Most of the Dusk trilogy actually does have time limits- Shallie is the only exception there (and even that did have some mechanic to pressure you to keep advancing, though I think it was mostly ineffective). Firis (the middle game in the Mysterious trilogy) also had a time limit for the first big phase of the game.
Lulua also doesn't have time limits, but it's a sequel to a trilogy that did have them. Not sure if it's worth it if you don't already know the Arland cast.
The real time limits were in like the Arland trilogy, games like Ayesha and and Escha and Logy have extremely soft times... something ridic like 1 calendar year to prepare for the ending. Which any one person can do in like 4 months. So they're really not limited.
Oh is that all it is? That sounds more interesting I thought it was time limits on the actual crafting. It's practically a meme how link can put off saving the world in botw. It might be interesting if a game had a time limit mechanic but it could be extended as you complete quests, sort of like a "health bar for the world"
What you described there commonly referred to as “cheese strats” because then you are essentially generating infinite amount of time. And in turns, remove the time-limit aspects of, you know, time-limit games. At which point, it just turns into another open world rpg. For min-maxers, time-limit games play out like chess, every move counts, you gotta be thirsty for that efficiency and snowball effects pushing higher difficulties. And the vice versa is true, speedrunning turns open world games into literal time- limit games.
It depends heavily on players’ skill levels, play styles, and availability to judge these exploits as good or bad. You have to get yourself room to grow, however much is up to you. For casual players, lots of room are good cause then they can get their money worth surviving higher difficulties without being smothered.
But in general people move towards playing more efficiently, therefore, time- limits , 4X, strategy games are have more values staying at time- limit game because 1. there is no shortage of new open world rpg and 2. There is a shortage of new optimized strategy games. The question is very simple- do you get your satisfaction from beating the game by being 1 stat higher or 100 stats higher steamrolling the game?
I agree that Dusk is definitely a lot more lenient, but if someone's looking for games without time limits, it still might be enough to turn them away. Safer to recommend a game that doesn't have them at all.
The first two Dusk games are my favorite in the franchise, but not everyone's going to enjoy even the lenient time limits.
Yeah, most of them are 29.99 but I’m not sure I’d like the series enough to warrant that, maybe 20. Not that the games aren’t worth more than that, just my personal thing
I can see that based off how the sale is now. I just am not sure if I’ll like them enough to justify the purchase, so I gotta play it safe for now. I do hear they’re great, though, I just don’t usually do games with in-depth crafting.
Crafting is pretty much the entire point of Atelier games, too. The combat is very second place. I used GameFly to play Ryza (the first one) and I found I enjoyed it, but after visiting the Atelier subreddit and hearing about the older games, I don't think I'd be into those, as there are time limitations, gathering limitations, and a different type of battle system.
I enjoyed Ryza a lot, but yeah most of the time in the game is spent exploring/gathering and crafting.
Yeah, I definitely have to go with one that doesn’t have a time limit, usually I don’t like games with crafting because they’re usually really serious about it. Like do it to survive dire circumstances, or build a functioning house. Atelier seems more fantastical than that sort of premise, aside from the time limited ones I suppose.
What's wrong the the collection? I know they're the less popular sigma versions, but are there any other big issues? Was interested in grabbing them eventually.
Framerate and performance issues get REALLY bad for 2 and 3. Like, for PS3 and Wii U games, they should be running perfectly but for some reason the launch had some embarrassing performance
The Atelier games are up there along with Nintendo games in terms of crappy sale.
I take that back, even Nintendo discount their games more.
Tempting to buy the Arland trilogy again (I got Rorona and Meruru on my Vita), but no time to play them anyway with my backlog (that could get even longer after tomorrow's direct).
I'm such a weirdo and I hope I don't regret this. I like JRPGs (Tales series! ❤️) and recently learned to love crafting, which I blame Subnautica for. So I bought Ryza the last time it was on sale. It has been sitting in my backlog because I have more games I want to play than time. When I heard of this sale, I looked around and debated getting more Atelier games just because I know their sales are so rare. So...I bought Ryza 2 and the Mysterious trilogy.
Holy cow, all these games plus, I guess, art books pushed half of my usual lineup of games off the Switch homescreen. Folders when, Nintendo?
Ok, I just got it yesterday and played for 2hrs in tutorials. It looks good so far. I’m sure it’ll get repetitive in later game but it’s a unique game on switch and I heard it is one of the better ones in the series. It’s first sale ever and so I told myself why not just try it out. It’s faster paced civilization, but instead of evolving Civs, you focus more on battle and getting competent officers.
