Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key (Japanese:ライザのアトリエ３ ～終わりの錬金術士と秘密の鍵～, Raiza no Atorie 3: Owari no Renkinjutsushi to Himitsu no Kagi) is the 24th main entry in the Atelier series, that serves as the third entry in the Secret subseries of games.
This is a direct sequel to Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy, and the story takes place a year after the events of the last game. Unlike the first two games in the subseries that had a main recurring theme of Summer Memories, the theme of this game this time is The End[1], (though just like the past Ryza titles, the game takes place during summer).
While the game follows a similar gameplay from the previous two installments, a new feature surrounding the usage of keys will play an important factor to the story, gathering and synthesis. Furthermore, the game will spotlight four major areas that appears to be "open-world" style.
Atelier Ryza 3 released in Japan on March 23, 2023 for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, with North America and Europe released the day after. Subsequently, Steam released the game on March 24, 2023 as well, worldwide.
Plot[]
Atelier Ryza 3 takes place approximately one year after the events of Atelier Ryza 2. Strange islands started to appear around the world, prompting Ryza and her friends to set on a final adventure once again to investigate. Sprawling landscapes set the stage for this new adventure. The story also delves further down about the history of alchemy and alchemists. [2]
Gameplay[]
Atelier Ryza 3 features an ambitious eleven playable characters, making this the largest playable cast in the Secret subseries. The motif of the story surrounds mysterious "keys" that Ryza can use to assist her journey. These special keys can be used when synthesizing, during battles and even exploration. Each keys has up to four different effects to be activated during different scenarios, and are named Symbol, Buff, Adventure and Synthesis Effects.
Gathering[]
Aside from crawling, swimming, shimming and climbing throughout the overworld map, Ryza can now glide through the skies as well, using a zipline. In addition, Ryza can also slide through nook and tight spaces.
There will be an increased amount of magical creatures that Ryza can ride, totaling from one to three. All three of them have effects unique for each of them, and obtaining them will expand the exploration area. In addition during explorations, Ryza can now interact with animals, of which some of them will give Ryza items and even guide them to secret places.
Synthesis[]
Aside from the special keys as the game's main motif, Ryza can now Link Morph during synthesis. By link morphing, Ryza can use a whole new different materials to what usually is a recipe of the item and by doing so changes (or combine) core ingredient loops inside the synthesis, resulting to an even more powerful item!
Combat[]
During battles, the dynamic real-time, turn-based system returns. The difference in this game is that the player is allowed to switch two characters simultaneously, allowing more strategies in battle. In addition, characters that aren’t included in the battle party can perform support actions, so more player strategies can be reflected in battle compared to the previous games. Moreover, there is now a "danger arrow" that is like a compass-style that indicates to the player where the enemy is when they notice Ryza is nearby.
QoL Improvements from Ryza 2[]
- Number of items Ryza can carry can now be seen in the default screen instead of going to the container/basket menu.
- There is a significant speed boost when Ryza climbs vines (and ladders). Instead of pressing the action button to initiate the climb, Ryza automatically climbs them when near it.
- Rare gathering points now differs from normal gathering; these are items that contains Super Traits and has better normal traits gathered. These points will glow from the overworld. To not confuse the glow with flowers/maps (that also glows with same color) near it, the items that can potentially be gathered will also glow.
- Ryza can now gather items instantaneously while running as long as the action button has been pressed.
- Cue sounds when gathering items has been simplified. If Ryza has gathered a new item that is not registered on the encyclopedia, it will produce a cue sound. If Ryza gather materials that is already known, no sound can be heard.
- Introduced from Sophie 2, this game implements combat with the monsters without loading time, with battle taking place immediately upon striking or in contact.
- Main map UI has been significantly overhauled, with landmarks features returning from the first Ryza game (landmark exists in Ryza 2 but has no purpose in-game); Ryza can now quick travel to landmarks mapped instead of given areas. When map is zoomed in, Ryza is able to see common monsters and enemies in that area with symbol signifying their appearance (mostly just head).
- Ryza can now place markers on the map. There are six styles of markers that can be put on the map, and up to ten times Ryza can have markers on the map.
Characters[]
Playable Characters[]
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A young alchemist on Kurken Island, full of brightness and vigor. Once an ordinary village girl, she grew up to be an alchemist, and so further grown into kind hearted and reliable woman that can often be depended on. After the events of the second game, she lost her enthusiasm and spends her days as a shelf of herself, but now changed to continue her research to maintain Kurken Island.
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She is a bight and successful businesswoman and the daugther of the Valentz Company. She has taken a small venture and turned it into a high-profile growing company. A person of business and a close friend of Ryza. Through their journey, no matter how far apart they are, and despite not spending much time together there is a bond there that will never change.
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A wandering warrior who devotes himself to the sword. Although raised by a violent father, he himself is a well-disposed man. He continues to hone his swordsmanship to keep his mind clear. He used to be impatient and rushed in his quest for fame and acknowledgement, but his resolution during the second game with the help of his new and old friends, he has grown into a fine individual.
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He is a novice scholar whilst being a student in the royal capital. In addition to the experience gained during the first and second games, as well as his education, he is continuing to deepen his knowledge and understanding every day. His goal to surpass his ancestors still motivates him hard.
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The heir to the Brunnen family, a noble bloodline in Ryza's hometown of Rasenboden. Ryza and her friends used to be bad terms with him during the first game, but they have reconciled, with him becoming a sincere young man. He did not join the adventure Ryza and her friends had during the second game as Bos wants to properly redeem himself first, though it did made him feel somewhat reserved with them. He is now working on self discipline in order to stand alongside his friends.
