Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key

 PC
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 191 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 160 out of 191
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 191
  3. Negative: 24 out of 191

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. BigPoopieMan
    Apr 24, 2023
    9
    I have played through all the parts; this is my favorite. The game still has its flaws, which can differ depending on the individual.
    If you don't mind or even like RPGs with anime style, this is definitely a personal recommendation.
  2. Nightscape_
    Apr 23, 2023
    9
    This is the best Atelier game ever made. There is so much to do and see and synthesize. The battle system has evolved into a fully fledged combat system that is better than most of the JRPG games I have played - in fact I think this is one of the best JRPG games I have ever played.

    I enjoyed the characters as they all have depth and are not just one-dimensional. The whole world, lore,    This is the best Atelier game ever made. There is so much to do and see and synthesize. The battle system has evolved into a fully fledged combat system that is better than most of the JRPG games I have played - in fact I think this is one of the best JRPG games I have ever played.

    I enjoyed the characters as they all have depth and are not just one-dimensional. The whole world, lore, and characters feel fleshed out. There are so many cut scenes and side quests that help create a deeper enjoyment and understanding of the characters. I just wished I could speak Japanese - I must have read a novel worth of text in this game! It was worth it, though. The writing can be a bit too westernized at times, with characters using colloquial slang that only upper middle-class Valley girls would use, but is very intelligent 95% of the time.

    The story is pretty original and very fun. The whole game has a nice laid back, casual feel. Though, I did get killed a few times by strong bosses so the game can be challenging at times.

    The world is very nice and has a ton of environments to check out. I spent over a hundred hours on this game and still haven't seen all the locations. You really get your money's worth here.

    I highly suggest this game to anyone who is a fan of RPG's and looking for a casual, laid back game with some challenging moments and a fun story and characters. However, I highly suggest playing the first two games in the series. The story is new, but there are so many characters from the previous games and references to them that they do feel mandatory. Luckily, the first two games are fun as well, but Atelier Ryza 3 is the best Atelier game I have ever played.    … Expand
  3. Dubeau
    May 2, 2023
    8
    Ryza 3 continues on the layout of Ryza 2. The story is interesting but not that great. Missing was maybe a level of emotion. There are some good dialogues in the story. The game sadly just adds even more systems then 2. It just terribly confusing, and half explained. Some of them are totally useless. Constructing your Ateliers is a gimmick that amount to nothing. That said, the itemsRyza 3 continues on the layout of Ryza 2. The story is interesting but not that great. Missing was maybe a level of emotion. There are some good dialogues in the story. The game sadly just adds even more systems then 2. It just terribly confusing, and half explained. Some of them are totally useless. Constructing your Ateliers is a gimmick that amount to nothing. That said, the items creation is still fun. The combat is fun even with the keys but the ultimate move, is just a waste of time. It is fast pace at least. The interface for managing your party is absolutely horrible, but the rest is relatively decent. Voices are in Japanese, with sub in English. Difficult to read all the mini skits, so just ignore them. The music is really good, I think the sounds could have more creatures sounds effects, but overall everything feels different from one Islands to another. I give it 80%. I still prefer Ryza 2 but doing worlds quests, and main was about 73 hours. Worth the money… Expand
  4. Jt0429
    May 23, 2023
    9
    Good-
    A strong conclusion to the trilogy with a more focused narrative. Large maps are fun to explore and packed with things to do. Art-style and visuals are great, and backed by impressive orchestral music. Fast-paced combat with a lot of choice, further amplified with the addition of Keys. Alchemy is fun to tinker and offers a lot of options.
    Bad- Limited and repetitive field    Good-
    A strong conclusion to the trilogy with a more focused narrative. Large maps are fun to explore and packed with things to do. Art-style and visuals are great, and backed by impressive orchestral music. Fast-paced combat with a lot of choice, further amplified with the addition of Keys. Alchemy is fun to tinker and offers a lot of options.

    Bad-
    Limited and repetitive field dialogue. Blocking during combat can get hectic around multiple foes. Some bugs and slight hiccups with optimization. Tutorials skip out on some important info at times. You'll pick up a lot of junk and have to backtrack frequently to the Atelier to dump it all.    … Expand
  5. RunFish12B8
    Jun 10, 2023
    0
    The game is poorly optimized !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  6. annie_ling
    Jul 12, 2023
    1
    ATELIER RYZA 3: ALCHEMIST OF THE END & THE SECRET KEY has pain brought on by the sparse field dialogue, frantic fighting, bugs, optimization problems, tutorials missing crucial information, and garbage accumulation.
  7. TruthSeaker
    Aug 12, 2023
    0
    Terrible game in every possible way.
    Characters are awful both from writing and design perspective.
    Visuals are staight from PS3 era.
    Combat is boring and tedious.
    Story? Is there even such a thing in this mess of a game?
  8. viacaf
    Aug 15, 2023
    5
    Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key ain't all that great, honestly. They had more time, a bigger budget, and stuff, but the game still doesn't really show what the devs can do. The whole thing feels kinda polished, I guess, but as the so-called final game in the Secret series, Its is a bit of a letdown, to be real. They tried to bring back some old stuff and make theAtelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key ain't all that great, honestly. They had more time, a bigger budget, and stuff, but the game still doesn't really show what the devs can do. The whole thing feels kinda polished, I guess, but as the so-called final game in the Secret series, Its is a bit of a letdown, to be real. They tried to bring back some old stuff and make the relationships cooler, but it just feels force, and the characters we love seem kinda lost in this huge world that's supposed to be expanding. I usually hype up the new Atelir games even if they're just okay, but this time, Just didn't quite hit the mark. I'm honestly not super stokdd to see if they can do better than this kinda meh game.… Expand
  9. beccybabes
    Aug 22, 2023
    6
    First off, let's talk about performance. Yeah, it's not exactly smooth sailing on that front. Like, be ready for some bumps and hiccups along the way, which can really cramp your style But I guess the supposed highlight is seeing this, like, more grown-up Ryza trotting through an open world. She's got this newfound confidence and, like, charisma that's supposed to be all inspiring andFirst off, let's talk about performance. Yeah, it's not exactly smooth sailing on that front. Like, be ready for some bumps and hiccups along the way, which can really cramp your style But I guess the supposed highlight is seeing this, like, more grown-up Ryza trotting through an open world. She's got this newfound confidence and, like, charisma that's supposed to be all inspiring and stuff. I mean, sure, if you're into that sort of thing, it might light a spark or two. But for me, the issues and, like, the whole "reward" thing just left me feeling a bit underwhelmed.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Best PC Game of 2023
87
#87 Most Discussed PC Game of 2023

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. GameMAG
    May 22, 2023
    80
    Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key is a great closing chapter for Ryza trilogy that is closer to the original game in spirit, and manages to fix some of the shortcomings of the second part.
    Read full review
  2. ZTGD
    Apr 28, 2023
    85
    Despite the permanence of typical Atelier quirks, Atelier Ryza 3 is a wonderful conclusion to the trilogy featuring some of the best the series has to offer. While this marks the end of Ryza’s journey as the heroine, her influence to this unique and charming franchise will be felt long after the credits have rolled.
    Read full review
  3. GameSkinny
    Apr 21, 2023
    80
    Atelier Ryza 3 improves upon its predecessors in a warm sendoff to Ryza and friends.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »