Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout

 Switch
Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
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  1. Digitally Downloaded
    Oct 25, 2019
    100
    What is important is that I came away from this game very happy. It's a joy to play, the overall experience is video game comfort food, and I don't think I'll ever get bored with the way Gust approaches the alchemy systems with the same sense of experimental creativity as the alchemy in the game itself.
  2. FNintendo
    Jan 3, 2020
    90
    Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout begins a new trilogy in the Atelier series and this new chapter is a crowning achievement under the Atelier name. With visible improvements in the combat system and the audiovisual environment, but also more accessible than previous entries in the series, Atelier Ryza puts the threshold at a higher level regarding what is yet to come for Atelier.
  3. NintendoWorldReport
    Dec 2, 2019
    90
    Atelier Ryza is a journey about making the best of the here and now, and it is beautiful to behold for it. I felt incredibly engaged every step of the way, wanting to see the game through. I hope that this is the beginning of an engrossing new trilogy.
  5. TheSixthAxis
    Oct 29, 2019
    90
    Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout reinvents the wheel on a series that felt like it was beginning to grow stagnant. Fresh combat and an engaging new protagonist help this entry usher in a remarkable new era for the long-running Atelier series, and other improvements like great Switch performance and gorgeous music are just icing on the cake. I never thought that Atelier Sophie could be out-done, but Atelier Ryza has thoroughly made the case to be my new favorite game in the series.
  6. Nintenderos
    Oct 25, 2019
    87
    Atelier Ryza is a revolution for the series with a completely new combat and synthesis system, as well as an original story about what it means to mature. Its slow pace and repetitiveness are not for everyone, but it is the perfect title for those who want to start playing the franchise.
  7. Universo Nintendo
    Dec 3, 2019
    85
    Atelier Ryza uses the series classic gameplay loop and brings a few new systems to it, making this one of the best in the entire series. It’s an excellent beginning of a new arc, an excellent opportunity for new players and an excellent game for anyone that loves RPGs.
  8. God is a Geek
    Oct 30, 2019
    85
    Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout on Nintendo Switch is a fantastic conversion.
  9. Pure Nintendo
    Nov 11, 2019
    80
    It will keep you busy for hours trying to craft better gear and foraging throughout the map for that much-needed material. Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout is a cutesy, time-consuming monster for the Switch, and it’s worth getting.
  10. GameSpew
    Nov 6, 2019
    80
    It’s a charming adventure set against a gorgeous backdrop, and even though it may take a while to get going, it’s worth persevering with. Its combat is engaging, exploration is a delight, and its characters are a pleasure to know. Even if you’ve never played an Atelier game before, Atelier Ryza is one worth jumping into.
  11. Switch Player
    Nov 4, 2019
    80
    Whilst the whimsical nature of Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout can act as a double-edged sword, feeling both magical and fleeting mere moments apart, Ryza’s infectious personality is a joy to behold. In-depth combat and item synthesis are cleverly utilised throughout and, despite characters and narrative producing varying results, the overall quality is up there with the very best.
  12. Nintendo Life
    Nov 2, 2019
    80
    Atelier Ryza lifts the series to new heights with a reinvigorated, newcomer-friendly alchemy system and an excellent combat overhaul. The new graphics engine looks glorious and runs beautifully on Nintendo’s console, the story is thoughtfully paced and heartfelt and the traditionally slow early hours do a fantastic job of detailing Ryza’s journey from complete beginner to master alchemist. Gust has done a brilliant job of taking this long-running franchise and making it appeal to the mainstream more than ever here and, if you’ve ever been tempted to give the world of Atelier a try, this is a perfect jumping-on point.
  13. RPG Site
    Nov 1, 2019
    80
    While I may have enjoyed Atelier Lulua more, that title comes with three other games’ worth of baggage to deal with. Atelier Ryza is a fresh start, and a perfect title to jump right into the series with.
  14. 4P.de
    Nov 8, 2019
    70
    The RPG saga benefits from new battle and fighting systems, but still has lot of room for improvements when it comes to visuals and staging.

Awards & Rankings

28
#28 Best Switch Game of 2019
74
#74 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2019

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 128 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 101 out of 128
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 128
  3. Negative: 15 out of 128
  1. yorgash
    Nov 9, 2019
    7
    I played almost every Atelier games, and loved all of them since Rorona greatly.

    This one is... a bitter, very bitter letdown for me. I'm    I played almost every Atelier games, and loved all of them since Rorona greatly.

