# Ys Chronicles 1 — user reviews > 74 indexed App Store user reviews of Ys Chronicles 1 by DotEmu, rated 4.10/5 from 81 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ys-chronicles-1/id962713931/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ys-chronicles-1/id962713931.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 56 · 4★ 5 · 3★ 5 · 2★ 4 · 1★ 11 ## Newest reviews (11 of 74) ### 4/5 — Classic *2021-06-15* Classic game. Still as unforgiving as the original, in fact probably a bit easier in terms of missing key items and events than the original. The controls are easy enough, though I do recommend changing it to be only the eight directions and not free. Great music, does the job. Some spelling errors and text issues but I don’t mind too much. Don’t complain about this game being hard, this was from an era before hints, mini maps and internet FAQ’s ### 3/5 — A fun struggle *2019-02-26, version 1.0.2* Game is enjoyable and fun until you get to the boss in the abandoned mines. Then you have to end it there. Poor controls and a terrible mechanic make it impossible to win. I’ve spent an hour trying to kill this thing. Max level, all silver equipment, oh and the one time I might actually want to use a healing potion, I can’t. Cool game, too bad this boss is terrible and the controls are basically beyond useless. ### 3/5 — Okay game *2018-08-06, version 1.0.2* The good: kinda like a Zelda game, nice storyline, and fun to play. The bad: the direction button is awful( won’t let you go to where you want to go freely, had to keep forcing it, feels like a broken joy stick from them arcade days). Dungeon shouldn’t have a level restriction, don’t like to grind to reach the level before I can go in a dungeon, bored me out. 3 stars for effort. Hopefully these issues are address on part 2. ### 2/5 — Great game, terrible translation *2018-04-15, version 1.0.2* There are innumerable versions of the excellent Ys 1. This one is based on the PC/PSP release, but for some reason has a new translation. Unfortunately, it’s awful. I recommend getting this on PC (GOG and Steam have it). Just about any not-ancient machine should be able to run it. ### 2/5 — Ys: the Unbalanced Omens *2017-07-03, version 1.0.2* I've been gaming since the early 80's. Between arcades, consoles, handhelds, portables, PC and mobile platforms, I've played (played NOT owned) over 1,500 titles. This port of this classic title is an extremely solid game, which falls apart at the very end. The damning issue stems from a lack of gameplay balancing. More specifically, the final boss is unbeatable. The playing field is 25% smaller than the areas where you fight the other bosses. Every time you land a blow on Dark Facht, a small portion of the field falls away. If you don't move fast enough after scoring a hit, you fall through that hole and die. At any rate, you end up reducing the playable area to one that barely leaves enough room to be maneuvered around. As this is happening, Dark Facht's zipping around the entirety of the screen like a ping pong ball. This includes the border areas you can't reach. While trying to mount an offense, you're also being assailed by multiple, simultaneous fireballs that explode in all eight directions. So you're constantly taking damage. You don't have the option of using any restorative items. Any status buffs your equipment gives you are nullified. To be fair, that's how it is with all the boss encounters here. However, that doesn't mean it's fair or even sensible. I've come across bosses like this before, in other games. The only way to beat them is with a cheat. But, when you do that, it ends up crashing/freezing the game as you weren't supposed to be able to beat them. I don't think that's the case here. The devs desperately need to roll up their sleeves and actually do some gameplay balancing to alleviate this issue. ### 3/5 — Please add a fixed control pad!! *2017-02-11, version 1.0.2* I have played - and beaten - this game on many systems, most notably the TurboDuo and Famicom. I was thrilled to see that the DS versionhas been ported over to iOS, because I like the idea of being able to take my favorite games with me wherever I go. And Ys 1/2 are definitely among my very favorites. However, I am very disappointed with the control aspect of the game, I have played many RPGs on my iPad/iPhone - some of the "action JRPGs" like Ys, and they all used a fixed control pad which worked beautifully. This game, however, uses a crazy "the pad is wherever your fingers are" control system, which leads to less ability to control your character movements. I did just figure out that to run, I just push an imaginary joypad button on the right while controlling my motion on the left... There was a cryptic diagram early on that I believe explained this, but I'm not the most clever person around and I need it explained outright. I am just getting started but don't think I will have a chance at beating some of the bosses with this inferior control system. Come on, DotEmu - how difficult would it be to implement an option to turn on a fixed control pad like the Kemco RPGs use? It works great with those games. Otherwise, this is a faithful port of the DS version, and I am still glad to have it on my phone. I will hold off on playing it more, though, with hopes that a fixed joypad option is added... because I am getting motion sickness with the current control system. ### 2/5 — Not for me. *2017-02-11, version 1.0.2* Didn't like the combat system. Fighting should evolve more then running into the enemy at the right angle. ### 2/5 — Frustrating *2017-01-02* Nothing ruins a good game faster than throwing in one extremely difficult boss about halfway through. After too many tries at the one in the mines I have simply given up. And is it really too much to ask to include a map? Why can only one heal potion be carried, and why can't it be used during the boss battles? It is also not obvious that you have to complete some tasks before going on to others. Poor writing.Too many limits to this game to give it high marks. Maybe this type of game just isn't for me. ### 2/5 — Great game, but has bug, need fix! *2016-07-29, version 1.0.2* Great game import! Bug report: In the shrine, after beating the first boss, which is a ghost boss protected by three rows of poisonous air, there supposed to be a hole appearing in the wall for exit but it didn't happen. I was stuck in the chamber and the only thing I can do is load. I cannot open items or stats. I was able to move the figure though. Please fix! Thanks! ### 5/5 — Very well done *2016-03-03, version 1.0.2* Usually porting retro games to iOS is a waste of time. Very few control well with a touch interface. I've been disappointed on more than one occasion, but this game actually controls really well on my iPhone! I've been enjoying ys 1 very much and I honestly recommend this to any retro gaming fans on the go. ### 5/5 — Great RPG *2016-03-02, version 1.0.2* I highly recommend this game and especially part 2 to all Zelda fans. