The Complete Beginner’s Guide to the Atelier Games – Best Entry Point, Recommended Series Play Order, & More

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With the global debut of “Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land,” marking the latest addition to the series, and the current surge in popularity of the Ryza games, as well as Gust making numerous Atelier games accessible on contemporary platforms, this is an ideal moment to immerse oneself in this outstanding RPG series. If you’re a newcomer seeking guidance on the best starting point, whether to play the Atelier games sequentially, understand the nuances of direct sequels, remakes, and more, my goal is to assist you in selecting the perfect game to serve as your introduction to the series based on your preferred platform.

For a newcomer, diving into this collection of games in the Atelier series from recent years might feel like a daunting task. However, this beginner’s guide, tailored for 2025, will provide you with essential information about the games available on contemporary platforms, multiple access points to join the story, and much more.

What makes the Atelier series of games worth playing?

As a devoted fan, let me tell you that Gust’s Atelier games stand out among other JRPGs due to their unique focus. Unlike many others, these games prioritize synthesis, everyday moments, exploration, and interactions over heavy narrative or combat. The crafting aspect is certainly significant, but what truly captivated me was the serene gameplay experience, the stunning visuals, and the enchanting music. I first dipped my toes in with Atelier Escha & Logy on PS Vita, as shown in the photo above, and was immediately drawn to its tranquil atmosphere.

Initially, when I started following the series, it was primarily focused on PlayStation platforms, featuring games for the PS3 and Vita versions. However, when the PS4 was launched, we witnessed the arrival of Atelier Sophie, a great starting point at that time, which was available on PS3, PS4, and PS Vita in Japan. I eventually played it on both PS4 and PS Vita. Over the years, the series expanded to incorporate PC releases, Nintendo Switch ports, and has now grown into a globally recognized multi-platform franchise. Interestingly, the latest game marked the first time Atelier appeared on Xbox.

Over the years, if you’ve followed our conversations with Gust, you’d recognize our persistent inquiries regarding Xbox adaptations. So, it was truly exciting to witness this long-awaited development, particularly with a creation that carries a Halo-like influence.

What is the deal with the Atelier trilogies?

For those new to Atelier or just joining with Ryza, it’s important to understand that Atelier games typically follow a three-part series structure. This setup gives Gust the opportunity to start fresh every few years, building upon previous games for several installments before shifting to a new setting. However, there have been exceptions such as Atelier Lulua and Atelier Sophie 2. Generally, Gust works on three Atelier subseries games at once. On modern gaming platforms, you can find the complete trilogies of Arland, Dusk, Mysterious, and Secret. It’s often recommended to start with the first game in each series, but it’s worth noting some common mechanics across these titles. Let’s first discuss the games (current versions) included in these collections, along with their available platforms:

* Arland Trilogy: Atelier Rorona Plus, Atelier Totori Plus, and Atelier Meruru Plus. Available on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
* Dusk Trilogy: Atelier Ayesha Plus, Atelier Escha & Logy Duo, and Atelier Shallie Plus. Available on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
* Mysterious Trilogy: Atelier Iris 3: Grand Phantasm, Atelier Iris 2: The Azoth of Destiny, and Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana. Available on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
* Secret Trilogy: Atelier Firis: The Alchemist and the Mysterious Painting, Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book, and Atelier Lulua: The Scion of Arland. Available on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

The Atelier Arland Trilogy

  • Atelier Rorona: The Alchemist of Arland – PS4, Switch, PC as a DX versions
  • Atelier Totori: The Adventurer of Arland – PS4, Switch, PC as a DX versions
  • Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland – PS4, Switch, PC as a DX versions
  • Bonus fourth game: Atelier Lulua: The Scion of Arland – PS4, Switch, PC

The Atelier Dusk Trilogy

  • Atelier Ayesha: The Alchemist of Dusk – PS4, Switch, PC as a DX versions
  • Atelier Escha & Logy: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky – PS4, Switch, PC as a DX versions
  • Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea – PS4, Switch, PC as a DX versions

The Atelier Mysterious Trilogy

  • Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book – PS4, Switch, PC as a DX versions
  • Atelier Firis: The Alchemist and the Mysterious Journey – PS4, Switch, PC as a DX versions
  • Atelier Lydie & Suelle: The Alchemists and the Mysterious Paintings – PS4, Switch, PC as a DX versions
  • Bonus sequel to Sophie: Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream – PS4, Switch, PC

The Atelier Secret Trilogy

  • Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout – PS4, Switch, PC
  • Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy – PS5, PS4, Switch, PC
  • Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key – PS5, PS4, Switch, PC

Workshop Yumia: The Memory Alchemist & the Imagined Realm – Available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC

Yumia’s Artisan Studio: The Memory Alchemist & the Dreamed Terrain – Compatible with PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC platforms.

