The Ryza video games toned down the fan service and refocused to offer the sequence a much-needed increase. Fight was as soon as very a lot an afterthought, however it has change into an integral a part of trendy Atelier adventures, offering gamers with deep and interesting battles that mix splendidly properly with the alchemy facet of issues. It is a much-improved expertise that is seen us dish out some huge previous scores for Ryza, with the newest entry, Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the Finish & the Secret Key nabbing a really spectacular 9/10 in our overview.
Buoyed by the success of those most up-to-date outings, Gust has now returned to the genesis of its 26-year-old sequence with a view to convey us a remake of the unique Atelier journey, which sees Atelier Marie get an official English launch for the primary time ever.
In anticipation of its twelfth July launch, we had a chat with the pinnacle of Gust, Junzo Hosoi, to search out out a bit extra concerning the upcoming Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist Of Salburg.
Nintendo Life: With this remake, you’re going proper again to the start of the Atelier franchise, to Atelier Marie’s authentic 1997 journey. Is there a particular cause why you’ve chosen to revisit this specific story, and now?
Junzo Hosoi, Head of Gust: Nicely, because of the Secret (Ryza) sequence and different titles launched between 2019 and 2023, the variety of folks within the Atelier sequence itself has elevated considerably. We selected to remake Atelier Marie to convey the origin of the sequence for many who usually are not actually accustomed to Atelier Marie.
Does this remake sign an intent to return to extra pivotal factors within the sequence’ historical past past Atelier Marie? Could we see revamps of among the extra in style entries from the franchise within the close to future?
Nicely, there’s all the time the chance. It’s one in every of our targets to have the complete Atelier sequence, beginning with Atelier Marie to the most recent title, obtainable within the digital shops. We imagine that the following “Atelier” might be created primarily based on among the feedback we obtain from those that play each previous and up to date titles.
The visible model of the unique has had a fairly radical overhaul judging by the sport’s trailers. Are you able to go into some element on what’s been modified precisely and the way the graphical components differ from the 1997 model?
The characters and levels have been newly redesigned from 2D to 3D. Battle scenes are actually additionally in 3D, enabling dynamic presentation with loads of results.
Alternatively, 2D character illustrations are utilized in dialogue occasions to take care of the ambiance of the unique recreation. The important thing components which have advanced from the unique are that the character illustrations are actually animated, which permits the characters to be portrayed even livelier.
Past the graphical enhancements, has the narrative seen any additions or excisions in comparison with what followers will know from the unique expertise?
On prime of the unique situation, an quantity roughly equal to 30-40% of the unique story is further situations. The content material contains with the ability to study new points of the characters and the lecturers’ suggestions on Marie’s work. The aim of the additions is to extend the depictions of the characters and to extend immersion on this planet.
There are not any deleted situations, however we have now adjusted among the expressions that don’t match trendy values.
Are you able to inform us a bit about how the tutorial and navigation methods in Atelier Marie Remake have been expanded and improved to modernise them for brand spanking new audiences? What are the most important adjustments on this regard?
“Professor Ingrid’s Activity” is a serious change from the unique. Within the authentic model, gamers needed to undergo the commencement examinations virtually with none hints, nevertheless, this recreation is designed in order that gamers can get hints on what they should do as they progress by way of the sport by finishing the duties given by Professor Ingrid regularly.
We already know a brand new “Limitless Mode” has been added to the journey, however what different all-new components, if any, have you ever dropped at this reworked model of the sport?
I believe that with the ability to stroll by way of the gathering space is the factor that adjustments the taking part in expertise probably the most. Gamers weren’t capable of stroll by way of the gathering space within the authentic recreation, as a substitute, they solely needed to choose whether or not or to not collect supplies, so on this model gamers can stroll across the gathering areas like in latest Atelier sequence video games, and might decide up objects accessing supplies on the bottom.
Battles are actually symbol-encountered and gamers can select to keep away from encounters with enemies, and so the stability has been adjusted accordingly. Moreover, for many who want to benefit from the recreation in the identical approach as the unique, we have now additionally ready a “simplified gathering” characteristic that enables gathering by way of choosing amongst sure decisions.
A number of different enjoyable components have additionally been added, corresponding to the flexibility to redecorate the atelier and the addition of a photograph mode, which has been in style in latest Atelier video games.
Are there any notable variations between the Swap model of the sport and variations on different platforms? How does the efficiency on Swap maintain up or evaluate to different variations?
We’ve optimized the sport for every platform, together with visible look, in order that the sport may be performed comfortably on any platform.
For brand spanking new followers who could have simply began their Atelier journey with the excellent Ryza trilogy, what are the principle variations that they’ll discover stylistically, thematically or when it comes to the core gameplay loops as regards to this recreation?
In comparison with Atelier Marie, the Secret sequence, the place Ryza is the principle protagonist, is a extra RPG-oriented title. The sport progresses by way of a storyline, and the participant naturally proceeds alongside the storyline to the ending.
In distinction, Atelier Marie is extra like a simulation recreation. The sport is performed in a approach that enables gamers to handle their schedules and cash to attain success and purpose for ending. Nevertheless, the sport design could also be much less acquainted to those that are used to the latest Atelier video games, so we have now added further options corresponding to “Final Mode” and “Professor Ingrid’s Activity” for them.
On the identical time, some issues stay the identical. For instance, the three main parts of the sport, “synthesis”, “battle”, and “gathering”, have remained unchanged from Marie to Ryza.
How do you’re feeling Marie differs from Ryza as a protagonist?
I imagine that each Marie and Ryza are true-to-life protagonists that many individuals can relate to, as each characters begin in an inexperienced state and develop whereas scuffling with their considerations.
The one distinction is that Marie could appear a bit passive in comparison with Ryza, who’s all the time lively and leads everybody. The explanation for that is as a result of distinction in the way in which every title is performed. In Ryza, the principle protagonist acts independently to advance the story, whereas in Marie, the participant should select the principle protagonist’s actions.
There’s no bodily model of Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg introduced within the West. Is that this one thing that’s prone to change down the road or will followers over right here must make do with the digital variations which have been introduced?
There are not any plans for a bodily launch.
This interview has been frivolously edited for readability.
Our because of Hosoi-san for chatting with us about this lovely-looking remake.
Wanting ahead to discovering the origins of the Atelier franchise when Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg releases on July twelfth? Ensure that to tell us within the feedback.