The 29th January 2021 can’t come soon enough, as Koei Tecmo reveals the launch date for the highly anticipated sequel, Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy.
Along with the release date were details of new versions of the game for fans to purchase, with some features that are new to the series.
“KOEI TECMO also revealed that fans of the Atelier series will also be able to get their hands on a delightful Limited Edition of Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy, exclusively available through the KOEI TECMO Europe Online Store. This must-have version of the game contains an art book, deluxe cloth poster, mini acrylic charm, Japanese clear file folders, and an exclusive DLC costume all packaged into a beautiful collector’s box. Gamers who pre-order this version through the KOEI TECMO Europe Online Store will also receive the “Beware of Puni!” and “Blue Puni Costume” t-shirt DLC for Ryza in game!
Players who purchase any version of the game, physically or digitally, during the first two weeks of release will receive an Early Purchase Bonus – the Summer Fashion Costume Set. Furthermore, those who have save data from Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout will also be able to unlock the Classic Costume Set, including outfits for Ryza and her friends from the previous title.”
As players will have seen from the previously released teaser trailer, there are a whole host of new gameplay mechanics in the 22nd game of the Atelier series, and alongside a more in-depth description of the story synopsis, Koei Tecmo has also revealed more exciting in-depth gameplay details:
“In Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy, Ryza is not only joined by returning fan-favourites like Lent Marslink and Tao Mongarten, she also meets a number of new characters who will help her throughout her adventure. Inside the Academy District café, Ryza meets a young woman by the name of Zephine Baudouin. Zephine manages the request bulletin board inside the café, and the bulletin board becomes a key part of Ryza’s day-to-day exploits – it’s used by citizens of the Royal Capital to post jobs ranging from delivering materials to defeating monsters – and as Ryza completes these tasks, she will be compensated with monetary rewards, materials, and even Skill Points. Other intriguing characters inside the Royal Capital include the talented blacksmith and engraver, Dennis Holland; shopkeeper and former acquaintance from Kurken Island, Romy Vogel; and farmworker Cassandra Cappelli, whose father owns an obscene amount of fruitful land inside the Royal Capital’s Farming District.
As Ryza and friends embark on their journey, they encounter enemies and monsters throughout the land, and madness and mayhem ensue. Parties now include three battle members and one sub-member, and all heroes will now be aided in the game’s exhilarating real-time tactics battles, thanks to the ability to stack Action Points and Core Charge. As party members build up Action Points, characters will be able to unleash multiple Skills in a row via a Skill Chain. By using the Skill Chain ability, the power of all skills increases as well as the amount of Core Charge gained in each attack – the function needed in order to also use items – enabling you to unleash devastating attacks like throwing waves of bombs! In addition, by using skills your gauge fills up and after it exceeds a specific amount, your Tactics Level increases. As your Tactics Level increases, the amount of times your regular attacks hit also increases, and Action Points begin to build up quicker. If your Tactics Level reaches the max, you can activate a special technique: The Fatal Drive!“
Stackable action points are an exciting new combat feature for gameplay, and the hype-o-meter will be going off the scale for some JRPG fans (as well as a certain writer here at Total Gaming Addicts), and we can’t wait to bring you more news, previews, and the full review.
Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy will be released across Europe on the 29th January 2021 for Nintendo Switch™, Windows PC via Steam®, PlayStation®4, and digitally on PlayStation®5*.
