Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim

Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim marked a transition for Nihon Falcom's long-running Japanese series from two-dimensional graphics to a fully 3D environment, while keeping the characteristic fast action RPG combat in which the main hero Adol Christin simply charges at enemies with his sword instead of using a classic wait-and-see turn-based system. This installment also served as the first modern entry point into the series for many Western players, because it received a wide localization and release on several platforms.

The gameplay is built on a smooth blend of exploration, combat and simple puzzles, with Adol gradually obtaining new swords with different elemental properties that are necessary for overcoming specific enemies and obstacles. Although the graphical transition to 3D was demanding for the hardware of the time and the character models look simpler than the backgrounds, the game compensates for this imbalance with a brisk pace and excellent, energetic music, which is among the most praised parts of the entire Ys series.

The story, set on the mysterious island of Canaan, inhabited by the peaceful Rehda race, combines adventure with themes of colonial domination, and the game was received by critics as a successful restart of the series for a new audience, although established fans still regard it as a transitional, albeit very playable entry between the classic era of two-dimensional games and later, more ambitious sequels such as Ys VIII.