Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy

Gust's experiment with giving a beloved character a direct sequel has paid off. Anyone who enjoyed the first Atelier Ryza - and many place it right at the top of their series favourites for a reason - will love the subtle improvements that Gust has brought on board, without messing with the qualities that made the original so enjoyable. It has also been nice to play an Atelier that isn't also a coming of age story, and while Ryza isn't my favourite character in the series, the two-game arc that Gust has given her has given us one of the finest female heroes across all JRPGs. Atelier is really pushing into the upper echelons of JRPGs now, and I'm quite confident that the next game in the series will continue to build on the brilliant achievement of Ryza and its sequel (can we go back to more traditional Atelier protagonists with the next one though, please, Gust?).

Atelier Ryza 2 is essential if you enjoy relaxing JRPGs and the perfect game to get into the Atelier series with thanks to its gorgeous visuals, brilliant music, fun combat, and great characters.

Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy is a fantastic JRPG. Whether you’re a returning fan or a first-time player, it’s an excellent jumping-off point into the franchise. As a first-time series player myself, Ryza 2 was quite a pleasant surprise and one that I find myself continuously drawn into.

Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy is a significant shift for the series, being the first-ever direct sequel with a returning protagonist in all of Atelier. While this isn't a perfect entry point for newcomers, Atelier Ryza 2 builds on every aspect of the previous game flawlessly. Even with some minor hiccups, the immersive exploration systems and addictive combat are top-notch. The gorgeous visuals and comfy music are just as much of a delight, but the best piece of the puzzle is the relatable narrative about growth and friendship that I won't soon forget. A highlight of the Atelier series, and an absolute must-play.

Except for the technical sector, Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy has done exactly what we would expect from a good sequel, that is to improve the original product in every respect.

This sequel brings back Ryza and her friends in a new adventure which stands out by aspects like the combat system and new alchemy features along with an interesting story.

Atelier Ryza 2 brings new, interesting gameplay features into the series, but it doesn't revolutionize the Atelier franchise. The alchemy system hasn't been simplified, but it's much easier to pick up if you're a newcomer to the series. There are new biomes to explore thanks to the introduction of the swimming and mount abilities, but the balance between combat, alchemy, and exploration is what makes Atelier Ryza 2 an enjoyable experience. There's no doubt about it, Ryza 2 is the most refined experience you can get playing an Atelier game as long as you're not expecting a top-notch story. Aside from the lighthearted tone, nothing stands out when it comes to Atelier Ryza 2's story; it's as generic as it can be and there's nothing wrong with that.

Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends and the Secret Fairy is a lighthearted JRPG, with an incredibly compelling gameplay loop of crafting and leveling up.

Atelia Ryza 2: Lost Legends & The Secret Fairy is a highly enjoyable JRPG. Returning fans of the series and new ones should be delighted. Ryza has an infectiously bright personality and her relationship with the other party members meshes well. The combat is fast, and the story is intriguing. The heavier focus on exploration, as well as alchemy, is a welcome change.

After the predecessor set up a huge sale with the beauty of Rysa, this sequel did not intend to make quick money or be perfunctory. The more interesting gameplay design has brought me a lot of different experiences. The process of collecting clues in the maze and piecing together the grand story behind the ruins made me addicted to it.

Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy is a step forward from the original Atelier. A more investigative tone, combined with new interactions, enhances the overall experience and makes the game fascinating.

Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy is the sequel of the popular title. The gameplay is still fun and immersive but for the future we need to have some innovation.

Atelier Ryza 2 is a good looking and highly entertaining game once you get past its snail paced narrative and complicated mechanics.

Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends and the Secret Fairy overshadows its monotonous alchemy system with a fitting combination of charm, exploration, and a dynamic, living world.

Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy is a great entry point for those unfamiliar with JRPGs but who would like to get acquainted with this perhaps mythical genre. At the same time, you also have to learn and put up with grinding, because now and then you will encounter bosses that are a bit too much for an under-leveled party. Thanks to the snappy combat, quick gameplay and easy traversal, you are back in the home base in no time for another go. Ryza’s bright attitude will rub on you and make it easier to go through chores and grinding of real life.

A new chapter of Ryza’s saga, Atelier Ryza 2 improves the combat system with the interesting Item Rush mechanic. Its longevity is also very good thanks to a wide variety of activities, but those looking for a challenge might be disappointed by its difficulty. All in all, Atelier Ryza 2 is a game that shows the care and love that went into its making.

Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends and the Secret Fairy is a brilliant sequel that expands upon everything that made the original great, while forging a path forward that can be further expanded upon in the trilogy's final chapter.

An improved gameplay makes Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy a delightful experience full of legends, mysteries and friendship.

The characters in Atelier Ryza 2 have grown up, but haven't lost any of their charm. The basic principles of the typical Atelier formula have been retained and the developers added new gameplay elements. Unfortunately, they are not all 100% suitable.

Atelier Ryza 2 is satisfied to offer more of the same gameplay from the first title, with marginal improvements over the game published last year. It's still a good JRPG but, unlike its predecessor, plays it a little too safe.

Atelier Ryza 2 doesn't have the perfect rhythm, but is almost exactly what you'd expect from a game in Atelier series, and a JRPG in general. Atelier Ryza 2 builds on the series core elements and improves them at the same time, and is a great choice for both the fans of the series and the fans of JRPG genre.

Ryza 2 is a sequel that doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel. However, if you enjoyed the original, this won’t disappoint you.

Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy has a personality all its own with fun crafting and flashy combat, but falls into common RPG pitfalls such as constant backtracking and tedious questing.

Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy‘s core elements come together to make for understanding and engaging friendly JRPG. It has the option to automate complex elements and the battle system can be grasped early on without hours of learning, helped with the solo focused action. Whoever you are, the game wants you to enjoy its charming story and over-joyous characters. While there are some points where the plot can be interrupted, due to all the bite size dialogue squeezed into the the adventure, and there are signs of budget restraints in its game design and enemy variety, Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy still makes for an entertaining time with a series that keeps adding additions to expand over its many game entries.

Mixing up your items is still the name of the game, though. While you level up in fights, a lot of your sense of progression comes from creating more powerful items (and finding higher-quality ingredients to do so). Holing up in your atelier, mixing the perfect items for quests, is still one of the most satisfying crafting systems around. You frequently return to your home to store materials, encountering warm little character events. A degree of automation makes mixing easy to get into, but customisation has evolved to the point where you can’t help but think up alterations to make, for instance, your bombs more powerful. There’s a strong connection to your items and equipment. [Issue#185, p.82]

Takes what's good about the first game and improves upon it. It's set apart from other games in its genre through its charmingly wholesome tone and low-stakes narrative that allow its characters and their relationships to shine while conveying relatably human themes filtered through an optimistic, sometimes-wistful lens. The game's systems are sometimes at odds but are each entertaining, and exploring ancient ruins with Ryza and her friends on a quest for knowledge regularly instills a hopeful sense of adventure. Atelier Ryza 2 will well-suit anyone looking for a leisurely, character-centric, self-paced, and intimate JRPG journey.

Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy is a great pick for fans of JRPG games who are interested in a complex gaming experience that regularly challenges them to think outside the box to solve problems.