Ys IV: The Dawn of Ys
One of two distinct Ys IV games for different platforms.
Ys IV: The Dawn of Ys is an action role-playing game from Hudson Soft, released for the PC Engine CD-ROM². It marks the fourth installment in the Ys series and is one of two distinct games both called Ys IV—the other being Tonkin House's Ys IV: Mask of the Sun for the Super Famicom. While the two titles share the same basic setting, Hudson took greater creative freedom with its version, leading to two very different experiences.
The story takes place after Ys II and before Ys III: Wanderers from Ys. Adol returns to Minea, the starting town of the first game. After spending time there catching up with old acquaintances, he decides to sail to the foreign land of Celceta.
Gameplay returns to the top-down perspective and collision-based combat of Ys I and II. Enemies are defeated by running into them, and Adol gains strength by earning experience points. The magic system introduced in Ys II also makes a return.
Development was handled by Hudson Soft under license from series creator Nihon Falcom. The original music was composed by Falcom Sound Team J.D.K. members Atsushi Shirakawa, Naoki Kaneda, Takahiro Tsunashima, and Masaru Nakajima. As with Hudson's earlier CD-ROM² versions of Ys I & II and Ys III, the CD-DA tracks were arranged by Ryo Yonemitsu. However, Yonemitsu did not arrange the entire in-game soundtrack—many tracks were programmed for the console's internal sound chip by Osamu Narita—though he did cover every track for the Perfect Collection Ys IV CD series.
The game launched in Japan on December 22, 1993, for the PC Engine CD-ROM². An English fan translation by NightWolve appeared in 2004. In 2025, Edia announced plans to release ports of Nihon Falcom's TurboGrafx-CD titles, including Ys IV: The Dawn of Ys, with a release window between fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
French magazine Joypad gave it a score of 96%.
- Developer
- Hudson Soft
- Platform
- PC Engine CD-ROM²
- Release Date
- December 22, 1993
- Genre
- Action role-playing
- Series
- Ys
- Region
- Japan
Lore & Background
Ys IV: The Dawn of Ys was released only in Japan on December 22, 1993. An English fan translation by NightWolve was released in 2004. In 2025, Edia announced it would release ports of Nihon Falcom's TurboGrafx-CD titles, including this game, between fiscal years 2026 and 2027. French magazine Joypad gave it a score of 96%.
Reader's Guide
Ys IV: The Dawn of Ys holds a notable place in the Ys series as one of two divergent interpretations of the fourth installment. While both The Dawn of Ys and Mask of the Sun share the same setting, Hudson Soft's version took greater creative liberties, resulting in a distinct gameplay and presentation experience. Its return to the classic top-down, bump-combat style of the first two games appealed to fans who preferred that approach over the side-scrolling of Ys III. The game's soundtrack, featuring contributions from multiple Falcom composers and arranged by Ryo Yonemitsu, is considered a highlight. The 2004 fan translation made the game accessible to English-speaking audiences, and the announced ports for modern platforms by Edia ensure its continued availability. The high score from Joypad reflects its positive reception in its home market. The existence of two separate Ys IV games, each developed by a different company, makes this entry a unique case in video game history, illustrating how licensed development can produce divergent outcomes from the same source material.
Did You Know?
- Ys IV: The Dawn of Ys is one of two games released under the title Ys IV, the other being Tonkin House's Ys IV: Mask of the Sun for the Super Famicom.
- The story takes place after Ys II and before Ys III: Wanderers from Ys.
- An English fan translation by NightWolve was released in 2004.
- French magazine Joypad gave the game a score of 96%.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ys IV: The Dawn of Ys?
It is a 1993 action RPG developed by Hudson Soft for the PC Engine CD-ROM² in Japan. The game follows Adol Christin as he revisits Minea, the town where the original Ys adventure began.
How does Ys IV: The Dawn of Ys differ from Ys IV: Mask of the Sun?
Both titles share the same general setting, but Hudson Soft exercised significantly more creative liberty with its PC Engine version compared to Tonkin House's Super Famicom entry. The result is that the two games deliver noticeably different storylines and gameplay despite carrying the same numerical label.
Where does Ys IV: The Dawn of Ys sit in the Ys series timeline?
Its events unfold after the conclusion of Ys II and before the narrative of Ys III: Wanderers from Ys. Adol's return to Minea serves as the story bridge connecting those two earlier entries.
What system was Ys IV: The Dawn of Ys released on?
It launched exclusively on the PC Engine CD-ROM² in Japan on December 22, 1993. No other platform received this particular version of the fourth Ys game.
Who developed Ys IV: The Dawn of Ys?
Hudson Soft created and published the title for the Japanese market. It stands as their distinct entry into the Ys franchise, separate from Tonkin House's parallel fourth installment.
More in Ys 1-18
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