The Best Games of 2021 So Far

YS 9: MONSTRUM NOX

Nihon Falcom’s Ys games don’t enjoy the sort of recognition that bigger Japanese RPG franchises do, but as anyone who’s played the game will tell you, the series deserves to be mentioned in the same breath. Ys 9 in particular exhibits the franchise’s strengths in some excellent ways. It’s got great combat, in interesting and diverse cast of characters, and enjoyable exploration, among other things, and definitely stands as one of the better games we’ve played in 2021 so far.