Just do basic protocols:
1. Reinstall your DirectX.
2. Have Microsoft Visual Studio C++ from 2005, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015 up to 2019, install both x86 and x64 if possible.
3. Check your .NET Framework version as well.
4. Verify game installation
5. Try running in compatibility mode / administration privilege (if previous steps didn't work)
(Desperate). Try using previous_version in BETA tab

It is because of Fullscreen implementation. Therefore, it is recommended to play the game via Windowed/Borderless mode as the workaround for now.

If you couldn't access the game menu to change the settings, simply find "settings.ini" in game installation folder and change WindowMode to 0 (Windowed) or 2 (Borderless).

"It is impossible for a game like this to use 99% of my GTX 2080!"

Calm down, probably because you let Supersampling option to Ultra, which double/triples the number of pixels of your base resolution (i.e you're playing at 4K and Ultra SSAA buffs it to 8K), resulting heavy load on GPU.

Therefore, switch to Screen tab in Option and change Supersampling to High or Normal (Recommended). You will see night and day performance.

And if in-game visuals, character models look blurry to you at 4K resolution for example, having Supersampling at Normal should fix that as well. Or you can check "settings.ini" from game folder and make sure RenderRes = 1 it is.

However, redownloading any dlc might reseit the RenderRes value.

** Supersampling option in previous_version is called Render mode.

Issue is due to HD Texture pack. To solve it either you

1. Do not use HD texture pack
2. Download Paint.NET (free, no-virus, better than Win 10 sh*t called Paint 3D), go poking around in "Texpack" folder and use it to open p0000.DDS (for Adol) and p0020.DDS (for Laxia) to edit out the seam/weird line.
3. Or you can just delete both file if lazy (but you'll miss out on higher char textures and color modding)

Video demonstration by phurios:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qc1heKvzUlI&t=7s

When you have game running at very high framerate (80-100 fps+), if you use any fast-attack character (Laxia or Dana Light for example) and continuously attack boss normally for a while, then short pause, and unleash any skill or EXTRA afterward will deal massive stacking damages to the bosses, literally snap half or even more of their HP bars off, which ruins the fun and challenge of the game.

The only solution for now is to limit the framerate down to 60 locked using Vsync. If you have higher refresh rate screen then you should let your AMD/NVIDIA launcher forces 60 fps lock on the game instead

Check out my workaround here, basically I re-encoded the movie from 60 fps to 30 fps to reduce the load.
https://steamproxy.net/app/579180/discussions/0/1734340257883964449/

For those encountered weird artifacts with opening video, you can also try my workaround, or original 60 fps movies came from "previous_version" of the game that I included.

Game does support controllers including 3rd-party ones so you don't need Steam controller support on, just plug it in directly. However, if you're using wireless mode then you might need Steam on that, I'm not an expert at wireless issues so I couldn't discuss further.

Anyway, for direct connection, if you're having trouble with recognizing/recalibrating the buttons, try deleting "adjust.bin" in game folder, launch the game and try the controller again. .

Or you can try uninstalling the current controller device and plug it in again while in-game menu.

Or if you had other controllers plugged in, don't, just use one.

Credits to @Tassio Pinheiro Lima

Issue: Say for example you have one gamepad that is Xbox, and the other 3rd party generic gamepad such as Sega Saturn, then Ys VIII may recognize Sega Saturn and not Xbox.

Solution: You will need to remove 2nd device driver first which is Sega Saturn driver that makes Xbox the first priority and that Ys VIII will use, then you reinstall the Sega Saturn driver again.

1. Delete "adjust.bin" from the game folder to reset any possible wrong configuration of gamepad buttons first

2. Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers, which shows all connected devices.

3. Right-click on the "Sega Saturn" device icon and then "Remove device".

4. From the same Devices and Printers windows, Right-click on any area and select Device Manager
-> From the top menu bar select Action -> "Scan for hardware changes " -> You will automatically reinstall the driver of Sega Saturn

The Issue: Sometimes you can't attack using the mouse right and left buttons, may need to Alt+Tab back & forth to recognize.

Solution: This bug seems to occur when playing with resolution 1024x768 or lower, try raising the resolution higher than that.

I will state the issues remaining for both current version and previous_version in BETA tab, as few players might switch to previous_version and play instead.

Yes, but you need to start the game on Nightmare (or Inferno) and arm yourself with a guide to avoid missing any missables (at the risk of spoiler though), since it is a long game with 50+ hrs of playing (longer if you are wandering or taking things slow & chill)

Still if you don't want to rely on guide follow these rules:

- Always upgrade weapons to max when available, beware of Ricotta first weapon
- Collect everything - dishes, fishes & monsters listing (not counting material drop), gear items, materials & craftable.
- Rescue and complete every NPC sidequests + often dialogue check
- 100% all map, unlock every chests, examine everything
- Complete all raids & hunts (S rank as many as possible)
- Max village defense
- Practice Flash Guard + Flash Move often.
- Try to use every character often (for character achievements, around 5 hrs for each)

But most important of all

- Save into newer slot after every small progression often - boss fight, cutscene, etc.

Still if you want to enjoy the game normally without stresses, then 2 runs is best to 100% it all.
First playthrough should be Normal (or recommended Hard to be actual Normal difficulty, changable to your suit), then second playthrough should be NG+ with Nightmare and keep all your levels for faster progression.

True ending - Village reputation minimum 200 pts -> recommended to complete all NPC requests
Bad is hard to obtain unless you intentionally rush it out.
Normal depending on your choice at the end.

You cannot turn off the HUD completely, only able to choose a few to not showing

There is no manual camera zoom in/out. Whether it closes in or spans a bit out depending on your looking way up or way down. Also, lock-on is available.

And yes like every other TPS, it could be a mess when fighting in tight corner. Luckily most of the boss fight stages are open enough so it wouldn't be much of an issue. Another thing is that camera may change to special angles for specific bosses.

Most of them only give you slight advantage on early game. Nevertheless, most of them can be gathered via normal playthrough and with a little bit of grind, even in greater amount in NG+ with Infinity Mode

Thus, the only valuable item you should buy is Laxia's "Eternian Scholar" Costume. The rest depending on your support to the developers if you liked this game.

Yes, check out my KB-only guide using Autohotkey here
https://steamproxy.net/app/579180/discussions/0/1638668568130775791/

Yes, there are few mods for the game, most of them can be found on Nexus

High Quality Music
As the name implies

Ayuan's New game EX+ Party Mod
Allow you to play different Dana(s) in the main playthrough, but only use it when finishing the game. And it is recommened to use with trainer since stats might not be saved after an event.

Extra Time Attack Bosses by Massuya
A mod that adds 2 bosses for Dana to fight, with additional tweaks to HP.

Character outlook color mod
Basically poking around with HD texture pack and changing HUE colors with any image editing software. For more details check this thread by Sara
https://steamproxy.net/app/579180/discussions/0/2572068116214290143/

Exc...lusive... DLC....cos..tu......e.
No, we don't do that here as NISA don't allow sharing acts that condone piracy of DLC contents.

Note: Be warned that if the game ever received a new update, it is possible that this mod will stop working. As a result, saves already have those items activated and "saved" will be locked out, as game will detect you don't own those DLCs. Otherwise, saves that don't have those items activated and "saved" can be accessed and played as usual.

For example you can activate the swimsuits, equip and do whatever you want like taking photos and battles, then exit, that save slot is still safe, but if you activated and save over that same slot, it could get locked out if mod stop working.

In addition, NISA staffs might not be responsible for any issues related to using this mod, again you have been warned!