[REVIEW] Atelier Ryza Secret Trilogy Deluxe Pack | NINTENDO SWITCH 2

Ah, the Atelier Ryza series. It was these very games that initiated me into the world of Alchemy and the Atelier series developed by Gust, which has been going on for decades. The very first entry in the series was Atelier Marie: The Alchemist of Salsburg. It was a Japanese-only title released on the Sony PlayStation back in 1997 and has since grown exponentially over the years, spawning 27 mainline titles and around 17  spin-off games as well. As for the Atelier Ryza series, it has three games, which is a first for the Atelier series, as many other titles rarely got a sequel, let alone two, but its main character, Reisalin Stout, really resonated with fans, and Gust was all too happy to continue her story for a third entry.

All three games have been released on the Nintendo Switch, with the first game, Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout, releasing in September 2019. Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy followed about one year later in December 2020, but the third entry, Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key didn’t come until sometime later in March 2023, bringing Ryza’s story to a close.

Roll on 2025, and Ryza and her friends have returned once again to allow players to relive those memories of Summer Adventures with the Atelier Ryza Secret Trilogy Deluxe Pack. Now, while it is far too soon for a remaster or a remake of these games, the Secret Trilogy Deluxe Pack is more akin to a bundle with some notable upgrades. Each of the original games had post-launch purchasable DLC and season passes that gave players access to new content and cosmetics for their party members. The Deluxe Pack provides players with each of the games with all their additional content included, plus there is even more content with additional stories and playable characters.

Before I dive deeper into what exactly is included in the Atelier Ryza Secret Trilogy Deluxe Pack, I must point out that this review will be covering all three games as a whole, but I shall specify the features of each game so you know what is included in each game. I shall also note that the deluxe versions of these games are available for both the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch 2 as part of a bundle for each platform, and can also be bought separately. The save data for either game is not compatible with the previous release of these games, nor are they compatible between the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 versions of the same game. You can, however, unlock some bonus items for save data found from other games.

It can be a little confusing knowing which version of the Atelier Ryza Secret Trilogy Deluxe Pack to purchase and whether to buy all the games separately or in the bundle, but we shall try and help where we can with this review to help clear up any confusion.

I shall also point out that I will be primarily focusing on what is new or different with each game. If you would like to know more about a particular Atelier Ryza title, please check out any of the following links to our reviews for each game below. These will detail gameplay, features, and story for each particular game. After the links, I shall continue with our Atelier Ryza Secret Trilogy Deluxe Pack EXPlay review.

[Review] Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness and the Secret Hideout (Nintendo Switch)

[Review] Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy (Nintendo Switch)

[Review] Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End and the Secret Key (Nintendo Switch)

Okay, still with me? Great! So, let’s get down to brass tacks on what is included and what is new to the Atelier Ryza Secret Trilogy Deluxe Pack. To start with, each game has new playable characters and additional story lines. In Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout DX, Agatha, Kilo, and Romy are now playable characters, and there are two additional episodes, with one taking part during Bos’ time in the Underworld and another that takes place between the events of Atelier Ryza 1 and 2, following Ryza as she takes on the role of a substitute teacher in Kurken Island’s school.

In Atelier Ryza 2: The Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy DX, Empel & Lila are available as playable characters (they were playable in the first game but not in the second). They also have their very own story that takes place during the events of the main game when Ryza and company are exploring the ruins. Ryza’s fairy friend Fi can now help Ryza on her adventure by expanding the range of the sensor map and can even restore your party’s HP when not in combat.

As for Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key, there are three new playable characters with Kilo, Clifford, and Serri. Clifford and Serri also have their own episode that takes place after the events of the main game.

All three Deluxe versions of the game include improved basket and container capacity, allowing you to gather even more materials. Additional graphic options to adjust settings for things like rain quality, bloom, depth of field, and light shafts. The graphics for each game have also been improved, as well as the user interface and overall user experience. In Atelier Ryza 2 and 3, the Spirit Beast functions have also been improved so that you can use gathering items while you are riding atop them.

All DLC story chapters and recipes that were available to purchase from the eShop are also included in the DX versions of each game. There is even a custom battle mode that you can access by going to the bed in the Atelier or at Ryza’s Home. This mode allows you to set up practice battles with enemies you have fought before. You can adjust the level of the enemies and your party members, as well as choose which characters you would like to add to your party. You don’t get any rewards for custom battles, but it is a nice little mode to have when you want to try out some new attack strategies on specific enemies. The Atelier Ryza Secret Trilogy Deluxe Pack really is the complete package and is jam-packed with content that will keep you busy and entertained for hours on end.

That said, I did rather wish that my save data from my previous playthroughs on the original games would have been better utilized. Although I don’t have a problem with journeying with Ryza all over again, I do have hours of progress and recipes that I have unlocked in the previous games, and it is a massive grind having to do it all again. If there were a New Game+ option that allowed you to use your hard-earned save data from the other games, which allowed you to keep all the recipe trees and skills, I’m sure fans of the original games would be far more accepting of jumping into these games once again. Especially with the extra benefit of the new content and the additional content they may not have downloaded before.

The Atelier Ryza Secret Trilogy Deluxe Pack is an excellent way of having access to all previously released games and their respective DLC at a much more affordable price. Having said that, the sound of $89.99 USD does sound quite alarming, but these games were originally priced at $59.99 each, and then their DLC/ Season prices on top of that. You are definitely getting more for your money purchasing the Deluxe Pack, but if you already own the original games and the DLC, you may find a few QoL improvements and some additional content may not quite be enough to make you double-dip.

Still, if you have never played these games, now is as good a time as any to try them out. All three games are a truly enjoyable experience with a colourful cast of characters and a rich world to explore, with a combat loop that feels more rewarding the deeper you connect with its mechanics and a synthesis system that makes you feel like a master sorcerer as you craft materials to make powerful, high-quality items. Atelier Ryza Secret Trilogy Deluxe Pack really is the perfect Summer adventure that you can have all year round.