Atelier Marie: The Alchemist of Salburg – PS5, PS4, Switch, PC as a remake.

Remark: Many older game titles are available on PS3, PS Vita, and some even had DX versions replacing the originals on PS4, PC, and Switch. The Arland and Mysterious series have also seen new additions such as Lulua being the fourth installment of the former’s subseries, while Sophie 2 is set between Sophie and Firis.

What is the difference between Atelier games and the DX versions?

The DX editions serve as Gust’s method to incorporate the majority of the original game’s additional content, enhancements for user convenience, extra features, and more, making it possible to enjoy classic titles on contemporary platforms like PC. Although there were some problems at their initial release, the current versions are considered the optimal and most accessible iterations of these timeless games. It is unnecessary to revisit the older versions unless you already possess them and prefer playing something you already own instead of investing additional money in a franchise you’re still uncertain about.

What is the best entry point into the Atelier series of games?

In my opinion, among the three – Yumia, Ryza, or Sophie DX – I would highly recommend any of these games due to their user-friendly mechanics, streamlined synthesis processes, and increased accessibility features that cater to a wider range of players. If we delve deeper, let’s take a look:

– Yumia offers an engaging experience with simplified gameplay elements, making it easier for beginners to dive in without feeling overwhelmed.
– Ryza provides a more accessible gaming environment with options tailored to meet the needs of various players, ensuring everyone can enjoy the game comfortably.
– Sophie DX stands out with its refined mechanics and improved synthesis system, allowing players to focus on the fun aspects of the game without getting bogged down by complexities.

All in all, each of these games offers a unique and enjoyable experience that I believe many fans would appreciate!

To provide some context before discussing the ideal starting point for each platform, let me share my rationale behind selecting the specific games. Not only have I played every game on every platform to evaluate the quality of the ports, but I’ve also considered potential technical issues in this selection process.

For those just beginning their journey, Atelier Marie Remake is accessible on PlayStation, PC, and Nintendo Switch. However, if you’re new to the series, I suggest starting with more recent releases like Ryza or Yumia. On the other hand, the original games might hold greater appeal if you prefer a less exploration-focused experience.

Which is the best Atelier game to start with on Nintendo Switch?

On Nintendo Switch, my top picks are Atelier Ryza and Atelier Sophie DX. If you’re looking for a balanced experience between older and more recent games, Atelier Sophie DX might be the one for you. However, I’ve left out Atelier Yumia from this list because it doesn’t offer an optimal experience on the Switch. As for Atelier Lydie & Suelle, although it was the first in the series to come to Switch, I wouldn’t suggest starting with it as there are currently better entry points offering superior gaming experiences.

Which is the best Atelier game to start with on Steam and PC?

Among the numerous outstanding choices on Steam, I’d highly recommend Atelier Ryza, Atelier Yumia, or Atelier Sophie DX for an exceptional gaming experience. Give any of these a try!

Which is the best Atelier game to start with on PS5?

On PlayStation 5, you can dive into the captivating world of Atelier Yumia, or explore any of the Atelier games from the PS4 library thanks to backward compatibility. These titles serve as excellent starting points for newcomers to the series.

If you decide to play the entire series on PS5, remember that there’s one aspect to consider about the PS4 and PS5 versions of Atelier Ryza 2. To be honest, its PS5 upgrade isn’t very impressive, especially given how erratic the frame rate can be. However, I’m glad to say that both Atelier Ryza 3 and Yumia perform exceptionally well on PS5.

Which is the best Atelier game to start with on Xbox?

Currently, on both Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, your gaming options are limited to just one Atelier Yumia. Fortunately, Atelier Yumia serves as an excellent starting point for new players. Here’s hoping that this marks the beginning of more Atelier games being released on Xbox, starting with the Ryza series.

