Ys X: Proud Nordics arrives on Switch 2 as Falcom’s most confident attempt yet to bring the series into a new hardware generation. Adol Christin has travelled through countless regions and uncovered more ancient mysteries than most heroes manage in a lifetime, yet the series continues to find ways to keep his adventures grounded and earnest. Proud Nordics builds on that foundation with a brighter tone, a more adventurous spirit and a willingness to refine the structure of the original release. The result is a version that respects the heart of Ys X while taking advantage of the Switch 2 hardware to deliver a smoother, more polished experience.
The Nordics setting gives the journey a distinct identity. Coastal towns, windswept islands and open waters create a sense of movement that suits the story’s adventurous tone. Falcom leans into the maritime theme with a world that feels compact but lively, filled with small discoveries that reward curiosity without overwhelming the player. The lighter atmosphere helps the pacing, allowing the narrative to shift between earnest drama and playful character moments without losing cohesion. It is a world that invites exploration, not through sheer scale but through the charm of its locations and the personalities that inhabit them.
Combat remains the centrepiece of the experience, and Proud Nordics introduces enough refinements to give the system a renewed sense of momentum. Encounters move with a sharp pace that suits the Switch 2 hardware, and the responsiveness of the controls makes every dodge, strike and ability feel immediate. The Ison system is the most notable addition, encouraging players to switch roles and manage spacing rather than rely on constant aggression. It adds a layer of tactical decision making that complements the series’ trademark speed, creating battles that feel more deliberate without sacrificing intensity.
The synergy between characters plays a larger role this time, with abilities that reward co-ordinated timing and positioning. These mechanics give combat a satisfying rhythm, especially during boss encounters that demand attention to patterns and spacing. The Switch 2’s improved performance helps significantly here, as the steadier frame-rate ensures that the action remains readable even when the screen fills with effects. The result is a system that feels familiar yet noticeably more refined, with enough flexibility to keep encounters engaging throughout the adventure.
Exploration benefits from the Nordics theme in ways that feel natural rather than forced. Sailing between islands provides a pleasant change of pace, offering short bursts of freedom that break up the structure of dungeons and story beats. The ship becomes a small hub, with upgrades that improve traversal and open new routes. These mechanics are simple, yet they add a sense of progression that ties neatly into the world’s design. The islands are not vast, but they are dense with side quests, optional encounters and character interactions that give the world texture.
The Switch 2 version is a clear step up from the original Switch release. Environments appear sharper, character models hold up well during close‑range dialogue scenes and the framerate remains more stable during combat. The improved resolution helps the world’s colours stand out, and the lighting gives certain locations a warmth that was often missing from earlier entries on portable systems. Load times are short enough to keep the pace intact, and transitions between areas feel smoother than expected. It is not a technical showcase, but it is stable, clean and well suited to the hybrid nature of the console.
Performance is particularly important for a game that relies on fast, responsive combat, and Proud Nordics delivers a level of consistency that enhances the experience. The Switch 2 hardware allows Falcom to push its engine further, resulting in environments that feel more cohesive and less constrained by technical limitations. The improvements are not transformative, but they are meaningful, especially for players who experienced the original Switch version and found the performance uneven. Proud Nordics feels like a game that finally has the room it needs to breathe on Nintendo hardware.
That said, the experience is not flawless. While the overall performance is strong, there are moments where the frame-rate dips slightly during busy encounters or when transitioning between densely populated areas. These stutters are brief and infrequent, yet they stand out precisely because the rest of the experience is so smooth. They do not undermine the combat or exploration, but they serve as a reminder that Falcom’s engine still carries some limitations even on more capable hardware.
The story follows a familiar structure, yet the cast brings enough personality to keep it engaging. Adol remains the dependable centre of the narrative, a steady presence who anchors the more eccentric characters around him. The supporting cast provides the humour and emotional beats that give the journey its warmth, and the writing strikes a balance between playful banter and sincere character development. The lighter tone works in the game’s favour, allowing the story to move at a brisk pace without becoming overly dramatic.
Character interactions are one of the game’s strengths. The Nordics setting gives the cast a distinct flavour, with personalities that reflect the region’s culture and history. These interactions help the world feel lived in, and they give the story a sense of continuity that ties the various islands together. The humour is understated rather than broad, and it complements the more serious moments without undermining them. It is a tone that suits the series well, and it helps Proud Nordics stand out within the broader Ys catalogue.
Dungeons are varied in theme and structure, although some rely on straightforward layouts that do not fully take advantage of the game’s mechanics. The puzzles are functional rather than inventive, and a few sections feel like they exist primarily to break up combat rather than challenge the player. These moments are not detrimental, but they highlight areas where the series could push further in future entries. The stronger dungeons make good use of the Ison system and environmental hazards, creating encounters that reward timing and positioning.
Side quests follow a similar pattern. Some offer meaningful character development or small narrative payoffs, while others rely on simple fetch structures that do not add much to the world. The variety is appreciated, but the quality is uneven. The best quests deepen the player’s connection to the world and its inhabitants, while the weaker ones feel like routine tasks designed to fill space. The overall impact is positive, yet there is room for refinement.
The sailing mechanics are enjoyable, although they occasionally drift into repetition during longer stretches. The ship controls well, and the upgrades provide a sense of progression, but the activities available at sea are limited. Encounters with enemy vessels and sea creatures add some variety, yet the system never fully realises its potential. It serves its purpose as a thematic and structural element, but it stops short of becoming a standout feature.
The most significant criticism of Proud Nordics is not technical. It is the re‑release model. The game arrives as a full‑price product with no upgrade path for players who purchased the original version and no save transfer to carry progress forward. The added content and refinements are welcome, yet the value proposition becomes harder to justify for returning players. For newcomers, Proud Nordics is clearly the version to buy, but the lack of consideration for existing fans is difficult to overlook.
Despite these shortcomings, Ys X: Proud Nordics succeeds by understanding what makes the series appealing and presenting it with a renewed confidence. The combat feels sharper, the world has a clear identity and the Switch 2 hardware finally gives Falcom the room to deliver a smoother, more consistent experience. The lighter tone and playful character interactions add charm without undermining the adventure, and the result is a game that feels both familiar and refreshed.
Fans of the series will find plenty to enjoy, and newcomers will discover an accessible entry point that showcases the strengths of Falcom’s approach to action RPG design. Proud Nordics does not reinvent the formula, but it refines it with care and delivers a journey that is easy to recommend. It is a confident step forward for the series on Switch 2, and it sets a promising foundation for whatever comes next.
