Yesterday, Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key was shown off during the Nintendo Direct. The game is a direct sequel to Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout and Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy (similar annoying long titles), continuing its naming convention of “and the Secret” something. This is the final chapter or Ryza’s story – which is great, because who doesn’t like a neatly wrapped-up trilogy? Today, Gust and Koei Tecmo released a nice long “first look” video as well as some more information about the game.
The original writer of the first Atelier Ryza has returned for this game. Set out with fan-favourite alchemist Reisalin Stout and her mischievous friends on another summer adventure, set one year after Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy. Ryza and her friends are enjoying their usual summer escapades on Kurken Island when they hear that mysterious islands have appeared out of nowhere nearby. These islands, Kark Isles, are having a negative effect on the world around them… so of course, Ryza and friends need to investigate. But their curiosity leads them to an enormous gate, deep within strange ruins, and Ryza hears a voice in her head trying to convince her to lead the Code of the Universe. Nobody knows what that means… yet.
The friends will explore four regions in a new “open field,” meaning they’re explorable with seamless transitions. Players will voyage through these vast, beautiful landscapes to find mysterious keys that will help them on their adventure. There are different types of keys that can be found and created; they are useful for exploration, synthesis, and battle. Each key has a different effect, so experimentation will be key to unlocking (see what I did there?) the secrets of the world.
Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key has one of the largest rosters in Atelier history, totalling eleven party members. This includes familiar faces from the first two Atelier Ryza games, such as Ryza (duh), intelligent and hard-working Klaudia, devoted ruins researcher Toa, and humble and sincere Lent. More characters will be announced in the coming months.
Koei Tecmo has also announced two special edition versions of the game: a Premium Box and a Special Collection Box. Both will be available for purchase through the publisher itself. The Premium Box includes a copy of the game, an art book, a B2 cloth poster, a set of two illustrated clear files, a mini acrylic character charm, an early-access DLC costume for Ryza, and a collectable box. The Special Collection Box includes everything in the Premium Box, plus an Original Key Case an A1 wall scroll featuring an original art piece, a selection of acrylic charms featuring the cover art from each game in the trilogy, and a set of twelve illustration cards. It’s also been announced that anyone who purchases the game, either digitally or physically, during the first two weeks after launch will be able to download a set of seven Summer Look costumes; others can purchase these costumes at a later date.
Developed by Gust and published by Koei Tecmo, Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key will be released for PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch on February 24, 2023.
