Atelier Rorona: The Alchemist of Arland DX

Atelier Rorona ~The Alchemist of Arland~ DX is very much a game where you'll get what you put into it. If you choose to breeze through, you probably won't enjoy it very much, but if you engage and learn the systems, there's a great gameplay loop here. While it is marred by some frustrating elements, as long as you know what you're getting into, it's an enjoyable JRPG, if perhaps not reaching the heights that some other Atelier titles do.

The final balance is: Atelier Rorona ~The Alchemist of Arland~ DX is a genuinely passionate and relaxed adventure, heavily supported by its cozy game bias, more than that, the game has a cheerful and truly captivating cast, as well as a very pleasant character design with delicate features provided by Mell Kishida. If you have become a big fan of Atelier through the Ryza series and want to expand your knowledge of the franchise, as long as you don't have a weak stomach for old games and their limitations, I highly recommend jumping into Atelier Rorona. You will certainly find something special here, trust me!

While not a perfect game, nor will it be for everyone, Atelier Rorona can easily provide hours of entertainment for those that dig time management, intricate crafting mechanics, and especially multiple endings/playthroughs. Resource management is a must in order to get the most out of the experience, and your familiarity with the franchise may end up affecting the overall opinion you form of the title when it stands on its own. As I’ve come to experience first hand, growing pains might detract some from fully appreciating the game, especially if you aren’t interesting in playing through it more than once. That said, the core mechanics have certainly piqued my interest, and I’m genuinely looking forward to my next outing in Arland, and there will be another soon!

Atelier Rorona is an RPG that does not necessarily follow the footsteps of its most famous peers but it's certainly not forced to in order to deliver a fun, entertaining and enjoyable experience. Thanks to its emphasis on a system that allows the creation and concoction of new items, this game demonstrates it's not necessary to have an epic and overwhelming story to deliver an interesting and compelling RPG.

If you’ve never experienced Atelier Rorona there is no time like the present. Atelier Rorona ~The Alchemist of Arland~ DX is the best release of the game to date, and while some may find the price of these re-releases a little steep at around $90 for all three, this is a quality title with hours and hours of gameplay to be had. The inclusion of the DLC and the fact it is portable if you snag it up on the Switch still make this a pretty attractive purchase at what breaks down to 30 bucks a title.

Atelier Rorona ~The Alchemist of Arland~ DX is an amazing Atelier game which all JRPG fans should try out. From its amazing soundtrack and voice acting to it’s very colourful and cutesy aesthetics, Atelier Rorona is a solid JRPG with its narrative, combat, story, and interesting characters. Sure, there is a time limit and you’re given a new task every three months which ultimately decides if you carry on or lose the game, however, I never had any issues meeting the deadlines and I had plenty of time to explore on my own.

Overdoes it on mechanics and menus.

Overall, Atelier Rorona: The Alchemist of Arland DX is a game intended for players who like to create things and deal with people. Although there are battles, they are weak and somewhat tedious, making it even clearer that the title's focus is on taking care of the workshop, rather than breaking out generic maps in search of colossal monsters.

If you're a JRPG fan who has never played Atelier Rorona or only played the original version then The Alchemist of Arland DX is definitely worth a purchase, especially if you enjoy lighthearted whimsical tales set in delightful worlds.