Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key

Every Atelier Ryza entry has been the best Atelier game yet, and Atelier Ryza 3 is no exception. It's the perfect final chapter for fans of Ryza and her story, but it's also the most polished and expansive exploration of the core ideals of the franchise we've seen yet – alchemy feels natural, exploration feels natural, and combat is a delightful adrenaline rush. It's sad to see my favourite tomboy alchemist go away, but if this game is any indication, the Atelier series will only get even better from here.

The team at Gust did a great job of taking all the elements that worked in the prior two games and adding to them. Sometimes these new features are too frequently thrown at you or are not highly valuable to engage with, such as the excessive dialogue moments or Random Quests. Still, the added layer of detail and complexity they bring to the game just makes the overall experience feel that much more robust. As I watched the countless interactions between Ryza and her friends, it reminded me of who they were at the beginning of the trilogy, and how different they are now. It is truly charming to...

For the technicalities: Ryza 3’s PC port is a bit middling. Compared to other Koei Tecmo releases on Steam, Ryza 3 runs pretty well. But it doesn’t run well enough, as even on an RTX 3070 the game struggles to hold 60 frames per second while you’re running about. There are also some weird issues with the graphics, lots of pop-in even at the highest settings, aliasing issues, and the depth of field in particular almost looks broken; It’s really hard to see anything with it on, so I highly recommend you turn that off. Forget about keyboard and mouse controls as they’re a bit unpleasant, it’s con...

Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key is a fantastic way to end the Ryza trilogy with new mechanics and refined gameplay systems. While it has some quirks, the game can run well on the Steam Deck!

Still, it’s hard not to be enamoured with Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key as a whole. Being back in the fold of Ryza and her friends feels like sinking back into a warm, cosy blanket – and anyone already acquainted with the series will instantly hit the ground running. There’s a new, engaging story to become engrossed in, and alongside familiar areas, there’s a whole new world to explore – which feels larger and more varied than ever. Sure, some changes don’t quite land – we’re not the biggest fans of the key mechanic – but it’s not enough to sour us from the experience. ...

Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End and the Secret Key doesn't completely rewrite the series' rules, so much as expand and improve on them. It's still a relaxing traipse with Ryza and friends, but evokes a sense of nostalgia and hope for the future.

Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key is a fantastic blend of turn-based and action RPG combat with an engrossing storyline. The chemistry between the cast works nicely and is reminiscent of something like Lupin III or Cowboy Bebop, where the ensemble cast allows everyone to shine. The brisk battle system keeps combat engaging, while alchemy makes weapon and item forging satisfying to accomplish. The game is held back by iffy visuals in the form of small text and muddy textures, but has gorgeous-looking character models and animation alongside a killer soundtrack.

Atelier Ryza 3 improves upon its predecessors in a warm sendoff to Ryza and friends.

Ultimately, much like one of Ryza’s alchemical recipes, there are a lot of great ingredients that went into creating Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key. The game may not look perfect, but there’s a lot of heart and fun to be found, and the ability to finetune new weapons, armor, and combat items to your exact needs is unmatched.

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Despite the simple combat and some story issues at times, Atelier Ryza 3 offers an engaging gameplay loop that never gets boring.

Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key is the latest entry in the classic Atelier franchise. This cute, quirky, and surprisingly intense JRPG series has always been at the edge of my radar. So I jumped at the chance to try out this game. I was eager to find out what all the fuss was about. Now I think I can safely say it’s the mix of cheery slice of life, focus on friendship, and grueling gameplay.