The Atelier series has been around for years, but it seems to reach a larger audience with Atelier Ryza. It’s a pretty heavy JRPG with Extremely Anime character designs, and its sequel, Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & The Secret Fairy, is now available.
I tried Ryza 1 last year, and it works really hard – and charmingly with it. The game was in a small town and spent a lot of time building up its core gang of friends. It’s also anime as heck though, and I drifted away from it pretty quickly. Bigger JRPG fans than I enjoyed it a lot, as in Steven Wright’s review for us:
Overall, I do not think Atelier Ryza is the kind of game that is going to change a lot of minds. Although it eventually surprised me, I would argue that I am the main audience for it: a lifelong JRPG fan who enjoys playing in games with light sim mechanics. If you can look past the obvious tempo issues – and some more unacceptable character designs – Atelier Ryza is a solid part of JRPG comfort food that easily declines and you might just ask for more. If you’re part of the group – and you’ll probably know if you are – it’s a pleasant experience for you.
Ryza 2 continues the story three years after the events of the first game, “and depicts the reunion of Ryza and her friends.” There are turn fights, exploration with grip hook, interior decoration of workshops and impractical asymmetrical costume designs. I’m going to have Ed review it.
Atelier Ryza 2 is now available on Steam, where it costs £ 50 / € 60 / $ 60.