And it baffles me because this content isn’t DLC – if you already finished the base game, it’s a new journey to embark on. Blame it on the Switch 2, as whatever Falcom wanted to achieve with Proud Nordics simply wasn’t possible on the original. So here we are, starting from the beginning, trying to rationalize what’s a pretty good addition to an otherwise fine base game. Is it worth diving back in for those who already experienced the original? Would the overall package appeal to long-time fans? Let’s find out.

"From a story perspective, they’re actually pretty solid additions with Canute offering an interesting wrinkle to Karja’s character. The Shield Sibling bond between Canute and Astrid is also intriguing as a foil to our leading pair, proving that these partnerships are never quite as cut-and-dry as they seem."

If you played Nordics, the plot and gameplay are virtually the same. Rather than a direct sequel to the more recent titles, it unfolds between Ys 2: Ancient Ys Vanished – The Final Chapter and Ys: Memories of Celceta with a younger Adol and Dogi sailing in the Obelia Gulf. They’re accosted by pirates, later identified as Normans – part of the Balta Seaforce that keeps the peace. Things quickly take a turn in Carnac, the largest settlement in the region, when Adol discovers a mysterious bracelet binding him to Karja, the daughter of the Seaforce’s leader, Grimson.

If that wasn’t enough, mysterious enemies known as Griegr attack Carnac. Using the power of Mana, Adol and Karja work together to repel them while rescuing any survivors whisked away. And in traditional series’ fashion of putting way too much on Adol’s plate, he’s also occasionally transported to an unknown island inhabited by a single old man upon discovering new Mana Actions. Unlike previous games, again, you can execute traversal abilities like grappling, surfing on a Gullinboard, unleashing charged elemental attacks, and even slowing time.

So far, so typical, and many of the pros and cons with the combat system – where Adol and Karja can attack simultaneously and guard against Power Attacks to unleash higher-damaging skills thanks to the Revenge System – remain. What’s new then? Well, first, you need to play all the way through to Chapter 5 to unlock access to Öland Island, the new region. I managed this within four hours or so by skipping all the cutscenes and interactions, but that will only get you through the door, as I’ll explain shortly.

Öland Island is interesting because it’s a place that’s ordinarily unapproachable by ship. Only through landing on a small scrap of land nearby and using Mana Ride can the duo ultimately approach it. What they find is an odd coliseum-style location where monsters are seemingly drawn. It’s not long before they encounter Canute and Astrid, two more Normans with whom Karja has a less-than-positive history. From a story perspective, they’re actually pretty solid additions with Canute offering an interesting wrinkle to Karja’s character. The Shield Sibling bond between Canute and Astrid is also intriguing as a foil to our leading pair, proving that these partnerships are never quite as cut-and-dry as they seem.

We learn even more about Norman history – the purpose of Öland Island and even the origins of “The Red” moniker that was bestowed upon Adol (since Grimson simply giving it to him wasn’t good enough). It’s a genuinely compelling side plot with some notable interactions, even if it remains just that – a side plot.

"Exploration on Öland Island as a whole feels so much better than the base game, even if it still falls short of Ys 9. It once again highlights what could have been, had Falcom not placed so much emphasis on sailing, naval combat, and spreading out its explorable areas."

But while you can treat this as an epilogue, the new content is clearly meant to be played alongside the base game. Tools like Mana Sense, Enhanced Mana String and splitting Adol and Karja via Raven Boundstones are pretty much mandatory. And while it flows naturally with the main plot, as someone who only wants to experience the new stuff, it’s so disruptive to the overall pacing. Almost like Falcom wants you to eat your vegetables before you can have dessert.

And I say that because the new content is actually good. The battles in Bergen Arena are pretty much just challenges against different enemies and bosses, but they offer rewards based on how quickly you can defeat the opponent. There’s also a pretty decent mix of foes, from tackling a single stampeding boar to a gaggle of Grieger who keep attacking without letting up, pushing you to alternate between dodging and deflecting to survive. And for someone who criticized the Duo Style for effectively making solo attacks pointless, there are also solo challenges where you don’t have the benefit of blocking Power Attacks. Individual build crafting and skill mastery is far more important here, though nothing is stopping you from over-leveling and decimating the lower-level challenges.

The new dungeons are also notable because the experience is notably closer to Ys 8 and 9 in terms of pacing, puzzles, and even layout. Then you have the boss battles. I dreaded seeing two of them with the same design, but lo and behold, each had unique patterns and required different tactics, both in deflection and dodging. Even the new Mana Hold ability, finicky as it can be at times, adds a nice new dimension to the exploration. Instead of just pushing a button like Mana Ride and simply going with the flow, there’s at least some thought to the various applications of Mana Hold. Does it feel a little too similar to the UltraHand from Tears of the Kingdom? Well, yes, but if you’re going to steal, then steal from the best.

