NIS America really knows how to make amazing games. From Disgaea to Danganropa, they put out stunning games with amazing storylines. Fans of the company are particularly excited to see Ys IX: Monstrum Nox finally hit shelves so they can try out this latest title in the Ys series.
The latest title, which released for PS4 (and has PC and Nintendo Switch ports coming later this year), has a fantastic cast of characters. Just like in Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana, players switch between these characters on the fly and they all have unique styles and skills. Knowing all about the characters can make this game easier and more engaging so it's worth getting to know the team and when they're unlocked in the game.
Warning: May contain spoilers for the plot of Ys IX.
6 Crimson King - Adol Christin - Chapter One
Adol Christin is the main protagonist of the Ys series and is known as the Crimson King. Adol is not the kind of guy anyone wants to be on a boat with (seriously, the game even says he "encounters more shipwrecks in [a] few years than most fishermen do in their entire life") but is quite an impressive adventurer.
Adol lacks any magical powers of his own, but that doesn't mean he comes unprepared to any given situation. He has near super-human levels of endurance, and his skill with a sword is practically unparalleled. He also tends to pick up magical artifacts that boost his strength and abilities along the way. His Monstrum Ability, Crimson Line, flies him at ultra-fast speeds to pre-determined spots. Just watch out — it's pretty likely at some point that Adol ends up fainting. He does this a surprisingly large amount for a video game protagonist. Or, even more impressively, he'll likely be chosen by a deity to take on some important task (this happens so much that characters even comment on it in the game). Players start with him on the team during Chapter One.
5 White Cat - Krysha Pendleton - Chapter 2
Krysha Pendleton is known as the White Cat in Ys IX: Monstrum Nox. She's a bit like Robin Hood, stealing money and goods from the rich so she can redistribute them to those in the slums that need them far more. In the end, she finds that her acts in the slums are taken for granted and that the people there decide to not do any work themselves and expect her to simply save them. Eventually, opens a flower shop to try and make the slums a better place in that way, instead of by sharing stolen goods.
There's a reason she's called the White Cat. Krysha has cat-like flexibility and reflexes which allow her to specialize in speedy strikes. Her Monstrum Ability is Heaven's Run which allows her to run straight up vertical walls. She becomes available in Chapter 2 after her hidden identity is revealed.
4 Hawk - Credo Aiblinger - Chapter 3
Credo Aiblinger, otherwise known as Hawk, has some seriously bad habits. He likes to drink far more than anyone should, gets into fights in the streets, and has even been known to attack random citizens. All of the other Monstrums are troubled by his behaviors and worry about him immensely.
He's known as Hawk due to his Monstrum Ability: Hunter Descent. It allows him to glide like a hawk across small spaces. With his abrasive personality, he's known best for getting up close and personal in any fight, and he's quite literally a berserker at times. Hawk becomes available in Chapter 3 after his hidden identity is revealed.
3 Doll - Anemona Rijndael - Chapter 4
Anemona Rijndael is the most mysterious character in the game. Her origins are a mystery and she moves in ways that are inhuman but beautiful. Anemona looks like an antique doll one might find in a shop, hence her name.
Her Monstrum Ability, Hidden Eye, allows her to see otherwise invisible objects. Being able to spot hidden traces and keypoints can be incredibly useful. She becomes available in Chapter 4 after her hidden identity is revealed.
2 Raging Bull - Yufa Gamberg - Chapter 5
Yufa Gamberg is an absolute sweetheart, taking care of her adopted siblings while working in Dandelion. Her "boyfriend" (as she refuses to call him) is a bullfighter named Felix. But she isn't just the sweet darling her appearance would lead onlookers to believe.
She has the power of a Raging Bull, and she's known for swinging a massive warhammer around like it's lighter than air. Her Monstrum Ability, Valkyrie Hammer, allows her to smash through cracked walls. Raging Bull becomes available in Chapter 5 after her hidden identity is revealed.
1 Renegade - Jule Noah - Chapter 6
Jules Noah is known as the Renegade mostly because of his curious choice of clothing. His absolutely tattered vestments and his extreme pessimism would make most people not want to be around him anyway. Since he barely ever goes on in public to begin with, it's not like there are a lot of opportunities to even do so.
His Monstrum Ability, Shadow Dive, allows him to sneak through small cracks in walls if there are shadows he can quite literally dive into. Renegade becomes available in Chapter 6 after his hidden identity is revealed.