Ys: The Vanished Omens
Ys: The Vanished Omens is the groundbreaking first entry in Falcom's legendary Ys series, ported to Sega Master System in 1988. Players control red-haired swordsman Adol Christin as he investigates the mysterious disappearance of the six priests of Ys. Notable for its innovative 'bump combat' system and sweeping Yoshiki Kawai soundtrack, it set new standards for action RPGs on 8-bit consoles.
Emulator
Sega Master SystemYear
1988Genre
Action RPGDeveloper
Nihon Falcom (original), Sega (port)Game Series
Controls
About This Game
The Sega Master System version features enhanced graphics and rearranged music compared to the original PC-88 release. Its unique combat system requires players to bump into enemies at angles rather than using attack buttons, creating a fluid real-time battle experience.
The game introduced many series staples including the magical Books of Ys, the sinister Darm Tower, and recurring characters like Dogi and Feena. The SMS port added new enemy sprites and smoother scrolling not present in other contemporary versions.
Notable for its cinematic storytelling (with animated cutscenes in some versions), Ys was one of the first RPGs to use musical leitmotifs for characters and locations. The soundtrack became iconic, with 'First Step Towards Wars' remaining a series anthem.
The Master System version sold over 200,000 copies in Japan and Brazil, helping establish Ys as a premier action RPG franchise. It received an indirect sequel with Ys II and was later remade as Ys I: Ancient Ys Vanished for modern platforms.
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