Exploration on Öland Island as a whole feels so much better than the base game, even if it still falls short of Ys 9. It once again highlights what could have been, had Falcom not placed so much emphasis on sailing, naval combat, and spreading out its explorable areas. Speaking of sailing, there are also new Golden Breezes (Golden Wind was probably trademarked) on the ocean, which unlock new Sea Breezes upon defeating a group of enemies. This is a decent fix to the issues with sailing, especially when you first gain access to it, and provides a neat incentive for engaging in sea battles.

"If you’re a long-time fan and haven’t taken the plunge until now, Ys 10: Proud Nordics is the definitive edition for sure – just be warned that the new content, as fun as it can be, does little to dull the base game’s issues or reach the heights of the series’ best."

Of course, we go back to the main question – is this worth revisiting the base game, especially since you need to play through it all again for unfettered access to the new content? It ultimately comes down to how much you enjoyed Ys 10: Nordics, warts and all, and whether you’d be willing to revisit it.

That doesn’t quite describe me, and a second playthrough highlights all the more just how uninteresting the side characters and antagonists can be, or how mundane the sailing is in the early going. And while some of the later levels, including the occupied cities and forts, have more happening than the earlier stages, it’s still a fairly above-average experience.

Even if its tools were tied into it so inextricably, I would have appreciated the pacing of Proud Nordics if the side content wasn’t so start and stop with the main game. If you’re a long-time fan and haven’t taken the plunge until now, Ys 10: Proud Nordics is the definitive edition for sure – just be warned that the new content, as fun as it can be, does little to dull the base game’s issues or reach the heights of the series’ best.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

Resident Evil Requiem

The big one, the main event, the raison d’être for many survival horror fans. With the long-awaited return to Raccoon City, a fusion of first and third-person perspectives, and Leon S. Kennedy looking more fly than ever, Resident Evil Requiem is simply the game to watch out for in February. It’s been a long time coming – can you believe Resident Evil Village was almost five years ago? – but based on everything we’ve seen thus far, it will be worth the wait and then some. Look for its launch on February 27th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch.

Nioh 3

“Let’s have a dream of everlasting peace,” said Tokugawa Ieyasu, probably, to which his younger grandson probably said, “No.” With a Kyoto beset by Yokai and no other options, it’s on Tokugawa Takechiyo, the rightful heir to the title of Shogun, to travel back in time and fix things. But even as it incorporates new open-field elements for non-linear exploration, seamless switching between Samurai and Ninja styles, and all kinds of nasty new enemies, Nioh 3 retains that addictive hack-and-slash gameplay and masocore difficulty that we know and love. It’s available on February 6th for PS5 and PC, with a free demo available for both now.

Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined

The art style, the music, the visual overhaul – everything about this screams old-school adventure. Granted, this isn’t the first “different” edition of Dragon Quest 7, but the developer isn’t just aiming for fancier graphics – it’s also streamlining the original story, adding new content and bringing quality-of-life features (like instantly defeating lower-level enemies in the field). Couple this with new activities and the new Moonlighting system for combining Vocations, and Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined could be the best possible version yet when it launches on February 5th.

Romeo is a Dead Man

Say what you will about Suda51 games, but one thing is for sure: You never know what to expect. So the concept of Romeo is a Dead Man, where one Romeo Stargazer dies, revives, and hunts criminals across space and time with the special Dead Gear? Not exactly on everyone’s bingo card. Nevertheless, the surreal presentation, bloody hack and slash combat – with a delightful assortment of weapons to wreak havoc – and over-the-top bosses will more than suffice when it launches on February 11th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.

BlazBlue Entropy Effect X

If you enjoyed Dead Cells, then BlazBlue Entropy Effect offers one of the more low-key enjoyable – and addictive – rogue-lite side-scrolling experiences out there. For its console release, however, 91Act is going bigger, adding a new story centered around the Sea of Possibility, with Ace seeking the Shards of Possibility to save the world. If none of that matters to you, don’t worry – Entropy X adds Naoto Kurogane as a new playable character alongside new bosses, enemies, stages, and more.

Mario Tennis Fever

I’ve got a fever, and the solution? More Mario Tennis from Camelot. I don’t think any campaign can ever match up to Mario Tennis: Power Tour, but Fever’s set-up of having Baby Mario and friends re-learn their tennis skills is at least somewhat enticing. Beyond that, the real hook is the new Fever Rackets, each with unique abilities called Fever Shots that can turn the tide of a match. Couple that with “Mix It Up” Mode’s unique twists and a whopping 38 playable characters, and Mario Tennis Fever could maybe, probably, be a sleeper hit when it launches on February 12th for the Switch 2.