Which is the best Atelier game to start with on PS4?

For the PlayStation 4 (PS4), either Atelier Ryza or Atelier Sophie DX are excellent choices to play. Atelier Sophie DX, in particular, offers a nice balance between the classic older games and the more modern titles.

Which is the best Atelier game to start with on PS Vita?

Although Atelier Escha & Logy isn’t a cutting-edge platform, it served as my gateway into the series. If you have access to a more advanced system, I wouldn’t suggest playing any Atelier games there, but for me, this game was an adequate starting point in the Dusk trilogy. Without it, I wouldn’t have explored nearly 20 games across various platforms and versions throughout the years. Atelier Escha & Logy has a more relaxed time limit compared to those with stricter ones. Additionally, I feel it’s important to mention that the Atelier games experience technical issues on Vita compared to newer hardware. Even the beloved Dusk games from my past don’t offer great experiences when played on modern systems.

The best older entry point in Atelier games

If you’ve got the older versions of these games or prefer to try them out before they gained widespread popularity, you can opt for any of these remastered editions: Atelier Rorona DX, Atelier Ayesha DX, or Atelier Escha & Logy DX.

The worst entry points into the Atelier games

As a gamer, I must admit that while these games – Nelke, Atelier Lulua, and Atelier Firis – may seem appealing on the surface, they didn’t quite live up to my expectations. For instance, Atelier Lulua is heavily dependent on familiarity with the Arland trilogy, which makes it a bit challenging for newcomers to fully immerse themselves in the series.

Nelke, on the other hand, is not the best representation of the series due to its focus on town building, making it more of a fanservice experience rather than an ideal starting point for those who haven’t played the previous games.

Atelier Firis, unfortunately, remains my least favorite game in the series. If this had been my introduction to Atelier, I might have passed on exploring more titles in the franchise. It feels like a hodgepodge of ideas that aren’t fully realized and is plagued with technical issues.

What order should you play the Atelier games? 

A great approach is to kick off your journey with the initial game within a subseries or trilogy and then progress from there. If you find the feel of the Arland or Secret series intriguing, opt for Atelier Rorona DX or Atelier Ryza as your starting point. Although it’s possible to commence with Ryza 2 or even Sophie 2 due to their handling of backstory and character introductions, they might not be the best entry points. I managed to get a friend into the series through Sophie 2, who has since gone on to play an additional six games.

If you begin your journey with Atelier Rorona, I suggest continuing with Totori followed by Meruru. Once you’ve completed these three games, you can move on to Lulua. As for the Dusk trilogy, you can pick either Ayesha or Escha & Logy as a starting point, but be aware that Shallie might not provide the best experience in terms of understanding the overall storyline if you’re seeking context and continuity.

When it comes to the Mysterious series, I find it more straightforward to suggest starting with Sophie first, followed by Sophie 2. Among all the other games, Firis, Lydie & Suelle are not my favorites in this franchise; however, Sophie 2 is currently among my top three Atelier games.

Among all, the Ryza trilogy stands out as the most inviting and straightforward for newcomers, with no constraints on time and a user-friendly approach to alchemy, combat, and graphics that surpass many others until Yumia. Koei Tecmo has continuously updated these games after their release, ensuring they run smoothly even on portable PC devices and Nintendo Switch, with the first two games being particularly impressive on the latter. However, Ryza 3 might not offer an optimal experience on the Nintendo Switch.

Regarding Atelier Yumia, I’ve discussed the console editions and the PC adaptation separately. In my opinion, the PC version running on contemporary hardware and the PS5 version offer the finest experiences. I found myself most drawn to the PS5 version due to its polished finish and the additional DualSense features. Since there’s a demo available, I strongly suggest you give it a try to gauge the performance (once you access the open world) on the platform you’re considering purchasing it for.

The future of the Atelier games

It’s quite probable that we’ll see another Yumia game soon, but what I truly wish is for Koei Tecmo and Gust to focus on porting their older games to Xbox consoles and remaking some of the titles currently unavailable on contemporary platforms as well. As I mentioned earlier in this piece, there has never been a better opportunity to explore the fantastic Atelier series with numerous choices available on current platforms and even more on the horizon.

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2025-03-19 16:28