Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy recently released and it's already got tons of positive reviews pouring in. Gamers across multiple consoles are getting in on this exciting RPG that is a part of a long-running series fans have been enjoying for years.
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Games in the Atelier series have been released since 1997 making it quite the storied franchise. Still, not all of the games are made alike. Some stand out over the others and are worth checking out first for gaming fans interested in seeing what the series has to offer.
10 Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana - 74
When Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana was released on the Playstation 2 it had a phenomenal look compared to other games on the console. Exploring the hand-drawn 2D world as Krein Kiesling was an absolute delight for players. One of the major criticisms for the game was that it hadn't added much new compared to previous titles in the series, which is why it didn't quite reach as high levels of success compared to its successors.
9 Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist Of The Mysterious Book - 75
How many adventures get started by a mysterious book? Kirchen Bell meets a book called Plachta and embarks on a marvelous alchemical adventure. The game a bit rough around the edges and also received criticism for not adding more to the JRPG formula and mechanics from previous Atelier games. Still, it was one of the better RPGs released in 2015, and many players enjoyed it immensely.
8 Atelier Ayesha Plus: The Alchemist Of Dusk - 76
While its release on other consoles was popular, the PlayStation Vita release of this title received even more glowing praise from critics. Atelier Ayesha Plus: The Alchemist of Dusk was a strong title on a console that desperately needed them and it quickly garnered fans. It even had a novel made following the game's story.
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It had all of the downloadable content the PlayStation 3 version had to offer but it all came standard with the game. It also had brand new features which made it so those who played the previous releases flocked to give it another play. Overall, it was a big hit for the franchise.
7 Atelier Shallie Plus: Alchemists Of The Dusk Sea - 78
Another PlayStation Vita upgrade, Atelier Shallie Plus: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea added entirely new branching options for endings to the game which made fans eager to pick it up to play. Whether on the Vita or the PlayStation 3, the adventures of Shallistera and Shallotte took the Atelier formula and did it right.
6 Atelier Lulua: The Scion Of Arland - 79
It took years after Atelier Rorona: The Alchemist of Arland released for the 4th installment of the Arland series to release. The Scion of Arland was well worth the wait with critics praising the game for having dozens of hours of enjoyable gameplay. With JRPG combat and a stellar crafting system, it kept players engaged for a long time.
5 Atelier Escha & Logy: Alchemists Of The Dusk Sky - 79
Players can choose to follow the story of either Escha or Logy gave players the opportunity to experience the game through two separate lenses. While Escha's story was light and fluffy, Logy's story took a far darker approach. Critics praised it for having an improved combat system for the series but some still claimed it still was too basic in its progression compared to other modern RPGs.
4 Atelier Totori Plus: The Adventurer Of Arland - 79
Visiting the small fishing village of Alanya to go on an adventure with Totori was a charming experience when originally released and was enhanced even fourth when the game came to the PlayStation Vita. The game was adorable central bringing on the cute factor beyond what most Atelier titles had offered previously.
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One of the coolest parts of the game was how player decisions affected the final outcome of the game. Many critics and fans alike said the game was a great entry point into the series which may have contributed to its popularity significantly.
3 Atelier Rorona Plus: The Alchemist Of Arland - 80
Atelier Rorona Plus: The Alchemist of Arland follows the story of Rorolina Frixell who is by far one of the most beloved characters in the franchise. While the game was criticized for an overly long tutorial and annoying timer-based mechanics, its strong story, graphics, voice acting won over many fans.
2 Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & The Secret Hideout - 84
Following the teenage tomboy, Ryza on her adventures was an utter delight. Fans well adored her, so much that some wanted to see her in Super Smash Bros. Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout was an immersive and beautiful experience that many players considered the best game the franchise had to offer at the time. It offered many new features to the franchise that fans eagerly welcomed to the game.
1 Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & The Secret Fairy - 85
The newest game in the franchise being the highest-rated must mean good things in Atelier's future. Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy builds off the previous game in the Ryza series and is already being adored by fans and critics alike. It was designed to be enjoyable for all regional audiences and it looks like Gust succeeded in spades.
Ryza is the first character to head the franchise in two successive releases and it's impressive just how Gust was able to release another entry in the franchise in under two years' time from Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout. They produced a phenomenal game that will leave fans and critics alike excited for the franchise's future.