Falcom

ConsoleNameReleaseGenreLucca's Notes
SNESBrandish1995ActionTop-down dungeon crawl, the only entry in the series to be localized
JP SFCBrandish 2: The Planet Buster1995Dungeon CrawlerSimilar top-down dungeon crawling as the first
PSPBrandish: The Dark Revenant (DL only)2015Dungeon Crawler3D remake of the original Brandish with an extra storyline from the villain's perspective, punishing but fair gameplay
VitaBrandish: The Dark Revenant (DL only)2015Dungeon CrawlerSee PSP
Turbografx-CDDragon Slayer: The Legend of Heroes1992Turn-BasedDetailed game for the time, bridges the gap between the Dragon Slayer and LoH series
JP PSPEiyuu Densetsu: Ao no Kiseki2011Turn-BasedSecond half of the "Crossbell arc," leads into Trails of Cold Steel II, turn-based combat like other Trails games
3DSGurumin 3D: A Monstrous Adventure (DL only)2016ActionAlmost identical to the original, save for the application of 3D effects and some technical issues like pop-in
PSPGurumin: A Monstrous Adventure2007ActionA cutesy ARPG, fun hats confer stat upgrades and can be leveled in and of themselves
NESLegacy of the Wizard1989Action-PlatformAn early example of a metroidvania with a family element; different family members have different exploration skills
DSLegacy of Ys: Books I & II2009ActionCombined enhanced remake of Ys I and II with 3D and potential multiplayer
JP PSPNayuta no Kiseki2012ActionARPG with platforming elements
PSPThe Legend of Heroes: A Tear of Vermillion2005Turn-BasedSecond game in the Gagharv trilogy, despite western release order; run-of-the-mill turn-based gameplay and an arbitrary pet system
JP VitaThe Legend of Heroes: Sora no Kiseki the 3rd - Evolution2016Turn-BasedFinal game in the Liberl arc albeit with a different protagonist; plays like the previous games; Evolution version adds new artwork/scenarios
PS4The Legend of Heroes: Trails From Zero2022Turn-BasedA port of a port of the first game in the Crossbell Arc of the series, long thought to forever remain unlocalized (until now)
SwitchThe Legend of Heroes: Trails From Zero2022Turn-BasedSee PS4
PSPThe Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky2011Turn-BasedThe 6th Legend of Heroes game/first Trails game, starts an interweaving storyline, combat is turn-based but offers lots of attack options, NPCs react to the story dynamically
VitaThe Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky (DL only)2012Turn-BasedSee PSP
PSPThe Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC (DL only)2015Turn-BasedImmediate sequel to the first game, plot-heavy with compelling characters, gameplay similar to the first but adds combination attacks
VitaThe Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC (DL only)2012Turn-BasedSee PSP
PS3The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel2015Turn-BasedBeginning of another major arc in the Trails series, adds co-op link attacks to combat, structure is based in a school-type environment
PS4The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel2019Turn-BasedTons of QoL changes; includes all DLC, more English dialogue, JP audio, and a turbo mode
VitaThe Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel2015Turn-BasedSee PS3
PS3The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II2016Turn-BasedTakes place soon after the first game - basically required playing if you liked the first one
VitaThe Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II2016Turn-BasedSee PS3
PS4The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II2019Turn-BasedTons of QoL changes; includes all DLC, more English dialogue, JP audio, and a turbo mode
PS4The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III2017Turn-BasedTies together plot threads from the Sky trilogy and Crossbell duology as well as continuing the Cold Steel plot; naturally a long game, combat mostly unchanged from I and II
SwitchThe Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III2020Turn-BasedSee PS4
PS4The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV2018Turn-BasedAbsolutely requires playing all other Trails games prior to this one; has a very large (and arguably unwieldy) cast of characters, plays like its predecessor
SwitchThe Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV2021Turn-BasedSee PS4
PS4The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure2023Turn-BasedSecond game in the Crossbell duology- if you liked Trails From Zero this is a no-brainer, but don't play this one first- also has fishing
