Of all of the Atelier video games I’ve performed and reviewed, the three that comprise the Ryza sequence are simply my favorites. I assume 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 subsequently fairly straightforward for me to advocate the Atelier Ryza Secret Trilogy Deluxe Version releases. Earlier than I get to that, although, I ought to deal with the colossus golem within the room.
It might be too early for the GOAT’s return.
It’s frequent for KOEI TECMO to remaster or remake video games within the Atelier sequence for rerelease on present methods, however the Ryza video games aren’t precisely outdated. All three have been initially launched on the Change between 2019 and 2023. Right here they’re once more with the customary enhancements and new content material, however at full value. Even if you happen to 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 sport saves.
Is that truthful? Properly, positive it’s. It’s unlucky, nevertheless it’s the best way the leisure business works. I 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” despite the fact that 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 evaluation. What I’m taking a look at is the standard of the fabric supplied for $90, and it’s fairly spectacular.
First, all three video games have obtained a glow-up. That is extra noticeable on the Change 2 than with the Change model, and with 2019’s Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout than with 2023’s Alchemist of the Finish & the Secret Key.
The visuals have 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 provide graphic choices you may regulate to your liking. I had all the pieces jacked up on my Change 2 and received no interference from efficiency points; the one occasions issues behaved oddly have been when the digicam had bother determining the place to put itself.
Second, there’s loads of new content material to work by means of. Along with all the 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 a few of the new content material is simply fluff. The brand new stage 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 include periphery options corresponding 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 be able to arrange battles for lineup methods and abilities observe. Varied UI enhancements have been made. Basket capability for materials gathering has been elevated (that 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 really turns into helpful!
After all, none of this might matter if the video games weren’t price enjoying, however they completely are. You’ll be able to try our critiques of the unique Change releases for the small print…
…however the gist is that Reisalin Stout and her evolving circle of associates go on initially breezy summer season adventures that contain plenty of character development, ability 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 combat 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 succeed in unexplored areas.
All three video games are pushed by low-stakes tales (you gained’t be going into outer area to combat God, right here) which can be nonetheless very compelling, largely as a result of characters themselves. Everyone seems to be likeable and individually necessary, they usually’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 difficulty one another.
The battles are constructed on an lively, turn-based system that flows as you wait your flip. In the event you meet sure aims, the characters you aren’t controlling could make requests corresponding to asking you to make use of a magic assault or to scale back the enemy’s stats. In the event you achieve this, the character who made the request will get a robust bonus assault.
The system is rather 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 critiques 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, they usually’re longer now with all the new content material. $90 might seem to be rather a lot, however you’re getting tons of of hours of gameplay right here. Every sport can also be accessible individually for $40. That’s good for many who might have missed one and don’t wish 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, if you happen to’re a JRPG fan who has by no means performed a Ryza sport (or by no means purchased the DLC), choosing 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. In the event you have paid for and performed them beforehand—particularly if you happen to additionally paid for the myriad DLC choices—that’s a more durable name. All that new content material is good, however not crucial. It’ll be simpler for Switch 2 homeowners to justify the monetary and time investments.
For everybody else? Properly, I assume it’s as much as the person to find out if right this moment remains to be, “The proper day for an journey.”
