Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout

About

"Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout" is a role-playing game that follows the story of a girl and her friends as they discover what's most important to them on the cusp of adulthood. The game features true-to-life youths and natural shadows in its fields, providing a realistic atmosphere. This Deluxe Edition includes additional costumes, hideout parts, and dash items.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout screenshot

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,066 reviews

story304 positive mentions

grinding130 negative mentions

Engaging and addictive crafting system that allows for deep customization of items.
Charming characters and a lighthearted story that focuses on friendship and personal growth.
Beautiful graphics and a relaxing atmosphere that makes for a cozy gaming experience.

Combat can feel simplistic and easy, lacking challenge for experienced players.
The story starts slowly and may not captivate all players, with some feeling it lacks depth.
The PC port has issues with controls and performance, particularly without a controller.

story
1,134 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
67%
6%
The story of *Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout* is characterized as a light-hearted, coming-of-age narrative that focuses on character growth and personal relationships rather than high-stakes conflicts. While some players appreciate the charming and cozy atmosphere, others find the pacing slow and the plot somewhat predictable, with many side quests feeling like filler. Overall, the story is engaging enough to keep players invested, but it may not offer the depth or excitement that some expect from a JRPG.
- “The story is a well-paced, lighthearted coming of age story about a group of friends growing into adults.”
- “The story starts out really slow but picks up after a while, which is okay because the story in this game is very calm, relaxed, and character-driven (and the characters are a lot of fun).”
- “The story is engaging and cute, and the characters are well written and fleshed out.”
- “The story is a bit on the cliché side, but the characters are fun and character development actually happens.”
- “The story starts very slow, but it gets more interesting over time.”
- “The story is forgettable, motives of the antagonist are purposefully left unclear by simply designing them as some unintelligent monsters.”
gameplay
428 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
64%
4%
The gameplay of Atelier Ryza is characterized by a deep and engaging alchemy system that serves as the core mechanic, allowing players to gather materials and craft items at their own pace, which many find addictive. While the combat system is generally considered simple and at times unbalanced, it introduces unique mechanics that keep battles dynamic. Overall, the game offers a cozy and relaxing experience, though some players note that the gameplay can feel grindy and repetitive after extended play.
- “The gameplay loop was pretty exciting since your overworld experience is affected by the items you craft and their quality; the way exploration and crafting complemented each other had me hooked.”
- “The alchemy mechanics in this game are more beginner-friendly than with Sophie in my opinion as well.”
- “The core gameplay loop of Ryza consists of reaching new areas, gathering new materials, and fighting new monsters, then bringing those items back to your atelier to synthesize new things.”
- “The gameplay loop is pretty boring and grindy after the first 15 hours.”
- “The environments are full of nonsensical invisible walls, there's a long animation for collecting anything, the opening hours of the game are glacial, it takes too many button clicks to do anything, there's tons of mechanics all with the depth of a single drop of water.”
- “The alchemy mechanics are overcomplicated and under effective.”
graphics
321 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
56%
6%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning visuals and vibrant art style that enhance the overall aesthetic experience. However, some players noted issues with optimization, limited graphical settings, and occasional performance problems, suggesting that while the visuals are appealing, they may not meet the expectations for a modern AAA title. Overall, the game is considered visually impressive, particularly for fans of the anime style, but it lacks the depth in graphical options that some players desire.
- “Atelier Ryza features stunning visuals that bring the colorful world to life.”
- “The graphics are beautiful and the plot is chill but still a little bit more dramatic than usual, with some JRPG elements.”
- “The graphics and character designs are good.”
- “The game only loads in a 640×480 window and there's no graphics settings in-game to fix it.”
- “I feel like I'm playing an old PS1/PS2 game, but the graphics keep tricking my brain into thinking it's closer to current gen.”
- “The graphics are poor.”
music
224 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
44%
4%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its catchy and relaxing qualities that enhance the overall atmosphere and gameplay experience. While some found the soundtrack to be repetitive or lacking compared to previous titles in the series, others appreciated the variety of tracks and the option to switch to music from older games. Overall, the soundtrack is generally considered enjoyable, contributing positively to the game's charm and ambiance.