SwitchThe Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure2023Turn-BasedSee PS4
PSPThe Legend of Heroes II: Prophecy of the Moonlight Witch2006Turn-BasedFirst game in the Gagharv trilogy, despite western release order; gameplay is still very traditional, arguably bland, continues the pet system from the previous game
PSPThe Legend of Heroes III: Song of the Ocean2007Turn-BasedLast in the Gagharv trilogy, but chronologically between the other two; still linear but allows for importing of data from the previous two games
VitaTokyo Xanadu2017ActionARPG with a modern setting; rock-paper-scissors-like enemy weaknesses require quick party member swapping, linear dungeons
PS4Tokyo Xanadu eX+2017ActionContains new post-game content and side stories
NESTombs and Treasure1991Dungeon Crawler1st-person dungeon crawl with some point-and-click elements
N-GageXanadu Next2005ActionIsometric ARPG gameplay with a clunky class-switching system of sorts and a different story than the PC version
JP FCYs1988ActionAdol bumps into the enemies to slay them
PS4Ys: Memories of Celceta2020ActionAdds a Japanese voice option, otherwise see Vita
VitaYs: Memories of Celceta2013ActionConsidered by Falcom to the the real Ys IV; still an ARPG, has party members with a variety of attack types, parrying can reduce damage taken and enable counterattacks
PSPYs: The Ark of Napishtim2006ActionCloser to the original PC Japanese version than the PS2 version was; also adds some extra quests; very long and frequent loading
PS2Ys: The Ark of Napishtim2005ActionTechnically Ys VI; Adol can jump now, so that's cool
PSPYs: The Oath in Felghana2010ActionRemastered version of Ys III, taking gameplay elements from Ys VI and expanding the storyline with extra scenes
VitaYs: The Oath in Felghana (DL only)2012ActionSee PSP
Master SystemYs: The Vanished Omens1989ActionSome dungeon areas are horizontally flipped, but is otherwise generally similar to the original release
Turbografx-CDYs Book I & II1990ActionAnother way to experience the glory of Adol? Ys, please!
PSPYs I & II Chronicles2011ActionMostly the same as previous versions, but with a new soundtrack option as well as newly done character portraits
VitaYs I & II Chronicles (DL only)2012ActionSee PSP
JP FCYs II1990ActionAdds magic to Adol's repertoire
GenesisYs III1991ActionPlays like the other releases, but with arguably better music and game balance
JP FCYs III: Wanderers From Ys1991ActionChanges the battles to be side-scrolling rather than top-down and allows Adol to swing his sword/jump
SNESYs III: Wanderers From Ys1991ActionSimilar to the FC version, but with cleaner graphics and arguably worse hit detection
Turbografx-CDYs III: Wanderers From Ys1991ActionIt's sidescrolling Ys- that's all there is to it
SwitchYs IX: Monstrum Nox2021ActionSee PS4
PS4Ys IX: Monstrum Nox2021ActionCarries over a lot of gameplay elements from Ys VIII; Adol's most story/character-heavy tale yet; features new movement mechanics for world traversal
VitaYs Origin2017ActionAn Ys without Adol as the protagonist! Has 3 different protagonists and takes place as a strictly interior dungeon crawl, goes back to hack-and-slash spirtes
PS4Ys Origin2017ActionSee Vita
SwitchYs Origin2020ActionSee Vita
Xbox OneYs Origin (DL only)2018ActionSee Vita
PSPYs Seven2010ActionAdds party members to the regular Ys formula, in addition to making weapon types (slashing, blunt) determine an enemy's susceptibility to them
VitaYs Seven (DL only)2012ActionSee PSP
JP SFCYs V: Ushinawareta Suna no Miyako Kefin1995ActionOnly game in the series to have never been localized (hopefully this will change?)
SwitchYs VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana2018ActionSee PS4
VitaYs VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana2017ActionAdol in ARPG action again, with a settlement-building mechanic and up to 3 party members in combat
PS4Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana2017ActionHas more dungeons and forms for Dana than the Vita version, at the expense of some costumes
PS5Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana2022ActionSee Vita, with some slightly enhanced visuals
JP PSPYs vs. Sora no Kiseki: Alternative Saga2010FightingA 3D arena fighting game- very Power Stone-like, where characters from Ys and Trails collide (and level while doing so)