Format: CD-ROM²
Genre: Action RPG
Developer: Nihon Falcom
Publisher: Hudson Soft

When you switch to a side-scrolling view you lose flexibility but gain mechanical depth, and the potential to capture the player's imagination to a stronger degree than from any other perspective. Ys III is a case-in-point, with more nuanced combat than what was featured in the first two Ys games, and with stages that invoke a greater level of curiosity. As for this PC Engine port specifically, parallax scrolling was "faked" to varying degrees of success by various developers, and here is is rather choppy. On the other hand, the various cut-scene sequences, and all of the stages, make strong use of the platform's simultaneous color palette, making this easily the best looking version of the game-- even when you put it side-by-side with the Megadrive and Super Famicom versions.

Sometimes composers who follow a legend are able to do a better job than the legend itself, and Ys III is definitely a good example of that phenomenon; it's surely a matter of opinion, but Mieko Ishikawa has probably managed to trump Yuzo Koshiro-- who did the music for the first two games-- with an absolutely electric set of songs, many of which have gone on to be all-time classics. The best part for PC Engine owners is that Ryo Yonemitsu, who created the CD remixes for the first two games, was retained, and does an even better job here! The various sound chip-based tracks are super atmospheric, and this PC Engine port even features a good deal of voice acting, with Brian Pardus stealing the show as the conflicted character "Chester."

Already mentioned is the fact that Ys III features more nuanced combat than its predecessors, and it is that point which should be expounded upon. Explicit sword swinging, ala the also excellent PC Engine title "The Dynastic Hero", is required, while the jumping physics allow for perfect precision and control. Level design is fairly straightforward, but that just allows the interesting enemies, atmosphere, and solid mechanics to perform, front and center.

Ys III is a short title, especially when compared to the expansive Ys Book I & II; this third title clocks in at less than ten hours. At the same time, short length often mean that there is less needless filler, a fact one can see in titles on other platforms, such as the 3DO's outstanding "Lucienne's Quest." That is the case here as well, with a game that cuts to the chase, delivers its great core experience, and then moves on. As for the PC Engine port specifically, despite the choppy scrolling of some of the stages, this is clearly the definitive version of the game, what with its incredible rendition of the soundtrack, its supremely lush and detailed backgrounds, and its plethora of jaw-dropping cinematic sequences.