Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is getting a hardcover novelization

Dragonwell Publishing has opened preorders for an official hardcover novelization of Ys IX: Monstrum Nox via their online store, and it is scheduled to be released in April 2026.

I have stated on this blog many times that Ys is my favorite gaming franchise. Adol Christin has been washing up on beaches and losing his memory since Ys I: Ancient Ys Vanished hit Japanese computers in 1987. Monstrum Nox is a particular standout for me. Nihon Falcom traded the usual deserted islands and ancient ruins for the towering vertical architecture of Balduq, a massive prison city. The developer is primarily known for two things, the slow, politically dense worldbuilding of The Legend of Heroes and the blistering action of Ys. Monstrum Nox successfully blended a bit of the former into the latter.

Trading islands for a prison city

The original game launched on the PlayStation 4 in Japan back in 2019 before NIS America brought it West in 2021. It eventually made its way to Windows, Nintendo Switch, and the PlayStation 5. The hook of the ninth mainline entry is right in the title. Adol gets cursed by a mysterious woman named Aprilis and turns into a Monstrum. This grants him supernatural traversal abilities like running straight up walls, gliding across rooftops, and grappling between chimneys. It completely changed how exploration worked in the series. The city of Balduq became a giant jungle gym.

Dragonwell's second Falcom adaptation

This is not the first time Dragonwell Publishing has adapted Adol's adventures into print. The publisher previously released a novelization of Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana. Translating a 40-hour action RPG into a readable novel requires pacing adjustments, but the narrative structure of Monstrum Nox actually fits the format well. The game is broken up into distinct chapters focusing on different Monstrum party members, like the White Cat, the Hawk, and the Doll. Each character introduces a new traversal mechanic in the game, but in a novel, they provide distinct perspectives on the political conspiracy surrounding the Romun Empire's control of the prison.

The hardcover edition has custom cover art depicting Adol in his Crimson King attire alongside his fellow Monstrums. The artwork showcases the gothic visual style that defines this specific entry in the franchise.

39 years of red hair

The Ys series has been running for nearly four decades. It survived the transition from the 2D bump-combat system of the 1980s to the fast-paced 3D party mechanics of the modern era. We rarely see official English novelizations for mid-tier Japanese RPGs. Most tie-in media stays exclusive to Japan, so seeing a dedicated Western publisher handle these adaptations is a welcome change of pace. I already have my preorder locked in, and I am looking forward to revisiting Balduq without having to grind for crafting materials.

Pick up Ys IX: Monstrum Nox on Humble Bundle.

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