Though Atelier Totori Plus has been severely undermarketed, it is a great example of how these niche JRPGs fit wonderfully on the PS Vita (the same could be said about NIS’ job with Disgaea 3).
Totori Plus adds some DLC characters and a post game dungeon to make it a more comprehensive package than the PS3 version, not to mention it is more readily available.
In fact, the gameplay resonates particularly well with the handheld experience.
Since Atelier Totori focuses so much on completing mini quests, it’s easier to pick up and play in quick bursts than on a console.
Atelier Totori Plus does come with the original’s flaws but it’s the best (and easiest) way to play the game and hopefully future installments will find their way on the Vita as well.
VGChartz's Adam Cartwright: "the handheld was unable to attract certain types of software – western AAA development quickly evaporated, as did Sony’s own support, because there weren’t enough consoles out there for such titles to be profitable. But that doesn’t mean that every publisher failed to find success. Indeed, there are a number of franchises out there that have been able to appeal to the Vita’s niche and which have seen positive sales numbers and critical reception, leading to them becoming mainstays on the handheld.
It’s these series that I intend to examine in more depth this article – what they are, what entries we’ve seen, what success they’ve had, and what it’s meant for the console’s future. I’ll be using known sales figures where possible to back things up, hopefully demonstrating that the Vita has been a solid home for a number of great series despite its otherwise weak commercial performance on the market."
Michibiku's Jenni Lada writes, "JRPGs become more predictable as they age. The mechanics are still sound, the stories still good, and the general concept still appreciated in a world where open-world everything is becoming the norm. Think of it as perpetual familiarity. We now what’s going to happen. Gust’s Atelier chronicles can fall within the bounds of predictable, but the series’ focus on individuals sets it apart."
One of PS Vita's most charming - and often overlooked JRPG's Atelier Totori offers an adventure with a real change of pace and a core of surprising depth.
I really enjoyed it and will be getting the next once I've got rid of some of my backlog.
For a game with zero marketing its selling pretty well on the Vita store.