Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian is the latest entry in the extremely long and beloved Atelier series from Koei Tecmo Games and the sequel to the mobile game Atelier Resleriana: Forgotten Alchemy and the Polar Night Liberator.
While set in the same world and featuring some returning characters, it isn’t a direct sequel and is a completely offline experience. The game introduces a new world and elements to the series, and for the most part, succeeds at doing so. However, it’s hard not to note some of the underwhelming parts of the game, as well
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Rias Eidreise and Slade Clauslyter venture into a mysterious town in this new Atelier game.
Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian follows two central characters, Rias Eidreise and Slade Clauslyter. Following a mysterious event in which all its citizens vanished, the two venture into the now-abandoned but accessible town of Hallfein.
Rias aims to find whatever loot or materials she can to help reinvigorate her family store, while Slade ventures into the ruins to learn more about the mysterious items linked to this town, left to him by his late father. The game begins as the two meet in the caves leading up to the town, but while trying to find a way out, they discover an unknown alchemist’s room.
There, Rias learns she possesses the natural abilities of an alchemist, while Slade learns that the items he possesses are keys that can open these mysterious rooms and portals to other worlds. The two decide to help each other fulfill their personal quests and uncover the mystery behind Hallfein, all while meeting and assisting several new and familiar characters and revitalizing the town in the process.
The characters are the biggest highlight in Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian.
Atelier Resleriana has a narrative structure similar to that of other games in the series, but it also notably lacks the grandeur and high urgency typically found in some games in the series. In lieu of a grand goal or villain to foil, the game focuses on the main characters and their personal journeys.
The many strange and whimsical parallel worlds they visit. As such, the story is more cozy and serves as a slice-of-life multiverse game in the series, as it includes several beloved protagonists across the franchise, including Ryza, Sophie, Ayesha, and more.
While it’s a shame the game lacks a strong narrative direction, seeing all these protagonists interact and the events centered around them is quite entertaining, especially for fans of the franchise. The game’s characters are its highlight, as they possess great personalities, especially Rias, who’s as cheerful and boisterous as most protagonists in the series, and her dynamic with Slade is entertaining.
Atelier Resleriana’s alchemy system is notably more streamlined than previous games in the series.
Gameplay-wise, Atelier Resleriana carries over many of the same elements seen in other games in the series. Players explore ruins, forests, and caves in third-person, collect items, fight monsters, and, outside missions, synthesize items using alchemy.
The alchemy system works similarly to the other games but is notably more streamlined. Players have increased access to items that enhance item quality, new synthesizing methods, including a new color-matching-based system, and the ability to synthesize with other characters, among other features.
The alchemy system is perhaps the most beginner-friendly in the series. It is less complex than in previous games, which makes it more engaging as a result. Players can also sell items they’ve synthesized and use the money to invest in the town’s development, which also unlocks new synthesis recipes and new parts of the main story.
The combat system in Atelier Resleriana is a bit too bare-bones.
While it is a bit frustrating to have to do extra tasks to progress the story, the process is not invasive. Aside from that, fans of the series will be familiar with the game’s combat system. However, Atelier Resleriana includes some new elements. Players fight enemies and bosses through turn-based combat, select up to three characters, and place them in the front and back rows. The rows add a level of strategy to combat, which helps an otherwise bland combat system.
The game also features Link Attacks and Multi Actions. Link Attacks, like in many JRPGs, see multiple characters execute large attacks together, whereas Multi Actions sees a character do multiple large attacks in quick succession. These special attack types, along with other types players learnt through levelling up, add a little variety to combat. Additionally, players can use several types of weapons, items, and combat tools acquired through synthesis.
Enemies get tougher as you progress through the game. You’ll need to grind and acquire high-end items, weapons, and armor to get over the challenges they provide. However, the combat experience, for the most part, is quite underwhelming, except for the occasional challenging moments. While detailed enough to be functional, it’s too bare-bones and repetitive to be wholly engaging.
Atelier Resleriana is constantly vibrant and aesthetically pleasing.
Visually, Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian looks great and is on par with the latest games in the series. The art direction looks phenomenal, particularly in the fauna of each area. The character designs are also unique, and the models are quite detailed. While the game doesn’t stand out too much visually, it remains consistently vibrant and aesthetically pleasing throughout.
Overall, while Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian doesn’t provide a shockingly different or awe-inspiring experience, it is still a respectable and enjoyable entry in the Atelier series.
Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian is available now for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam.
