Hands-On Preview: Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & The Envisioned Land – Potentially the Coziest JRPG in the Series

After experiencing over twenty entries in the main series, it’s easy to see the challenge KOEI TECMO faces in continually reinventing itself amidst the constant influx of new games. Yet, with their latest installment in the renowned Atelier JRPG franchise, titled Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories and the Envisioned Land, they aspire to do just that. Having dedicated more than six hours to gathering resources, performing magical sequences reminiscent of Sailor Moon, and motorbiking through this fantastical world, I believe they’re on the right track toward success once more. The game offers more engaging combat, enhanced visuals, streamlined crafting, and a novel building system to customize the environment. Despite these innovations, the early narrative and character development feel somewhat standard for the genre.

For those familiar with recent Atelier titles, Atelier Yumia might not surprise you at first glance. The three foundational elements remain: exploration to gather resources and solve puzzles, combat with a team of charming anime characters, and synthesis for crafting powerful items. However, each element has undergone significant enhancements, presenting a fresh take on the well-loved formula.

The combat system seems to have received the most attention. It’s more dynamic now, with capabilities like perfect parries, dodging, and tactical range adjustments for either melee confrontations or hitting from afar. At earlier stages, combat feels forgiving, allowing you to unleash abilities and switch between characters seamlessly. This approach quickly wraps up encounters. Yet, as the game progresses to more difficult stages where my character wasn’t adequately leveled, the necessity to read enemy patterns and time responses becomes crucial. Though combat isn’t overtly difficult if you’re at an appropriate level, the shift from a passive style to a more interactive one is a welcome change.

Exploration improvements are also notable, featuring tools like a gun for stunning enemies and gathering resources from afar, and ziplines for easier map navigation, once activated. Not to mention, there’s a motorcycle to zoom around, making travel a breeze. Synthesis remains as intricate as ever, offering a deeply customizable crafting system. You can spend hours perfecting your gear or, like me, opt for "auto mode" when you’re more inclined to jump back into action. It’s a perfect balance for those who love deep customization and those who prefer a quicker pace.

Apart from refining the existing formula, Atelier Yumia introduces a new activity—building and personalizing settlements across the game map. This feature taps into the rising trend of cozy gaming, letting you add a dash of Animal Crossing or Sims to your JRPG experience by building a dream home and enjoying downtime with your crew. While I only got a hint of this due to limited resources early on, the potential for creating elaborate communities is enticing.

However, amid all the excitement, it’s worth mentioning that the story hasn’t noticeably stood out in the initial hours. The narrative setup and character introductions, including the scatterbrained yet lovable Isla and the steadfast Viktor, feel familiar, echoing typical JRPG tropes. It’s likely the story needs more time to bloom, allowing the characters’ depth and unexpected plot twists to shine through, easing my early concerns.

Of special note is that Atelier Yumia will be making its debut on the Xbox platform. As someone keen on seeing more JRPGs accessible in the West, this is an exciting development. Achievement unlocked indeed!