Another week, another RPG review it seems. This week specifically we’re looking at the recent VITA re-release of Atelier Ayesha: The Alchemist of Dusk. While it’s no secret that I’ve got some fondness for the Atelier series, I actually missed out on this game when it first released on the PS3 a couple of years back, so I was looking forward to getting to check it out now. That said having played its sequel (Atelier Escha & Logy) just last year, it’s very clear just how much of a stepping stone Ayesha is between that game and the prior Atelier trilogy, especially when it comes to the mechanics and the storytelling.
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."
In a modern gaming ecosystem where so many games revel in violence, death and destruction from Western publishers, it’s nice once in a while to turn to Japan as a source for games centered around creating, not destroying. We have games like Recettear on Steam, Story of Seasons on the 3DS, and the Atelier series from Koei Tecmo, with Atelier Ayesha Plus.
Can someone be so kind as to tell me if this series is any good?. I have noticed that there is a lot of these games in the series and this is one of the few JRPG series I'm not familiar with. They look gorgeous.
As long as you manage your expectations. Expect lax difficulty levels and laxer pacing (despite having a day count to adhere to). More fluffy slice-of-life than epic adventuring.
Think of them as Animal Crossing style games dipping their toes into tepid traditional JRPG.
Thanks for the reply. That sounds good to me. Not every game has to be full of over the top action and ultra violence so a change of pace is nice. I like the sound of this.
Back when the first PS3 Atelier title came out, I was hesitant on the series, especially after watching some videos of gameplay. However, after sitting down and actually experiencing the games on my own, my perception was entirely different. The Atelier games are a lot of fun, mixing together a variety of different elements to make a pretty enjoyable title.
They're pretty light-hearted overall, so as long as you understand that the stories aren't going to be too serious, the other elements are what will hook you in. Each game has its own set of changes and adjustments from the prior title, and although I'm only up to Atelier Meruru, each game also seems to tie into each other. Characters from prior games will show up, oftentimes as recruit-able party members.
The actual combat systems (turn based, similar to FFX in some ways) have been really fun and offer a decent challenge when you run into bosses. The basis of these games (alchemy, combat, & traveling) really focuses on your time management and preparation. There's a decent amount more to add onto that, like building friendships with your party members which can lead to special items, finding secret areas, managing your popularity with the citizens, and much more.
I hope that's been helpful. And if it's something you're looking into, the first Atelier title on PS3 was reworked and enhanced in a new version made called "Atelier Rorona Plus". I'd recommend that over the original. You can pretty much start anywhere in the series it seems, but if you want to get a feel for the characters from the beginning, that's a good place to start. The other titles, Totori, Meruru, Escha & Logy, and Ayesha all have been getting Plus versions made as well, but those are only available on the Vita via digital download. I just finished Meruru Plus on the Vita though, and it was a really fun, pretty solid game. Only a couple areas with framerate issues.
Thanks you your reply was very helpful. I am definitely going to give these games a spin. It seems like they will be a nice change from what I'm used to.
Aside from being transitioned to a portable console and given a few nifty and aesthetic features such as the Album Missions and additional costumes, there isn't too much which separates Atelier Ayesha Plus from its original PlayStation 3 edition. Therefore, unless you desperately want to play the game in Japanese, there may not be enough here to justify paying $59.95 AUD to play it a second time around.
