The Atelier game series has been a staple of the gaming world since the late ’90s, with over two dozen titles released. You might not be familiar with it, especially if you’re an Xbox player because “Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories and the Envisioned Land” is breaking new ground as the first in the series to arrive on Xbox. After diving into the first few hours and having a chat with the producer, Junzo Hosoi, it’s starting to seem like this isn’t just another release in the franchise; it’s shaping up to be the most ambitious one yet.
“As an Xbox enthusiast, I’m ecstatic to finally bring the series to this platform,” Hosoi shared in an email exchange. “But when I assess the game in its entirety, Atelier Yumia isn’t just the next entry. It feels like a brand-new JRPG series that incorporates Atelier’s charm.”
My time with the preview proved him right. You’ll find plenty of RPG staples – like strategic battles, crafting, and exploration – but they’ve been combined in a refreshing and unique way. The secret sauce here is the detailed crafting system that sets it apart.
“Atelier’s magic lies in its synthesis and alchemy,” Hosoi explained. “The game cycle is pretty distinctive since it involves gathering, battling, and synthesizing, all interlinked in a way that’s unique to the series.”
This unique charm extends to the characters, notably Yumia Liessfeldt, the standout heroine who brings a maturity to the series not always present before.
Hosoi elaborated: “Yumia is 21, so her story is about maturing into adulthood. Her development is woven into the storyline, showcasing independence and allure. Unlike earlier protagonists like Ryza and Sophie, who relied on mentors to guide their growth, Yumia confidently stands on her own two feet.” Plus, she cruises around on a motorcycle!
Exploring Aladiss, the new continent introduced in Atelier Yumia, presents a world where alchemy is viewed with skepticism, making Yumia’s journey to prove herself even more compelling. Her synthesis proficiency is impressive on its own, supported by a fresh construction feature sure to delight crafting enthusiasts. Yet, it was her combat skills that genuinely caught me off guard.
Traditionally, the series employed turn-based combat, but recent Atelier Ryza titles shifted to real-time battles. For Atelier Yumia, player feedback was a game-changer, leading to a rich array of combat mechanics for players to master.
“The combat system has been overhauled, adding close and ranged combat,” Hosoi explained. “Players can maneuver the active character freely during battles, switching between two attack zones. There are options to dodge, guard, and even execute potent cooperation attacks with allies when foes are stunned. We aim to showcase the player’s strategic thinking during combat.”
In-game, battles are brisk and dynamic; you can command Yumia or switch to any of her companions on the fly. Positioning is crucial, allowing players to react to threats with precise timing, turning potential chaos into strategic victories.
Adding layers to the action are different enemy weaknesses and the ability to unleash Friend Actions, making every battle a test of strategic agility. The game is surprisingly demanding for something so charming. Luckily, as you traverse the game’s regions, your squad seamlessly engages or disengages from battles, keeping the pace lively whether you’re grinding or making a quick trip back to town.
Though Yumia is not traveling alone; she meets numerous companions along her journey, introduced during the prologue and then revisited as the story unfolds. One sidekick, in particular, stood out for me. Flammi, Yumia’s floaty, chatty companion, unexpectedly reminded Hosoi of a beloved Xbox icon.
“Flammi was inspired by Halo’s Cortana,” Hosoi revealed. “I wanted to create a dynamic where the protagonist has a close companion for constant interaction. Playing Halo was so entertaining, which inspired me to create a memorable mascot for Atelier Yumia.”
Atelier Yumia comes at a busy time for Koei Tecmo. With the recent success of “Dynasty Warriors Origins” and the surprise announcement of “Ninja Gaiden 4”, plus bonus releases of “Ninja Gaiden 2 Black” and “Warriors: Abyss,” there’s a lot of momentum in the air. Hosoi believes this collaborative spirit fuels their creative efforts.
“The producers of Koei Tecmo games have a great rapport,” he said. “We convene to exchange feedback on our projects, sharpening each other’s ideas. This cooperation not only improves our games but aids my ambition of establishing Atelier Yumia as the pinnacle of the series on a global stage.”
