Ys IX: Monstrum Nox similar games & best alternatives

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox

PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 • 2021

Should you play it?

While imprisoned in Balduq, Adol is cursed and becomes a Monstrum. With his newfound powers, he must stop the Grimwald Nox from consuming the city.

What works
  • Fast-paced and satisfying combat
  • Engaging story and characters
  • Innovative traversal mechanics with monstrum gifts
  • Large, explorable prison city and dungeons
  • Excellent soundtrack
Things to keep in mind
  • Some players find setting and graphics bland or dated
  • Story pacing slow in early chapters
  • Some repetitive side quests and grind
  • Flash guard timing can be difficult
  • Limited post-game content

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Ys X: Nordics

  • 9th Dawn Remake

  • Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition

  • The Outer Worlds 2

  • The Last Hero of Nostalgaia

  • The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria™

  • Dying Light: The Beast

  • Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny

  • CODE VEIN
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Ys X: Nordics

  • Perennial Order

  • Forgotten Seas
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Autonomy

    White Knuckle
  • Continuation

    LEGO® Marvel Super Heroes 2
  • Escapism

    Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Violence, Relaxation. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Leadership.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    4

    "Players have high control over climbing mechanics, route choices, item usage, and movement strategies, supporting personal freedom in gameplay."

    Capsule for White Knuckle White Knuckle

    "Players have freedom to explore the city and dungeons using various Monstrum gifts that enable climbing, gliding, and teleporting, allowing personal control over traversal and combat choices."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Combat involves pattern recognition, timing, and skillful use of attacks; boss fights provide challenge though overall difficulty is moderate."

    Capsule for UFO ROBOT GRENDIZER – The Feast of the Wolves UFO ROBOT GRENDIZER – The Feast of the Wolves

    "Combat is fast-paced and skill-based with flash guard and flash move mechanics, boss fights require learning patterns, and difficulty options allow for challenge."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -3

    "Focus is on personal progress and story; multiplayer co-op exists but no ranked or leaderboard competition."

    Capsule for Tales of Symphonia Tales of Symphonia

    "Focus is on personal progression and exploration; multiplayer co-op exists but no emphasis on ranked or leaderboard competition."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    4

    "Many players report long playtimes, extensive content, and habitual play with side quests and collectibles encouraging extended engagement."

    Capsule for LEGO® Marvel Super Heroes 2 LEGO® Marvel Super Heroes 2

    "Players report long playtimes, engagement with story and characters, and desire to complete side quests and collectibles, indicating habitual and extended play."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    2

    "Features local co-op mode, but most gameplay and progression is single-player focused."

    Capsule for Crypt of the NecroDancer Crypt of the NecroDancer

    "Party-based gameplay with switching between characters and local co-op mode supports some cooperative play, but main experience is single-player focused."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    3

    "Customization through battlerites and skill builds allows creative playstyles and strategies."

    Capsule for Battlerite Battlerite

    "Players creatively use Monstrum gifts for exploration and combat, and engage in character customization and upgrading, though within structured game systems."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -4

    "Interactions emphasize shared party dynamics and mutual respect; no evidence of exerting control or superiority over others."

    Capsule for The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II

    "Interactions emphasize equal party members and shared goals; no evidence of power assertion or dominance over others."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Players use the game as a stress relief and immersive fantasy experience, escaping real life through engaging combat and story."

    Capsule for Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™ Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™

    "Players use the game as a stress relief and immersive fantasy experience, escaping real life through engaging story, exploration, and combat."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment; no indication of obligation or external pressure."

    Capsule for Samurai GUNN 2 Samurai GUNN 2

    "Players engage out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment; no indications of obligation or external pressure to play."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "New traversal mechanics and combat abilities encourage trying new playstyles and combos."

    Capsule for Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Marvel's Spider-Man 2

    "Players try new traversal mechanics and combat abilities, exploring verticality and new gameplay elements introduced by Monstrum gifts."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    4

    "Players explore a richly detailed prison environment with secrets, multiple areas, and hidden content to discover."

