Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout Reviews
As someone who’s long figured that the Atelier franchise just isn’t for me, Atelier Ryza comes as a huge surprise. It seemed like Gust had been resting on its laurals for so long, pumping out these feel-good low-stakes cute girl games year after year that just didn’t interest me. Ryza, though, shows that they’re willing to change things up and do something new.
Overall I came away from Atelier Ryza very impressed and I think longtime fans and newcomers will be very happy with this game. The change to a more real-time combat system is good choice to me as it made battles far more engaging. Likewise some of the changes to the alchemy system make it more approachable to series newcomers while still having depth for those who are into this franchise. The graphics are beautiful and the story was satisfying despite taking a bit to get going. A few things here and there can be improved but overall this is an excellent new entry in this long running JRPG series.
Atelier Ryza is a journey about making the best of the here and now, and it is beautiful to behold for it. I felt incredibly engaged every step of the way, wanting to see the game through. I hope that this is the beginning of an engrossing new trilogy.
Atelier Ryza is the best Atelier game to date, with some much-needed improvements that make for a more compelling package on the whole.
Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & The Secret Hideout not only does enough to differentiate itself from the most recent games of the series, but also puts it firmly as one of - if not the best - titles in the 22 years of the franchise, using all of its strongest points to deliver a memorable experience.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
All in all, Atelier Ryza is a welcome breath of fresh air for the series with its overhauling of core mechanics, as well as its visuals – which look better than ever. This is yet another excellent game in the series, and makes me feel like Gust is thinking of ways to refine the formula even more.
Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness and the Secret Hideout brings the Atelier series to a new trilogy and this time, the leap brings us towards a marvelous game that pushes the quality threshold to a higher level, thanks to its fantastic combat system, exquisite art style and soundtrack and an accessible gameplay that improves the experience for everyone.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout reinvents the wheel on a series that felt like it was beginning to grow stagnant. Fresh combat and an engaging new protagonist help this entry usher in a remarkable new era for the long-running Atelier series, and other improvements like great Switch performance and gorgeous music are just icing on the cake. I never thought that Atelier Sophie could be out-done, but Atelier Ryza has thoroughly made the case to be my new favorite game in the series.
With so many JRPGs remaining stagnant or trying to appeal to the masses, Atelier Ryza stands tall amongst its peers as a truly amazing experience.
So between the new format in order to tell the story, the new alchemy system that lets you learn or modify things on your own terms instead of always needing to follow a recipe and the new battle system that goes much faster, Atelier Ryza: Eternal Darkness & The Secret Hideout is not only the best that Gust have ever given us, but it's an example of what JRPGs should be aspiring to be. These well balanced systems and a wonderfully written story mesh so we'll together that it's almost impossible to put down.
I didn't think it would be possible, but Gust really has managed to craft three completely different Atelier games through 2018 - one for the traditionalists, one pushing new ground, and one purely for the fans - and all three have, in their own way, been of the astoundingly high quality and spirit that has made Atelier my favourite JRPG franchise for quite a few years now.
If you can look past its obvious pacing issues – and some of its more gratuitous character designs – Atelier Ryza is a solid slice of JRPG comfort food that goes down easy and might just leave you asking for more. If you’re part of that in-group – and you likely know if you are – you’re in for a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
When all is said and done, Atelier Ryza offers a magical, slow-paced, feast for the eyes that isn’t lacking in heart.