Of all of the Atelier video games I’ve performed and reviewed, the three that comprise the Ryza collection are simply my favorites. I suppose I’m extra of a fighter (of the turn-based faculty) than an alchemist, and I discovered their stability of fight, crafting, and exploration to be extra in keeping with my tastes. It’s due to this fact fairly straightforward for me to advocate the Atelier Ryza Secret Trilogy Deluxe Version releases. Earlier than I get to that, although, I ought to tackle the colossus golem within the room.
It could be too early for the GOAT’s return.
It’s frequent for KOEI TECMO to remaster or remake video games within the Atelier collection for rerelease on present programs, however the Ryza video games aren’t precisely previous. All three had been initially launched on the Swap between 2019 and 2023. Right here they’re once more with the customary enhancements and new content material, however at full worth. Even when you bought, say, Atelier Ryza 3 and all of its DLC a mere two years in the past, you get no improve path to this new launch. You don’t even get to hold over your earlier recreation saves.
Is that honest? Properly, positive it’s. It’s unlucky, nevertheless it’s the way in which the leisure business works. I just lately purchased the TRON 4K steelcase launch, and do you assume Disney gave me a reduction for having already bought it on VHS, DVD, and Blu-ray? Did Queen give me a reduction on their 5.1 DTS launch of “A Evening on the Opera” although I’d already bought the album on LP, cassette, CD, and CD remaster?
I level this out just because I’m not factoring the shortage of improve pricing into my assessment. What I’m is the standard of the fabric provided for $90, and it’s fairly spectacular.
First, all three video games have obtained a glow-up. That is extra noticeable on the Swap 2 than with the Swap model, and with 2019’s Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout than with 2023’s Alchemist of the Finish & the Secret Key.
The visuals had been already colourful and properly detailed, however they now include extra fashionable touches and a better consistency throughout all three video games. The video games additionally supply graphic choices you may modify to your liking. I had every little thing jacked up on my Swap 2 and acquired no interference from efficiency points; the one occasions issues behaved oddly had been when the digicam had hassle determining the place to position itself.
Second, there’s loads of new content material to work by means of. Along with the entire free and paid DLC of the unique releases, all three video games get new ranges and even new characters to play. That is enjoyable, however among the new content material is simply fluff. The brand new degree with Bos and Kilo in Ever Darkness and Secret Hideout, for instance, is over in a short time and presents no actual problem. It’s extra about character growth than anything. A few of that is labored properly into the primary video games, whereas others are merely tacked onto the top.
The DX releases additionally comprise periphery options similar to quite a few costumes for the primary characters and the sport’s picture mode. There’s a customized fight mode in which you’ll arrange battles for lineup methods and abilities apply. Numerous UI enhancements have been made. Basket capability for materials gathering has been elevated (which means you may keep on the sector and in dungeons longer earlier than having to return to your atelier to empty it). You’ll be able to take earlier NPCs into fight.
In Atelier Ryza 2, Fi truly turns into helpful!
After all, none of this could matter if the video games weren’t price taking part in, however they completely are. You’ll be able to try our evaluations of the unique Swap releases for the small print…
…however the gist is that Reisalin Stout and her evolving circle of associates go on initially breezy summer time adventures that contain plenty of character development, talent growth, and fight. The worlds are enjoyable to discover, particularly as they open up with underwater exploration and fewer restrictions within the later video games. As you attain new areas and battle new monsters, you’ll purchase supplies that have to be mixed alchemically to create newer, higher gadgets to be used in fight, to finish a loopy variety of quests, and to achieve unexplored areas.
All three video games are pushed by low-stakes tales (you gained’t be going into outer house to battle God, right here) which might be nonetheless very compelling, largely because of the characters themselves. Everyone seems to be likeable and individually vital, and so they’re all enjoyable to make use of in fight. Mixing and matching their skillsets is enjoyable and rewarding. It’s additionally crucial, because the fight system actually depends on the co-op instructions they subject one another.
The battles are constructed on an lively, turn-based system that flows as you wait your flip. When you meet sure aims, the characters you aren’t controlling could make requests similar to asking you to make use of a magic assault or to cut back the enemy’s stats. When you accomplish that, the character who made the request will get a robust bonus assault.
The system is far more advanced than that (merchandise use, AP build-up, stuns, core merchandise administration, character swapping, combo chains), and it varies considerably throughout the three video games. There’s an excessive amount of to element right here, so, once more, see the unique evaluations linked above. I’ll say that after digging again into all three video games, I nonetheless really feel fight peaked in Ryza 2; Ryza didn’t afford sufficient management, whereas Ryza 3 made issues a bit too convoluted.
All three entries are very lengthy, and so they’re longer now with the entire new content material. $90 could seem to be loads, however you’re getting a whole bunch of hours of gameplay right here. Every recreation can also be out there individually for $40. That’s good for individuals who could have missed one and don’t need to double-dip into the others. What’s not good is that there’s no bodily launch of this assortment within the U.S. The trilogy begs for a bodily commemorative package deal, so I really feel like KOEI TECMO ought to’ve brewed up one thing right here.
Regardless, when you’re a JRPG fan who has by no means performed a Ryza recreation (or by no means purchased the DLC), selecting up this trilogy is a no brainer. All three video games are nice (or higher), and the DX variations provide you with loads of new content material and options. When you’ve got paid for and performed them beforehand—particularly when you additionally paid for the myriad DLC choices—that’s a harder name. All that new content material is good, however not crucial. It’ll be simpler for Switch 2 house owners to justify the monetary and time investments.
For everybody else? Properly, I suppose it’s as much as the person to find out if right this moment remains to be, “The right day for an journey.”
