Atelier Totori: The Adventurer of Arland

 PlayStation 3
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
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  1. RPGamer
    Sep 28, 2011
    90
    Furthermore, Totori outdoes its predecessor in nearly every aspect, showing that Gust is always trying to one-up itself with each new release. Atelier Totori shines for its honesty, and has a lighthearted feel that the majority of RPGs don't match.
  2. RPG Fan
    Sep 28, 2011
    90
    Players looking for a colorful world, a lighthearted story, and deep gameplay need look no further than Atelier Totori.
  3. PSX Extreme
    Sep 28, 2011
    87
    It has a few drawbacks – the story isn't great, it takes too long to progress, and some of the battle can feel a little underwhelming – but for RPG fans, it's a winner.
  5. GameShark
    Nov 7, 2011
    83
    While gamers new to (or averse to) anime style may not enjoy Atelier Totori, the committed JRPG audience will likely be pleased with what the game has to offer. For us JRPG enthusiasts, a good game means beautiful anime-style graphics, expressive musical scores, eccentric characters and dialog and complex gameplay mechanics; despite its somewhat simplified approach to combat, Atelier Totori scores on all points.
  6. GamePro
    Oct 7, 2011
    80
    Atelier Totori is a hidden gem of a game. It's far from perfect, but it's so wildly, wonderfully distinct and different from the typical crop of titles out there that it's hard not to love it.
  7. Cheat Code Central
    Oct 3, 2011
    80
    Gamers who are looking for a fairly laid-back adventure with plenty of things to do and lots of fun characters to meet should definitely give Atelier Totori a try.
  8. Vandal
    Oct 25, 2011
    79
    A game with anything remarkable, but without flaws. One of those Japanese roleplaying game that are very classic and follow the tradition, without evolving the gameplay, but with compelling graphics, a good story and a nice blend of elements that doesn't focus solely on combat. It won't make history, but is a fun game.
  9. Worth Playing
    Oct 18, 2011
    78
    If you've ever enjoyed a Gust game or Atelier title, it's likely that you'll dig Atelier Totori: The Adventurer of Arland. It's a fun, mostly upbeat adventure that doesn't get too bogged down by generic anime themes or trappings.
  10. Digital Chumps
    Oct 11, 2011
    78
    The Atelier series is loved by many and I think those very fans will be really pleased with NISA and Gust's efforts in this latest adventure.
  11. IGN
    Oct 10, 2011
    75
    For fans of the franchise, Atelier Totori is a complete success. It improves upon Atelier Rorona in almost every conceivable way and delivers all of the gameplay, art style, characterizations and special brand of cuteness that the series' fans have come to expect.
  12. ZTGD
    Sep 28, 2011
    73
    If you liked Atelier Rorona and are looking for a similar experience with a few upgrades, you will really enjoy this game, especially if you enjoyed the characters in Rorona...Keep in mind, if fetch quests are not your thing, or if you can't stand bubbly characters, you may want to steer clear of this game.
  13. Eurogamer Germany
    Jan 17, 2012
    70
    Atelier Totori features a few elegant mechanics in combat and framing. (…) Let me put the story this way: If you, unlike me, don´t have to look up, what "Shōjo" means, but instead use it as a positive filter during your search for new anime-stuff, then Atelier Totori is right up your alley.
  14. DarkZero
    Nov 7, 2011
    70
    Fans that have played the games before won't need any introduction, they will know what to expect in an Atelier game, and it's a good game in that respect for them. As mentioned it's not an epic adventure, but it never tries to be. This story is a personal one of one girl's emotional ride to becoming experienced in alchemy and adventuring and her quest to find her mum. It's not an RPG for everyone who likes the genre, but it is fun, and if you can get into it once you've passed the initial couple of hours then you'll have found yourself one of the most relaxing and easygoing RPGs on the market today.
  15. TheSixthAxis
    Oct 4, 2011
    70
    If Gust had made the narrative more relevant to the gaming masses and upped the bar in terms of visual presentation, this could easily have been one of the best entries the JRPG genre has witnessed in quite some time.
  16. GamesRadar+
    Oct 3, 2011
    70
    A solid RPG, but it's far from an excellent one. It's like the party you'll attend because you don't have much else going on.
  17. GameWatcher
    Oct 12, 2011
    65
    For everything that Altelier Totori: The Adventurer of Arland does right though, it fails to deliver on another key element of the genre. I never felt fully connected to the world.
  18. PlayStation LifeStyle
    Oct 12, 2011
    60
    Aterlier Totori is not a game for everyone, as some gamers might find themselves bored with the gather and create formula, but it is still a solid RPG experience.
  19. Gameblog.fr
    Oct 12, 2011
    60
    With its sexy heroins and its more adventure-oriented formula, Atelier Totori is more appealing than its predecessor. Even though it stays relatively similar in terms of visuals and at its core, Atelier Totori offers some gameplay adjustments and story enhancements, for the better. A classic-style RPG, but a nice one.
  20. Gamekult
    Sep 30, 2011
    40
    Quotation forthcoming.