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A polite and graceful woman with a heavy weight on her shoulders. Federica is the Deputy Leader of Sardonica's famous Artisan's Union, and is strong-willed, methodical and tenacious. | |
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TBA | |
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Kala has the appearance of a young girl, but she is actually the Elder of the Underworld Orim and has lived for over a thousand years. She is also the last party member to join Ryza's party after they finish her trial quest. Her personality seems to be on the childish side as she tries to avoid her duties as the Elder, but also possesses a vast amount of knowledge about a lot of things. | |
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A female warrior of the Oren tribe who serves as Empel's bodyguard. She met Empel while he was wandering aimlessly after being chased out the royal palace and has been with him ever since. | |
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A former royal alchemist, but was able to do alchemy once more, and this time for the better. Throughout, he is committed in helping Lila to close the gates of the underworld that symbolizes the great sins of the alchemists of the past. He introduced Ryza to alchemy and share few common goals.
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Daughter of a noble family living in the capital, and a student of Tao. She was a naïve, sheltered girl, but gained a wealth of experience through her journey with Ryza and friends during the second game. |
Non-Playable Characters[]
- Karl Stout
- Mio Stout
- Moritz Brunnen
- Samuel Marslink
- Lumbar Dorn
- Agatha Harmon
- Elder
Development[]
The game was first teased during Gust's 25 anniversary showcase of the Atelier Series on September 5, 2022. At the end of the video, it played a soundtrack that is similar to the past two Ryza games, as well as presenting different layout area of ruins that corresponds also from the Secret sub-series.[3]
Shortly after, Atelier Ryza 3 was revealed on September 13th, 2022 in a Nintendo Direct.[4] and further showcased during the Tokyo Game Show 2022.[5]
On January 18, 2023, a delay for Atelier Ryza 3 had been announced, pushing the release date from February 22, 2023 to March 23, 2023. The stated reason for the delay was for the development team to make final touches.
Game Updates[]
| Update | Release date | Changes |
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| Version 1.01 | 3/24/2023 | Game Screen Version 1.00a
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| Version 1.02 | 3/30/2023 | Game Screen Version 1.01
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| Version 1.02.01 | 4/3/2023 | Game Screen Version 1.02a
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| Version 1.03 | 4/27/2023 | Game Screen Version 1.03
This function can be accessed through the Diary in any atelier and allows the player to change the BGM that plays at specific scenes during the game.
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| Version 1.04 | 6/1/2023 | Game Screen Version 1.04
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| Version 1.05 | 6/22/2023 | Game Screen Version 1.05
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| Version 1.06 | 8/24/2023 | Game Screen Version 1.06
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Downloadable Content[]
Various downloadable contents (DLCs) will be released for Atelier Ryza 3, including costumes for playable characters.
| Name | Release date | Type | Cost | Contents |
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| "Summer Look" Costume Set (Set of 7 costumes) |
 March 23, 2023 March 24, 2023 March 24, 2023
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Costume | Early Purchase Bonus |  Light wear costumes for Ryza, Klaudia, Lent, Tao, Bos, Lila and Empel |
| Costume Set “Hidden Summer” (Set of 5 costumes) |
March 23, 2023 March 24, 2023 March 24, 2023
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Costume | Atelier Ryza Save Data Bonus |  Costumes for Ryza, Klaudia, Lent, Tao and Bos inspired by their respective costumes from Atelier Ryza |
| Costume Set “Summer of Lore” (Set of 6 costumes) |
March 23, 2023 March 24, 2023 March 24, 2023
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Costume | Atelier Ryza 2 Save Data Bonus |  Costumes for Ryza, Klaudia, Lent, Tao, Bos and Patricia inspired by their respective costumes from Atelier Ryza 2 |
| Ryza's Costume "Alchemist of Mysterious Dreams" |
March 23, 2023 March 24, 2023 March 24, 2023
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Costume | Atelier Sophie 2 Save Data Bonus |  Costume for Ryza inspired by Sophie's costume from Atelier Sophie 2 |
| Ryza's Costume "Marine Look of Kurken Shore" |
March 23, 2023 March 24, 2023 March 24, 2023
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Costume | Premium Box Bonus |  Costume for Ryza |
| Ryza's Costumes | March 23, 2023
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Costume | Gust Store Exclusive Bonus |  Costumes for Ryza (Japan Exclusive) |
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- This marks the first Atelier game of the main series to use the same titular character as main protagonist on the course of three games.
- Furthermore, it also the first trilogy series that features the protagonist as its principal and continuous central character, instead of being a mentor like the previous Atelier games that featured a trilogy story series.
- Following the first two Ryza games, Ryza 3 will also follow the direction of having a single linear story and ending.
References[]
- ↑ https://noisypixel.net/atelier-ryza-3-interview-junzo-hosoi/
- ↑ https://www.rpgsite.net/interview/13286-atelier-ryza-3-alchemist-of-the-end-the-secret-key-interview-junzo-hosoi-on-ryzas-latest-adventure
- ↑ https://twitter.com/GustAtelierPR/status/1566716901082144769
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJ9Iz7HhU-I&t=3230s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-JjIg01B4E
External Links[]
- Announcement Trailer (Japanese)
- Announcement Trailer (English)
- Announcement Trailer (Traditional Chinese)
- Official Website (Japan)
- Official Website (Taiwan)
- Official Website (North America)
- Official Website (Europe)
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