Ys V: Lost Kefin, Kingdom of Sand—originally released exclusively in Japan for the PlayStation 2 by Taito and Arc System Works in 2006—has long been a sought-after treasure among action-RPG enthusiasts.
This remake of Nihon Falcom’s Super Famicom classic brought updated visuals, an overhauled combat system, and a reimagined story, once again following protagonist Adol Christian in his quest to uncover the secrets of the vanished desert city of Kefin.
Until now, however, the PS2 version remained inaccessible to non-Japanese speakers, with no official or unofficial localization available. That barrier has just been lowered, thanks to a dedicated group of fan translators who have released an early beta (v0.1) of an English patch, making the entirety of Ys V: Lost Kefin, Kingdom of Sand playable from start to finish in English for the first time.
This significant milestone in the localization effort was first highlighted by VideoGameEsoterica and further detailed on the project’s GitHub page. Project lead KaisaanSiddiqui—known in the fan translation community for previous work on titles such as Telenet Japan’s Digital Devil Monogatari: Megami Tensei for MSX—has assembled a team of passionate collaborators for the Ys V translation.
Josep (also known as Bluesky) is steering the translation effort, supported by contributors Etokapa, Seiichiro Mine, Livi, Sabera, and Fishbone.
While the project initially drew inspiration from Sam Farron's earlier translation work on the game, much of the new script is original to this initiative. According to KaisaanSiddiqui, the early beta patch, released two weeks ago, is considered stable, allowing players to experience the main story and gameplay without any significant technical issues.
Looking ahead, the team aims to further improve the release by addressing bug reports, translating the game’s manual, incorporating empty chest messages, and developing detailed maps and a comprehensive guide.
Progress and updates on these enhancements are being communicated via GitHub and Twitter/X, with a dedicated Discord community open to those interested in contributing or following the project’s evolution. While the original Ys V for Super Famicom received a celebrated fan translation from Aeon Genesis in 2013, the PS2 remake had remained unlocalized until now.
This new translation patch not only broadens accessibility for English-speaking fans but also marks a momentous achievement for the preservation and appreciation of Japanese-exclusive RPGs.
The effort by KaisaanSiddiqui and the team highlights the continued dedication of the global fan translation community. Players eager to experience Ys V: Lost Kefin, Kingdom of Sand in English can find the beta patch available for download through the project’s official GitHub repository.
This effort underscores the innovative spirit within the gaming community to make landmark titles like Ys V accessible to new audiences across the globe.
This remake of Nihon Falcom’s Super Famicom classic brought updated visuals, an overhauled combat system, and a reimagined story, once again following protagonist Adol Christian in his quest to uncover the secrets of the vanished desert city of Kefin.
Until now, however, the PS2 version remained inaccessible to non-Japanese speakers, with no official or unofficial localization available. That barrier has just been lowered, thanks to a dedicated group of fan translators who have released an early beta (v0.1) of an English patch, making the entirety of Ys V: Lost Kefin, Kingdom of Sand playable from start to finish in English for the first time.
This significant milestone in the localization effort was first highlighted by VideoGameEsoterica and further detailed on the project’s GitHub page. Project lead KaisaanSiddiqui—known in the fan translation community for previous work on titles such as Telenet Japan’s Digital Devil Monogatari: Megami Tensei for MSX—has assembled a team of passionate collaborators for the Ys V translation.
Josep (also known as Bluesky) is steering the translation effort, supported by contributors Etokapa, Seiichiro Mine, Livi, Sabera, and Fishbone.
While the project initially drew inspiration from Sam Farron's earlier translation work on the game, much of the new script is original to this initiative. According to KaisaanSiddiqui, the early beta patch, released two weeks ago, is considered stable, allowing players to experience the main story and gameplay without any significant technical issues.
Looking ahead, the team aims to further improve the release by addressing bug reports, translating the game’s manual, incorporating empty chest messages, and developing detailed maps and a comprehensive guide.
Progress and updates on these enhancements are being communicated via GitHub and Twitter/X, with a dedicated Discord community open to those interested in contributing or following the project’s evolution. While the original Ys V for Super Famicom received a celebrated fan translation from Aeon Genesis in 2013, the PS2 remake had remained unlocalized until now.
This new translation patch not only broadens accessibility for English-speaking fans but also marks a momentous achievement for the preservation and appreciation of Japanese-exclusive RPGs.
The effort by KaisaanSiddiqui and the team highlights the continued dedication of the global fan translation community. Players eager to experience Ys V: Lost Kefin, Kingdom of Sand in English can find the beta patch available for download through the project’s official GitHub repository.
This effort underscores the innovative spirit within the gaming community to make landmark titles like Ys V accessible to new audiences across the globe.
