Ys X: Proud Nordics will be released on February 20 on PS5, Switch 2 and PC

New story arc and characters

The Ys series, which began in 1987, follows the irrepressible adventurer Adol Christin. Ys X: Nordics (2023 in Japan, 2024 globally) introduced naval battles on a ship, a two-protagonist system, and dynamic real-time combat. Proud Nordics is a definitive version with improvements: new quests, bosses, abilities, a parallel story arc on the island of Öland and polished gameplay (faster loading, more convenient controls, support for new platforms like Switch 2 with high FPS).

The new story focuses on Canute and Astrid — two new heroes whose destinies are connected with the mysterious island of Öland. This is not a re-recording of the original, but an addition that explores themes of pride, heritage and the ancient secrets of Norman culture.

Gameplay and quality of life improvements

Ys X has always stood out for its speed and freedom: switching between Adol and Karya in battle, combo attacks, dodges and Mana Burst for powerful finishing moves. Proud Nordics adds depth — new skills, expanded naval battles with tactics and additional difficulty levels.

Among the key improvements: faster loading times, more responsive controls, an improved ship battle system, additional bosses and levels, as well as support for modern features (DLSS on PC, gamepad features on PS5, stable 60+ fps on Switch 2).

What awaits fans and newcomers

A release in early 2026 could seriously increase interest in the series in the West. After the moderate success of the original (around 80 on Metacritic), the improved version with new content attracts both newcomers and veterans who want to replay the story with additions.

For those who missed Nordics, Proud Nordics is the ideal entry point: a full-fledged standalone story, all the improvements out of the box and no mandatory background stories. Fans will have a reason to return — new secrets, bosses and lore details. The soundtrack from classic Falcom composers remains top notch, with epic nautical motifs.

Release date and platforms

The global release is scheduled for February 20, 2026 for PS5, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC (Steam). The exception is the ANZ region (Australia and New Zealand), where the game will be released on February 27. NIS America is actively localizing Falcom projects, and the success of Proud Nordics could speed up the release of future Ys and Trails games.

So on February 20, many gamers will go on another adventure with Adol — this time with an improved and expanded experience.

Xrust Ys X: Proud Nordics will be released on February 20 on PS5, Switch 2 and PC