- “The music is outstanding; it's catchy, but the heartfelt tone almost renders it incapable of wearing out its welcome.”
- “The game's soundtrack complements the whimsical atmosphere, featuring melodic tunes that enhance the sense of adventure and discovery.”
- “With a gorgeous soundtrack that captures the feel-good, wholesome tone of the game, Atelier Ryza makes for the perfect little de-stresser to come home to after a long day of work.”
- “I play with the game muted due to non-English voice acting and boring music.”
- “The music is repetitive as hell, and nothing that makes me want to go out and get an OST.”
- “The story is awful, the characters are awful, the writing is awful, the music is mediocre and doesn't feel like Atelier.”
grinding
136 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
2%
96%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding the alchemy and crafting systems engaging yet often tedious, especially in the late game. While some appreciate the depth and satisfaction of creating powerful items, others feel that the extensive material farming and synthesis processes can become overly repetitive and time-consuming. Overall, the game appeals to those who enjoy crafting and grinding, but may frustrate players who prefer a more streamlined experience.
- “20 hours in the main story questline, not too grindy if you don't aim for 100% achievement.”
- “The gameplay was nice and chill, and the loop wasn't tedious at all (if you did the crafting correctly, for which there's a ton of different methods in guides to help you along).”
- “- Not too grindy, but to be honest, the gear synthesis grind was at the end of my patience.”
- “But it's ruined by being extremely grindy because of the different elemental values on every item given its quality.”
- “Purchased this game on sale only to realize how boring, tedious, and time-wasting it is - which was unfortunate for me.”
- “The gameplay loop is pretty boring and grindy after the first 15 hours.”
optimization
104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
51%
34%
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering, frame rate drops, and poor keyboard/mouse support. While some users have managed to achieve stable performance through various tweaks, the general consensus is that the game is poorly optimized for PC, particularly in terms of graphical settings and control schemes. Despite some improvements over time, many players still find the optimization lacking, especially for those without high-end hardware.
- “The only reason I found myself progressing in the game was because I had run out of cool recipes to synthesize and my gear had been optimized to a point where I needed to unlock the next levels of recipes.”
- “I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Atelier Ryza. I played it almost entirely on the Steam Deck, had graphics set to medium, locked the game framerate to 30 fps, and the refresh rate to 60 Hz to get even frame times. The performance is a bit wonky in the Boden district, but otherwise great, running at 100+ fps on my PC (RTX 3070).”
- “Since I don’t have issues running this game on PC, my machines run very smoothly with Atelier Ryza (a medium build PC with 1050ti, and a high-end PC with 2080ti). The performance on both is excellent with amazing high-quality graphics; I won’t say Ryza did bad on optimization.”
- “The game is badly optimized, so expect to use high TDP to hit consistent FPS even on low settings.”
- “Stuttering and framerate fluctuations everywhere, it's even worse in battles.”
- “It feels like the game wasn't optimized for PC at all, just ported.”
emotional
81 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
4%
The emotional aspect of "Atelier Ryza" is characterized by its overwhelmingly wholesome and heartwarming narrative, which focuses on friendship, personal growth, and the joys of a slice-of-life adventure. Players appreciate the charming characters and their genuine interactions, which foster strong emotional connections, despite the story's simplicity and lack of depth. The game's beautiful soundtrack complements its feel-good tone, making it a relaxing experience that resonates with players looking for a lighthearted escape.
- “The interactions between the party members add depth to the narrative, and players are likely to form strong emotional connections with the cast.”
- “It's a touching narrative and serves its role well.”
- “I felt that seeing each character grow from where they started to where they ended was quite rewarding and incredibly emotional.”
- “The story and characters felt dull and boring, especially when compared to other Atelier games.”
- “I found the emotional depth lacking; it just didn't resonate with me.”
- “The game failed to evoke any real feelings, leaving me disconnected from the characters.”
character development
67 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
46%
4%
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its depth and charm, while others find it basic or forced. Many appreciate the expressive and distinctive character designs, which enhance the overall experience, but note that some characters lack depth and development occurs primarily through the main story. Overall, while the character designs are widely celebrated, the quality of character development varies, with some players feeling it could be more engaging.
- “This game combines the elements of a classic JRPG with the intricate art of alchemy, set in a unique world where exploration and character development take center stage.”
- “The story and character development are also well written.”
- “Wonderful character development!”
- “The story, characters, dialogues, and character designs are not relatable anymore.”
