Ys III: Wanderers from Ys Retroview
Adol the Relentless
Back in 2021, I started to stream on the RPGamer Twitch channel, where I would juggle between multiple RPGs during a three-hour window via a giant wheel filled with classic and obscure RPGs for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. It was hectic, it was chaotic, it got messy at times, but eventually, I started beating games during my stream. I wanted to put pen to paper and classify these games based off how well I enjoyed them, how good they are compared to other SNES RPGs, and if I would ever want to replay these games. With all that said, let’s get to the first game I ever beat on my Retro stream: Ys III: Wanderers from Ys.
Released on the SNES in early 1992, Ys III: Wanderers from Ys would change the series structure. While still following the exploits of Adol Christin, Ys III forgoes the top-down perspective and bump battle system for a 2D side-scrolling adventure with unique attacks depending on directional input. The most notable concept about these changes was just how frail Adol is at the beginning. Enemies come at the red-haired hero non-stop and unless he exits the danger zones, his healing options are initially limited. It takes a decent amount of grinding to level up and collect enough money to upgrade gear, and some bosses have level thresholds that need to be met before they even take damage. Ys III can be frustrating and punishing at first, but with enough patience and the proper amount of grinding, Adol can muscle his way through any area.
This is a great grinding spot. No serious!
That’s not to say there isn’t some trial and error with this game and some of its bosses. Each boss is larger than life, and usually only has a few weak spots that Adol can wail on to actually deal damage. Instead of magic in this game, Adol acquires rings and equipping them uses up Ring Points. There are a few rings to collect, and some are more useful than others. These rings are lifesavers during boss fights, and it is recommended to save all Adol’s Ring Points for the major battles. Thankfully, you can save almost anywhere in the game, so as long as players are diligent and prepared, backtracking isn’t that big of a hassle.
Ys III looks fine for a game originally created in the late 1980s. Adol’s iconic red hair and armor stand out, but every other character in the game is noticeably less detailed. The story is simple, if not a tad shallow. Adol travels with his long-time buddy Dogi back to Dogi’s hometown, where there is a disturbance that Adol quickly finds himself caught up in. He is seemingly the only person that can stand up to the evil forces and must travel to unique locations where he begins to collect a bunch of mysterious statues. This culminates in a final battle, that without save states, would have taken this reviewer quite a substantial amount of time to complete.
Seven shots and 31 spins later, we finished our first RPG on the wheel!
Accompanying Adol is a snazzy soundtrack arranged by long-time series composer, Mieko Ishikawa. Her music is one of the stronger aspects of the game, as every track brings life and atmosphere to Adol’s journey. When picking this game back up, that familiar music ushered in a wave of nostalgia that brought me back to the 90s.
Ultimately, Ys III: Wanderers from Ys was a game I rented a lot as a kid, but never was able to beat until I began doing this retro stream at RPGamer. It was my first game completed, so it will always have a special place in my heart. I can easily see myself going back to this game, even if there is a more recent remake out there. The original is fine for me, as it ties directly to my childhood. With its vibrant soundtrack and quick-paced combat, Ys III stands the test of time.
Disclosure: This review is purely comparing this game to other SNES RPGs. Nintendo Power issue 33 has an article for this game.
Game is short
Rings are very powerful
Music is wonderful
Game can be punishing
Story isn't anything special
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