Atelier Firis: The Alchemist and the Mysterious Journey / フィリスのアトリエ ～不思議な旅の錬金術士～

Atelier Firis: The Alchemist and the Mysterious Journey is a JRPG that expands the Atelier series with an ambitious open-world design and a deep crafting system. Players control Firis, a young alchemist seeking certification to explore the world, embarking on a journey filled with exploration, item synthesis, and turn-based combat. The game features a generous time limit during the first half, encouraging exploration and quest completion, then opens up fully for free exploration in the second half. The crafting system is intricate, requiring players to experiment with materials and recipes to create powerful items. The soundtrack and character art are praised for enhancing the immersive experience.

Despite these strengths, the game suffers from a problematic PC port with performance issues, lower-quality 2D assets, and occasional glitches. Some players found the battle system less engaging and the story lighter compared to other JRPGs. The time limit and lack of fast travel early on can feel restrictive, and the proficiency system in crafting adds tedious repetition. Character interactions are sometimes shallow, and the UI could be improved. Overall, Atelier Firis is recommended for fans of the series or those seeking a relaxed, crafting-focused JRPG with a charming world to explore.

Highlights

Players praise Atelier Firis for its expansive and connected open world, which transforms exploration into a true journey fitting the game's subtitle. The deep and rewarding alchemy system offers engaging crafting mechanics that appeal to both newcomers and series veterans. The generous time limit during the first half balances guidance with freedom, while the second half allows unrestricted exploration. The soundtrack, including live recordings, and charming character art significantly enhance the game's atmosphere. The inclusion of multiple endings and character-specific storylines adds replay value. Fans of Atelier Sophie often find Firis a worthy successor with consistent quality and enjoyable gameplay.

Criticisms

Common criticisms focus on the PC port's performance issues, including unstable framerates, graphical glitches like flickering shadows, and missing PS4 graphical features. The battle system is seen as shallow and less strategic compared to previous entries. The time limit and limited early fast travel can cause tedious backtracking and restrict freedom. The alchemy proficiency mechanic forces repetitive crafting of the same items, which many found frustrating. Character interactions are sometimes shallow or awkward, with less development than in other RPGs. The UI and quest descriptions can be unclear or misleading, and some quests require external guides to complete fully. Overall, the story is considered light and lacking epic scope.