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Learn More About Ys X: Nordics’ Adol, Carja, and ‘Cross Action’

Protagonist of Ys, Adol Christin, does battle with a sword in a green field in Ys X: Nordics

We aren’t sure yet just when Ys X: Nordics will grace our RPG-loving screens, but that hasn’t stopped Falcom from rolling out a steady stream of information on the tenth game in their epic action-oriented franchise. Back at the tail end of December, the company’s president, Toshihiro Kondo, shed some welcome light on the decision to turn Nordics into a prequel and the major focus on sailing.

Now, we’re learning more not only about 17-year-old Adol Christin and co-star Carja Varta, but the game-changing ‘Cross Action’ combat system as well.

Ys series protagonist Adol Christin in his youth as seen in Ys X: Nordics stands ready with a sword

The Protagonist Adol and Heroine Carja: Character Illustrations by Popular Illustrator toi8

Adol Christin (voiced by Yuki Kaji)

  • Age: 17
  • Weapon: One-Handed Sword
The protagonist. An extraordinary adventurer with fiery red hair and clear eyes full of curiosity, who left behind more than 100 adventure journals for posterity. At age 17, he left Esteria, the land of his first adventure, and was said to have headed toward the land of Celceta. But according to one of the adventure journals discovered at his childhood home, “The Northerners’ Lost Paradise,” he stopped off at Obelia Bay with Dogi, a former thief.
Ys X: Nordics co-star Carja Varta stands fearlessly in purple garb wielding her hatchet and shield

Carja Varta (voiced by ???)

  • Age: 17
  • Weapon: Hatchet and Round Shield

“I’m a Norman. Depending on the situation, next time I will kill you.”

The only daughter of Grimmson, leader of the Varta Navy. She is feared by the residents of Karnack as the “Pirate Princess,” who see her as she proudly leads a gang of maritime miscreants in pirate activities. While she has elegant features, she wields a hatchet and round shield in battle, and showcases a rough, brutal fighting style typical of the Norman people.
A young Adol looking fierce in Ys X: Nordics

The additional details on the ‘Cross Action’ system will hopefully help fans to envision what exactly we’ll be getting ourselves into with this dramatic shift from the more traditional approach to Ys fights.

“Cross Action”: A New System in Which Players Switch Between “Solo Mode” and “Combination Mode”

In Solo Mode, you can fight as either Adol or Carja. (Your partner will be controlled by AI.) You can switch between the player character at any time during battle with the press of a button.

Speed-oriented combat that utilizes step and dash-based movement is the core component of Solo Mode. In addition to unleashing various skill attacks with Adol and Carja, the player can switch between characters mid-attack to trigger a partner cut-in attack, making it possible to drive into the enemy with consecutive attacks that leave them no opportunity to strike back.

Additionally, the speed attacks (attacks with a blue aura) unleashed by some enemies can be automatically dodged with Solo Mode’s dash. You can deploy technical actions, such as dealing damage by unleashing a counter attack from an automatic dodge that hits surrounding enemies.

In Ys X: Nordics, Adol and Carja fight side by side on a beach near a green hill

Combination Mode: For Power, Offense, and Defense
In Combination Mode, you fight as both Adol and Carja at the same time. (You can switch from Solo Mode to Combination Mode by pressing a dedicated button.)

While Combination Mode allows you to deal more damage thanks to the many simultaneous attacks that you can unleash, standard movement and dash speed are significantly reduced.

To make up for your reduced speed, “Guard” is available as a dedicated action. By guarding against enemy attacks, your “Revenge Gauge” will increase, and activating Combination Mode-exclusive skills in this state will fill the Revenge Gauge and allow you to deal greater damage.

Additionally, the power attacks (attacks with a red aura) unleashed by some enemies can be repelled with Combination Mode’s just guard. This will cause the enemy to significantly lose balance, creating an opening for a burst of attacks.

Ys X: Nordics is due for a Japanese drop sometime in 2023 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch systems. No word yet on how long a wait it’ll be for those of us who don’t live in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Check out a slew of additional screenshots fresh off the press while you join us in counting down the days!

Ys X: Nordics Screenshots

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