Each game is pretty much standalone but they usually have some cameo appearances from characters from the other games.
Roughly the games are seperated into trilogies who are all set in their own world and separate from each other.

On Steam we have the "Arland" trilogy ( Rororona, Totori, Meruru), the "Dusk" trilogy ( Ayesha, Escha & Logy, Shallie) and the "Mysterious" trilogy ( Sophie, Firis, Lydie & Suelle).

There is also "Atelier Ryza" which is the newest game and the first entry in the "Secrets" trilogy.
Also there is "Atelier Lulua" which is a extra game for the Arland trilogy but set many years later.

And last but not least we have "Nelke and the Legendary Alchemists" which is more of a management/ town builder game where you have appearances from pretty much all characters from the different games.


If you just start out i would recommend one of the trilogies, they play all pretty similar and show what the games are about.
You can start with any of the trilogies really, either Arland, Dusk or Mysterious.

If you start with this one then its Ayesha, Escha & Logy and then Shallie.

Thanks for the detailed answer.

rorona/totori/meruru/lulua

ayesha/escha/shallie

sophie/firis/lydie suelle

ryza

Mysterious trilogy is skippable.
Especially Sophie is is just boring.
In that game they managed to even make characters and events so boring that not even that can carry the game.

Originally posted by NisseDood:

Mysterious trilogy is skippable.
Especially Sophie is is just boring.
In that game they managed to even make characters and events so boring that not even that can carry the game.

Well, thats your personal opinion. Sophie was one of my favorite games in the series and the only one i did every single achievement for.

Originally posted by NisseDood:

Mysterious trilogy is skippable.
Especially Sophie is is just boring.
In that game they managed to even make characters and events so boring that not even that can carry the game.

That is just your personal opinion Sophie is dope and easily one of the best (shoot she even gets a sequel) and you’re wrong the Mysterious trilogy is not skippabe you just being a hater.

Dusk series is just great since you already here , finish it before anything else, you won't be disappointed. This series has a feel of melancholy unlike arland and mysterious is rather happy.