The events of Ys Origin take place 700 years before those depicted in Ys: The Vanished Omens, it is the first game in the timeline of Ys , and a prequel to the entire series. This new story introduces a different main protagonist, one that sets the stage for the rest of the series.
The game features three playable characters: Yunica Tovah, Hugo Fact, and a mysterious person known as The Claw. Each character has their own unique abilities and motivations, and they venture to the sinister Darm Tower. The gameplay styles vary between the three characters, with Yunica specializing in melee combat, Hugo using magic, and The Claw exceling at close combat.
The game is set entirely within the Darm Tower, eliminating the need for an overworld. This fast-paced action RPG features similar gameplay to Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim and Ys: The Oath in Felghana. As the story progresses, characters can acquire new skills that can be combined to enhance battle strategy.