The Ryza video games toned down the fan service and refocused to provide the sequence a much-needed increase. Fight was as soon as very a lot an afterthought, but it surely has grow to be an integral a part of fashionable Atelier adventures, offering gamers with deep and interesting battles that mix splendidly nicely with the alchemy facet of issues. It is a much-improved expertise that is seen us dish out some massive 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 assessment.
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 carry 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 seek out out somewhat 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 selected cause why you’ve chosen to revisit this explicit story, and now?
Junzo Hosoi, Head of Gust: Effectively, due to the Secret (Ryza) sequence and different titles launched between 2019 and 2023, the variety of individuals within the Atelier sequence itself has elevated considerably. We selected to remake Atelier Marie to convey the origin of the sequence for individuals who usually are not actually aware of Atelier Marie.
Does this remake sign an intent to return to extra pivotal factors within the sequence’ historical past past Atelier Marie? May we see revamps of among the extra standard entries from the franchise within the close to future?
Effectively, 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 newest title, out there within the digital shops. We consider that the subsequent “Atelier” can be created based mostly 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 parts differ from the 1997 model?
The characters and phases have been newly redesigned from 2D to 3D. Battle scenes at the moment are additionally in 3D, enabling dynamic presentation with loads of results.
However, 2D character illustrations are utilized in dialogue occasions to take care of the environment of the unique recreation. The important thing parts which have developed from the unique are that the character illustrations at the moment are 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 high of the unique situation, an quantity roughly equal to 30-40% of the unique story is extra situations. The content material consists of with the ability to be taught new elements of the characters and the academics’ 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 aren’t any deleted situations, however we have now adjusted among the expressions that don’t match fashionable values.
Are you able to inform us somewhat 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 largest modifications on this regard?
“Professor Ingrid’s Process” is a significant 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 means 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 parts, if any, have you ever dropped at this reworked model of the sport?
I believe that with the ability to stroll by means of the gathering space is the component that modifications the enjoying expertise probably the most. Gamers weren’t in a position to stroll by means of the gathering space within the authentic recreation, as an alternative, 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 current Atelier sequence video games, and may decide up gadgets accessing supplies on the bottom.
Battles at the moment are symbol-encountered and gamers can select to keep away from encounters with enemies, and so the steadiness has been adjusted accordingly. Moreover, for individuals 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 means of choosing amongst sure decisions.
A number of different enjoyable parts have additionally been added, comparable to the power to redecorate the atelier and the addition of a photograph mode, which has been standard in current 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 examine to different variations?
We now have optimized the sport for every platform, together with visible look, in order that the sport could be performed comfortably on any platform.
For brand 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 close 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 means 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 realize success and purpose for a great ending. Nonetheless, the sport design could also be much less acquainted to those that are used to the current Atelier video games, so we have now added extra options comparable to “Final Mode” and “Professor Ingrid’s Process” for them.
On the similar 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 are feeling Marie differs from Ryza as a protagonist?
I consider 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 issues.
The one distinction is that Marie could appear a bit passive in comparison with Ryza, who’s all the time energetic 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 more likely to change down the road or will followers over right here should make do with the digital variations which were introduced?
There aren’t any plans for a bodily launch.
This interview has been flippantly edited for readability.
Our due to Hosoi-san for talking to 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? Be sure that to tell us within the feedback.
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