Although it's sad that the Secret trilogy of the Atelier series has concluded with Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End and the Secret Keys, it has given us reasons to anticipate new Atelier games with enhanced gameplay and graphics in the near future. In the meantime, fans and newcomers drawn to the alluring world of Atelier Ryza may wish to explore earlier titles from before the Secret series, while coping with the farewell to Ryza and friends. This article will provide an overview of games from the Dusk and Mysterious subseries, highlighting what players could expect from them in terms of gameplays.

Before moving on, it's important to note the distinctions between the Ryza games and earlier titles. Each Atelier game has its own unique themes, with the Secret series focusing on "summer memories" that feature more outdoor adventures and environmental interactions. Thus, some might feel that the synthesis system in the Secret series is more straightforward and easier to grasp. Additionally, previous titles did not utilize the ATB mechanism in their turn-based combat system, resulting in more leisure and unhurried battles, which players can expect when exploring the games mentioned below. It's also worth mentioning that some of the games within the Atelier series incorporate a time management system, which is not present in the Secret trilogy. This adds an additional layer of challenge by requiring players to accomplish tasks and goals within a limited timeframe.

Note: The games mentioned below are all recently released DX versions (except Atelier Sophie 2) which includes some QOL upgrades and all past DLCs.

“Dusk” series

The Dusk series places a rather even emphasis on its synthesis and combat system. In fact, it is arguably the best at seamlessly melding the two systems together. By paying close attention to the traits of the items being synthesized, players can create powerful items that can enhance their combat experience in many different ways. Unlike some other games within the series, the Dusk series heavily rewards players for taking the time to learn the intricacies of the synthesis system instead of just haphazardly creating items. This undoubtly provides a satisfying sense of achievement when successfully creating the desired items.

While the time management system is relatively tame in the Dusk series compared to previous games, it is still present in Atelier Ayesha and Atelier Escha & Logy. In Atelier Shallie, however, the system is replaced by the “life task system” where players have to complete a series of tasks in order to progress to the next tasks within the same branch, similar to side quests. Fortunately, players need not worry about strict time constraints as the system is rather lenient compared to earlier Atelier titles, despite the possibility of resulting in some bad endings if too much time is wasted. Overall, the time management system adds an extra layer of depth to the game without becoming a hindrance to the player's enjoyment.

Atelier Ayesha: The Alchemist of Dusk DX (Switch / PS4 / PC)

DX Release: December 2019 (Japan), January 2020 (Worldwide)

Original release: June 2012 (Japan), August 2012 (Chinese), March 2013 (West)

Atelier Ayesha tells the story of Ayesha Altugle, an herbalist who runs a workshop with her sister Nio. When Nio disappears under mysterious circumstances, Ayesha meets an alchemist named Keithgriff Hazeldine who reveals that she must learn alchemy to save her sister before it's too late. The game explores themes of coping with sadness, and players witness Ayesha's growth as she records her experiences in her diary while gathering allies and honing her alchemy skills in her quest to reunite with her missing sister. As Ayesha learns the art of alchemy, she discovers new ways to create powerful items and concoctions, all in the hopes of finding her beloved sister.

Atelier Escha & Logy: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky DX (Switch / PS4 / PC)

DX Release: December 2019 (Japan), January 2020 (Worldwide)

Original release: June 2013 (Japan), October 2013 (Chinese), March 2014 (West)

Set four years after the events of Atelier Ayesha, Atelier Escha & Logy takes place in a distant land to the west of Twilight Land. The story follows two new alchemists, Escha and Logy, who are recruited by the local administration to work in their R&D division. As they settle into their new roles, the duo embarks on a journey of discovery, gathering companions and allies along the way. Together, they explore nearby ruins and uncover the secrets of a world still reeling from "The Dusk," a catastrophic event that left it in disarray. Through their alchemical skills and community-building efforts, Escha and Logy aid the local citizens in rebuilding and forging a new path forward.

Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea DX (Switch / PS4 / PC)

DX Release: December 2019 (Japan), January 2020 (Worldwide)

Original release: July 2014 (Japan), December 2014 (Chinese), March 2015 (West)

Set six years after Atelier Escha & Logy and ten years after Atelier Ayesha, Atelier Shallie features two distinct protagonists for players to choose from: Shallistera Argo and Shallotte Elminus. Shallistera is a serious and reserved young woman tasked with protecting a relic and saving her village from destruction. Shallotte, on the other hand, is a bubbly and ambitious alchemist determined to follow in her late father's footsteps and become a skilled practitioner of the craft. Despite their differences in personality and goals, the two girls are brought together and must learn to cooperate and work together as they navigate the mysteries of the world around them.

