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Ys X: Proud Nordics is well reviewed: Metacritic showed an 83/100 from 17 critic reviews in its October 8, 2026 snapshot, with 14 positive, three mixed and none negative. Critics praise its added story content, duo combat and seafaring adventure. For newcomers, it is the more complete edition; for people who already own Ys X: Nordics, reviews are more cautious about paying again for a lengthy replay.
What are critics saying about Ys X: Proud Nordics?
Metacritic’s October 8, 2026 snapshot lists Ys X: Proud Nordics at 83/100 across 17 critic reviews: 14 positive, three mixed and zero negative. That is a favorable reception, but the score is a changing aggregator snapshot, not a permanent rating or a substitute for individual reviews. Metacritic’s Proud Nordics page includes review excerpts.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Ys X: Proud Nordics: Deluxe Edition - Nintendo Switch 2 | $69.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VIII Remastered - Twin Pack (Nintendo Switch) | $34.29 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Merge Games Cut Steel (Nintendo Switch) | $35.05 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Minecraft - Nintendo Switch | $29.83 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Minecraft - Nintendo Switch 2 | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
The positive case centers on the expanded adventure, its characters and story, and the action built around the two protagonists. The reservation is less about whether the game works than whether its additions justify buying and replaying it for someone who completed the earlier release.
Why reviewers recommend it
Noisy Pixel’s February 16, 2026 review describes the release as content rich, highlighting the Öland Island expansion, new characters Canute and Astrid, rebalanced combat and post-game modes. Other review excerpts also praise the story, cast and combat. These are individual critics’ assessments, not a claim that every reviewer agrees on every element.
#1 Best Overall
- Adventure Anew: The spectacular adventure of Ys X: Nordics is back and better than ever, with improved graphical performance and quality of life updates that make this the definitive way to experience Ys X.
- Isle of Mystery: Arrive at Öland Island and take part in a brand-new adventure! With Shield Siblings Canute and Astrid by your side, dig deep into the mystery surrounding this island in a story that's been seamlessly integrated into the original.
- An Ocean of Experiences Awaits: New mechanics and content abound in Ys X: Proud Nordics! Use the new Mana Hold ability to manipulate the world around you, try your hand at new challenges on Öland Island, and prepare yourself for Muspelheim, a timed dungeon of diabolical difficulty.
- Deluxe Edition includes: Ys X: Proud Nordics for Nintendo Switch 2, Mini Art Book, Mini Poster
IGN Benelux summed up the distinction for returning players on February 19, 2026: “The re-release is the best version, but not an automatic upgrade.” The short verdict captures the main buying question: Proud Nordics may be the version to choose if starting fresh, without necessarily being worth a second full-price purchase.
What does Proud Nordics add?
The Steam listing describes these additions and improvements. They are features advertised by the publisher on the store page, not independently verified performance findings.
Rank #2
- Final Fantasy VI - The following extra features are included:
- 3X speed mode
- ability to turn battle encounters off
- battle enhancement mode
- final FANTASY VIII remastered - The following extra features are included.battle assist options (HP, ATB gauge, and limit break boosts).game speed boost (X3.no random encounters
- A new storyline and Öland Island: an additional island adventure integrated into the main journey.
- Canute and Astrid: new characters associated with the expanded story.
- Mana Hold: a new ability added to the game.
- Muspelheim: a timed, high-difficulty dungeon for players looking for a challenge.
- Other changes: the listing also advertises improved graphics performance and quality-of-life updates.
The additions make this a more substantial package than a simple rerelease, but feature count alone cannot tell an owner of the original whether the extra adventure is worth the cost and time of returning. Steam’s Proud Nordics listing describes the advertised content.
How do the editions compare?
Metacritic’s snapshots show a modestly higher score for Proud Nordics than for the earlier edition, but the review totals differ and the figures come from different release periods. They are useful context, not a direct controlled comparison of the games.
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Rank #3
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| Edition | Metacritic snapshot | What it suggests |
|---|---|---|
| Ys X: Proud Nordics | 83/100 from 17 critic reviews; 14 positive, 3 mixed, 0 negative (October 8, 2026 snapshot). | Favorable reception for the expanded edition; the score can change as reviews are added or updated. |
| Ys X: Nordics | 80/100 from 28 critic reviews (2024 release-era snapshot; accessed October 8, 2026). | Also favorably reviewed, though its reception should not be treated as identical to the newer edition’s. |
The earlier rating is from Metacritic’s Ys X: Nordics page. Different review counts and dates mean the three-point gap should not be read as proof that every player will prefer the newer release.
Is it worth buying if you already own Ys X: Nordics?
For most returning owners, the decision comes down to whether the new island story, added characters and challenge content are enough to make another long RPG run appealing. Critics’ value reservations are aimed at that replay commitment, not a broad rejection of the expanded edition. No verified upgrade path is established in the sources cited here, so do not assume you can add the new content to an existing copy at a reduced price.
Rank #4
- Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures
- Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
- Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs
- Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
- Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
If you are considering a purchase, check the current price in your region and on your platform, and confirm whether the offer is for the edition and format you want. Pricing and inventory can change; the available source information does not establish a current retailer listing or a current upgrade offer.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Combat, sailing and exploration
Review excerpts praise the rebalanced duo combat, and the expanded edition retains the series’ maritime exploration. Reactions to sailing in reviews of the original were mixed, so it would be inaccurate to present nautical traversal as an uncontested strength. The better fit depends on whether you enjoy the rhythm of moving between action encounters and exploration at sea.
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Platforms and language support
The US PlayStation storefront lists a PS5 edition from NIS America, released February 20, 2026. It lists English and Japanese voice options, with English, French, German and Spanish screen languages. Those details describe the US storefront listing, not a guarantee for every region or platform.
Steam lists Nihon Falcom and PH3 GmbH as developers and NIS America as publisher, with a February 20, 2026 release date and Action, Adventure and RPG classifications. Its listing specifies English and Japanese full audio and interface and subtitle support for English, French, German, Spanish and Japanese. Confirm the live listing for your region before buying, since storefront details can change.
Quick Recap
- Steam store listing for Ys X: Proud Nordics
- US PlayStation store listing for Ys X: Proud Nordics on PS5
Who should choose Proud Nordics?
- Choose it if you are new to Ys X: critics generally regard the expanded release as the most complete and satisfying version to start with.
- Consider it if you own Nordics and want more: the new island storyline, characters and challenge content give returning players specific reasons to revisit, if they welcome a full replay.
- Wait or skip it if you mainly want an upgrade: the sources cited here do not verify an upgrade option, and some critics question the value of paying again for an extensive RPG replay.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
