A classic Zelda clone returns on Virtual Console.

No matter how big of an RPG fan you are, chances are you've probably never heard of Ys (pronounced Ees). It's an overhead adventure-RPG series released exclusively for the Japanese PC until 1989, when a company called Falcom released remakes of the first two entries on the American TurboGrafx. Thanks to its CD format, Ys Book I & II is nearly a generation ahead of most videogames of its time in terms of aesthetics. Just brace yourself for labyrinthine dungeons and an oft brutal difficulty level.

Ys tells the story of a swordsman named Adol as he traverses the land of Esteria in search of six ancient books which hold the secrets to a utopian paradise that mysteriously vanished 800 years earlier. The game bears a striking resemblance to Zelda: A Link to the Past at first, but it actually has a bit more in common with more progressive adventure-RPGs like Soul Blazer and Illusion of Gaia. You'll navigate Adol through an assortment of dungeons and towns, gaining levels while battling monsters and maintaining a healthy collection of items, magic and equipment.

This game has arguably one of the most bizarre battle systems in the history of its genre as there is no attack button. Instead, you cause damage to enemies by simply running into them while hoping to avoid their counterattacks. This makes combat much faster than that of a Zelda game, but also a lot more awkward.

The graphics are pretty much on-par with early SNES games, save for the stunning animation sequences which, while primitively-rendered by today's standards, were mind-blowing in 1989. Even greater props goes to the audio department. Ys's Red Book orchestral synth blows every other soundtrack of the 16-bit era out of the water in terms of quality. Words can't express just how damn good the music in this game is, but it's enough to make you start head-banging even when you're hopelessly lost in a 25-story tower. Ys I & II even has voiceacting! And most of it is actually good!    

It's a challenge, no question. Maze-like dungeons with no in-game map, lots of backtracking and lightning-fast enemies that pursue your hero like bloodhounds and can dispatch him in less than a second. Thankfully, some of the difficulty is offset by a save-anywhere feature and auto-regenerative HP in many areas. And of course, Ys Book I & II looks and sounds way ahead of its time. If you're into old-school adventure RPGs, especially ones with some kick-ass audio, Ys Book I & II is a definite download.