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Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland

83%Game Brain Score
story, graphics
replayability, grinding
87% User Score Based on 47 reviews

Platforms

PlayStationPlayStationPlaystation 3Playstation 3
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About

Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland is a Japanese role-playing game and the third game in the Arland series. It continues the story of Atelier Totori and features a turn-based battle system with Meruru as the leader and her companions as escorts. Battles allow for item use and chain attacks, with item powers increasing under certain conditions.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland screenshot
Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland screenshot
Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland screenshot
Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland screenshot
Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland screenshot

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 47 reviews
story6 positive mentions
grinding4 negative mentions
  • The item creation system (alchemy) is engaging and adds depth to gameplay, allowing for customization and optimization of equipment.
  • The graphics are visually stunning with a charming cel-shaded art style, and the character designs are cute and appealing.
  • The game features a variety of quests and a goal-oriented structure that enhances the sense of progression and development within the kingdom.
  • The time limit mechanic can feel restrictive and may lead to frustration, as players must manage their time carefully to avoid losing progress.
  • Some characters lack depth and development, making them feel predictable or shallow despite their distinct personalities.
  • The battle system, while simple and fun, suffers from distracting camera movements that can disrupt the flow of combat.
  • story
    24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Atelier Meruru" offers a refreshing departure from typical RPG narratives, focusing on kingdom development and character relationships rather than epic battles. While some players find the beginning slow and less engaging, the overall storyline is praised for its connection to previous games in the series and its entertaining quests. The game is described as enjoyable and relaxing, making it suitable for newcomers to the genre, though those seeking a more intense narrative may find it lacking.

    • “The characters and story really tie well to the first and second games.”
    • “The story is really entertaining and it continues with the main characters from Rorona and Totori as well, and the game is a good way to pass the time.”
    • “I loved the story, the characters, and the new building your kingdom part of it.”
    • “Lol, but the beginning of the storyline doesn't draw me in. There are some lovable characters, but the voices could use work. I feel like this game isn't for gamers (like myself) who are trying to play a JRPG; it's for those getting started in that section or something like that.”
    • “The game reminded me of a beautiful, big-world, farmville-like magic... Pros: beautiful graphics, interesting form of synthesis. Cons: very slow, repetitive, and a lack of a big story for the first 10+ hours of gameplay. All in all, this game was a good way to use time, but if you are looking for a big story and big action RPG, move on.”
    • “Atelier Meruru is a little easier than its predecessors, with no time limits on quests, and you can achieve the storyline goals without any stress, but the cutscenes are brief and you can just keep pressing X to skip the dialogue.”
  • graphics
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's graphics have received high praise for their stunning cel-shaded art style and appealing character designs, contributing to an immersive aesthetic experience. While some players noted that the graphics are not groundbreaking compared to previous titles, they still found them visually appealing and a strong point of the game. Overall, the graphics are considered a highlight, enhancing the enjoyment of the gameplay.

    • “Graphically, the game looks amazing.”
    • “The game's cel-shaded art and the overall world's aesthetic looks nice; I liked most of the characters and their designs.”
    • “Awesome game overall, great graphics, great soundtrack, listen to new and old tracks, great addition to the series Atelier.”
    • “In terms of improvements over the previous games, there are relatively few graphics, sound, and game engine wise.”
    • “I gave this game a 3 because... ehhh lol. I got this game excited to play it, so the graphics aren't great, but they aren't bad in my opinion.”
  • music
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is generally well-received, with catchy workshop tunes that may become repetitive over time, while the boss music adds a charming touch. Players appreciate the memorable soundtrack and its contribution to the overall fun and engaging experience, highlighting the music as a strong aspect of the game.

    • “The boss music was cute and a nice addition; you'll have to play it to understand what I mean :)”
    • “I love how interesting the system is and the music is great.”
    • “Overall, very fun game; it feels satisfying to develop the land and upgrade the buildings. The game is cute but not too annoyingly cloying, the characters are charming, and I enjoy the soundtrack.”
    • “The main workshop music is catchy but does get a little tired, as you'll hear it while spending a lot of time crafting.”
  • gameplay
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is generally praised for its engaging mechanics and varied objectives, reminiscent of previous titles in the series. However, some players express frustration with the time management aspect, which detracts from the overall experience and may leave potential players hesitant.

    • “The same great gameplay, with different goals in mind.”
    • “Great gameplay; very unfortunate limitations.”
    • “I won't go into the specific gameplay, since the other reviewers have done that, but I wanted to write this review for people who are on the fence about this game and who aren't sure if they'll like it.”
    • “No, the worst part of this game, to me, is the time mechanic.”
    • “I don't regret playing the game, because now I know I won't sink more money into the series. I did get some enjoyment out of it, but it's largely soured by this very poor gameplay mechanic.”
  • replayability
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game boasts excellent replayability, with players appreciating the value of new game+ saves and the engaging elements that enhance the experience. The combination of art, music, and challenging gameplay encourages players to revisit the game to craft ultimate synthesis items and tackle tougher enemies. Overall, it leaves a lasting impression that invites multiple playthroughs.

    • “The art, the music, the challenge, replay value: it was so much fun crafting ultimate synthesis items to go against the hardest enemies in the game.”
    • “I'm very sad that this was the last installment in the series; however, it definitely has replay value!”
    • “This makes it so that new game+ saves are quite valuable in terms of planning, and it adds a really fun and engaging element to the game with respect to replay value.”
  • grinding
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while it is necessary for crafting recipes and can become tedious, especially when running out of ingredients, those who enjoy grinding for levels and items may still appreciate the depth it adds. The game offers a variety of characters and interactions, which can be entertaining but may overwhelm those who prefer a more streamlined grinding experience.

    • “They're required for many recipes, but it's a real pain to get them in quantity, and repeatedly realizing you've run out and need to craft more before you can back up and make what you actually wanted to -- some sort of pastry, perhaps, but there are also very useful items that require these ingredients -- makes even my favorite part of this game very tedious at times.”
    • “As someone who loves level and item grinding, though, this is not my biggest gripe with the game.”
    • “The interactions are often amusing (though they can get excessively numerous for people who really love the grinding aspect of RPGs).”
  • humor
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's humor is characterized by fun and lovable characters, with many returning from previous installments, contributing to enjoyable dialogue and amusing cut-scenes. However, some cut-scenes are criticized for being tedious and lacking engagement, leading to a mixed experience in terms of humor.

    • “Fun, lovable, cutesy characters, a lot of the cast returns from the previous games, which is great! Lots of humor and fun dialogue.”
    • “Some of the cut-scenes are funny, but others tend to be boring exercises in click-through-and-ignore.”
  • character development
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users express a strong appreciation for the character development in the game, highlighting it as a standout feature that enhances their overall experience.

    • “I love the character development.”
    • “The depth of character development in this game is truly impressive.”
    • “Each character evolves in a way that feels authentic and engaging.”
  • atmosphere
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of Atelier Meruru is characterized as fun and engaging, driven by its strong focus on character interactions, which enhances the overall JRPG experience.

    • “Atelier Meruru is a really fun and engaging JRPG with a character-driven atmosphere.”
    • “The game's atmosphere is immersive, drawing you into its vibrant world and charming characters.”
    • “The rich and detailed environments create a captivating atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”

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