Ride 6

Arriving about two and a half years after Ride 5, Ride 6 makes the jump to Unreal Engine 5 while packing over 250 bikes. The usual stars appear, but this time, players can also take Baggers and Enduro Bikes onto the track. And if you prefer something a little more free-form, off-road tracks finally properly debut in all their dirty glory. Couple all this with a new Career Mode, RIDE Fest, which sees you going up against Legendary bikers in their category of choice, and Ride 6 is looking packed ahead of its release on February 12th.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 and Dark Ties

A visually improved version of Yakuza 3 probably would have been enough, but RGG Studio went the extra mile by revamping the combat mechanics, adding new activities (including managing a gang of bikers), progression systems, and even a whole new side story focused on Yoshitaka Mine. All this for just $69.99. Are we a little worried after the demo was rated “Mostly Negative” on Steam? Well, sure, but maybe there will be some improvements, at least visually, before its launch on February 12th for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2.

Reanimal

How do you create something that’s somehow even more disturbing than Little Nightmares? Tarsier Studios apparently has the answer with Reanimal – a story about two siblings seeking to find their friends after an unknown event has brought overwhelming horrors into their lives. The mood, the aesthetic, the isolationism – it’s all here but darker and more expansive. Launching on February 13th for Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S, Reanimal invites you to pick up the pieces of a fractured home, or die trying.

ASTROBOTANICA

Even after years of the same crafting, harvesting, farming, and building in this genre, ASTROBOTANICA’s premise has me intrigued. It’s set during prehistoric times, but this isn’t a Far Cry Primal situation. Instead, you’re an alien named Xel, who must study and collect plants to tolerate the atmosphere. From there, hijinks with neanderthals, mysterious sights, six skill paths, and more await. Of course, it won’t all be accessible – ASTROBOTANICA launches into early access on February 16th for PC – but it still promises dozens of hours of exploration.

Styx: Blades of Greed

Why send in an orc to tear down the front door when you could send, well, an orc to rob everyone blind? Styx returns in his third adventure, this time with a crew and a hankering for Quartz. Three massive sandboxes await, and based on the multi-level Wall, where you can jump down chimneys to infiltrate kitchens and poison meals, or mind control guards to do a flip, there are a lot of options for stealth sandbox fun. It’s launching on February 19th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

Ys X: Proud Nordics

The original landed somewhat less ideally than I would have liked, especially compared to Ys VIII and Ys IX. Proud Nordics doesn’t look to severely overhaul its combat systems, so much as add new content in the form of the Aland Island and a story revolving around a mysterious Mana user. Regardless, if you’re hungry for more, from arena battles and new bosses to fresh Mana Actions, Ys X: Proud Nordics is worth watching out for when it launches on February 20th for PS5, Switch 2 and PC.

Aces of Thunder

Replaying Ace Combat 7 or diving into Project Wingman to prepare for Ace Combat 8 is nice and all, but what about flight combat in VR? That’s what Aces of Thunder promises when it launches on February 3rd for PC, PS5 and PlayStation VR2. Between an extensive range of WW1 and WW2 aircraft, full HOTAS support, and 15 maps – with War Thunder developer Gaijin Entertainment at the helm – it looks like it could be the most immersive dogfighting sim yet. And while VR is ideal, an optional non-VR mode is also available.

Tales of Berseria Remastered

Why a remaster of Berseria, especially when Xillia 2 is right there? A question for another day, perhaps, but at least it’s one of the more well-received entries in the series. Launching on February 27th for Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC, and PS5, Tales of Berseria Remastered adds the usual quality of life options, from turning off enemy encounters to accessing the Grade Shop from the start. You even get a healthy chunk of DLC from the original.

ChromaGun 2: Dye Hard

We won’t be getting Portal 3 anytime soon, but there are plenty of other first-person puzzles worth diving into, such as ChromaGun 2: Dye Hard. Aside from the obvious riff on certain plot elements, the concept of walls attracting objects (sentient or otherwise) of the same color is intriguing. Paint the world red, or blue, or orange, to progress, and hopefully not suffer agonizing death at the hands of many killer robots.

As Adol and Karja explore, they’ll encounter various ruins, run into a new Mana user, and leverage a new Mana Action. Aland Island offers a “vast” map and exploration areas with new bosses, Mana Ride races, and even arenas where you can battle “deadly enemies.” Further details are still to come, including its platforms and pricing. It’s also unknown if it will simultaneously launch in North America and Europe.

As for Ys 10: Nordics, it’s available for PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Alongside new combat mechanics like the Cross Action system, where players can execute simultaneous attacks with both characters, it introduces sailing and Mana Actions like grappling and surfing. Check out our review here, where we gave it a seven out of 10.