Games Happy

With Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Recollections & the Envisioned Land  having lastly launched worldwide as the latest mainline entry within the sequence, the latest reputation of the Ryza video games, and Gust bringing so many Atelier video games to fashionable platforms, there has by no means been a greater time to get into this wonderful RPG franchise. In case you’re a newcomer questioning what one of the best entry level is, whether or not to play the Atelier video games in launch order, what the deal is with the direct sequels, remakes, and extra, I purpose that will help you discover one of the best recreation so that you can get as your gateway into the sequence relying in your most well-liked platform. 

It may be overwhelming for an outsider trying into this sequence with so many video games in recent times. This newbie’s information to the Atelier sequence in 2025 will cowl what that you must know in regards to the video games on fashionable platforms, a number of entry level choices, and extra.

What makes the Atelier sequence of video games price taking part in?

Gust’s Atelier video games are fairly totally different when in comparison with the numerous different JRPGs on the market. As a substitute of a heavy narrative or fight focus, the Atelier video games are about synthesis, slice of life moments, exploration, interactions, and extra. Crafting is clearly an enormous a part of the sequence, however what drew me to Atelier after I dipped my toes in with Atelier Escha & Logy on PS Vita (as you may see within the picture above), was how enjoyable they have been to play, the beautiful artwork, and stylish music.

Again once I received into the sequence, it was a PlayStation-centric franchise with PS3 video games and PS Vita ports. When the PS4 debuted, we noticed Atelier Sophie, a incredible entry level again then, hit PS3, PS4, and PS Vita in Japan earlier than I performed it on PS4 and PS Vita. Since then, the sequence grew to getting PC releases, Nintendo Change ports, and has turn into a worldwide multi-platform franchise now with the latest recreation lastly seeing the debut of Atelier on Xbox.

In case you’ve been studying our interviews with Gust through the years, you know the way we have been asking about Xbox ports for a few years so it was nice to lastly see that occur with an entry that’s impressed by Halo.

What’s the take care of the Atelier trilogies?

In case you’re a newcomer or received into Atelier with Ryza, you must know that the Atelier video games normally function inside a trilogy framework in a approach. This permits for a recent begin each few years that sees Gust construct on the bottom for a couple of video games earlier than transferring onto a very totally different setting. We had some exceptions that I’ll cowl beneath with Atelier Lulua and Atelier Sophie 2, however Gust normally works with an Atelier subseries 3 video games at a time. When trying on the sequence on fashionable platforms, the complete trilogies accessible are: Arland, Nightfall, Mysterious, and Secret. Often beginning with the primary recreation in every of those is a good suggestion, however there are a couple of recreation mechanics to remember. Earlier than that, let’s cowl the video games (present variations) included in these and what platforms they’re accessible on:

The Atelier Arland Trilogy

• Atelier Rorona: The Alchemist of Arland – PS4, Change, PC as a DX variations
• Atelier Totori: The Adventurer of Arland – PS4, Change, PC as a DX variations
• Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland – PS4, Change, PC as a DX variations
• Bonus fourth recreation: Atelier Lulua: The Scion of Arland – PS4, Change, PC

The Atelier Nightfall Trilogy

• Atelier Ayesha: The Alchemist of Nightfall – PS4, Change, PC as a DX variations
• Atelier Escha & Logy: Alchemists of the Nightfall Sky – PS4, Change, PC as a DX variations
• Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Nightfall Sea – PS4, Change, PC as a DX variations

The Atelier Mysterious Trilogy

• Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious E-book – PS4, Change, PC as a DX variations
• Atelier Firis: The Alchemist and the Mysterious Journey – PS4, Change, PC as a DX variations
• Atelier Lydie & Suelle: The Alchemists and the Mysterious Work – PS4, Change, PC as a DX variations
• Bonus sequel to Sophie: Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream – PS4, Change, PC

The Atelier Secret Trilogy

• Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout – PS4, Change, PC
• Atelier Ryza 2: Misplaced Legends & the Secret Fairy – PS5, PS4, Change, PC
• Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the Finish & the Secret Key – PS5, PS4, Change, PC

Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Recollections & the Envisioned Land – PS5, Xbox Collection X|S, PS4, Xbox One, Change, PC

Atelier Marie: The Alchemist of Salburg – PS5, PS4, Change, PC as a remake.

Observe: A whole lot of the older titles are additionally on PS3, PS Vita and some video games noticed DX variations exchange the originals on PS4, PC, and Change. The Arland and Mysterious trilogies additionally had newer video games added like Lulua within the case of the previous because the fourth a part of that subseries and Sophie 2 takes place in between Sophie and Firis. 

What’s the distinction between Atelier video games and the DX variations?

The DX variations have been a approach for Gust to incorporate a lot of the authentic recreation’s DLC, some high quality of life options, some bonus content material, and extra to carry older titles to fashionable platforms together with PC. Whereas a few of them had a couple of points at launch, the present variations are one of the best and most accessible variations of those classics. Don’t hassle with the previous variations until you already personal them and would somewhat play one thing you personal versus spending extra money on a franchise you are not positive about absolutely but.

What’s the greatest entry level into the Atelier sequence of video games?

The quick reply to that is both Yumia, Ryza, or Sophie DX as all of them have much less traumatic mechanics, have simplified synthesis, or extra accessibility choices within the case of Ryza and Yumia. The lengthy reply is a bit concerned: 

Earlier than stepping into one of the best entry level per platform, I need to clarify my reasoning for the video games chosen. Having performed each recreation on each platform to check out the ports as effectively, I’ve taken technical points additionally into consideration right here. If you wish to begin on the absolute starting, Atelier Marie Remake is accessible on PlayStation, PC, and Nintendo Change. In case you are brand-new to the sequence, I like to recommend the newer entry factors (Ryza and Yumia), however the basic ones may be extra interesting if you happen to’re after much less of an exploration focus. 