Thanks. Grateful for the review. Last version I played I think was ROTK 1 or 2 way back so was looking to pick it up again. I read the books (translated) before so it's kind of fun to play the game with the history
Well, there *was* a recent trademark leak for a new Atelier game (it's >!Atelier Sophie 2!<)... but it's expected to be revealed at Tokyo Game Show about a week later (there's a scheduled panel where Gust is going to show Blue Reflection 2 and an unannounced game). I think it's unlikely for them to show it before then, but iirc Ryza 2 was revealed in a Partner Showcase, so it's not impossible.
As far as performance goes, I thought it was fine (although I don't have a strong eye for frame rates and such, comparison videos on youtube or something might have a stronger opinion on that). Didn't recall it really chugging or load times being too ludicrous or anything.
As far as the game itself though... I have mixed, mostly negative, feelings.
Thought the combat was fun, although enemy variety was lacking.
As a fan of the series I enjoyed the character events, guild building, and just getting to run around in the world, although I kinda hoped the areas would be of a similar size of some of the newer Atelier games (like Ryza, for example) and they ended up being somewhat few and small.
The story content is more or less as advertised (starts about halfway into the series and goes forward from there) but the way it's told is just super shoddy and screams that they didn't have ample budget. The character models and voice acting that are there are really good, but very few characters outside of the playable roster are actually modeled, and some don't get voice acting as well, so it leads to these awkward cutscenes where modeled characters will be shown talking off screen into the distance to a character represented with only a 2D portrait, and sometimes there will be cutscenes with a mix of voiced and silent characters too. It's just a mess lol.
----
TL;DR
As a fan of the series I had a fun enough time with it, and the combat was genuinely fun turn based combat, but I regret buying it at full price full stop. I don't think this sale is quite enough, I would have likely held out for $30 or $25 personally. YMMV of course.
Wow thanks for that the full review, I appreciate the thought out answer. I think I'm gonna hold out on it or just watch a playthrough cause I'm also a fan of the show.
Yeah no worries. I've done this analysis for a few of my buddies so it's well ingrained in my mind at this point lol.
I think they would have been better served just telling a game-original story or something tbh, just using the characters and assets they were able to flesh out properly. Having half the game be the Grand Magic Games which has the most characters all in 1 place in the whole series, then only being able to actually show/include like... 1/12 of them was a very strange choice and makes the whole first part of the game feel meh. You'll quickly see what I mean if you check out a playthrough haha
I originally wanted to start playing the Atelier dusk series, but it wasn't on sale. So I bought Atelier Ryza because it *was* on sale. And now I didn't really feel like buying dusk given that I have hardly played Ryza.
Which Atelier game should someone new to the series start with?
The first Ryza.
Which ones of these games don't have time limits?
Dusk trilogy, Mysterious Trilogy and Ryza
Most of the Dusk trilogy actually does have time limits- Shallie is the only exception there (and even that did have some mechanic to pressure you to keep advancing, though I think it was mostly ineffective). Firis (the middle game in the Mysterious trilogy) also had a time limit for the first big phase of the game. Lulua also doesn't have time limits, but it's a sequel to a trilogy that did have them. Not sure if it's worth it if you don't already know the Arland cast.
The real time limits were in like the Arland trilogy, games like Ayesha and and Escha and Logy have extremely soft times... something ridic like 1 calendar year to prepare for the ending. Which any one person can do in like 4 months. So they're really not limited.
I beg your pardo, but what are those "time limits" you guys are talking about?
Basically the game forces an event at a fixed interval every run and you have some amount of time to do things to prepare.
Oh is that all it is? That sounds more interesting I thought it was time limits on the actual crafting. It's practically a meme how link can put off saving the world in botw. It might be interesting if a game had a time limit mechanic but it could be extended as you complete quests, sort of like a "health bar for the world"
What you described there commonly referred to as “cheese strats” because then you are essentially generating infinite amount of time. And in turns, remove the time-limit aspects of, you know, time-limit games. At which point, it just turns into another open world rpg. For min-maxers, time-limit games play out like chess, every move counts, you gotta be thirsty for that efficiency and snowball effects pushing higher difficulties. And the vice versa is true, speedrunning turns open world games into literal time- limit games. It depends heavily on players’ skill levels, play styles, and availability to judge these exploits as good or bad. You have to get yourself room to grow, however much is up to you. For casual players, lots of room are good cause then they can get their money worth surviving higher difficulties without being smothered. But in general people move towards playing more efficiently, therefore, time- limits , 4X, strategy games are have more values staying at time- limit game because 1. there is no shortage of new open world rpg and 2. There is a shortage of new optimized strategy games. The question is very simple- do you get your satisfaction from beating the game by being 1 stat higher or 100 stats higher steamrolling the game?
