Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout

77%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,727 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout Game Cover
Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout on Nintendo Switch is a fantastic conversion.
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"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.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Cloud
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

77%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,727 reviews
story245 positive mentions
grinding95 negative mentions
  • The alchemy system is deep and engaging, providing a satisfying crafting experience.
  • The game features charming characters and a light-hearted story that focuses on friendship and personal growth.
  • The visuals and soundtrack are beautiful, creating a relaxing atmosphere.
  • The combat system can feel simplistic and lacks challenge, especially on lower difficulty settings.
  • The story starts slowly and may not engage players looking for a more intense narrative.
  • The PC port has issues with controls and optimization, making it less enjoyable for keyboard and mouse users.
  • story871 mentions

    The story of "Atelier Ryza" is generally described as a light-hearted, slice-of-life narrative that focuses on character development and personal growth rather than grand, world-saving plots typical of many JRPGs. While some players appreciate its wholesome and cozy atmosphere, others find it slow-paced and lacking in depth, with many side quests feeling like simple fetch tasks. Overall, the story is seen as enjoyable but not groundbreaking, appealing to those who prefer a more relaxed gaming experience.

    • “The story is engaging and cute, and the characters are well written and fleshed out.”
    • “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).”
    • “While the overall plot may not be groundbreaking, the character-driven focus and the genuine friendships that develop over the course of the game contribute to a heartwarming and engaging story.”
    • “The story is very unusual and, in my opinion, kind of boring, since I'm used to the more vast saving-the-world JRPGs out there.”
    • “The story starts slow in the beginning and proceeds to be okay in the middle, but the ending is quite rushed.”
    • “The story is just really boring and slow.”
  • gameplay326 mentions

    The gameplay of Atelier Ryza is characterized by its deep and engaging alchemy system, which serves as the core mechanic, allowing for intricate crafting and experimentation. While the game features a relaxed atmosphere and easy-to-understand mechanics, some players find the combat system simplistic and the overall gameplay loop can become repetitive or grindy over time. Despite mixed feelings about the pacing and certain design choices, many players appreciate the addictive nature of the crafting elements and the enjoyable exploration aspects.

    • “The heart of Atelier Ryza lies in its alchemical system, a central gameplay mechanic that sets it apart.”
    • “The crafting and alchemy mechanics are intricate and engaging, emphasizing preparation and gear enhancement.”
    • “The gameplay loop of gathering, synthesizing, and fighting is extremely addicting, to the point where I get excited when I find a new type of flower.”
    • “Granted, the presentation got a huge leap in quality, but the gameplay for me is at its worst here.”
    • “So much was changed and altered from what we know, but the gameplay loop itself was stripped apart and replaced with a heavy emphasis on story instead.”
    • “All of that beauty is simply destroyed by the terrible gameplay mechanics.”
  • graphics260 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the vibrant anime art style and overall aesthetic appeal, while others criticize the lack of graphical options and optimization issues. Players appreciate the charming character designs and beautiful environments, but some have noted performance problems, such as low resolution and stuttering, particularly on lower-end systems. Overall, while the visuals are generally considered attractive, they fall short of modern standards in terms of technical execution and customization.

    • “From the wonderful graphics and art style to the combat and overall atmosphere, I had an amazing time playing this!”
    • “The game features stunning graphics and a memorable soundtrack, a standout crafting system, and challenging but strategic turn-based combat.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful and the plot is chill but still a little bit more dramatic than usual, with some JRPG elements.”
    • “The game only loads in a 640×480 window and there's no graphics settings in-game to fix it.”
    • “Good game in terms of mechanics, story, and music, but the graphics aren't the best and you have little to no way to change it.”
    • “It's badly optimized and you can barely change the graphics settings.”
  • music169 mentions

    The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its ability to create a relaxing and whimsical atmosphere that complements the visuals and gameplay. While some tracks are described as catchy and memorable, others are considered bland or generic, leading to mixed opinions on its overall impact. The option to customize the soundtrack by incorporating music from previous titles in the series is a notable highlight, enhancing the experience for fans.

    • “The game's soundtrack complements the whimsical atmosphere, featuring melodic tunes that enhance the sense of adventure and discovery.”
    • “The music fits the series so much and feels so nostalgic.”
    • “The music is gorgeous and the scenery is very nice, so gathering is really relaxing.”
    • “Sadly, to my ears, this kind of music is very bland, so if you're looking to get your sh1t rocked by hearing grand scale epic orchestras while you're adventuring, go somewhere else.”
    • “The only downfall for me was that the music in this game seems lacking compared to previous titles.”
    • “The story is awful, the characters are awful, the writing is awful, the music is mediocre and doesn't feel like Atelier, the battle system is unsuited for Atelier.”
  • grinding99 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players finding the alchemy and crafting systems engaging and enjoyable, while others describe them as tedious and repetitive, especially in the late game. Many reviews highlight that while grinding for materials and crafting can be time-consuming, it offers a unique gameplay loop that some players appreciate, particularly those who enjoy JRPGs and crafting mechanics. However, the overall sentiment suggests that the game can become overly grindy, particularly for those who are not fans of resource gathering and synthesis.

