Kyousuke.: Yeah I was talking steam/GOG pirate dlc wise. kinda OT, but must be nice to be sent for work in there: I tried to find a job there a few years ago, but ended up abandoning the idea due to family problems which restrained be for the time being.
Did you try Ys9? Is it good? I can't wait for that one since I go all crazy when I hear about transformations in games, so eh.
As for skipping ys8 on pc, I can't blame you: both the base price of the game, along the crashing issues stopped me from getting it on release day, barring the pre-order dlc which I've forver lost, after buying the gmae now :/
I never had luck with online jobs, not even with official looking ones like YouTube or Steam. I'm better in the real life works lol.
About Ys 9, it is like Memories of Celceta compared to Seven. Technically it is Ys 8, same flash guard and dodge mechanic and skills work the same way. Interactions and quests happen in a town much like Castaway Village and while things like that aren't required it is needed for the true ending and to unfold the story, raids to defend that "hub", etc. There is a party and you control one of the characters from that while being able to change anytime. He good against that, she good against this. Nothing new gameplay-wise.
The new gameplay element is the unique ability of the characters. One can reach places the others aren't by special jumping, running on walls or gliding, or can interact with objects that otherwise good for nothing. A little like how Dana is required to use essence mechanisms in the ruins mid Ys 8. That is for exploring only though. The fights are the same.
What bugs me a bit is the story. The locations are a bit lackluster and just like in the case of Tokyo Xanadu the places are all similar without unique settings. There is a lot of passive talking that not really build the story and feels more like a rushed content to extend the length or the lore but only with obvious facts you know without talking about it. Stupid example but imagine Dana start talking about using primordials for carrying things and doing so for 10 minutes. XD
Overall it isn't bad but falls behind the other Ys games. I was about 3/4 of the game when I started feeling the Ys vibe and I'm not sure if that was there till the end. A bit like Ys Seven's last segment when you fight the dragon gods and despite it is part of the lore you think deep inside "here again? just get over with it". Interestingly my friend is really into it despite how boring Ys 8 was for him, he's comparing the game to Devil May Cry. I'm really considering giving the disc to him in exchange for Ys 8. :)