Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End and the Secret Key got the best gameplay in the series. There are many new gameplay mechanics to digest here, but the game does a solid job of introducing them gradually to ensure you don't get overwhelmed.

The major new addition to the game, as the name suggests, is the Keys. Keys are used to open up areas behind magic barriers, make alchemy synthesis easier, or provide combat buffs either by using or equipping them.

Keys can be obtained from various landmarks, and the quality of the key and its effects vary each time the landmark key generation cooldown recharges.

Combat is an incremental improvement from Ryza 2 and feels fast-paced and action-oriented, even though it remains an active turn-based game. Combat feels weighty and impactful, and the skills are flashy to look at.

You control one character in combat, but you can switch between characters. The core of the combat revolves around using normal attacks and comboing into skills. You can also create new Keys from weakened enemies or bosses, obtaining various types of Keys that incentivize experimentation.

My only complaint about combat would be the difficulty in seeing some enemies on the screen or determining if the enemies on the sides are about to attack. Once you attack an enemy, the camera zooms in quite a bit too.

Exploration is incredibly fun and never fatiguing. I have an urge to see every corner of the map, discover every treasure chest, unlock every barrier, and battle mini-bosses. The addition of random small optional quests that pop up while exploring adds to the liveliness of the world.

The world of Atelier Ryza 3 is vast and includes the previous game's regions for you to explore. You can also summon mystic creatures and ride them, each bringing unique skills to enhance your exploration, such as the ability to climb waterfalls. Additionally, you can build your own Atelier in each region, choosing from three different kinds that provide buffs to the exploration aspect.

There have been quite a few quality-of-life improvements in the alchemy synthesis system as well. For example, it now shows whether you have the necessary materials to create something or unlock a new recipe. As mentioned earlier, you can use Keys to improve the quality or insert materials into slots without consuming your own materials.

Super traits are now a part of synthesis, which provides more powerful buffs compared to normal traits that you put into crafted items. You can also morph parts of your synthesis chain, completely changing the properties of that path (e.g., from Attack to Defense for the entire chain).

The game also features a skill tree system that unlocks new synthesis or passive alchemy-related skills. However, I find the skill tree a bit small, and not being able to see what comes after unlocking each node is annoying, as it requires spending points. If you unlock a node you didn't want yet, you'll have to farm for points again.

The semi-transparent clothing of Ryza when she is wet is gone which is kind of sad to see. The lewd elements have been toned down a bit too. I do appreciate the inclusion of the hot spring scene though.

JRPG

In terms of graphics, Atelier Ryza 3 is more or less in line with its predecessor, but with slight improvements here and there. The world is colourful and well-crafted, offering a variety of different biomes for you to explore. The cities are lively, with NPCs that make them feel like actual cities.

The animations in combat are smooth and flashy. Facial animations show a slight improvement compared to the previous entry. However, when it comes to character models, I feel that the previous entry had more solid colours compared to the softer-looking characters in Ryza 3. Please note that this is based on my recollection, and I could be mistaken.

Regarding environmental details, the cities and most villages look great. However, there is a village outside of Sardonica that feels empty, flat, and low in quality, almost reminiscent of games from the 2010 era. I also noticed some empty areas and spots around towns. I didn't notice these rough spots in Ryza 2, so I suppose they are a drawback that comes with having a larger world.

I still believe that Blue Reflection: Second Light has the best 3D character models and environmental details among all the Gust games. Nonetheless, Ryza 3 is also up there, despite some flaws here and there.

In Atelier Ryza 3, the sound is a significant improvement from the previous entry. While maintaining the charming and lighthearted feeling of the Ryza series in its soundtrack, there are more OSTs that have become stuck in my head. I also couldn't help but notice that some of the soundtracks give off a Blue Reflection vibe. Moreover, the opening theme song is pretty solid as well.

The sound effects are okay. They get the job done fine, but they aren't anything that would blow you away. They sound a bit generic.

The voice acting is natural and once again does a pretty good job of conveying emotion and the situation to the players. Most of the scenes are fully voiced, except for side quests.

Similar to previous Atelier games, there is only Japanese voice acting, which I am completely okay with. However, the English subtitles could have been better in terms of word choice and sentence structure. Still, I would prefer this any day over some of the "woke" stuff that English localizers tend to insert.

The Atelier Ryza series has always been about adventuring with friends and self-improvement, and that is no different in Ryza 3. After an earthquake, a new island suddenly emerges near Kurken Island, prompting Ryza and the team to explore it in an attempt to save Kurken Island once again.

During their investigation of the island, Ryza and her friends discover numerous ruins and a massive mysterious gate. When Ryza approaches the gate, a voice echoes in her head, telling her to reach for the Code of the Universe, and the plot thickens. Without spoiling the story, similar to the previous Ryza games, the story and mystery unfold slowly while the stakes gradually become higher. In the case of Atelier Ryza 3, the stakes are enormous.

The story of Atelier Ryza 3 is a bittersweet one, especially for those who have been following the series since Atelier Ryza 1 which you should be doing if you want genuine connection to these characters. Everyone has grown up so much and are no longer little brats and kids and it shows in their characterization in the game.

Ryza has come a long way from being a mischievous teenager to becoming a main alchemist and a pillar for Kurken Island. Ryza is not the only one who has matured. Klaudia, Lent, Tao, and even Bos have become more dependable, and there is a lot of reflection on what they were like in the previous games while looking towards the future.

Of course, the bulk of the character development focuses on the core four characters, while Bos and Patty also receive a fair amount of attention. I appreciate that Gust allows us to spend some time with the original characters before introducing the newer characters into the mix. This allows me to get to know the newer characters more without spoiling the memorable moments of the original four.

Guest also nailed the aspect of portraying how the characters relate to each other and behave around one another. These little nuances can only be appreciated if you have followed the entire Ryza series. The character-related cutscenes, quests, and events also contribute to strengthening each character's development.

The ending is also bittersweet, as the friends all go their separate ways. However, before that, you get to see romantic pairings, optimistic outlooks from certain characters, and their future plans, which gives you hope that they will continue on even after the game ends.

Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End and the Secret Key Review

Reviewed After : Game Completion after 98 hours

Played On : PC

Final Score

8