Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy keeps close to everything that made the original Atelier Ryza such a wonderful game to begin with, while also finding ways to build upon those ideas. Sometimes that means little tweaks to fine-tune systems that were already excellent to start with, and other times that means bringing in a whole new Atelier riff on a Tomb Raider-style archaeological adventure. Most of all, it’s a chance to spend a few dozen more hours with Atelier‘s most loveable heroine and her merry band, enjoying those quiet, personal moments as much as the big adventures—that’s what Atelier does best, and what Atelier Ryza 2 does best of all.
Except for the technical sector, Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy has done exactly what we would expect from a good sequel, that is to improve the original product in every respect.
Atelia Ryza 2: Lost Legends & The Secret Fairy is a highly enjoyable JRPG. Returning fans of the series and new ones should be delighted. Ryza has an infectiously bright personality and her relationship with the other party members meshes well. The combat is fast, and the story is intriguing. The heavier focus on exploration, as well as alchemy, is a welcome change.
Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends and the Secret Fairy overshadows its monotonous alchemy system with a fitting combination of charm, exploration, and a dynamic, living world.
The characters in Atelier Ryza 2 have grown up, but haven't lost any of their charm. The basic principles of the typical Atelier formula have been retained and the developers added new gameplay elements. Unfortunately, they are not all 100% suitable.
Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy has a personality all its own with fun crafting and flashy combat, but falls into common RPG pitfalls such as constant backtracking and tedious questing.
There are some truly great parts in this game. Some of the exploration parts were really well done with the backgrounds and environment. The problem with the game overall is each system is fine enough on its own, but does not tie together in a coherent fashion. The alchemy is a little too involved for every single item, the exploration gives far too many items to actually want to sort through, and the battle system has too many small nit-picks to stop it from being great. The story is weighed down by too many trivial plots and it just lacks that 'cool' aspect others of the series like Dusk or Mana Khemia had.
Honestly, it was a fun experience. Not the most exceptional RPG, far from it, and the characters are quite unbearable at times. But making your own items and stuff with alchemy is really rewarding.
Ok, first of all, the idea that people think Ryza is better than Sophie or Lydie/Sue is legit smoking something. Don't get me wrong. Atelier Ryza 2 is...decent.
Yet when the story chokes on the last act, because all we got was repeating lines and storybeats from earlier in the game, I can't help but feel that it is overrated. Imo I'm being generous with that seven, because I could have gone with a five. It still has no decent OST music, it is STILL a garbage ARPG and nothing about the items or combat have improved either.
Also, I noticed things like rain texturing and other minor details that add up with its visual presentation.
I'm glad Atelier Mysterious DX is out. It means I can wash the stench of mediocrity from both Ryza games.
SummaryRyza returns in the lead role, making her the first character in the history of the long-running Atelier franchise to take on the hero role in two successive entries. This all-new adventure, set three years after her heroic efforts in Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout. This dynamic sequel revolves around Ryza’s journey to ...