The JRPG (Japanese Role Playing Game)Atelierseries has gone under the radar for many gamers, with the first entry in the series being released in Japan in 1997.Atelieris a heavily underrated series, but it still has quite a large fanbase overall. It’s certainly not a series that comes to the mind of gamers when they think of JRPGs, but it should be.
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TheAtelierseries features the perfect blend of gathering, crafting, battles, and story. Each entry in the series features an amazing cast of characters, with everyAteliergame featuring a brand-new protagonist. Those who love RPGs will surely feel the cozy vibes that radiate from this wonderful series.
6Lots Of Content
As with every video game series,Atelierhas strong entries, as well as some weaker ones. The great thing about this is the fact that there is a ton of content out there for gamers to try out. AllAteliergames with a unique name have their ownstory and characters, so there’s no need to go all the way back to the first entry. There are however some exceptions in the roster, with some of the titles having sequels. One of the most popular entries in theAtelierseries isAtelier Ryza, with the first beingAtelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout, and the prequel which is namedAtelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy. Both of these titles were released in 2019 and 2021, followed by the sequel of Atelier Sophie, which was released in 2022.
Atelier Sophieis another well-known entry in theAtelierSeries, with the first being released in 2016. The sequel,Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream, was released in 2022, with both entries available on Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, and Microsoft Windows. There are also one-shot entries in theAtelierseries such asAtelier Lydie & Suelle, andAtelier Lulua, it is yet to be announced if these games will ever get a sequel.
5Play On The Go
With some of the entries within theAtelierseries being available on the Nintendo Switch, this allowed avid fans of the JRPG series to playAtelierwherever they went. This certainly helped spread the word about the series, with it being featured on the Nintendo eShop as well as having physical copies available in store. The olderAteliergames may be harder to obtain, with the entries between the years 1997 and 2015 only available on the earlier generations of the Playstation console.
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Additionally, the first five entries of theAtelierSeries wereonly released in Japanbetween the years 1997 and 2003. It’s not surprising that theAteliergames available on the Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, Playstation 5, and PC are the most prevalent in the series so far.
4The Visuals
It’s no secret that theAtelierseries has gorgeous visuals. As with many JRPGs, theAteliergames feature ananime aesthetic, with adorable and likable protagonists. Each entry is set in a fantasy world, with magic, bright colors, and vibrant environments. As players wander through forests and town squares, they’ll come across the amazing roster of characters within each game, each with their own quirks and personalities.
It’s truly a treat to just explore the surroundings ineachAteliergameas players gather materials to use in their crafting, as well as work towards the progression of the overall storyline, alongside an abundance of side quests. Every character is designed with intricate attention to detail, from the way they style their hair, to the folds in their clothing.
3The Alchemy Element
While the gameplay may not be for everyone, it’s certainly different than a lot of other JRPGs. Many video games within the JRPG genre focus heavily on the story, battle system, and character progression.Ateliergames also have these elements, but they areblended with the cozinessof exploration as players find materials to collect as they discover brand-new recipes. Progressing through the game will unlock new craftable items such as better weapons, armor, and potions.
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The crafted items can also be submitted during side quests, with these quests often taking the player out into the wilderness to defeat a certain number of enemies. Many fans of farming simulators will most likely enjoy the relaxing grind of gathering materials to craft, mixed with exciting battles and brilliant world-building.
2The Battle System
Turn-based combat has been a divisive element in video games in recent years. Some gamers love it, some avoid it at all costs, and some simply don’t care. With many JRPG series featuring turn-based combat, as well as famousfranchises such asFinal Fantasy, turn-based combat is a predominant component. TheAteliergames feature a party of characters that fight alongside the protagonist in a turn-based battle. With this series being set in a fantasy world, it’s no surprise that magic abilities are thrown into the mixture.
For example, inAtelier Sophie, players can use normal attacks to whittle down the enemy’s health bar or opt for the character’s special magical abilities which cost magic points (MP). TheAtelierseries has some beautiful battle animations, with dazzling colors and flashy actions such as the dual attack feature. It’s also important to note that a lot of the enemies found throughout theAtelierseries are also pretty cute, which adds to the overall wholesome vibes of the game.
1The Environments
TheAtelierseries is well-known for its incredible environments and have even been described as some of the best visuals featured on the Nintendo Switch. While the Nintendo Switch isn’t as powerful as a PC or a Playstation 4/5, the handheld console certainly does well when it comes to how the game looks and performs. This makes it perfect for those who love handheld games, with the extra bonus of being able to put the Nintendo Switch into tabletop mode.
Deep shades of green, sparkling sun, and a dynamic sky greets players of the more recent entries in theAtelierseries. A large part of theAteliergames is the exploration, and with visuals that look this good, it’s a pleasant experience all around. Whether players are wandering around a town, or delving deep into the forest, every corner of anAteliergame is worth visiting.