Which is one of the best Atelier recreation to begin with on Nintendo Change?

On Nintendo Change, the 2 greatest choices are Atelier Ryza and Atelier Sophie DX. Atelier Sophie DX is an effective center floor between the older and newer video games. Whereas Atelier Yumia can be an possibility, I’ve not included it right here as a result of it is not an excellent expertise on Change. Whereas Atelier Lydie & Suelle was the primary recreation within the sequence to hit Change, I do not advocate beginning with it as a result of there are significantly better entry factors providing greater high quality experiences proper now.

Which is one of the best Atelier recreation to begin with on Steam and PC?

On Steam, there are a number of nice choices however one of the best of the lot are Atelier Ryza, Atelier Yumia, and Atelier Sophie DX. Go together with any of these.

Which is one of the best Atelier recreation to begin with on PS5?

On PS5, Atelier Yumia or any of the PS4 video games beneath through backward compatibility are nice entry factors into the Atelier video games.

Observe: In case you do plan on taking part in the complete sequence on PS5, there’s one factor to remember in regards to the PS4 and PS5 variations. Atelier Ryza 2’s PS5 improve is kind of missing and I do not advocate it with how unstable the body fee is. Fortunately Atelier Ryza 3 and Yumia are wonderful on PS5. 

Which is one of the best Atelier recreation to begin with on Xbox?

On Xbox Collection X|S and Xbox One, you solely have one possibility proper now: Atelier Yumia. It helps that Atelier Yumia is a incredible entry level. I hope this results in extra Atelier video games coming to Xbox starting with the Ryza video games.

Which is one of the best Atelier recreation to begin with on PS4?

On PS4, Atelier Ryza or Atelier Sophie DX are nice choices. Atelier Sophie DX is an effective center floor between the older and newer video games.

Which is one of the best Atelier recreation to begin with on PS Vita?

This is not actually a contemporary platform, and whereas I do not advocate taking part in any of the Atelier video games on it if in case you have entry to a extra fashionable platform, that is how I received into the sequence and I simply needed to make a remark of how Atelier Escha & Logy being the second recreation within the Nightfall trilogy was nonetheless a adequate entry level for me. With out it, I’d not have performed almost 20 video games throughout a number of platforms and variations through the years. Atelier Escha & Logy additionally has a really lenient time restrict in comparison with those with a extra strict restrict. I additionally need to stress that the Atelier video games all have technical points on Vita in comparison with how they play on newer {hardware}. Even the Nightfall video games that I beloved again then should not actually nice experiences with how effectively they play on newer techniques. 

One of the best older entry level in Atelier video games

In case you already personal a few of the older video games or would somewhat pattern the sequence earlier than it turned so standard, you’ve got a couple of choices: Atelier Rorona DX,Atelier Ayesha DX, or Atelier Escha & Logy DX.

The worst entry factors into the Atelier video games

Whereas these aren’t horrible video games on paper, Nelke, Atelier Lulua, and Atelier Firis should not nice entry factors. Atelier Lulua depends on prior information of the Arland trilogy and is not actually one of the best exhibiting for the sequence typically. Nelke is just not a great showcase of the sequence since its gameplay focus is on the town constructing and it’s extra of a fanservice expertise constructed for individuals who have performed all the opposite video games. Atelier Firis stays my least favourite recreation within the sequence and I might have doubtless by no means performed extra Atelier video games if this was the primary style I had of it. It looks like a mishmash of various concepts that are not absolutely developed with technical points. 

What order must you play the Atelier video games? 

The best approach is to start with the primary recreation in a subseries or a trilogy and transfer ahead. If the vibe of the Arland or Secret sequence appeals to you, begin with Atelier Rorona DX or Atelier Ryza. Whereas you can begin with Ryza 2 and even Sophie 2 because of how the sport handles backstory or introduces characters, they don’t seem to be the best entry factors. I’ve gotten a pal into the sequence via Sophie 2 who went on to play 6 different video games since. 

In case you begin with Atelier Rorona, I like to recommend going to Totori after which Meruru. You will get to Lulua after ending all three. The Nightfall trilogy you can begin with both Ayesha or Escha & Logy, however I do not advocate beginning with Shallie if you happen to care about how an overarching narrative performs out and need all of the context doable. 

Wanting on the Mysterious trilogy is less complicated. I really simply advocate taking part in Sophie after which Sophie 2. Firis and Lydie & Suelle are my least favourite video games within the sequence by far whereas Sophie 2 is in my prime 3 Atelier video games proper now.  

The Ryza trilogy is by far essentially the most accessible and best to get into with no cut-off dates and usually having essentially the most approachable alchemy, fight, and greatest visuals till Yumia. Koei Tecmo has additionally gone again and patched all three video games a couple of instances since launch making them very polished experiences even on transportable PC handhelds and the primary two video games are wonderful on Nintendo Change. Ryza 3 is the place the Change is not a great expertise.

As for Atelier Yumia, I lined the console variations right here and the PC port right here. I’d say the PC model on fashionable {hardware} and the PS5 model are by far one of the best experiences. I ended up liking it most on PS5 with how polished it was and due to the DualSense options added. This one has a demo so I like to recommend making an attempt it out to see how you discover the efficiency (when you attain the open world) on the platform you’re contemplating shopping for it on.

The way forward for the Atelier video games

We doubtless will get one other Yumia recreation, however I hope Koei Tecmo and Gust additionally work on bringing prior video games to Xbox consoles and remaking a few of the different video games not accessible on fashionable platforms. Like I mentioned to start with of this text, it has by no means been a greater time to get into the superb Atelier sequence of video games with so many choices on fashionable platforms and extra to return sooner or later.