When it comes to chill, serene JRPG experiences, there isn’t anything quite like the long-running Atelier series. Releasing a new game every year since 2001, the massive franchise consists of numerous standalone stories of adorable alchemist girls exploring the world, making new friends, and crafting to their heart’s content. The games have been following a pretty consistent formula and pattern since their 3D debut back on the PlayStation 3, but last year saw the series move in a bold new direction with Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & The Secret Hideout. Featuring inventive new combat, a unique new protagonist, and a gorgeous new art style, the game went on to become the best-selling title in the entire franchise. Now, fans will be able to continue that journey in the newly announced sequel Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy.
Yesterday, Nintendo held it’s first-ever Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase, sharing a handful of new announcements from third-party developers and publishers. The English stream included exciting news about a Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD remaster and the long-awaited Shin Megami Tensei V. It was only in the Japanese stream, though, that viewers were treated to an announcement trailer for Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy. The trailer shows our familiar and adorable protagonist rocking a slightly older look as she continues her alchemic adventures. We even see some exciting new gameplay mechanics like rideable animal mounts, grappling hooks to let you explore vertically, and even underwater exploration.
Despite the game only being announced in the Japanese stream, western fans need not worry. Days before this announcement trailer was shared, an English ratings listing for Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy teaser website was leaked online. Sure enough, Koei Tecmo of America has shared a tweet confirming the game is coming overseas, and even opened a set to reveal new info when the countdown ends on July 29th.
A direct sequel like this is pretty unheard of for the Atelier franchise. Direct sequels only happened once in the 2D era, and have never happened before in the 3D era of the games. Typically, Atelier games release in thematic trilogies that feature new protagonists and new stories that are only loosely connected. It makes sense why Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy would happen, though. Considering the first game shipped over 420,000 copies and became the best selling title in the series, Koei Tecmo and developer Gust are wise to strike while the Ryza iron is hot.
Koei Tecmo America describes the first game’s story as follows:
Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout begins an all-new storyline arc in GUST Studios’ fan-favorite Atelier series. The beautiful role-playing game follows the exploits of teenage tomboy Ryza, who dreams of escaping her mundane village lifestyle, alongside her band of mischievous friends. One day, as they explore a forbidden island in search of adventure, they meet an elderly magician who will change their lives forever. After some convincing, the old man begins teaching Ryza the enchanting ways of alchemy; launching her on an adventure that will ultimately lead her on a quest to save her hometown from the mysterious and deadly darkness lurking beneath the surface.
If you can’t wait for Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy and want to dip into the series right now, you’ve got plenty of options. The first game, Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout, is currently available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PC. You can also dive deeper into the series with the Atelier Dusk Trilogy Deluxe Pack on Nintendo Switch, PC, or PlayStation 4, which packs together Atelier Ayesha: The Alchemist of Dusk, Atelier Escha & Logy: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky, and Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea.
Source: Nintendolife
