We recently learned that Ys IX features five playable “Monstrum” and we got a closer look at two of them with White Cat and Hawk from the game’s official website, along with other details, screenshots, and videos.
First, here’s a tidbit on the prologue of the game:
Becoming someone other than yourself. Ever have one of those dreams?
In this dream, I think—Is this me, or is it not me?
Is the dream reality, or is it reality that’s a dream? I’ve reached an awfully simple answer to that.
“Does it really matter which is which?”
It’s not about which is real. They’re both real.
-Excerpt from a Barduke prison cell
Here’s an introduction for the two recently revealed characters:
White Cat
Battle Style: Martial Arts
White Cat is a Monstrum and a thief of the Prison City, Barduke, who steals from the rich and gives to the poor living in the slums. She frequently communicates with the residents of the city, and shows a flashy performance when she jumps about in the city. She specializes in speedy attacks using her flexible cat-like body.
Hawk
Battle Style: Dual Blades
A Monstrum who kills in the city, known as “Heaven’s Justice.” He has a drinking problem, and often gets himself in trouble by starting fights with all kinds of battle enthusiasts. He’ll be the least cooperative of the Monstrum that appear in Barduke, and they say that his behavior causes trouble to the other Monstrum.
Here are some gameplay details:
“Heaven’s Run” is an ability that allows you to run up walls and other vertical surfaces. This allows you to discover new routes in some dungeons, and you can even find some surprises by climbing up the higher parts of the city.
By using giant wings, this ability allows you to glide in the air for a period of time. You can reach farther distances by gliding from higher areas, so there are all kinds of ways to use it. During battle, it can be used to evade enemy attacks, or as a tricky move to jump enemies from above.
Lastly, the above video shows us more of The Prison City, Barduke, and its areas.
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox releases for PlayStation 4 in Japan in Fall 2019.
