Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy (Nintendo Switch) Preview

By Nayu 27.01.2021

Review for Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy on Nintendo Switch

A mere fourteen months after Atelier Ryza Ever Darkness and The Secret Hideout from Gust was released in the West, a direct sequel that retains the popular lead protagonist as the star of the game has launched on Nintendo Switch by Koei Tecmo. In Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends and the Secret Fairy, Ryza, no longer a teenager, leaves her home on Kurken Island on a request from her good friend Tao, who lives in the royal Ashra-am Baird. Tao has discovered ancient ruins that may need Ryza's knowledge of alchemy. Feeling the need to develop her abilities Ryza heads to the mainland and straight into a new adventure.

Fans of the first instalment of Atelier Ryza will be delighted to journey again with the popular alchemist, meeting Ryza's friends and forging new ones. It is easy for newcomers to understand the Ryza world and the Atelier series as a whole, with key background information explained in the game. Commencing with Ryza setting foot in the capital, the early game portrays the islander's first experience in the bustling city that is an experience like no other for the young alchemist. The sheer number of people, shops, and sights fill Ryza's heart with wonder and a little apprehension on how she will survive. Thankfully, her childhood friend Tao and previous enemy Bos are there to set up the new chapter in her life.

Ryza's main purpose initially is both to find out more about a mysterious egg in her possession, which leads to a wonderful discovery of a new friend. Her kind nature leads acquaintances of Tao and Bos as well as total strangers to befriend Ryza. Students, merchants, and other individuals soon make Ryza's alchemy skills a significant part of their lives, alongside her generosity and willingness to help anyone no matter how small the request. These requests follow the usual Atelier formula of either hunting monsters, acquiring certain materials, or creating items with alchemy. The quests strengthen ties in the city and unlock new resources for Ryza. This is important because Tao's main reason for Ryza visiting is that they need all the knowledge and ideas to be fully investigated.

Screenshot for Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy on Nintendo Switch

The mysterious ruins that get uncovered are a wonder to behold. Finding them is the first part of the adventure. Exploring them using new techniques of rope swinging and diving underwater, and then unlocking and piecing together clues about the ruins' origins, makes the Atelier world even more immersive. There is something magical about reaching the top of a climbable wall, or safely crossing a narrow walkway and seeing what is on the other side. Towering pillars, mysterious bells, ghosts with secrets and more await discovery for Ryza and her friends. There is much more to the remains of an ancient civilisation than meets the eye.

Gathering materials in various locations uses a familiar method, but changing the gathering tool from a net to a staff, for example, results in Ryza going from catching insects to gathering berries all in the push of a button. Fighting monsters also rewards Ryza with more materials. Returning to her new city Atelier, Ryza uses the intuitive and easy to understand alchemy system to create items for use in her travels and for quest fulfilment. While many items, weapons and accessories can be bought from shops or received as rewards, finding a permanent supply and making her own gives Ryza higher stats and more control over abilities unlocked within the items. Plus there is more to decorating Ryza's new home than simply making it look nice.

Screenshot for Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy on Nintendo Switch

Final Thoughts

After twenty hours of gaming, the fact that only seven per cent of the game's primary objective is completed shows just how expansive Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends and The Secret Fairy is. Whether players are old or new fans, dozens of hours await them in this latest Atelier title. Stay tuned for the full review when the eye-catching game is finished here on Cubed3.

Developer

Koei Tecmo

Publisher

Koei Tecmo

Genre

Real Time RPG

Players

1

C3 Score

Rated $score out of 10  n/a

Reader Score

Rated $score out of 10  0 (0 Votes)

European release date 29.01.2021   North America release date Out now   Japan release date Out now   Australian release date 29.01.2021   

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