Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & The Envisioned Land, this is the complete title of the new chapter of the series, marks a turning point for the Atelier saga, which has long been consolidated in the panorama of Japanese role -playing games. Developed by Gust and published by Koei Tecmo, this title for PS5, Xbox and PC leaves the traditional zone structure to embrace an Open World approach, a significant change that deeply influences the gaming experience. The world of Aladiss, theater of the events of Yumia, is presented as a vast and complex entity, about two hundred times larger than the areas explorable in the previous chapters of the series. Its distinctive feature is verticality: imposing mountains and deep valleys alternate with plains and ruins, creating an environment that stimulates exploration and requires a reasoned approach to travel. This geographical conformation is not merely aesthetic, but directly influences the gameplay, forcing the player to deviate from the main path, to climb slopes and make the most of Yumia’s movement skills.
The protagonist, Yumia Liessfeldt, clearly differs from the archetype of the carefree alchemist of the previous ateliers. The world of Aladiss, in fact, is permeated by a deep contempt for alchemy and for those who practice it, a narrative element that gives the game a darker and more mature tone. Yumia finds himself facing the weight of this prejudice, joining a research group whose members initially look at it with suspicion and diffidence. The protagonist’s movement system has been significantly enhanced compared to the previous chapters. In addition to the canonical actions to walk, run and jump, Yumia can perform multiple jumps thanks to special footwear enhanced by the mana, an ability that proves to be fundamental to face the verticality of the game world. His stick is not only a weapon, but also a versatile tool: it can be used to collect materials, hit enemies and even turn into a rifle to hit distant targets. The introduction of the motorcycle, a vehicle powered by the mana, adds a further size to mobility, allowing to quickly cross the flat areas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4huccrhww6e
An unpublished and particularly interesting element is the possibility of building and personalizing your operational base, the atelier. This mechanics, which fits perfectly into the open world context, allows the player to create a personalized refuge in certain areas of the game world. The atelier is not only an aesthetic element, but a real operating center, where Yumia can devote itself to alchemy, plan its strategies and interact with the members of the group. The possibility of personalizing the furniture and the arrangement of the tools offers an additional level of depth and involvement. The crafting system, which has always been a fundamental pillar of the Atelier series, reaches a new level of complexity in “Atelier Yumia”. The collection of materials, the synthesis of new objects, the use of nuclei to influence the properties of the objects created and the addition of jewels to further enhance the equipment require constant dedication and accurate planning. Although it can initially be intimidating for its complexity, the crafting system is described as one of the most satisfying aspects of the game, offering the player a sense of tangible progression and the possibility of personalizing their style of play.
Despite numerous positive innovations, the Yumia control system has some critical issues that partially limit its effectiveness. The protagonist frequently tends to be fitted in the geometry of the environment, even during simple actions such as climbing or descending stairs. This problem, although not a novelty in the videogame panorama, manifests itself with a frequency that is at times frustrating. There are also occasional problems with the detection of the inputs, which can lead to lack of collections of materials or difficulties during the fighting. Even the multiple jump system, despite being a welcome addition, does not always work impeccablely, activating only in certain circumstances and occasionally failing in the execution. The combat system takes place in real time, with fluid transitions between exploration and battle. Yumia and her companions can use a variety of skills and attacks, with the possibility of going from one character to another at any time. Each member of the group has unique skills and a limited number of uses for each skill, encouraging the rotation of the characters and the strategic use of the elemental weaknesses of the enemies. However, the abundance of particle effects and the overlap of combat areas with the surrounding environment can sometimes compromise visibility, making it difficult to follow the action and dodge enemy attacks. The review also mentions the difficulty, in some circumstances, in activating certain menus, such as support, due to ignored or conflicting inputs.
The narrative of “Atelier Yumia” focuses on the issues of prejudice, acceptance and overcoming of personal traumas. The members of the research group, initially hostile towards Yumia, gradually learn to know it and appreciate its qualities, overcoming their prejudices about alchemy. The personal stories of the characters are described as touching and well developed, and their interactions contribute to creating a credible and engaging group dynamics. The plot unfolds through the exploration of the different regions of Aladiss, the discovery of ancient secrets related to alchemy and the search for a solution to the “mana disaster” that marked Yumia’s past. Ultimately, Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & The Envisioned Land is an ambitious and full of content title, which represents a significant step forward for the Atelier series. The introduction of a vast open world, characterized by a marked verticality, a deep and layered crafting system, and a more mature and engaging narrative, contribute to creating a rewarding and lasting play experience. Despite some imperfections in the control system and occasional technical problems, the game is more than valid, for its ability to innovate while maintaining the fundamental elements that made the Atelier series so appreciated.
Format: Ps5 (tested version), PS4, Switch, Xbox Series X | S, Xbox One, PC Publisher: Capcom Developer: Capcom Vote: 8/10
