Following the announcement for Ys VIII’s release in Japan for PS4, Falcom president Toshihiro Kondo shared more on improvements and what else is new in an interview with Dengeki PlayStation. [Thanks, Hachima.]
Here are some highlights from the interview.
About the parts that are being powered up from the PS Vita version
Toshihiro Kondo: The part that had the biggest reaction was the action, and a part of us wanted to add more ways to play it as an action game.
Due capacities for the PS Vita version, Dana’s parts were a bit of an extra element, but in order to strengthen those parts we’re adding a new system called Style Change.
We’ve added an episode to Dana’s Eternia quest that involves rescuing a spirit. This spirit will also have features such as the power to transform, and a way to enhance that power.
Dana’s part will have features such as enemies that can only be defeated with certain styles, or dungeons that you can only unlock with certain styles.
As for Adol’s part, we’re adding a Control War that involves taking out dungeon enemies with not only Adol and friends, but also the Dogi crew of castaways, in something that’s like a different version of the Interception Battles. We’re also planning on adding more numbers to the Interception Battles as well.
What are the main appeals of the PS4 version?
The scenery’s beauty is particularly better. It moves smoothly in 60fps and the loading times are much faster than the PS Vita version. The Drifting Village isn’t split with a bigger screen, so you’ll get to travel seamlessly. Again, it’ll support 4K resolution.
We also plan on adding a mode that was in demand from Ys fans, so look forward to it!
At the end of the interview, Kondo mentioned that he’d like to make a sequel for Tokyo Xanadu someday.
Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana released in Japan July 21, 2016 for PlayStation Vita. The PlayStation 4 version will release in Japan on May 25, 2017.