    • “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.”
    • “Alchemy can be fun but is mostly tedious; it just feels like a stacking game where you constantly have to produce more of a level 4 item to create a level 5 item, and to create those level 4 items you need to create a bunch of level 3 items, etc.”
    • “Gameplay loop is pretty boring and grindy after the first 15 hours.”
    • “The game does get tedious and having to repeat what I did in 4 hours is not something that I want to do nor will I, uninstalling (and not going to touch the rest of the franchise).”
  • optimization79 mentions

    The optimization of the game 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 not well-optimized for PC, particularly in comparison to console versions, and many are hoping for future patches to address these concerns. Overall, the lack of graphical settings and the need for a controller for optimal play have been common points of frustration among players.

    • “New engine looks modern enough on a big screen, while keeping good performance on a Steam Deck.”
    • “I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Atelier Ryza. I played it almost entirely on the Steam Deck, with graphics set to medium. I locked the game framerate to 30 fps and the refresh rate to 60 Hz to get even frame times, achieving great battery life. 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 1050 Ti, and a high-end PC with 2080 Ti). 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.”
    • “It's badly optimized and you can barely change the graphics settings.”
    • “The setting are really bad; there is close to 0 optimization at all (the only optimization is resolution setting with bad options). FPS is just bad in general; the game ran on 15 FPS throughout. I gave up after 1 minute.”
  • emotional59 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its wholesome and heartwarming narrative, focusing on character development and genuine friendships that resonate with players. While the story may not be groundbreaking, it effectively captures the essence of adolescence and personal growth, leaving players with a satisfying and uplifting experience. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke emotional connections and moments of reflection, making it a charming and enjoyable journey.

    • “While the overall plot may not be groundbreaking, the character-driven focus and the genuine friendships that develop over the course of the game contribute to a heartwarming and engaging story.”
    • “The interactions between the party members add depth to the narrative, and players are likely to form strong emotional connections with the cast.”
    • “It features a heartwarming story of adolescence and finding purpose in a seemingly uneventful land.”
    • “The story and characters felt dull and boring compared to other Atelier games.”
    • “I found it hard to connect emotionally with the characters; they lacked depth.”
    • “The emotional moments fell flat and didn't resonate with me at all.”
  • character development50 mentions

    Character development in "Atelier Ryza" is generally well-received, with many players appreciating the expressive and distinctive character designs that bring the cast to life. While some characters are seen as one-dimensional, others exhibit significant growth throughout the story, though this development can sometimes occur off-screen. Overall, the game balances charming character interactions with a light-hearted narrative, making it enjoyable despite some critiques of its depth.

    • “Character development is another strong suit of Atelier Ryza.”
    • “The story and character development are also well written.”
    • “Wonderful character development!”
    • “The game lacks strong likeable characters (except for Ryza, she's so cute it hurts), also lacks a good interesting story, or any kind of character development; side characters are plain boring, and the combat system is basically meant to have fun and explore with new equipment and recipes, but no challenge as long as you grind enough.”
    • “Most characters are one-note, and what character development does take place usually happens off-screen.”
    • “Character development does occur, but it's very basic.”
  • atmosphere27 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its relaxing and charming qualities, enhanced by beautiful graphics, a whimsical soundtrack, and lovable characters. Players appreciate the cozy, low-stakes environment that encourages exploration and enjoyment without pressure, making it an ideal choice for stress relief. Overall, the combination of picturesque landscapes and soothing music creates a delightful and immersive experience.

    • “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.”
    • “If you're looking for an easy-going JRPG with a chill atmosphere and slice-of-life snippets into the characters' lives, this is the game for you.”
    • “Their stories can be unexpectedly heavy sometimes, but the game still manages to maintain a laid-back atmosphere.”
    • “The game looks very pretty, and as usual for Atelier games, it has a very casual, relaxing atmosphere.”
  • humor13 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its cozy atmosphere and engaging dialogue, featuring quirky villagers and amusing scenarios, such as the absurdity of carrying a tree in a backpack. While the crafting system is less impressive compared to other titles, the writing and character interactions provide plenty of laughs, making the experience entertaining despite some technical shortcomings. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with RPG elements, though some characters may not resonate as strongly as others.

    • “Very cozy atmosphere, funny, and engaging.”
    • “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.”
    • “The writing is fantastic and has kept every minute very interesting, entertaining, and had me laughing out loud to the excellent dialogue.”
  • stability9 mentions

    Overall, stability in the game is mixed among users. While some players report significant issues such as control problems, camera glitches, and frequent freezes, others have experienced smooth gameplay with no crashes or major bugs, particularly on PC. The framerate is a common concern, with reports of it dropping below 30 fps, which affects gameplay elements like clothing physics.

    • “The game looks great and runs smoothly with no issues.”
    • “I haven't experienced any crashes or bugs, which makes for a seamless gaming experience.”
    • “The performance is solid, allowing me to enjoy the game without interruptions.”
    • “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.”
  • replayability7 mentions

    Overall, the game offers significant replayability through its engaging island design, diverse combat options, and extensive equipment customization, allowing players to continually enhance their experience. While many users found the alchemy system and gathering mechanics to add depth and enjoyment, some noted a lack of replayability after completing the main storyline.

    • “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.”
    • “Length: took me 40 hours to finish it, and it still has some replay value.”
    • “-lack of replayability.”
    • “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.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The monetization in the game is criticized for being overpriced, with many viewing the DLC as cash grabs rather than meaningful additions. Users express disappointment that the sequels have not improved in this regard, suggesting a trend of exploitative pricing practices.

    • “TL;DR: 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.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

82% average critic score

Buy Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout

Play time

38hMedian play time
37hAverage play time
14-65hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 15 analyzed playthroughs

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