Ys Origin

PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch • 2012

2012

Quick resume

The perfect mix of action, exploration and story with screen-filling bosses, unique platforming elements, and innovative puzzles.

Global score

93/100

Genres

Action, Adventure, Role-playing (RPG), Platform

Similar games

Pros

Challenging and rewarding combat
Multiple playable characters with distinct styles
Engaging boss fights
Excellent soundtrack
High replay value with additional modes

Cons

Repetitive gameplay due to multiple playthroughs of same tower
Lack of controller remapping in-game
No cooperative or multiplayer features
Some grinding required at higher difficulties
No ability to skip cutscenes

Motivations

Autonomy

Game with the same Autonomy vibe

4

"Players can choose from multiple characters with distinct playstyles and freely select difficulty modes, allowing personal control over gameplay experience."

東方幕華祭 TouHou Makuka Sai ~ Fantastic Danmaku Festival
"Players can choose among three characters with distinct playstyles and storylines, and select difficulty levels, allowing personal control over gameplay experience."
Competence

Game with the same Competence vibe

4

"The game features challenging boss fights requiring skill, pattern recognition, and mastery of mechanics, with rewarding feedback on success."

The PenguinGame 2 -Lies of Penguin-
"The game features challenging boss fights requiring skill and pattern recognition, with a steep learning curve and rewarding mastery."
Competition

Game with the same Competition vibe

2

"Includes score attack and time attack modes with leaderboards, encouraging comparison with others, but main gameplay is single-player focused."

Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams - Rise of the Owlverlord
"Includes time attack and boss rush modes with leaderboards, encouraging comparison with others, though main gameplay is single player."
Continuation

Game with the same Continuation vibe

3

"High replay value with multiple endings, new game+ mode, and endless mode encourage repeated play sessions."

Reverse Crawl
"High replay value due to multiple characters and modes; players often engage in multiple playthroughs and extended sessions."
Cooperation

Game with the same Cooperation vibe

-5

"Entirely single player experience with no cooperative or multiplayer elements."

Katana ZERO
"Entirely single player experience with no cooperative or multiplayer elements."
Creativity

Game with the same Creativity vibe

2

"Players explore hidden secrets and experiment with different equipment and skill combinations, but game structure is mostly fixed."

恶魔迷宫 | Evil Maze
"Players explore and uncover secrets in the tower, with some puzzle elements and character skill customization, but within a linear structure."
Domination

Game with the same Domination vibe

-5

"No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; gameplay is individual and respectful."

Melatonin
"No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; gameplay is individual and respectful."
Escapism

Game with the same Escapism vibe

4

"Players enjoy immersive fantasy world with engaging story and combat, providing distraction and relief from real life."

Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny
"Players immerse themselves in a fantasy world with engaging combat and story, providing distraction and stress relief."
Expectation

Game with the same Expectation vibe

-4

"Players engage voluntarily for enjoyment and challenge without external pressure or obligation."

I'm on Observation Duty 4
"Players engage voluntarily for enjoyment and challenge without external pressure or obligation."
Experimenting

Game with the same Experimenting vibe

3

"Multiple characters and equipment encourage trying different playstyles and strategies."

Enclave
"Multiple characters with different playstyles and skills encourage trying new approaches and tactics."
Exploration

Game with the same Exploration vibe

3

"Players explore the tower environment and discover story notes, though the environment is limited and linear."

Cloud Climber
"Players explore varied themed floors of the tower, uncovering items and secrets, though within a mostly linear environment."
Expression

Game with the same Expression vibe

-2

"Limited character customization; players mainly use predefined characters and equipment."

War Mongrels
"Limited character customization; players mostly use predefined characters and equipment with minor upgrades."
Fantasy

Game with the same Fantasy vibe

5

"Strong fantasy setting with gods, demons, magic, and anime-style storytelling."

Agarest: Generations of War Zero
"Strong fantasy setting with gods, demons, magic, and anime-style storytelling."
Fellowship

Game with the same Fellowship vibe

-5

"No social or community features; focus is on solo play."

RIVE
"No social or community features; focus is on solo play."
Growth

Game with the same Growth vibe

4

"Players develop skills through learning boss patterns and improving gameplay mastery."

Eldest Souls
"Players develop skills through learning boss patterns and character progression via leveling and upgrades."
Health

Game with the same Health vibe

-4

"Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity elements."

9th Dawn III
"Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity elements."
Idle

Game with the same Idle vibe

-4

"Requires continuous attention and focus during combat and exploration."

Shadow Warrior
"Requires continuous attention and focus during combat and exploration."
Intimacy

Game with the same Intimacy vibe

-5

"No evidence of forming close relationships or emotional social interactions."

GRIME II
"No evidence of forming close relationships or emotional social interactions."
Leadership

Game with the same Leadership vibe

-5

"No leadership or group management roles; gameplay is individual."

Pro Office Calculator
"No leadership or group management roles; gameplay is individual."
Progression

Game with the same Progression vibe

4

"Players accumulate upgrades, abilities, and items to progress through the game."

The Last Case of Benedict Fox Definitive Edition
"Players accumulate levels, skills, and equipment upgrades to progress through the game."
Relaxation

Game with the same Relaxation vibe

3

"Combat balances challenge and flow; music and exploration provide a relaxing experience."

Ys: Memories of Celceta
"Balanced challenge and flow with satisfying combat and music provide a relaxing yet engaging experience."
Sensation

Game with the same Sensation vibe

3

"Visual effects, music, and fast-paced combat provide sensory stimulation and excitement."

Ring Runner: Flight of the Sages
"Fast-paced combat, vibrant music, and visual effects provide stimulating sensory feedback."
Status

Game with the same Status vibe

-3

"Achievements and leaderboards exist but social recognition is limited; focus is on personal accomplishment."

Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth3 V Generation
"Achievements and leaderboards exist but social recognition is limited; focus is on personal accomplishment."
Story

Game with the same Story vibe

3

"Narrative is present with a defined protagonist and plot; story is integrated with gameplay and atmosphere."

Blood™ Fresh Supply
"Narrative is integrated with gameplay, featuring multiple character perspectives and a connected lore."
Strategy

Game with the same Strategy vibe

3

"Combat and boss fights require tactical thinking, timing, and planning; puzzles add mental challenge."

STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order™
"Boss fights and enemy encounters require learning patterns and planning attacks, demanding mental challenge."
Thrill

Game with the same Thrill vibe

3

"Boss fights and higher difficulties provide suspense and excitement through challenging encounters."

Epic Battle Fantasy 3
"Boss battles and higher difficulties provide suspense and excitement through challenging encounters."
Value

Game with the same Value vibe

4

"Offers many hours of gameplay, collectibles, and replayability, providing good value for price."

Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair
"Offers many hours of gameplay, replayability, and additional modes, providing good value for money."
Violence

Game with the same Violence vibe

4

"Combat-focused gameplay with frequent fighting and defeating monsters."

FORCED: Slightly Better Edition
"Combat-focused gameplay with frequent fighting and defeating monsters and bosses."
Survival

Game with the same Survival vibe

3

"Players must avoid death and manage resources to survive challenging encounters."

永远消失的幻想乡～ The Disappearing of Gensokyo
"Players must avoid death and manage resources like health and SP to survive challenging encounters."

Analysis

Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Fellowship, Cooperation, Leadership, Violence. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Competition, Violence. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Expression.

How to use the graph

Similar games map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

Where to buy

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Last update: 30/04/2026

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