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Ys IX: Monstrum Nox

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

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Quick resume

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.

Global score

94/100

Genres

Action, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure

Pros

  • Fast-paced and satisfying combat
  • Engaging story and characters
  • Innovative traversal mechanics with monstrum gifts
  • Large, explorable prison city and dungeons
  • Excellent soundtrack

Cons

  • 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

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    4

    "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
    3

    "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
    -3

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

  • Continuation
    4

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

  • Cooperation
    2

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

  • Creativity
    3

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

  • Domination
    -4

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

  • Escapism
    4

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

  • Expectation
    -4

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

  • Experimenting
    3

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

  • Exploration
    4

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

  • Expression
    3

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

  • Fantasy
    4

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

  • Fellowship
    2

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

  • Growth
    3

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

  • Health
    -4

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

  • Idle
    -3

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

  • Intimacy
    1

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

  • Leadership
    -2

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

  • Progression
    4

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

  • Relaxation
    3

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

  • Sensation
    3

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

  • Status
    -3

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

  • Story
    3

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

  • Strategy
    2

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

  • Thrill
    3

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

  • Value
    4

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

  • Violence
    4

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

  • Survival
    2

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

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    Last update: 06/03/2026