Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land Review

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The Atelier franchise is among the oldest series created by renowned game studio GUST, and it’s one of their most successful and prestigious franchises. Since its debut in the 1990s, the Atelier series has gathered numerous accolades and recently celebrated its 25th release with Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories and the Imagined Land.

One aspect that has sparked discussion among fans regarding this particular game is its overall atmosphere or sensation. On multiple occasions, GUST has hinted at their intention to steer the series towards a new direction, one that invites more players to explore their immersive worlds. In an era where a single title can significantly transform a franchise, such news isn’t always met with enthusiasm by many fans.

In the game, it’s as if we’re immersed in the same beloved franchise that fans have cherished since its inception. Yet, it appears that GUST has thoughtfully incorporated many suggestions from series enthusiasts throughout the years. Character Yumia presents a refreshing departure from the typical Atelier protagonist, and the narrative underscores this difference distinctly.

A More Mature Protagonist

In a realm that scorns the concept, Yumia yearns for something beyond her current circumstances, particularly after discovering her ancestry traces back to a lineage of Alchemists.

In quest of understanding the intense prejudice towards Alchemists and seeking personal truths about her own identity, Yumia embarks on a journey to alter the current situation.

A concern frequently voiced by fans regarding past game series has been the development of the storylines and main characters. While Ryza and Sophie have been well-received as protagonists in recent installments, some feel that their narratives could be more engaging. In contrast, the previous protagonists were younger than Yumia, giving their games a slightly juvenile tone compared to this new character.

In the game, Yumia is a 21-year-old character seeking her life’s meaning, and players have the opportunity to join her on her journey as she grows and discovers her abilities – a unique experience not provided in earlier versions of the game.

In Yumia, the character design stands out from past protagonists, demonstrating how this game has evolved and signaling a change in narrative direction. For the first time in the series, fans will be taken aback by how grim her storyline unfolds, representing a significant shift in the way these games are crafted and perceived. What makes Yumia particularly intriguing is that she rides her own motorcycle, which significantly contributed to the refreshing change in protagonist for me.

Yumia is a 21-year-old character seeking her life’s meaning, and gamers find themselves accompanying her on her journey towards self-discovery and unlocking her true potential – an aspect that was missing in earlier games. We observe as the main character faces a significant crossroads where they must choose their identity and understand their reason for being.

Watching the franchise evolve its characters and narratives, I find it remarkable that they seem to mature at the same pace as I do, making it feel like we’re both growing up together.

A Brand New Concept With Roots In The Past

Atelier Yumina: The Alchemist of Memories, and the Imagined Realm, effectively achieves GUST’s goal of revamping their game systems for wider appeal.

For someone who’s played earlier games from the same series, it was delightful to see the upgrades across multiple systems. Each one seemed fitting for the franchise yet innovative and refreshing – something quite challenging to achieve these days. Moreover, this game retains an exceptional crafting system, which ranks among the finest in a JRPG, even compared to those in other games from the same series.

With the addition of this game, it seems there’s a stronger focus on a battle system packed with action, giving players the freedom to experiment with different character builds and assemble their ideal team. However, one potential disadvantage is that I ended up evading quite frequently, meaning many players might need to reacquaint themselves with the combat mechanics since they may require some practice.

For some enthusiasts of the show, increasing the challenge level might seem appealing for a more exhilarating fight experience. However, I found that sticking with the standard setting was suitable for many, particularly newcomers aiming to delve into the series for the first time.

As a gamer, when you’re stuck during battles, remember there are no life-altering choices at stake. So don’t hesitate to tweak the settings and try out new strategies to see what works best for you!

In this new game, there’s a significant transformation in the Synthesis System, particularly in relation to battles. Unlike earlier installments from the series that seemed more like I was grinding to utilize this system, the approach in Yumia’s world is strikingly distinct.

Earlier, organizing the items you’d fabricated for combat was quite a laborious task, often requiring meticulous attention to detail. Mistakes could be fatal during battle.

It’s great news that these items can now be worn (players can wear up to 4 items simultaneously). This means you have more options during battles and can quickly switch between these supplies, which is a huge improvement over the past when you had to manage everything at once.

Yumia’s Vast Open World

One standout novelty in this game is its open-world design. Unlike its predecessor which merely hinted at a more expansive play area, this installment fully embraces it. Players are granted ample freedom to traverse the world and guide their party as they please. The vastness of the environment, treasures to discover, and experiences to engage in make for an incredibly immersive journey.

One aspect that I found a bit challenging is the random encounter quests scattered throughout your adventure, which sometimes make the exploration of the stunning open-world feel endless.

Initially discovering these, I was eager to explore, but soon found that these “quests” disrupted my immersion in Yumia’s realm. They seem to be prevalent throughout the game, frequently interrupting play with notifications about random encounter quests. After a brief period of slaying nearby monsters, you complete the mission.

These instances felt unnatural and seemed as if they were inserted merely for effect, leaving me feeling disoriented.

Or, more casually:

Those parts of the game didn’t make sense and seemed like they were just there to create drama, which really messed with my flow.

An Ambitious Step In The Right Direction

In essence, the game Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories and the Envisioned Land does present some peculiarities, which can be attributed to the ambitious undertaking of progressing significantly and overhauling numerous aspects within the game itself.

I never found that the minor mechanical glitches I encountered impeded my enjoyment of the game as intended. The sole instance where I faced challenges was during particularly intense scenes, where the audio on my Steam Deck became slightly stuttery compared to playing on a PC.

Switching between the PC and Steam Deck was effortless, as there was no need to adjust graphic settings for a smooth transition.

Regarding the numerous alterations introduced in the game, I must say GUST did an impressive job of managing and crafting a fresh world that seamlessly fits within the series. Some minor adjustments might require fans to adapt (for instance, the way items are utilized in combat), but these changes don’t significantly disrupt the typical returning player’s experience.

What particularly grabbed my notice were the unexpected side-quests that left me pondering their reason, and instances where I had to revisit the guidelines for certain mechanisms to spot minor adjustments within them.

Besides this, I also hope the game will have an English voiceover option. I appreciate the subtitles and would’ve enjoyed the game regardless, but adding English dialogue could benefit players with accessibility needs.

Closing Comments:

This new installment of the game series is remarkably progressive, surpassing previous titles in ambition. I strongly believe it’s steering the franchise towards the right path. The game’s refreshing visual overhaul and open-world exploration have given me an experience I wish I had with the earlier games leading up to this one. This game undoubtedly caters to returning players and invites newcomers to delve into the captivating universe of Atelier.

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2025-03-14 21:49