Ryza’s Adventure Reaches Its Finale With Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key
The newest title in the Atelier series, Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key, was announced yesterday, and we’ve now learned new story and gameplay details.
Arriving on February 24, 2023, Atelier Ryza 3 picks up where 2019’s Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout and 2020’s Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy left off, making it the latest title in the Secret series. These games were the first in the Atelier series to maintain the same protagonist and are some of the most popular in the series, with over 1.3 million total copies sold worldwide. These games feature Ryza and her friends going on a great adventure to discover the secrets of the island where they were born after an encounter with alchemy.
This newest game takes place about a year after the events of Atelier Ryza 2. Ryza and friends are sent on a new adventure after the sudden appearance of a strange group of islands just off the coast of their home of Kurken Island. It’s discovered that this mysterious Mainland Kark is having a harmful effect on Kurken Island, leading Ryza and the rest to head there and investigate, only to discover a strange and massive gate. When they approach it to learn more, Ryza hears a mysterious voice in her head that tries to lead her to the “Code of the Universe.” In search of a way to save their island, the characters set off on a grand journey involving keys and the roots of alchemy.
Regarding the subtitle The Alchemist of the End, producer Junzo Hosoi told IGN Japan, “In Atelier Ryza 3, we wanted to depict the end of Ryza’s youth, along with exploring fundamental questions such as why alchemy is used in this world, and what Ryza wants from her life as an alchemist. As Ryza grows, we wanted the story to give her an important mission to dedicate herself to.”
Four characters have so far been revealed: Ryza, Klaudia, Tao and Lent. In addition to Ryza’s friends that fans will be familiar with, characters that showed up in the previous game, as well as new characters who are vital to the story will also be making an appearance. Eleven party members, one of the largest rosters ever seen in the series, will be available, and a wide cast of characters will be collected in this grand gathering for the series.
Improvements have also been made on the visual front, especially when it comes to the quality of character graphics and expressions, which are now rich and lively. This should allow players to get even more enjoyment out of their adventure with the game’s charming characters.
There are also major changes when it comes to the game’s systems. Until now, the series has allowed players to explore a number of fields on a single world map. This game, though, has four areas to investigate. Each of these areas contains a single large field, and it seems that exploration on them is possible without any loading time.
Finally, the core system of this game are the keys that can be created in various situations. There are many different types of keys, and players can use them in a host of different situations, whether that’s exploration, synthesis or battle. Different key types and rarities can be created from landmarks and enemies and are used when unlocking treasure chests and barriers, enhancing character abilities, or creating powerful items.
These keys even unlock the core of the game’s story. We’ll just have to wait to find out more about where they’ll lead Ryza and friends.
Atelier Ryza 3 will also be making an appearance at Tokyo Game Show 2022. Not only will fans be able to try out a demo at the event, a TGS Atelier Series 25th Anniversary Livestream will be broadcast at 7pm JST (3am Pacific / 6am Eastern / 11am UK) on September 16.
Hiroaki Mabuchi is a freelance writer for IGN Japan. This article was translated by Ko Ransom.
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