Please play Ys

[croptoptux]

Which game should I start with? > Does chronology matter? > no > Whatever you want.
Chronology matters > Lore order or Release order? > Release order! > Do you like 80's style retrogaming? > Yes, I like pain > Play Ys I & II: Ancient Ys Vanished.
No, I need something more modern. > BACK TO START.

I want to play in game lore order > Play Ys Origin.

I don't care about chronology, but I need more direction than "whatever you want". > is SNES era ok? > Yeah, sure > Play Ys V: Lost Kefin, Kingdom of Sand. (There's a patch for the SNES version, but not the PS1 version. You can beat this game in a weekend, maybe 10 hours.)

SNES era is not ok. I want a longer adventure. > Solo or Party? > Solo! > Play Ys Origin.

I want a solo adventure starring Adol Christin. Origin is 700 years BC (Before Christin) > In that case, the other Three Weapon system games are your best bet—Ys III: The Oath In Felghana or Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtam. You can clear these in 35 hours or less.
(note: Ys III: Wanderers from Ys is a prior version of Oath, and has less polish. Play Oath for Quality of Life.)

I want a party adventure! > Under 30 hours? > Yeah, short and sweet> Play Ys IV: Memories of Celceta or Ys Seven.
(note: Ys IV has two alternate versions which are not considered canon, Dawn of Ys and Mask of the Sun.)

I want a party adventure that lasts more than 30 hours. I need modern quality of life that justifies an 80 hour adventure. > Two's a plenty > Play Ys X: Nordics—
Actually, hold out for Proud Nordics if you can. It's supposed to be a Switch 2 launch title, and has an extra chapter that base version of Nordics does not contain.

Three's a party!!!> Play Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana or Ys IX: Monstrum Nox.

OP's personal recommendation between the two is Ys VIII for people who insist on modern QoL. It has the best "adventure" vibes.