Atelier Ryza Ever - Darkness & the Secret Hideout


If you're thinking to yourself the same way I am "HEY I always see this game series on Steam, but it's so damn expensive... should I buy it anyway?"
Those were exactly my thoughts that enticed me to buy the ENTIRE Atelier game series after years. And I'll take the decision from you now.
One thing I really need to note before I write this review. Only buy this game if you are rich or if it has been reduced to at least 20€. Otherwise it's just not worth it. The biggest problem with the game is not that it isnt bad, it is just average. It's that it costs a whole 60€ even though it can't even begin to make up for the price with content. I paid 29,99€ and I still think that the game was overpriced. And I am someone who has almost 300 Steam games, this already shows my skepticism. I hope part 2 will be better.

Atelier Ryza 1 is a very colorful mostly crafting and quest based game, with a relatively refreshing combat system. Unfortunately, the game really has little that sets it apart and classifies it as special. And despite everything, I have to say that I did enjoy the game to some extent. I spent almost 70 hours here until I finished everything. Unfortunately, apart from promising game systems, there was nothing to captivate you. Especially the characters are a massive disappointment.

Positives
- Pleasant atmosphere
- Difficulty level is also suitable for casual players.
- Great crafting system with immense variety of items and details.
- A relatively new battle system which offers variety at the beginning.

Negatives
- Average story
- Poor dialogue, the main characters have NPC conversations at their best.
- Disappointing characters. It's almost like playing one of the worst fantasy anime as an RPG.
- Character animations are poor. Although the game has limited levels anyway with no real requirement. And yet there are 4-5 different animations, the walking animations are like from a PS1 game and it fills in so cheap.
- Game has poor explanations even though it has immense amount of systems.
- There are only 3 bosses in the game and all 3 are recycled repeatedly with different names. Which is immensely lazy.
- The game map does not update to progress. So characters from the beginning of the game stand in the city and are still your enemies, although you have befriended each other in the story for a long time.
- The side missions are just bad without mercy. Such bad quests are hard to find.
- The characters' personalities are barely there, as are their proportions. What the hell is going on with Lent and Lila? Lent looks like a bodybuilder who was given the arms and head of a child. And Lila carries around 40kg of tits.


If you're still skeptical, check out gameplays to see if the game appeals to you at least in terms of gameplay. Otherwise, I recommend playing Atelier Sophie, which had worse graphics, but much better characters.

If someone has questions about the game, feel free to write me.