Ys VI The Ark of Napishtim: A future for Falcom

The period between the late ‘90s and the early ‘00s were an uncertain time for legendary RPG developer Falcom. RPGs had moved on without them, and done so successfully and spectacularly. Square-Enix had reinvented the genre a dozen times over across two PlayStations and multiple handhelds. Sega had taken its classicPhantasy Starseries online. Long-established genre classics like Shiren and Dragon Quest were readily embracing 3D. Falcom had created some excellent remakes (for less obvious games as well as Ys, such as Sorcerianand Dinosaur), finally wrapped up their Gagharv Trilogy with Cagesong of the Ocean, and released a healthy selection of fresh sequels and brand new games (Zwei!!, Brandish IV, VM Japan), but the legendary pioneer still seemed a bit left behind, RPGs in all their forms now something for others to redefine and lead into the unknown. And then, after the best part of a decade away Falcom’s fiery-haired hero returned. The back of Ys VI’s generously sized box emphasises…