From its opening moments, this trilogy-bundle presents itself as a sweeping saga of growth and discovery. The protagonist, Reisalin “Ryza” Stout, begins her journey on her home island, curious about the possibilities of alchemy and adventure. Over the course of the three games she evolves from a countryside dreamer into a confident alchemist, and the narrative arc feels both grounded and ambitious. While the first instalment retains a cozy tone that emphasizes exploration and self-discovery, the later chapters expand the scale of her world and stakes. One critique of this new release, which comes with new content, lies in how parts of the newly added episodes feel supplementary rather than fully woven into the main story – they enrich the context but don’t always carry the emotional weight of the core plot.
The gameplay systems throughout the trilogy remain among the most accessible in the genre while still offering depth. Central to the experience is the crafting/alchemy system: each synthesis task involves layered nodes and affinities that reward experimentation and planning. The DX bundle introduces several quality-of-life enhancements such as expanded storage, auto-gathering companions in the later game, and more forgiving traversal mechanics. These additions clearly benefit newcomers and help tame what might otherwise have been a fiddly loop. That said, for long-time players the core loop remains largely unchanged, and in places the enhancements feel incremental rather than transformational.
Combat across the three games blends turn-based structure with active timing and strategy, creating a lively rhythm rather than purely static exchanges. The shift between chapters sees the battles becoming more involved: later games reward positional play, character synergies, and moment-to-moment decision making. At the same time, the pace in the early game feels quite relaxed compared to more aggressive JRPGs – a design choice that aligns with the trilogy’s tone. Yet this moderation can occasionally verge on safe, and some might find that the sense of risk or urgency never quite matches the larger story ambitions of the later titles.
Visually, the PS5 version of the bundle presents a marked improvement over earlier console versions. Faster load-times and smoother frame-rates help make the world more immediate, and the environments – from beachside forests to cavernous underworld realms – feel richly realised thanks to thoughtful lighting and design. However, the upgrade is not radical: some textures still lack polish, shimmering foliage and aliasing persist in places, and the feel is more that of a “refined port” than a full remake. In audio terms the soundtrack shines: sweeping compositions elevate exploration and battle alike, and voice acting is solid, lending the characters greater presence and emotional resonance.
One of the strongest appeals here is the value proposition for those yet to play any of the Ryza games. The presented trilogy gives a coherent narrative spanning three entries, bundled with previously-released DLC and brand-new story episodes, all in one package. For fresh players, this makes it a high-value and judicious entry point into the series. Conversely, players who already experienced the original versions may hesitate: the lack of a seamless upgrade path and the question of how much the new content justifies a full purchase weigh on the decision.
In the end, the PS5 version of Atelier Ryza: Secret Trilogy Deluxe Pack stands as a polished and content-rich JRPG collection. It excels in offering both a charming narrative with a relatable lead and a suite of gameplay systems that remain satisfying even after the credits roll. Some of the enhancements feel modest rather than bold, and if the original releases are familiar terrain then the incentive to return may be muted. But for those stepping into Ryza’s world for the first time, this bundle delivers a finely tuned, accessible journey through alchemy, friendship and adventure – a journey that may very well mark one of the most consistent and cohesive arcs in this series.
Score: 8.2/10
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