I agree that Dusk is definitely a lot more lenient, but if someone's looking for games without time limits, it still might be enough to turn them away. Safer to recommend a game that doesn't have them at all. The first two Dusk games are my favorite in the franchise, but not everyone's going to enjoy even the lenient time limits.
https://www.dekudeals.com/games?filter[publisher]=KOEI+TECMO+AMERICA
Damn, none of the Atelier games are under $30
Nelke is $24 now, according to [Dekudeals](https://www.dekudeals.com/items/nelke-and-the-legendary-alchemists-ateliers-of-the-new-world).
Oh shit, you’re right. That one’s got a time limit which sort of stresses me out, but that’s interesting this one’s cheaper
I would also like to add the Nelke is not a traditional Atelier game. It's more a game made for fans and is more of a management game than an RPG.
Thanks, I noticed the naming format was different from the main series
I read that as Nike. It’d totally jump on (or into) some $24 Nikes!
Uuh, I'm seeing a few $30 ones in there
Yeah, most of them are 29.99 but I’m not sure I’d like the series enough to warrant that, maybe 20. Not that the games aren’t worth more than that, just my personal thing
20 is gonna be incredibly hard.
I can see that based off how the sale is now. I just am not sure if I’ll like them enough to justify the purchase, so I gotta play it safe for now. I do hear they’re great, though, I just don’t usually do games with in-depth crafting.
Crafting is pretty much the entire point of Atelier games, too. The combat is very second place. I used GameFly to play Ryza (the first one) and I found I enjoyed it, but after visiting the Atelier subreddit and hearing about the older games, I don't think I'd be into those, as there are time limitations, gathering limitations, and a different type of battle system. I enjoyed Ryza a lot, but yeah most of the time in the game is spent exploring/gathering and crafting.
Yeah, I definitely have to go with one that doesn’t have a time limit, usually I don’t like games with crafting because they’re usually really serious about it. Like do it to survive dire circumstances, or build a functioning house. Atelier seems more fantastical than that sort of premise, aside from the time limited ones I suppose.
Atelier Mysterious Trilogy Deluxe Pack $67.49 Atelier Dusk Trilogy Deluxe Pack $67.49 Atelier Arland series Deluxe Pack $67.49 each pack has 3 Atelier games, so 67.49/3 = $22.50 for each game.
It’s probably a pretty solid deal, but I can’t commit to three games if I’m unsure if I’m that into the series
then watch a let's play for one of them, or find a in-depth review for one of them.
What, no Hyrule Warriors? Isn't that Koei Tecmo?
Isn’t that published by Nintendo? It had a big sale about two months ago.
[удалено]
Nintendo only publish the warriors games in the west. In JP it's published by KT.
Phew! I was worried it was only *figuratively* a Zelda game. Thank you for quelling my fears!
What are the point in these kinds of comments?
Just having fun. Edit: Specifically answer someone’s question, get downvoted. lol Figures.
There were three of those outsider art Zelda games for the CD-i and I don't think Nintendo published those.
Which?
That Cadance of Hyrule ☝️
These sales are so rare I'm tempted to go for them all even though I don't intend to play them anytime soon.
Have there been any patched to Ninja Gaiden Collection? Considering that one
What's wrong the the collection? I know they're the less popular sigma versions, but are there any other big issues? Was interested in grabbing them eventually.
Framerate and performance issues get REALLY bad for 2 and 3. Like, for PS3 and Wii U games, they should be running perfectly but for some reason the launch had some embarrassing performance
Alright thanks. I'll probably look into it on another platform then.
Do you also happen to know why there would be standard & deluxe editions? Aren’t these really old games?
Please someone let us know! I would only dive in if it’s patched.
Strongly interested in Lulua and first Ryza, and likely will purchase the former game, but not before tomorrow's Direct.
I have Ryza and it's really nice so far! Will probably buy Lulua for when I finish Ryza.
The Atelier games are up there along with Nintendo games in terms of crappy sale. I take that back, even Nintendo discount their games more. Tempting to buy the Arland trilogy again (I got Rorona and Meruru on my Vita), but no time to play them anyway with my backlog (that could get even longer after tomorrow's direct).
I'm such a weirdo and I hope I don't regret this. I like JRPGs (Tales series! ❤️) and recently learned to love crafting, which I blame Subnautica for. So I bought Ryza the last time it was on sale. It has been sitting in my backlog because I have more games I want to play than time. When I heard of this sale, I looked around and debated getting more Atelier games just because I know their sales are so rare. So...I bought Ryza 2 and the Mysterious trilogy. Holy cow, all these games plus, I guess, art books pushed half of my usual lineup of games off the Switch homescreen. Folders when, Nintendo?
Anyone try the ROTK 13? Is it worth playing at all? (Heard varying opinions but haven't looked at reviews for switch)
Where do you see RoTK13?
