Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key

The opinions of the critics regarding the Story of Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key are generally positive. Many critics praise the story for its emotional depth, compelling narrative, and character growth. GameSkinny describes it as a "loving sendoff" and The Games Machine states that it offers a "satisfying narrative experience." The story focuses on themes such as personal growth, empowerment, and the exploration of mysterious islands. Critics like ZTGD and Digitally Downloaded appreciate the game's focus on nostalgia and the theme of summer, which adds to the overall enjoyment of the story. The story is also commended for its endearing and charming character interactions, as mentioned by God is a Geek and Hey Poor Player. However, there are some criticisms regarding the story of Atelier Ryza 3. Some critics, like Impulsegamer, mention that the game lacks sufficient guidance in gameplay elements, which could potentially hinder the overall experience for players. Additionally, RPG Fan notes that while the story is expertly crafted, it is straightforward and may not offer many surprises for players looking for more unconventional storytelling. Push Square also mentions that some moments may be lost for those who haven't played the first two games in the series, which could potentially impact the overall understanding and enjoyment of the story. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the story of Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key is a satisfying and well-crafted conclusion to the trilogy. The story is praised for its emotional impact, character growth, and nostalgic elements. While there are some criticisms regarding the lack of guidance and potential loss of context for newcomers, the positive aspects of the story outweigh the negatives. The majority of critics appreciate the storytelling and character interactions, making it an enjoyable experience for both returning players and newcomers. The game is considered a fitting end to Ryza's story, as mentioned by Hey Poor Player and Inverse.

Overall, the majority of critics had a positive opinion of the gameplay in Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key. One of the standout features mentioned by multiple critics is the synthesis system, which is described as better than ever and offering unprecedented control (GameSkinny). RPG Fan also praises the synthesis system, along with the Link Morph system, for allowing customization and endless possibilities. The alchemy system is highlighted as a standout feature by The Games Machine, ZTGD, and GAMES.CH, with the latter mentioning convenience features like auto-fill to assist players in navigating the process. The crafting system is described as complex and nuanced (COGconnected), engaging and allows for creativity (Digitally Downloaded), and satisfying (Hardcore Gamer). The combat system is also highly praised, with critics mentioning it as fast-paced, strategic, and enjoyable (RPG Fan, ZTGD, God is a Geek, DualShockers). The ability to switch between aggressive and support modes, use combos, and perform powerful moves through battle Action Orders is noted as a positive aspect of the combat system (DualShockers). However, there are some negative opinions regarding the gameplay of Atelier Ryza 3. Switch Player criticizes the combat as counterintuitive and unnecessarily complicated, lacking fluidity and causing frustration. Impulsegamer mentions that the gameplay is complex and intricate, but lacks adequate explanation, particularly in the crafting system. GameSpew finds gathering to be tedious and combat lacking in strategy, while also mentioning that the new key system feels unnecessary. Overall, the consensus among critics is that the gameplay of Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key is very good. The positive aspects of the gameplay, such as the engaging crafting and gathering gameplay loop (Checkpoint Gaming), satisfying combat system (Pocket Tactics), and fast-paced action combat with the addition of keys for advantages (Digitally Downloaded), are highlighted. The improvements and expansions in the synthesis system, combat mechanics, and exploration are also praised (RPG Fan, Nintendo Life, Siliconera). While there are some criticisms regarding the complexity of certain gameplay mechanics (Switch Player, Impulsegamer), the overall sentiment is that the gameplay offers a compelling and enjoyable experience for both newcomers and veterans of the series (DualShockers, Hey Poor Player).

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key are varied. Overall, there is a positive consensus among the critics regarding the game's visuals. Many critics praised the game's vibrant and colorful environments, with lush landscapes and open areas to explore. GameSkinny describes the Kark Isles as massive, colorful, varied, and whimsical, providing a perfect setting for the game. RPG Fan mentions that the visuals are stunning, with a sense of beauty and serenity, creating a next-generation leap for the series. COGconnected also compliments the graphics, stating that they are lovely, with lush and vibrant environments. However, there are also some negative opinions regarding the graphics and visual design of the game. Some critics mention graphical issues and limitations. The Mako Reactor states that the game has a mix of good and bad visuals, with some low-quality assets. XboxEra points out graphical issues such as pop-in, aliasing, and broken depth of field in the PC port of the game. Hey Poor Player describes the graphics as not impressive, stating that they can pass off as a last-gen game with only slightly crisper animations and details compared to the previous game. Despite the mixed opinions, the overall consensus among the critics is that Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key offers visually pleasing graphics and visual design. The game is praised for its vibrant and colorful world, with diverse environments and expressive characters. Critics like DualShockers and Noisy Pixel highlight the improvements in graphics compared to previous games in the series. While there are some graphical issues and limitations mentioned by critics such as XboxEra and Hey Poor Player, the positive aspects of the game's visuals outweigh the negatives. Overall, the game's graphics and visual design are considered a substantial step up for the series, providing an enjoyable and aesthetically pleasing experience for players.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key are overwhelmingly positive. RPG Fan praises the soundtrack for its gorgeous and expansive nature, with a warm and welcoming feeling for exploration and an exciting assortment of instruments for boss fights. Hey Poor Player also commends the soundtrack, mentioning the serene yet cozy themes of towns and intense battle songs. Noisy Pixel describes the music as excellent, with great battle tracks and memorable world music that fits the narrative's tone and the mood of the game. These positive opinions highlight the strength of the sound design and music in creating an immersive experience for players. While the majority of the critics had positive views, there were a few who had more mixed opinions. Impulsegamer states that the music in Atelier Ryza 3 is decent overall, with a few standout tracks, particularly mentioning the memorable atelier theme. This suggests that while the overall quality is good, there might be some tracks that are not as memorable or impactful. Additionally, Video Chums does not mention the music or sound design at all, which could imply that it did not leave a significant impression on them. These mixed opinions indicate that there might be some room for improvement or variation in the sound design and music of the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the sound design and music of Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key is very good. XboxEra praises the relaxing tracks that contribute to the laidback atmosphere, while CGMagazine describes the score as whimsical and fitting the game's spirit. Hardcore Gamer also mentions that the soundtrack is strong, with a variety of tunes that fit the gameplay well. The positive feedback from multiple critics, including RPG Fan, Hey Poor Player, and Noisy Pixel, further solidifies the notion that the sound design and music in the game are of high quality. It successfully enhances the overall experience, evoking a range of emotions and immersing players in the game's world.