    This one is... a bitter, very bitter letdown for me. I'm not saying it's not a decent game, but if I rate other titles 9/10 I can not honestly give this one more than 5, were it not for the many new ideas implemented, and the somewhat decent if a bit overly basic story.

    1.) Synthesis:
    Of course the new ideas are welcome, but not if they come at the price of letting the old ones go. Nearing endgame it becomes more and more obvious that this game almost entirely lacks item traits; it has maybe 5 useful traits coupled with 5 "stack-able" level-based ones. Compared to the 100+ that could be combined in many ways in former titles. Not to mention the "reformed" synthesis is basically dirt-cheap compared to the second most recent one, Lulua (I could say Lydie+Sue or Shallie too) for example. You just... add materials if you have them to the effect you want to have. And you can edit it later, not even having to worry about the quality.

    2.) Battle
    The battle is also a mess. I see what they were trying to do, making it a bit more "active time" than plain old turn-based, but it really is just turn-based. Worse yet, one could say you can only control one character, since going for speed build and trying to control all characters is plain impossible. To be a little more exact, it needs you to make about 20 button mashed in 0.5 seconds. If there were a way to issue or set up tactics for your party that might actually work, but you can only choose "spam what they have enough AP for" or "normal attack". Can't even make them use items. Not to mention that aside from the 3 members you currently select the others are just there being reserves - no assists, stat boosts, combination, nothing. That's a huge step down from almost every other Atelier games. Not to mention you can simply not get excited to battle with any monsters, since basically there are 4 enemies recolored, two "big bad" ones, 1 optional boss for recoloring and maybe 2 additional models. Their strength increases linearly to match your progress while in the main story, nothing afterwards.

    3.) Characters
    Aside from the main character and maybe one of the other party members the others are just comically simple avatars of their archetypes. Of course the glasses shorty acts just like he's "supposed to" being a scaredy-cat bookworm. The hot-blooded warrior wants to beat up monsters. The "alchemist with a heavy past" is just that. The interactions between characters are minimal and hardly interesting or entertaining. You just... don't feel for any of them.

    4.) Music
    The music not only is forgettable, it's almost impossible to like them. And it's not that they are terrible; it has more to do with being way too atmospheric and trying hard not to overtake the scene. You can almost use the battle music for your atelier comfy music and vice versa... It's the first time that after playing 50+ hours I have no desire to listen to its OST - nor could I recall them if I wanted to.

    5.) The pros
    ...are the new things implemented poorly. The premise of a gathering synthesizer is good, adding materials in this fashion could be good, reactor forge is an interesting - if not overpowered - tool, no nonsense way to duplicate items is also pretty decent for an idea. Item rebuild would be a nice touch if it came with any restrains (aside from the ridiculously negligible constraint of your alchemy level). Most of these ideas could make a good foundation for an actually good implementation, but as is currently it's a pretty bad mix. And after getting through the initial confusion it's sickeningly simple.

    Overall this game could be improved upon so vastly it'd be more efficient to do it the other way around: just use any older titles and implement the good parts of this one. Atmosphere, OST, characters and everything... not saying they are terrible, but way out of Atelier's league.    … Full Review »
  2. TalionSwift
    Oct 31, 2019
    9
    (Note having this mobile is actually really cool, so many bus rides made that much more awesome I love it!) This game so far is great! I(Note having this mobile is actually really cool, so many bus rides made that much more awesome I love it!) This game so far is great! I really like the new way they took the combat, and pretty cool take on the ATB system. The updated / streamlined way they handled the alchemy I'm enjoying. And right now I'm pretty addicted to it, I played a solid 8 hours the other day and wanted to keep going. the story is pretty solid so far and the characters are pretty good, about 14 -15 hours in so far I'm curious to see where the story ends up. The one thing I'll take a point off for is the lack of an English dub it just makes me sad, hopefully with the new found success this particular entry Is having they will have the money to include one next time. I miss my Atelie dubs : -( .… Full Review »
  3. Gotian
    Oct 31, 2019
    9
    A much more fleshed out entry to the series. Atelier ryza offers a more explorable game, getting rid of the time contraints in favor ofA much more fleshed out entry to the series. Atelier ryza offers a more explorable game, getting rid of the time contraints in favor of exploration and combat. The combat system has evolved into a active time battle that is more fast paced than the turn based system from before. The alchemy system has also been revamped.… Full Review »
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