“Mysterious” series

The Mysterious series features a unique synthesizing system that resembles Tetris. The games also prioritize synthesis and character interactions rather than the overarching plot and adventure. For me, the standout aspect of the Mysterious games is the characters and their relationships. The games create a cozy and comfortable atmosphere, which is particularly evident in Atelier Sophie and Atelier Lydie & Suelle. While it is possible to rely on basic synthesis in battles, in order to make battles more forgiving, it's recommended that players experiment with different and more complex recipes that become available throughout the game. Due to the game’s setting, Atelier Firis offers the most adventure, but the other two games aren’t lacking in challenging fights and intriguing environments either.

When it comes to time management, Atelier Sophie, Atelier Lydia & Suelle, and Atelier Sophie 2 do not impose strict time limits. The only quests with deadlines are certain requests obtained from the local tavern, while the main story quests have no time limit. On the other hand, Atelier Firis takes a different approach by placing you in an open-world with a specific number of days to finish your main quest. While you can explore the world freely, you must pass the exam within a year in order to move on to the post-game, breaking free of the time restrictions.

Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book DX (Switch / PS4 / PC)

DX Release: April 2021 (Worldwide)

Original Release: November 2015 (Japan), February 2016 (Chinese), June 2016 (West)

Atelier Sophie takes place in the quaint town of Kirchen Bell, where a young alchemist named Sophie Neuenmuller resides. She aspires to follow in the footsteps of her grandmother, who was also an accomplished alchemist. One day, Sophie stumbles upon a talking book called Plachta, who reveals she was a renowned alchemist in the past. Plachta offers to teach Sophie the art of alchemy, on the condition that Sophie assists her in recovering lost memories by gathering and documenting alchemy recipes in the book's pages.

Atelier Firis: The Alchemist and the Mysterious Journey DX (Switch / PS4 / PC)

DX Release: April 2021 (Worldwide)

Original Release: November 2016 (Japan), January 2017 (Chinese), March 2017 (West)

In Atelier Firis, Firis Mistlud is a young girl who lives in the remote mining town of Ertona and possesses a special ability to sense the location of ores, which she uses to assist the daily works of the townspeople. She yearns to explore the world outside and later meets the protagonists of the previous game, Sophie and Plachta, who introduce her to the basics of alchemy. Firis shows great talent in the craft and is granted permission to leave the village with her sister Liane, but with the condition that she must pass the alchemist certification exam within a year, or else she will be forced to return home.

Atelier Lydie & Suelle: The Alchemists and the Mysterious Paintings DX (Switch / PS4 / PC)

DX Release: April 2021 (Worldwide)

Original Release: December 2017 (Japan), March 2018 (Worldwide)

Atelier Lydie & Suelle takes place eight years after Atelier Sophie and four years after Atelier Firis. The game features twin alchemists, Lydie and Suelle Marlen, who work at their family atelier. Unfortunately, their father's lack of alchemy experience results in few customers. Determined to improve their skills and attract more customers, they stumble upon a mysterious painting, which leads them to a world filled with rare materials perfect for synthesis. As they strive to run a successful atelier, they balance their everyday lives as alchemists with their extraordinary experiences in the painting world.

Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream (Switch / PS4 / PC)

Released: February 2022 (Worldwide)

After leaving Kirchen Bell, Sophie and Plachta, who is still in a doll's body, are on a journey to help Sophie earn her alchemist certification. As they approach a strange tree, they are suddenly sucked into a black void. Separated from Plachta, Sophie wakes up in Roytale, a city located in the parallel world of Erde Wiege, created by the goddess Elvira. This world is inhabited by individuals who were chosen by Elvira from different periods of time. Sophie moves to an atelier and meets another alchemist who turns out to be a younger version of Plachta, summoned to Erde Wiege before she loses her human body. Sophie then sets out on a quest to search for Plachta.

Closing remarks:

Overall, both the Mysterious and Dusk series have their merits, and it's a matter of personal preference whether you prefer a more complex synthesis system (as seen in the Mysterious series) or a more streamlined one (as in the Dusk series). If you believe that both the synthesis and combat systems should be equally important and work together seamlessly, then the Dusk games would be your best choice. On the other hand, if you enjoy a complex synthesis system that requires some head-scratching, then the Mysterious series would be more suitable. The Dusk games' themes are relatively heavy, as they revolve around a dying world, but still considerably lighter than other JRPGs. Despite being part of the same series, each Atelier game has its own unique fun, so it's up to you to explore and discover which one you'll enjoy the most.

That concludes Lluvia’s overview of the Dusk and Mysterious series of the Atelier games. Feel free to let me know if you’d like to read more about other subseries~