Summary
Games in theAtelierseries have been coming out since 1997, making it quite the storied franchise. However, despite its longevity, Gust’s series remained fairly obscure for the longest time, and it is only recent entries that have started to truly break into the mainstream. They also happen to be among the strongest projects in the license’s history.
Naturally, not all the franchise’s games are made alike. Some stand out over others and are worth checking out first for gaming fans interested in seeing whatAtelierhas to offer.
Updated June 27, 2025, by Mark Sammut:EachAtelier gamehas been updated with their respective specifications.
First released for the PS3 back in 2011,Atelier Meruru Plus: The Apprentice Of Arlandhas since beenported to numerous other systems. The PS Vita version still holds the highest rating, although the DX ports for the PS4 and Switch aren’t too far behind and are a lot easier to get a hold of these days.
There have definitely been betterAtelierprotagonists than Merurulince, although few go through a more satisfying character arc as the vivacious princess. The tweaks to the crafting and alchemy systems are also well implemented, although some may feel that Gust went a little overboard on the game’s cutesy aesthetic.
Atelier Firis: The Alchemist And The Mysterious Journeyis the firstAteliergame to feature open-area gameplay, which greatly expands the overall scope of the game. The time management system from some of the series' earlier entries also makes a return, although its implementation leaves rather a lot to be desired, as too does the game’s combat.
These things aside, however, it’s avisually pleasing gamewith an excellent story and a likable cast of characters. Granted, Firis comes up a little short when compared to the likes of Sophie and Ryza, but she’s still a solid protagonist and is a big step up from some of those who came before her. The voice acting is good too, although this was perhaps to be expected given the series' strong track record in this department.
WhenAtelier Iris: Eternal Manawas released on the Playstation 2it had a phenomenal look compared to some of the other games on the console. Exploring the hand-drawn 2D world as Krein Kiesling was an absolute delight for players and Klein, Lita and the rest of the party perfectly complemented the game’s interesting story.
One of the major criticisms of the game was that it didn’t really break the mold when compared to previous titles in the series, which is why it didn’t quite reach the same high levels of success as some of its successors. It still sold well enough for a sequel though and also attracted quite a few new fans to the franchise.
How many adventures get started by a mysterious book? Sophie Neuenmuller meets a book called Plachta and embarks on a marvelous alchemical adventure in and around the small town of Kirchen Bell. The new alchemy-centric mechanics really help set it apart from some of its predecessors, with new recipes acquired in a multitude of ways.
Though there are plenty of positives, the game’s a bit rough around the edges in places and also received criticism for not adding more to the JRPG formula and mechanics from previousAteliergames. Still, it was one of the better RPGs released in 2015, and many players enjoyed it immensely.
While its release on other consoles was popular, the PlayStation Vita release of this title received even more glowing praise from critics.Atelier Ayesha Plus: The Alchemist of Duskwas a strong title on a console that desperately needed them, and it quickly garnered its fair share of fans. It evenhad a novel made following the game’s story.
ThePlusiteration included all the downloadable content that the PlayStation 3 version had to offer as standard as well as a host of brand-new features. As such, it is considered by many to be the definitive version of the game, with many picking it up despite already owning it on other systems. Overall, it was a big hit for the franchise.
Another PlayStation Vita upgrade,Atelier Shallie Plus: Alchemists of the Dusk Seaadded new branching pathways and endings to a game that already had more than its fair share. There are two main protagonists for players to choose between, with each one offering a completely different experience.
Whether on the Vita or the PlayStation 3, the adventures of Shallistera and Shallotte took theAtelierformula and executed it to near perfection. It’s a little more intuitive than some of the otherAteliergames too, making it a lot more accessible for newcomers to the series or the JRPG genre in general than many of its predecessors.
It wasn’t until quite a few years afterAtelier Rorona: The Alchemist of Arlandwas released that the 4th installment of theArlandseries finally arrived.The Scion of Arlandwas well worth the wait though, with critics praising the game for having dozens of hours of enjoyable gameplay.
With its excellent JRPG combat andstellar crafting system,The Scion of Arlandhas more than enough quality to keep players engaged and an engaging story that’s easy to follow. The pacing can be a little jittery at times, although for the most part keeps things moving at a fairly brisk pace.
Being able to choose whether to follow the story of either Escha or Logy gave players the opportunity to experienceAlchemists Of The Dusk Skythrough two completely different lenses. While Escha’s story was light and fluffy, Logy’s taleopted for a far darker approach. Both were enjoyable in their own ways.
Critics praised the game for its improved combat system, although some still felt that it was still a little too basic in its progression when compared to other modern RPGs. Overall, however, reception to the game was mostly positive, both with critics and fans of the series.
Visiting the small fishing village of Alanya to go on an adventure with Totori was already a charming experience even before the enhanced port for PlayStation Vita arrived in 2013. Since then, the game has also been released for the PS4, the Switch, and Windows, although the Vita version still holds the highest rating on Metacritic.
One of the coolest parts ofThe Adventurer Of Arlandis how player decisions affect the final outcome of the game, which makes it incredibly replayable. It’s also one of the series' simpler entries, making it an excellent entry point for those who have never played anAteliergame.
Atelier Rorona Plus: The Alchemist of Arlandfollows the story of Rorolina Frixell, who is easily one of themost beloved charactersin the franchise. Hers is one of the more interesting stories explored in the series and is full of exciting and memorable moments. There’s even a post-game storyline for those who just can’t get enough.
While the game was criticized for its overly long tutorial section and annoying timer-based mechanics, its strong story, graphics, and voice acting won over a lot of fans. The game has since been ported over to newer platforms too, so players no longer need to dig out their old PS3 every time they want to replay it.