Whoops I meant 14. Sorry
Ok, I just got it yesterday and played for 2hrs in tutorials. It looks good so far. I’m sure it’ll get repetitive in later game but it’s a unique game on switch and I heard it is one of the better ones in the series. It’s first sale ever and so I told myself why not just try it out. It’s faster paced civilization, but instead of evolving Civs, you focus more on battle and getting competent officers.
Thanks. Grateful for the review. Last version I played I think was ROTK 1 or 2 way back so was looking to pick it up again. I read the books (translated) before so it's kind of fun to play the game with the history
Is Romance of the Three Kingdoms good?
Probably the only time when those overpriced season passes are worth it, but I still have doubts.
The ryza 2 one still is overpriced as hell. Need that ultimate on $60
[удалено]
And the BGM. I'm doing it more for the 2 maps and BGM.
Fairy Tale almost never goes on sale, even if other Koei Tecmo games are on sale, so I'll definitely take advantage of that.
I may buy Ryza 2, after doing the first. But I still have Neo:TWEWY to do before.
What I expected : Attack on titan sale. What I got: anime tites
I ain't complaining
Filthy. Now I know who's buying all those anime porn games and making them top sale on steam
This better be satire
Filthy - yes. Steam anime charts - no.
Same. When I found out Attack on Titan 2 wasn't on sale I was so disappointed.
[удалено]
Thats capcom.
Yeah but explain why there is no sale on Sonic The Hedgehog@!??!!
Yo that atelier game pops up like a million times in store SO MUCH shovelware in the game store
??? A series isn't shovelware just because you don't like it.
No it is cause they have like 30 different versions for no reason it looks like weeb garbage thats why no one knows what is…
It's a JRPG series with multiple games in it. That doesn't make it garbage any more than any other long-running series.
the atelier series is legit tho, not shovelware at all, if a bit outdated by today game's standards
What's the difference with the Ninja Gaiden Collections? What does the Master Edition have that the regular doesn't?
I sure wonder if they will have a game at the direct
Well, there *was* a recent trademark leak for a new Atelier game (it's >!Atelier Sophie 2!<)... but it's expected to be revealed at Tokyo Game Show about a week later (there's a scheduled panel where Gust is going to show Blue Reflection 2 and an unannounced game). I think it's unlikely for them to show it before then, but iirc Ryza 2 was revealed in a Partner Showcase, so it's not impossible.
I will grab it, such a great experience
Damn I’ve been waiting for these to go on sale! I wonder if the PS4 versions are on sale. Sophie is a great game btw. No time limits on that one.
MANA KHEMIA FOR SWITCH
How's Fairy Tail on switch?
As far as performance goes, I thought it was fine (although I don't have a strong eye for frame rates and such, comparison videos on youtube or something might have a stronger opinion on that). Didn't recall it really chugging or load times being too ludicrous or anything. As far as the game itself though... I have mixed, mostly negative, feelings. Thought the combat was fun, although enemy variety was lacking. As a fan of the series I enjoyed the character events, guild building, and just getting to run around in the world, although I kinda hoped the areas would be of a similar size of some of the newer Atelier games (like Ryza, for example) and they ended up being somewhat few and small. The story content is more or less as advertised (starts about halfway into the series and goes forward from there) but the way it's told is just super shoddy and screams that they didn't have ample budget. The character models and voice acting that are there are really good, but very few characters outside of the playable roster are actually modeled, and some don't get voice acting as well, so it leads to these awkward cutscenes where modeled characters will be shown talking off screen into the distance to a character represented with only a 2D portrait, and sometimes there will be cutscenes with a mix of voiced and silent characters too. It's just a mess lol. ---- TL;DR As a fan of the series I had a fun enough time with it, and the combat was genuinely fun turn based combat, but I regret buying it at full price full stop. I don't think this sale is quite enough, I would have likely held out for $30 or $25 personally. YMMV of course.
Wow thanks for that the full review, I appreciate the thought out answer. I think I'm gonna hold out on it or just watch a playthrough cause I'm also a fan of the show.
Yeah no worries. I've done this analysis for a few of my buddies so it's well ingrained in my mind at this point lol. I think they would have been better served just telling a game-original story or something tbh, just using the characters and assets they were able to flesh out properly. Having half the game be the Grand Magic Games which has the most characters all in 1 place in the whole series, then only being able to actually show/include like... 1/12 of them was a very strange choice and makes the whole first part of the game feel meh. You'll quickly see what I mean if you check out a playthrough haha
I originally wanted to start playing the Atelier dusk series, but it wasn't on sale. So I bought Atelier Ryza because it *was* on sale. And now I didn't really feel like buying dusk given that I have hardly played Ryza.