The opinions of the critics regarding the voice acting in Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key are varied. Some critics, such as GameSpew and Video Chums, have praised the Japanese voice cast for their outstanding job in bringing the characters to life. They commend the voice actors for their ability to make each character feel authentic and engaging. This positive feedback suggests that the voice acting adds depth and immersion to the game, enhancing the overall experience for players. On the other hand, critics like COGconnected, Checkpoint Gaming, and Hey Poor Player express disappointment in the lack of English voice acting. They mention that the game only offers Japanese voiceovers, which can be a drawback for players who prefer or require English voice options. This limitation may hinder the accessibility and enjoyment of the game for some players, especially those who struggle with reading subtitles or have a preference for localized voice acting. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the voice acting in Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key is a mixed bag. While the Japanese voice cast receives praise for their exceptional performances, the absence of English voice acting is seen as a drawback by some reviewers. It is important to note that the lack of English voiceovers may not be a significant issue for players who are accustomed to or prefer playing games with original Japanese voice acting. However, for those who rely on or prefer localized voice acting, the absence of English options may detract from their overall enjoyment of the game.

In terms of the technical performance on PC, the opinions of the critics are mixed. GameSkinny mentions confusing slowdown, while Tech-Gaming highlights performance issues such as freezes, image judder, and clunky framerates. However, The Games Machine states that the game runs smoothly on PC with only minor issues related to texture loading and pop-up effects. The Mako Reactor also mentions that the PC version runs well, although there are some issues on the Steam Deck at launch. XboxEra, on the other hand, criticizes the PC port for its middling performance and graphical glitches. Overall, the PC version seems to have some technical issues, but it also runs smoothly for some players, such as The Games Machine and The Mako Reactor. Moving on to the Nintendo Switch platform, opinions regarding the technical performance are more varied. CGMagazine praises the game for performing admirably on the Switch with no glaring issues. However, Checkpoint Gaming points out performance issues on the Switch, including frame drops and low draw distance in handheld mode. God is a Geek also criticizes the Switch version for significant technical issues such as blurring and frame drops. Nintendo Life mentions occasional stutters and moments of waiting during item creation, but overall the game runs well on the Switch. Pocket Tactics, on the other hand, highlights quick load times, little to no stutters or framerate issues, and the portability of the Switch version for on-the-go gaming. RPG Site mentions performance issues like pop-in enemies, lag spikes, and odd lighting in certain areas. Siliconera also mentions frame rate drops, texture quality issues, and an issue with the auto-create function wasting materials. Overall, the Nintendo Switch version seems to have a mix of positive aspects, such as portability and smooth gameplay, as well as negative aspects, including performance issues and technical glitches. Lastly, the PlayStation 5 platform receives positive feedback regarding the technical performance. GamingTrend states that the game runs well on both the performance and quality modes, with only cutscenes being noticeably slow. Hey Poor Player mentions that the game runs extremely smooth on the PlayStation 5, with stable frame rates and fast load times. These positive reviews indicate that the PS5 version of Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key offers a satisfying technical performance. In summary, the opinions of the critics regarding the technical performance of Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key vary across different gaming platforms. The PC version receives mixed reviews, with some critics mentioning performance issues and graphical glitches, while others highlight smooth gameplay with minor issues. The Nintendo Switch version also has a mix of positive and negative aspects, including smooth gameplay but also performance issues and technical glitches. On the other hand, the PlayStation 5 version receives positive feedback, with smooth gameplay, stable frame rates, and fast load times. Overall, it appears that the game's technical performance is more consistent and satisfactory on the PlayStation 5 platform compared to PC and Nintendo Switch.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key are overwhelmingly positive. The game offers a satisfying amount of content, maps, and longevity, making it an engaging and complete experience for fans of the franchise, according to The Games Machine. COGconnected also praises the game's replay value, highlighting the 30 hours of main storyline and 60 hours including side content, as well as the complex crafting system that provides a unique experience. DualShockers mentions the numerous recipes to learn, additional synthesis types to unlock, separate Ateliers to build and customize in each region, and infinite Random Quests, all contributing to the game's high replay value. Noisy Pixel further supports this sentiment by stating that even after finishing the game in around 36 hours, there is still plenty of content left to explore and do. In terms of negatives, DualShockers points out that the excessive dialogue moments and relatively low-value payout of Random Quests might make players ignore them after spending some time in the open world. This suggests that while the game offers a lot of content, some aspects might become repetitive or less rewarding over time. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key has excellent replay value. The game offers a substantial amount of content, quests, and opportunities to improve or earn resources, making it feel like a vital part of the world. The complex crafting system, multitude of recipes, and customization options further enhance the replayability. Despite some minor drawbacks, such as excessive dialogue and low-value Random Quests, the majority of critics agree that the game provides a highly engaging and long-lasting experience for players.