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — I hate this game *2021-01-01, version 1.0.2* I tried the normal mode. It is a nightmare, the Batman . I hate this game and I want my money back. ### 1/5 — Was fun until second to last boss. *2020-07-16, version 1.0.2* Entirely maxed stats and items, boss is too stupidly hard. Literally ruins the entire game, which is overall “casual”. Turn it down from 11.. ### 1/5 — Not on iOS, never *2019-01-14, version 1.0.2* Love Ys, despise these kinds of ports and this game in particular. This game is great on the platform it was originally formatted for (ones with directional pads and buttons), on iOS you have to drag your finger around the screen and/or mash parts of said all the while trying not to completely obliterate you field of view (which is both insanely easy to do and will likely result in getting murdered by bosses over and over again (to the point of rage)). Summary, this game should of been left to the PSP, the shameless cash grab that is the mobile port is garbage. ### 1/5 — Great game ruined by poor QA *2017-01-21, version 1.0.2* I played this way back on the old TurboGraphics 16. I'd been wanting to play it again and figured what they hell it on iOS. Whoever ported this didn't even try to rebalance it for mobile. On Normal difficulty, some of the bosses are nearly impossible and the end boss is just ridiculous. I remember what the game was like originally and this version needs some serious work. Don't buy unless you like frustration. Otherwise it's great. Sad they totally messed up the game by not bothering to balance the bosses as per the new controls. ### 1/5 — First one star review I've ever left *2016-10-07, version 1.0.2* Played this on iPhone SE. There is a vampire boss that requires extremely fine control to defeat, and the touch control is abysmal. Only buy this if you want to play half a game and quit. ### 1/5 — Good game but is broken *2016-09-24, version 1.0.2* I beat the shrine boss, but then I am just stuck in the room and can't do anything ### 1/5 — Frustrating *2016-04-11* This might have got 4 stars, but quite a long way into the game you encounter a boss fight in the mine that is virtually impossible to win. I have tried many many times, and have now given up. The previous boss fights were either reasonable or a bit too easy. This one is just so unfair. I am now deleting the game rather than experience more frustration. ### 1/5 — Terrible *2016-03-05, version 1.0.1* Near the start of the game, there is a bat monster "boss". You can only hit it during a split second period when it it transforming. Then is sends a swarm of bats which kill you almost instantly. You have to hit it maybe 20 times to win. It is impossible to do. I tried for 30 minutes and couldn't get more than 2 hits in. Your healing items don't work. Your healing ring doesn't work. You are not allowed to level up any more.i deleted the game out of frustration. ### 1/5 — wonder if anyone in dev team played this game. *2016-03-01, version 1.0.2* I never played the game with worse control than this game. do you think this game's controller is better r even than pc or console version? Adol doesn't seem to go direction that I want to. you're not worthy even 1 star. and to talk about YS 2, who translated Korean? google? are you kidding??? ### 1/5 — Bad *2015-05-08* One of the worst control systems I've ever experienced. The combat system leaves you open for attack due to the bump design. The movement speed of the player is too fast, so you're constantly slamming into enemies and shooting off on in a unwanted direction. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Solid port *2019-08-26, version 1.0.2* Solid port of the remastered Ys. Music is beautiful as always in and Ys game. No voices though which felt like a step backward after having them in the Turbografx-CD version. ### 5/5 — Awesome *2019-05-06* Most games nowadays on iPhone are mind numbing and don’t challenge you. This game gives you a sense of accomplishment, it’s similar to zelda. ### 5/5 — Great Port! *2019-02-09, version 1.0.2* Controls feel great. I like that they upped the run speed in this one. Story great also! This and Lunar Silver Star Story are some of my favorites :) ### 5/5 — Bugs *2018-08-02, version 1.0.2* I have encountered the, "door fails to open after killing boss mumber 1" bug, so incapable of moving forward. Great game, seeming to be a terrible port. *EDIT* To fix this bug you have to save your game, then force close the app and restart. ### 5/5 — Nothing but love *2018-01-17, version 1.0.2* Playing with Gamevice makes it so much sweeter. Heavenly even. ### 5/5 — A must buy RPG *2017-06-24, version 1.0.2* You need this game ### 5/5 — Controls work well for iOS *2016-10-03, version 1.0.2* Great port ### 5/5 — 😍 *2016-10-03* Un bon remake j'adore cette saga 😍😍 ### 5/5 — Forever popping bubbles *2016-05-13* Great music? Check. Nice anime art style? Check. Overblown, claustrophobic story about an island trapped behind a stormwall (yes, that's a thing)? Check. Superweird but satisfying combat system akin to popping bubbles? Check. Brutal boss fights? Check. Slightly annoying in that you keep bumping into NPCs and initiating conversations you don't want? Yeah, a little bit. But this is a great action RPG, a stone cold classic, which has been very nicely adapted for iOS. My finger kept sliding off the screen with the virtual joystick on an iPhone, but I've had loads of fun. And the rocking guitar music really is great - so unlike other JRPGs. ### 5/5 — Great classic *2016-03-20, version 1.0.2* Works well and is fun to play --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*