics” they’re teasing. Now, the Ys series has always been known for evolving its combat system with each entry – from the bump combat of the early games to the more modern hack-and-slash approach. But when a publisher specifically calls out brand-new mechanics, that usually means we’re looking at something that could fundamentally change how these games feel to play.
What’s got hardcore fans particularly excited is the promise of high-difficulty dungeon content. The Ys series has never been afraid to challenge players, but dedicated hard mode content suggests they’re really leaning into what makes the series special. These aren’t going to be your typical RPG dungeons where you can sleepwalk through encounters – expect to actually use those new mechanics they’re bragging about.
The storyline integration is another interesting angle. Previous Ys games have sometimes felt like the story and gameplay existed in separate bubbles, with cutscenes bookending dungeon crawling sessions. If they’ve managed to weave the narrative more naturally into the gameplay experience, that could be a genuine game-changer for the series.
For newcomers wondering what all the fuss is about, the Ys series has been around since the late 1980s, following the adventures of red-haired adventurer Adol Christin. Think of it as the scrappy underdog of action RPGs – not as flashy as some of the bigger names, but with incredibly tight gameplay and a devoted fanbase that swears by its quality.
What makes Ys special is how it balances accessibility with depth. The games are easy to pick up but hard to master, with combat that feels more like a dance than a button-mashing fest. Each entry has refined this formula, and if the early buzz is anything to go by, Proud Nordics might be the most refined yet.
The “Proud Nordics” subtitle hints at a Nordic-inspired setting, which could mean we’re looking at Viking-influenced cultures, mythology, and environments. That’s fertile ground for both storytelling and visual design, especially if they’re integrating that storyline as seamlessly as promised.
NIS America has been the western publisher for recent Ys games, and they’ve generally done right by the series. They understand that Ys fans want their games fast, challenging, and true to the series’ roots while still pushing things forward.
The real test will be how those new mechanics actually feel in practice. Innovation for innovation’s sake doesn’t always work, especially in a series with such a refined core gameplay loop. But if they’ve managed to add meaningful depth without losing what makes Ys combat so satisfying, this could end up being one of those entries that defines the series going forward.
Right now, players are just starting to dig into what Proud Nordics has to offer. Early impressions will probably start hitting social media over the next few days as people work through the opening hours and get a feel for those mysterious new mechanics.
If you’re on the fence about jumping in, remember that Ys games are generally pretty welcoming to newcomers. Each entry tells its own story, and while long-time fans will appreciate the series’ evolution, you don’t need a PhD in Ys lore to enjoy what’s on offer.
Keep an eye on gaming communities over the next week – if this lives up to the hype, you’ll know pretty quickly from the player reactions. And if those high-difficulty dungeons are as challenging as promised, expect to see some impressive speedrun attempts and challenge videos hitting YouTube soon.