    Capsule for Back to the Dawn Back to the Dawn

    "Strong emphasis on discovering new areas, secrets, collectibles, and exploring the large prison city and dungeons with vertical movement."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    3

    "Character customization and cosmetic options support player expression."

    Capsule for MY HERO ONE'S JUSTICE MY HERO ONE'S JUSTICE

    "Character customization, costumes, and upgrading gear allow for player expression, though within predefined options."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    4

    "The game features a fictional narrative with supernatural elements, ancient myths, and adventurous scenarios."

    Capsule for Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition

    "Game features supernatural powers, mythical creatures, and a fictional narrative world blending French history and occultism."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    2

    "Players feel part of a community through shared interests and emotional connection to characters, though gameplay is solo."

    Capsule for Love, Ghostie Love, Ghostie

    "Players feel part of a community through party interactions and co-op mode, though main gameplay is largely solo."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players develop character skills, unlock abilities, and progress through story and side quests."

    Capsule for Sword and Fairy 7 Sword and Fairy 7

    "Players develop skills, unlock abilities, and progress through story and side quests, showing learning and personal development."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -4

    "Game involves sedentary play with no physical activity or health-related features."

    Capsule for Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun

    "Game involves sedentary play with no physical activity or health-related features."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention during combat and exploration; not designed for background or casual idle play."

    Capsule for Remnant: From the Ashes Remnant: From the Ashes

    "Requires focused attention during combat and exploration; not designed for background or casual idle play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    1

    "Some emotional connection to characters and story, but limited evidence of close social relationships."

    Capsule for Mister Furry: Hot Muscles Mister Furry: Hot Muscles

    "Some emotional connection to characters and story, but limited evidence of forming close social relationships."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -2

    "Players control their own party but no evidence of leading others or managing groups beyond own team."

    Capsule for DRAGON QUEST HEROES™ II DRAGON QUEST HEROES™ II

    "Players control their own party and make decisions, but no strong emphasis on leading others or managing groups."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Strong emphasis on accumulating skills, upgrades, and completing story and side quests."

    Capsule for Yakuza 3 Remastered Yakuza 3 Remastered

    "Strong focus on accumulating items, upgrades, skills, and completing quests to advance the story and character power."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    3

    "The game balances challenge and flow, providing catharsis and enjoyable tension release."

    Capsule for Sonic Mania Sonic Mania

    "Game balances challenge and flow with enjoyable combat and exploration, providing catharsis and tension release."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Engaging visual and auditory feedback with satisfying combat effects and animations."

    Capsule for Flamebreak Flamebreak

    "Engaging visual and auditory stimuli with fast combat animations and a highly praised soundtrack."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -3

    "Achievements and progression are mostly personal; limited social recognition or visibility."

    Capsule for Planet Centauri Planet Centauri

    "Achievements and progression are mostly personal; limited social recognition or visibility emphasized."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    3

    "Narrative immersion with characters and plot drives player engagement."

    Capsule for Toukiden 2 Toukiden 2

    "Narrative immersion with character development, overarching plot, and mystery that engages players."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    2

    "Combat and exploration require some planning and tactical thinking, but overall gameplay is straightforward."

    Capsule for ANNO: Mutationem ANNO: Mutationem

    "Combat and exploration require some planning and tactical thinking, though gameplay is mostly action-oriented."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Boss fights and combat provide suspense and excitement with risk and reward."

    Capsule for BioGun BioGun

    "Boss fights and combat provide suspense and excitement, with risk and reward in timing flash moves and dodges."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Players report high satisfaction and value for time spent due to engaging story and gameplay."

    Capsule for PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid's Curse PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid's Curse

    "Players report high satisfaction and perceive good return on time invested due to engaging gameplay and story."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    4

    "Combat involves defeating monsters and bosses with flashy attacks and destruction."

    Capsule for Solo Leveling: ARISE OVERDRIVE Solo Leveling: ARISE OVERDRIVE

    "Combat involves defeating monsters and bosses with flashy attacks and destruction."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    2

    "Players manage health and resources to avoid failure in combat; some strategic defense required."

    Capsule for RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army

    "Players manage health and resources to avoid failure in combat and progress through threats."

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Last update: 01/06/2026