Atelier Ryza 3’s Producer On Crafting The End And Shifting Away From Fanservice

Ahead of the game’s launch this Friday, we sat down in the workshop with Koei Tecmo’s Head of Gust and direct producer on the Secret trilogy Junzo Hosoi to speak fond farewells, which include how the Atelier series has transformed with Ryza, what is actually subsequent for the franchise, and we discovered out that Hosoi-san is a bit of a Xenoblade enthusiast…


Nintendo Existence: With the Atelier sequence historically altering protagonists with each new entry, what is it about Ryza which is witnessed her ending up with a total trilogy to her identify? Is it attractiveness with the audience or was this the plan all together, to create three video games around her?

Junzo Hosoi
Junzo Hosoi, Head of Gust at Koei Tecmo and Atelier Ryza 3’s producer. — Graphic: Koei Tecmo

Junzo Hosoi: Considering that the start out of the “Solution” sequence, we wished to make a tale in which the exact same principal protagonist carries on to mature and produce, so the simple fact that Ryza stays the primary protagonist is in line with our initial program. From the begin of the undertaking, I had generally desired to conclude the “Top secret” series as a trilogy, but no matter if it would be a sequence of two video games or a trilogy was a conclusion we would have to make based on the reaction of our players. Thanks to the good response to Atelier Ryza and Atelier Ryza 2, we were capable to produce Atelier Ryza 3 with Ryza returning as the major character.

Crafting myriad things and receiving fast paced in your atelier has constantly been at the heart of this series. We’ve now observed plenty of new mechanics and streamlined functions included in excess of the past two games, can you inform us what new matters we can hope this time all over that you’re notably enthusiastic about?

Hosoi-san: It would be the two significant units of the “open field” and “keys”. Within just a single location, we have stopped the loading concerning maps, allowing for you to take a look at the map seamlessly. This will obviously transform the way you really feel about the gameplay.

The “keys” are also new to the Atelier series, as it spans both devices and situations, so it will be new even to all those who have performed past video games in the sequence.

Atelier Ryza 3 Party
Impression: Koei Tecmo

In conditions of the game’s world, are we searching at a totally open up environment from the start off this time all over, or are issues nonetheless split into segments that are gated off by narrative functions or divided by loading screens?

Hosoi-san: Ryza and her pals will adventure through four unique regions. Just about every area is an open area where by several maps are seamlessly linked and they can move amongst them with no loading times. The sport is created so that gamers can appreciate the open discipline from the beginning. Having said that, there will be loading when travelling back and forth concerning areas or when employing quickly vacation.

Acquiring reviewed all of the Switch entries in the sequence in excess of the past number of several years, we have discovered a shift from what you may well contact a a lot more ‘fan-servicey’ design in direction of RPGs that truly feel like they are seeking to enchantment to a substantially wider audience. Has it been a acutely aware conclusion to redirect the fashion of the franchise in this way?

Hosoi-san: Of course, it is. We want as a lot of players as attainable to pick up and engage in our game titles. For this explanation, we are continuously listening to the thoughts of various players and hunting for and coming up with content that they will take pleasure in again. We would be pleased if lots of people consider of Gust game titles when they consider of JRPGs.

Atelier Ryza 3 World
Image: Koei Tecmo

“Alchemist of the End” unquestionably sounds a very little perilous, is the tone of this new video game darker than we are utilised to? Does it deal with much more critical challenges than Ryza’s past two outings?

Hosoi-san: The themes of the match are the roots of alchemy, the mysteries of the environment, and the ultimate target and destination of Ryza and each of her buddies. The impact you may well get could be dim, but Ryza and the other people have grown whilst holding the exact same electrical power and spontaneity as they’ve constantly experienced. So, in contrast to the former video games, it is not darker than right before.

We sense that the series’ beat has really enhanced above the past couple decades — it feels as even though it shares virtually equivalent footing with the development mechanics now. How has the motion evolved for this most current journey?

Hosoi-san: The battle is equivalent to past online games so there are no main changes. Even so, by using the new “crucial” method, you can love speedier and far more exhilarating battles, these as being able to frequently strike utilizing a typical attack and use skills repeatedly.

We presently know that this will be Ryza’s last experience, at minimum in the role she inhabits at this time. Likely forward, can you explain to us something about options you may well have the Atelier earth? Can we count on a comparable model of expertise with a new protagonist or are there any strategies to shake things up?

Hosoi-san: As for the upcoming, we are not contemplating about just about anything suitable now. First of all, I would like every person to delight in Atelier Ryza 3, which will be Ryza’s closing adventure. I feel that the Atelier collection are titles that are developed alongside one another with the gamers, so I would be joyful to hear everyone’s views and views right after actively playing the activity.

We know you have possibly been requested this a ton of occasions, but presented the developing good results of Ryza, are there any options this time all over to provide an English dub of the recreation, even if it’s just after the original release?

Hosoi-san: If there are several requests, there is a probability. We glance forward to listening to from you!

Last but not least, the Atelier video games have, with good rationale, grow to be vastly popular RPGs on Nintendo Swap. Exterior of your very own games, can you explain to us what RPGs you have been actively playing or have a particular admiration for on the console?

Hosoi-san: I generally seem forward to the Xenoblade series!


This job interview has been edited frivolously for clarity.

We increase our thanks to Junzo Hosoi at the team at Koei Tecmo and Gust for using the time to converse to us about Atelier Ryza 3. The sport launches on Switch on 24th March 2023. Share your enjoyment about returning to your atelier in the comments.

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Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key