- “Character development and growth do occur, but it's very basic.”
- “Just from these cutouts, you can probably already imagine how their character development is going to turn out – which is to say there’s really nothing much happening.”
atmosphere
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
42%
8%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and relaxing qualities, characterized by beautiful graphics, charming characters, and a soothing soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Many players appreciate the cozy, low-stakes environment that allows for leisurely exploration and crafting, although some find it can border on boredom. Overall, the game successfully creates a captivating and pleasant atmosphere that invites players to unwind and enjoy their adventure.
- “From the wonderful graphics and art style to the combat and overall atmosphere, I had an amazing time playing this!”
- “The game's soundtrack complements the whimsical atmosphere, featuring melodic tunes that enhance the sense of adventure and discovery.”
- “This game has a really relaxing atmosphere; everything adds up to make it relaxing: the picturesque landscapes, the music, and the no-rush gameplay.”
- “I was led to believe the game was supposed to have a relaxing atmosphere, but it's just really goddamn boring.”
- “There are still major events and crises to solve, but I never felt they completely broke the relaxed atmosphere of the game overall.”
- “Their stories can be unexpectedly heavy sometimes, but the game still manages to maintain a laid-back atmosphere.”
humor
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky character interactions and amusing scenarios, such as the absurdity of characters' exaggerated traits and the slow pacing of dramatic moments. While some players find the humor engaging and the dialogue entertaining, others note a decline in comedic elements compared to previous titles in the series. Overall, the game offers a mix of lighthearted moments and funny quirks, though it may not fully satisfy those seeking the humor of earlier installments.
- “The writing is fantastic and has kept every minute very interesting, entertaining, and had me laughing out loud to the excellent dialogue.”
- “You spend a lot of the game running around doing chores and collecting things, talking to villagers, some of whom are kind of offbeat and funny.”
- “Once you learn how to apply traits and effects though, items become overpowered; it's kind of hilarious.”
replayability
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
45%
27%
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the diverse combat options, extensive equipment customization, and engaging synthesis and gathering systems that encourage multiple playthroughs, others note limited replay value due to a single ending. The design of the game world and leveling mechanics also contribute to replayability, but some players feel that the overall longevity is hindered by certain constraints.
- “I appreciated the layout and design of the island, and how the game makes every area and enemy heavily replayable as you level up and enhance your gear throughout the game.”
- “The numerous ways of fighting, outrageous amount of equipment, and the ability to make all of your items super strong (or weak) offers an incredible amount of replayability.”
- “Lots of replay value and options to continue; fun and cute game that kept me entertained. The alchemy system is fun.”
- “- limited replay value due to single ending”
- “- lack of replayability.”
- “Length: took me 40 hours to finish it, and it still has some replay value.”
stability
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
73%
Overall, the stability of the game is mixed among users. While some players report a smooth experience with no crashes or major glitches, others have encountered significant issues such as freezing during cutscenes, control problems, and inconsistent framerates dropping below 30 fps. Despite these discrepancies, many players find the game runs well on specific platforms like the Steam Deck.
- “The game looks great and runs great with no issues.”
- “First Atelier game for me, and I think this is a great entry point in the series - runs great on the Steam Deck.”
- “Good game, runs great on Deck, does reset graphics settings on restart though.”
- “I really hoped that I would like this game, but after 2 hours of control issues, camera glitches, and just downright frustration.”
- “The framerate is regularly below 30 fps and the game freezes every couple of seconds.”
- “I turned the game off and started troubleshooting and came across numerous posts stating the game needs to stay locked at 30 fps for some things (like the clothing physics) to work.”
monetization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
67%
The monetization strategy of the game heavily relies on microtransactions and in-game purchases, which many users find to be overpriced and akin to cash grabs, particularly with the downloadable content (DLC). While the game's design and characters attract attention, the overall sentiment suggests dissatisfaction with the value offered for the price.
- “Microtransactions are well-balanced and don't feel intrusive.”
- “The in-game purchases enhance the experience without being necessary to enjoy the game.”
- “I appreciate that the monetization model is fair and allows players to progress without spending money.”
- “Tldr; nice game, has a few flaws, way too overpriced, and the DLCs are only cash grabs.”
- “Update: the sequel is not better and the third one (another cash grab) is going to be worse.”
- “Microtransactions - in-game purchases.”