Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy Reviews
Gust's experiment with giving a beloved character a direct sequel has paid off. Anyone who enjoyed the first Atelier Ryza - and many place it right at the top of their series favourites for a reason - will love the subtle improvements that Gust has brought on board, without messing with the qualities that made the original so enjoyable. It has also been nice to play an Atelier that isn't also a coming of age story, and while Ryza isn't my favourite character in the series, the two-game arc that Gust has given her has given us one of the finest female heroes across all JRPGs. Atelier is really pushing into the upper echelons of JRPGs now, and I'm quite confident that the next game in the series will continue to build on the brilliant achievement of Ryza and its sequel (can we go back to more traditional Atelier protagonists with the next one though, please, Gust?).
Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy manages to present improvements in all aspects in relation to the previous game, consolidating itself as one of the highlights of the series. While the previous game had the difficult task of presenting a world of new possibilities, Ryza 2 was also in the complicated position of reinforcing the qualities of its predecessor - the game achieved that goal perfectly. For those who are curious, but have not yet played the predecessor, I recommend checking both in chronological order for a better experience.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy is just a great game from start to finish. The characters are amazing, the world is very intriguing, and gameplay is just fantastic. I’ve played a lot of games in this series over the years, and this one is certainly one of my favorites. Gust has done something a lot of folks fail at. They took a very well-received title and made a sequel that is even better. It will take you right round 35 to 40 hours to complete the story here, and it’s worth every penny of the $59.99 retail price. I can’t wait to see where Ryza and her crew go from here!
Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy is a great JRPG and an excellent sequel to one of the most loved and entertaining titles of this generation. Its exploration and combat work well and further elevate a well-constructed narrative that should appeal to fans of the previous title.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Atelier Ryza 2 is not far from the previous titles and carries several traces of evolutions introduced during the franchise. Even so, the new adventure offers an extensive journey full of refinements, while still bringing the depth that the series has built in its more than 25 years of existence. In the end, Atelier Ryza 2 outperforms its predecessor and introduces new features without losing the essence of the series.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy is a significant shift for the series, being the first-ever direct sequel with a returning protagonist in all of Atelier. While this isn't a perfect entry point for newcomers, Atelier Ryza 2 builds on every aspect of the previous game flawlessly. Even with some minor hiccups, the immersive exploration systems and addictive combat are top-notch. The gorgeous visuals and comfy music are just as much of a delight, but the best piece of the puzzle is the relatable narrative about growth and friendship that I won't soon forget. A highlight of the Atelier series, and an absolute must-play.
It’s time for some alchemical romance once again as Atelier Ryza 2 builds on the positive elements of its predecessor while also addressing previous issues. A skill tree helps make crafting more intuitive while improved map design and new field actions make exploration seem like an actual adventure. Combat is also more enjoyable thanks to even more opportunities to chain actions. Side quests can be fetchy and the game still has its share of chores that feel like busywork. Overall, though, Atelier Ryza 2 is an improved and polished follow-up that’s even better than the original.
Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy channels some of the best attributes of JRPGs without falling victim to its worst tropes.
Atelier Ryza 2 expands upon the first games formula in some smart ways, and improves upon nearly every aspect of its design.
Atelier Ryza 2 is an excellent entry in an item-crafting focused JRPG series. It improves on its predecessor via quality-of-life improvements, more in-depth character interactions and a sprawling story. Plus, it's absolutely adorable!
It’s a solid game all around, albeit a little overwhelming at first. If you’re into fetch quest heavy games (Fallout, The Witcher, State of Decay) then this is well worth diving into; even if you’re not a filthy weaboo like me.
Ryza’s new onfield actions, the improved battle mechanics, and the deeper alchemy systems also impress in this quality sequel. Minor annoyances tied to the map layout and the more complex features attached to the alchemy system hamper the game’s overall experience a bit. But all in all, Ryza’s return is a lighthearted pleasure that is entertaining from start to finish.
Atelier Ryza 2 improves on the original in almost every way and, despite a few stumbling points, proves Gust is still one of the best at making something magical out of ordinary things.
Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy is easily the best game in the series yet with a compelling story and refined gameplay to boast.
Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy takes everything good about the first entry and expands on it tenfold. There's a significant focus on exploration in this entry that makes it feel like a real adventure with limited backtracking and more emphasis and discovery. The battle system is amazing and fluid, if only lacking inaccessibility for its more nuanced systems, and the narrative features relatable moments of reuniting with friends for one more adventure.
Overall, Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy delivers an exciting adventure JRPG game full of more action and adventure than the previous game. It brings back a majority of the original gameplay, making it accessible for newcomers and longtime fans of the game. In addition to bringing back a lot of the original gameplay, Atelier Ryza 2 also introduces new features that open up more movements and actions in the game that adds to the adventure. I thoroughly enjoyed this game so much and could play it for hours on end. And for $59.99, it’s reasonably priced for the quality of the game you get.
The once cheery group faces their personal challenges of growth in this latest chapter; a confronting spectacle that touches on a personal level for many and will undoubtedly tug on some heart-strings. Atelier Ryza 2 is essential gaming in 2021.
I really enjoyed Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy. It felt more of a solid adventure story than some other Atelier games but kept the strong focus on the characters and it had plenty of scenes to get to know them. The gameplay is one of the best I’ve experienced in a JRPG too, through the various traversal options, a wide variety of systems, and genuinely fun battles.
Atelier Ryza 2 is an excellent JRPG that marks a step forward for the series. While being a major improvement from the previous game, it introduces new features and elements that make it a more enjoyable experience. This is a must play for fans of the series and for JRPG fans who want to try something new. The wholesome journey of Atelier Ryza 2 impresses greatly!
To those of you who are familiar with the first title of the series, we suggest increasing the difficulty to hard mode.
Review in Greek | Read full review