Awards & Rankings

98
#98 Best PS3 Game of 2011

User Reviews

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User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 86 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 66 out of 86
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 86
  3. Negative: 9 out of 86
  1. sgb
    Oct 6, 2011
    6
    Basically the same game as Aletlier Rorona with minor improvements throughout the game. The biggest improvement is there are no longerBasically the same game as Aletlier Rorona with minor improvements throughout the game. The biggest improvement is there are no longer 'assignments', instead you have one main goal and the entire timelimit can be spent reaching that however you like. It feels much more open ended than Rorona. Little things like being able to turn in quests with items in your storage help game flow, and the art is better.

    However the some of the main problems Rorona had return. Combat is still bland, the game is still very easy, and the plot and dialogues are still mostly pointless. I understand they wanted to avoid a cheesy 'save the world' plot with these games, but having almost nothing going on isn't any better. While the art is nice, the in-game models are still sub-par for modern RPG standards. Sound and voiceovers are okay, but nothing special. As a fair warning, this game had day 1 DLC which I feel is a !@#$ move for any company.

    All in all if you loved Rorona, you'll enjoy Totori. If you thought Rorona was a below average game, Totori won't change your opinion of the series.    … Full Review »
  2. Hamilton
    Oct 6, 2011
    10
    Totori improves in every possible way Rorona's already original and compelling gameplay, mixing the old turn based jrpg fare with a lot ofTotori improves in every possible way Rorona's already original and compelling gameplay, mixing the old turn based jrpg fare with a lot of rare elements often found in manager games.. Alchemy has never been so much fun, and since the narrative is more focused than in Rorona because of Totori's own personal story I felt much more interested to explore every corner of the world and to try every possible event.

    Not only that, but graphics have really been improved, and the characters are extremely well done, sometimes even better than the portraits used in dialogues. I strongly suggest this game to anyone interested in non-conventional, experimental games, not to mention Atelier fans.    … Full Review »
  3. Sollertia
    Oct 7, 2011
    10
    Atelier Totori is a surprising game. It hits all the right notes, with its charm, that which many games lack nowadays. Make no mistake; thisAtelier Totori is a surprising game. It hits all the right notes, with its charm, that which many games lack nowadays. Make no mistake; this is not an elaborate journey where bloodshed and betrayal will befall upon you, the player. It's, instead, a heartwarming, lighthearted adventure about a youngster's pilgrimage. A tale about maturity, about experience. However, its charm is yet its biggest flaw: it's a niche game, first and foremost. A game that's just simple and honesty, and thus, not many people will like it. It pushes away connoisseurs of the japanese variation of the genre, with its open-ended gameplay and choice as far as the eye can see. It also pushes away fans of the western variation of the genre, with its cutesy charm and bubbly presentation. It's a game that appeals to no-one, and, instead, it does its own thing.

    That's also why it's so engrossing, and so fun. It's a relaxing, sometimes touching experience that gives the player what others don't offer: an RPG that does something truly different.

    It's a game that's just playful, and endearing. It's not flawless, however. The narrative (or lack thereof, for half the game), certain bugs, weak backgrounds and standard combat are all there. Yet, it's fun to play. It's TONS of fun to play. It's just a joy to go through. To laugh along, and to cry along. To engross yourself into the standard, yet beautiful world of Arland, and its plains, catacombs, forests and caves. To explore, and be rewarded. To fail, and be rewarded. To simply enjoy, something not many games of this generation focus on.    … Full Review »
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