Platform: PlayStation Portable (PSP)
Genre: Action RPG
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Falcom
ETA: Q4 2005

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Review: Ys: The Ark of Napishthim (PlayStation 2)

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Ys: The Ark of Napisthim

Ys: The Ark of Napisthim was initially a Japanese PC game from Falcom released back in 2003. The sixth installment of a classic series dating back to the 80s, it finally crossed the seas to America earlier this year for the PS2, courtesy of Konami. While the gameplay was quaint, it was also an extremely fun action-RPG, with blazing fast action that separated itself from a genre overflowing with sluggish dungeon crawlers. Ys is now hitting the portable scene with a version for the PSP, and seems to be one of the few role-playing titles currently due for American release.

Not much is changing with the trip to the small screen - you still control red-haired warrior Adol Christin as he hacks, slashes and dashes through the Cannan Vortex, saving the island from a group of invaders who are unaware of the ancient power sealed within. The
game looks quite nice on the small screen and the visuals are nearly identical to the PS2 version - which, to be fair, didn't exactly tax the system in the first place. While some fans were initially peeved that the characters were changed to 3D models for the PS2 port, the 

super deformed 2D sprites are back from the original PC version. However, the PSP D-pad isn't terrible suited to diagonal movement, and while the analog nub provides somewhat smoother control, it's still a bit clumsy. The demo at E3 also had some obnoxious load time between areas.

Konami is adding some minor extras to the PSP version, including mini-games, a sound test, and a character database detailing the many distinctive faces from throughout the game. There's no word whether the amazing soundtrack from the original will present or if it will 

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have to be compromised for the smaller platform, but all signs point to Konami bringing a
faithful rendition of this sleeper hit come this holiday season.

- Kurt Kalata

(June 27, 2005)

Features from the Fact Sheet:
-Power-up three magical swords to gain special abilities, combinations, and attacks
-Combines real-time, fast-paced action and strategic boss battles
-Multiple mini-games using characters from the game exclusively for the PSP portable
-Listen to the game's complete soundtrack with the Ys Jukebox mode
-Unlock character profiles in an extensive Ys character database
-Highly popular and best-selling Japanese RPG franchise