Today Koei Tecmo and Gust released a new batch of screenshots, artwork, and details about the upcoming JRPG Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & Secret Key.
Specifically, we get the reveal of new features that will be added to the game to spice up the formula even more and match the new open-zone setup. We learn about World Quest specific to the regions of the game's world that will let you learn more about each area, even changing them.
A new cooking system will let you provide a variety of buffs to your party members at dedicated bonfires, where you'll also be able to rest and change the time of day.
There are also building elements, with the ability to build an atelier in each region and customize it. Lastly, you'll be able to collect and raise the series' cute Puni mascots, on top of sending them on missions for passive gathering.
You can check out all the new screenshots, artwork, and details below. You can also watch the opening video of the game.
In Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key, players will investigate a strange group of islands and explore various regions while attempting to unravel a mysterious new threat to their hometown. Throughout their adventure, they will pick up randomly generated quests, but will also encounter a new type of quests, World Quests. By completing these quests, each specific to the regions they travel through, players will learn more about the territories and the colorful characters they meet along the way. But beware, completing a World Quest may result in changes to the field and other areas!
As players explore the regions, they will discover bonfires scattered throughout the field where their party can rest and Ryza can cook delicious recipes for herself and her friends. This new Atelier cooking system enables players to obtain recipes by completing quests, helping to enhance their party in a variety of ways, and even allowing for a whole new strategy level when challenging strong enemies. Bonfires also allow Ryza and her friends to rest, changing the time of the day and therefore enemies nearby.
In addition to building bonfires, players will also be able to build their own atelier in each region to serve as a base for the adventure. The atelier provides various effects depending on the building style as players will be able to choose from three different types of structures: the research base, which is advantageous for exploration, the farm for gathering, and the laboratory for synthesis. Ryza’s friend, the fan-favorite Puni, will accompany her in each atelier after construction. Players will be able to feed and raise them into the Puni of their liking, with their appearance changing depending on the food they eat. Players will even be able to send Puni out into the world to collect materials for them.
Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & Secret Key was announced at Tokyo Game Show 2022 and is the sequel of Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy, originally released between the end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021 across Japan and the west. It's the ending of the first trilogy in the Atelier series to retain the same protagonist across all three games, since Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout launched in 2019. This is certainly a testament to Ryza's popularity, also thanks to the charming character design by Toridamono.
The game will release for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC on March 24, 2023, following a recent delay by a month to further improve quality, which isn't really uncommon nowadays.
