Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends and the Secret Fairy is a direct sequel to Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & The Secret Hideout, continuing the narrative three years after the events of the original. Players once again assume the role of Ryza, exploring new locales and reuniting with both familiar and new allies in the pursuit of a valuable treasure.
One of the first observations when launching Atelier Ryza 2 Lost Legends and the Secret Fairy is the relatively long loading times. A considerable amount of time elapses before the game initiates. Upon entering the game, players are presented with the necessary exposition to establish the context of the adventure. The game features extensive dialogue, requiring numerous button presses to advance. Fortunately, an auto-play function is available to automate dialogue progression. The initial sequences involve a significant amount of narrative before gameplay commences, potentially exceeding ten minutes.
Once control of Ryza is established, players can begin exploring the game world. While the environment is expansive, initial exploration is somewhat linear. Progression is guided, directing players towards specific objectives. Encounters with enemies initiate a turn-based combat system, which may feel deliberate in its pacing. Following the initial combat encounter, the narrative progresses through interactions with other characters, accompanied by further dialogue sequences.
The game features Japanese voice acting with English subtitles. While the Japanese voice acting is appreciated, some untranslated vocalizations during gameplay can feel somewhat incongruous. The voice acting performances are competent, though the exaggerated emotional expressions can, at times, detract from the overall experience.
The visuals are well-crafted, exhibiting a distinct anime aesthetic. The sound design and musical score complement the visuals effectively. Overall, Atelier Ryza 2 Lost Legends and the Secret Fairy presents a competently designed adventure game, offering numerous character upgrade options and areas for exploration.
In conclusion, Atelier Ryza 2 Lost Legends and the Secret Fairy may not appeal to all players. Dedicated fans of Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs) are likely to find this title engaging. However, players less inclined towards extended narrative sequences and a more measured gameplay pace may find that the game does not fully meet their expectations.
