Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA similar games & best alternatives

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA

PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation Vita • 2018

Should you play it?

Ys returns with a brand new adventure for the first time in 8 years! Adol awakens shipwrecked and stranded on a cursed island. There, he and the other shipwrecked passengers he rescues form a village to challenge fearsome beasts and mysterious ruins on the isolated island.

What works
  • Engaging story and characters
  • Fast-paced and satisfying combat
  • Large explorable island with meaningful progression
  • Excellent soundtrack
  • High replay value and content depth
Things to keep in mind
  • Some grind and repetitive raids
  • Slow start and pacing issues
  • Dated graphics and stiff animations
  • Mandatory side content for true ending
  • Minor technical issues in early pc port

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

  • The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II

  • Metaphor: ReFantazio

  • Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition

  • The Outer Worlds 2

  • Judgment

  • Ys IX: Monstrum Nox

  • Death end re;Quest

  • Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Ys X: Nordics

  • The Legend of Heroes: Trails beyond the Horizon

  • A House of Many Doors
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Escapism

    Risen
  • Exploration

    Paradise Killer
  • Fantasy

    Ys X: Nordics

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 VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Story, Exploration. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Cooperation.

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 freely explore the island, choose their own pace, and decide which quests and activities to engage in without pressure or fixed routines."

    Capsule for Lil Gator Game Lil Gator Game

    "Players can freely explore the island, choose party members, and decide when and how to engage in combat and side quests."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Combat involves strategic timing and equipment management with a moderate learning curve; some players find it challenging and rewarding, others find it repetitive."

    Capsule for Get In The Car, Loser! Get In The Car, Loser!

    "Combat involves skillful dodging, guarding, and timing of special moves with a moderate learning curve; some grind but generally engaging challenges."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -3

    "Focus is on personal progression and exploration rather than competing against others; no mention of PvP or leaderboards."

    Capsule for Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven

    "Focus is on personal progression and exploration rather than competing against others; no mention of PvP or leaderboards."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    4

    "Many players report long playtimes, extensive exploration, and desire to replay or complete side content."

    Capsule for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

    "Players report long playtimes, replay value, and desire to continue exploring and completing side content."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -2

    "Gameplay centers on individual party management and story; no mention of multiplayer or cooperative play."

    Capsule for YIIK Nameless Psychosis YIIK Nameless Psychosis

    "Gameplay centers on individual control of party members and solo exploration; some cooperative elements in story but no multiplayer cooperation emphasized."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Players can upgrade and customize weapons and craft items; exploration and puzzle solving allow some creative problem solving."

    Capsule for Resident Evil Village Resident Evil Village

    "Players can upgrade weapons, craft items, and customize skills; exploration and base building add creative elements."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -4

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

    Capsule for The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV

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

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    5

    "Strong immersion in a fantasy world with exploration, story, and atmosphere providing escape from real life."

    Capsule for Risen Risen

    "Strong immersion in a fantasy island adventure with engaging story and music, providing a clear escape from real life."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

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

    Capsule for Blade and Sorcery Blade and Sorcery

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

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Players try different characters, skills, and strategies; some grinding and exploration involved."

    Capsule for Ys SEVEN Ys SEVEN

    "Players try different characters, skills, and explore new areas; some routine grinding but overall encourages experimentation."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    5

    "Core gameplay revolves around discovering new areas, secrets, and collectibles across a large open island."

    Capsule for Paradise Killer Paradise Killer

    "Exploration of a large island with new areas unlocking over time is a core gameplay element highly praised by players."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    2

    "Character augmentations and weapon upgrades allow some degree of self-expression."

    Capsule for Turbo Overkill Turbo Overkill

    "Character and weapon upgrades, crafting, and base building allow some degree of self-expression."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    5

    "Set in a fictional fantasy world with mythical creatures, magic, and heroic adventure."

    Capsule for Ys X: Nordics Ys X: Nordics

    "Set in a fictional island with supernatural elements, mythical creatures, and fantasy storylines."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    3

    "Players build relationships with townsfolk and party members, fostering community feeling."

    Capsule for Rune Factory 5 Rune Factory 5

    "Strong sense of community with castaways and party members; players form attachments to characters and village."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Players develop combat skills, unlock abilities, and progress through story and side quests, gaining knowledge and mastery."

    Capsule for Judgment Judgment

    "Players develop skills, unlock abilities, and progress through story and side quests, learning mechanics along the way."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -4

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; some players note fatigue mechanics but no physical exercise."

    Capsule for Beyond Citadel Beyond Citadel

    "Typical sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; some players mention fatigue but no physical engagement."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires active attention and engagement during combat and exploration; not a casual idle game."

    Capsule for Super Cane Magic ZERO - Legend of the Cane Cane Super Cane Magic ZERO - Legend of the Cane Cane

    "Requires continuous attention and active engagement in combat and exploration; not a casual or idle experience."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    3

    "Players engage emotionally with companions and story characters, forming meaningful connections."

    Capsule for Expeditions: Rome Expeditions: Rome

    "Players develop emotional connections with characters and community; meaningful social interactions within the story."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    2

    "Players manage party composition and strategy but no leadership over other players or groups."

    Capsule for Sea of Stars Sea of Stars

    "Players manage party composition and village development, guiding progression but no explicit leadership over others."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    5

    "Strong emphasis on collecting items, upgrading weapons, and unlocking new areas to advance."

    Capsule for Shadow Man Remastered Shadow Man Remastered

    "Strong emphasis on collecting items, upgrading weapons, unlocking skills, and expanding the village."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    3

    "Balanced challenge with fun combat and exploration; some players find it relaxing and enjoyable."

    Capsule for Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

    "Balanced challenge with satisfying combat and exploration; some players find it relaxing and immersive."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Enjoyable music, colorful visuals, and satisfying combat feedback provide sensory stimulation."

    Capsule for HARVESTELLA HARVESTELLA

    "Enjoyable music, visual environments, and satisfying combat feedback provide sensory stimulation."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -3

    "Focus is on personal achievement and story rather than social recognition or popularity."

    Capsule for Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition

    "Focus is on personal achievement and story progression rather than social recognition or popularity."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    5

    "Highly praised narrative with strong character development, emotional engagement, and compelling plot."

    Capsule for Wintermoor Tactics Club Wintermoor Tactics Club

    "Highly praised narrative with engaging characters and plot development; story is a major motivation."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    3

    "Combat requires timing, learning enemy patterns, and strategic use of weapons and skills."

    Capsule for Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2

    "Combat requires timing, skill choice, and enemy pattern recognition; some strategic planning involved."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Boss fights and exploration provide moments of suspense and excitement; some tension in combat."

    Capsule for Eternal Strands Eternal Strands

    "Combat and exploration provide moments of tension and excitement, especially boss fights and raids."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Players report high satisfaction with content amount, replayability, and quality relative to price."

    Capsule for When The Night Comes When The Night Comes

    "Players report high satisfaction with content amount, replay value, and overall quality for price."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    3

    "Combat involves fighting enemies and bosses with various attack abilities; violence is stylized and fantasy-based."

    Capsule for ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights

    "Combat involves defeating enemies and bosses with action-oriented attacks; violence is stylized and fantasy-based."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    4

    "Survival elements present in story and gameplay, including resource gathering and overcoming threats."

    Capsule for Tomb Raider Game of the Year Tomb Raider Game of the Year

    "Survival elements in story and gameplay such as gathering resources, defending village, and overcoming threats."

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Last update: 01/06/2026