RurouniZel
Asks questions so Ezalc doesn't have to
Welcome to our Atelier! As with most community threads on NeoGAF, this thread is for general discussion about the Atelier series from GUST Co. / Tecmo-Koei. A series spanning over 15 games and several spinoffs dating back to the PlayStation days, the Atelier series gameplay centers around item creation. Many of the game also have a heavy time-management component where actions take a certain number of days and feature assignment deadlines ranging from days to years. Feel free to discuss all games from the series, new and old! We welcome all new-comers to the series and will happily guide you through your journey into the (mostly) Puni-filled worlds of the Atelier series.
Most of the information for the games is taken from the best and most awesome Atelier fansite ever. Visit The Puni Cove at http://www.punicove.com/ Additionally much information comes from the Atelier Wiki found here http://atelier.wikia.com/wiki/Atelier_Wiki
Mainline "Project A##" games
Atelier Marie ~Alchemist of Salburg~
マリーのアトリエ ~ザールブルグの錬金術土~
Artist: Kohime Ohse
Atelier Marie is the game that launched the Atelier series back in 1997. It is also the first of three parts in the Alchemist of Salbug series. You play as Marlone, or Marie, a student at the Magic Academy with the worst grades on record. Your objective in Atelier Marie is to make an item in five years that will impress your professor, Ingrid. The game featured a number of endings, one of which was not available in the original PS1 release. Although initially released on the PlayStation, Atelier Marie had other releases on the Sega Saturn and PC. Later, it was paired together with Atelier Elie on the Dreamcast and PlayStation 2. Atelier Marie was only released in Japan.
Release Dates
May 23, 1997 JP (PS1) | December 11, 1997 JP (SAT) | June 4, 1998 JP (Plus)
April 28, 2000 JP (PC)
Atelier Elie ~Alchemist of Salburg 2~
エリーのアトリエ~ザールブルグの錬金術土 2~
Artist: Isaemon Yamagata
The second game in the Atelier series, released on the PS1 in 1998. Atelier Elie is also the second part of the Salburg story. In this, you play as Elfir, or Elie, as she becomes an alchemist at the Salburg Magic Academy. The goal of Atelier Elie is to save Elie’s hometown from an epidemic, which you have five years to do. Like Atelier Marie, this game had a number of different endings that you could obtain, decided upon your actions in the game. Atelier Elie was only released in Japan on the PlayStation and PC. Later, it was released with Atelier Marie on the Sega Dreamcast and PlayStation 2.
Release Dates
December 17, 1998 JP (PS1) | April 28, 2000 JP (PC)
Atelier Lilie ~Alchemist of Salburg 3~
リリーのアトリエ ~ザールブルグの錬金術土 3~
Artist: Isaemon Yamagata
Atelier Lilie is the third game in the series, as well as the third part of the Salburg series. Despite that, this game is a prequel to Marie and Elie. You play as Lilie, a young alchemist living Salburg during it’s earlier years. Some characters from Marie and Elie are in this installment, but they are all at least twenty years younger. Atelier Lilie was only released in Japan on the PlayStation 2.
Release Dates
June 21, 2001 JP| April 4, 2002 JP (Plus)
Atelier Judie ~Alchemist of Gramnad~
ユーディーのアトリエ ~グレムナートの錬金術土~
Artist: Jun Futaba
In a village, there is an alchemist called Judith living together with her parrot. One day, an adventurer requests her to create an “Hourglass of the Dragon” – an item with the power to travel in time. While synthesizing it, a piece of Judith’s hair fell down into the cauldron and Judith suddenly finds herself 200 years into the future.
Release Dates
June 27, 2002 JP | August 7, 2003 JP (Best) | April 4, 2010 JP (PSP)
Atelier Violet ~Alchemist of Gramnad 2~
ヴィオラートのアトリエ ~グレムナートの錬金術土 2~
Artist: Jun Futaba
Atelier Violet,
Release Dates
June 26, 2003 JP | July 8, 2004 JP (Best) | February 3, 2011 JP (PSP)
Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana
イリスのアトリエ ~エターナル マナ~
Artist: Jun Futaba
Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana, known as Project A6, marks the first time GUST moved the Atelier series into a different kind of play style, focusing more on the adventure and the world, rather than alchemy itself. Klein Kiesling, a young alchemist lives in a world known as Regallzine where an ancient city of alchemists, Avenberry has fallen. Many adventurers and alchemists seek to explore the city of Avenberry to learn more about Iris, an alchemist that lived before the fall of Avenberry. Regallzine is host to many Mana, beings that can harvest elements in objects to assist alchemists in synthesizing items. Klein’s adventure begins when he meets a girl, Lita, in a forest and winds up on a long-winded adventure to discover the secrets behind the fall of Avenberry, as well as Lita’s past.
Atelier Iris also marks the first western release of an Atelier game.
Release Dates
May 27, 2004 JP | June 25, 2005 NA | August 4, 2005 JP (Best)
March 17, 2006 EU
Atelier Iris 2: The Azoth of Destiny
イリスのアトリエ ~エタナール マナ 2~
Artist: Jun Futaba
The direct prequel of Eternal Mana, known as Project A7, is the second title in the Atelier Iris subseries. Felt and Viese Blanchimont are alchemists that live in the floating continent of Eden. Felt has always been more interested in adventure and the world outside of Eden, than in alchemy. Meanwhile, Viese takes studying alchemy quite seriously, and is doing her best to make friends with various Mana in order to improve her skills. One day, Felt finds a mysterious talking sword known as the Azure Azoth, who asks Felt to travel to another world to figure out why earthquakes are suddenly occurring on Eden. Viese stays behind to help Felt with her alchemy, and eventually comes across a mysterious little girl named Iris…
Release Dates
May 26, 2005 JP | April 25, 2006 NA | September 21, 2006 JP (Best)
September 29, 2006 EU
Atelier Iris 3: Grand Phantasm
イリスのアトリエ: グレンファンタズム
Artist: Jun Futaba
Atelier Iris 3, known as project A8, takes place in a completely different setting and continuity than its predecessors. Edge Vanhite and his childhood friend, Iris Fortner, are Raiders in the city of Zey Muruze. Raiders are adventurers that take jobs commissioned by the Raider’s Guild in order to explore the Alterworlds around the town, as well as to help citizens. One day Iris, who is an alchemist, finds the Wizard’s Libram of Escalario, of which is said that if one finds all the different parts of it, then any wish could be granted. Iris decides to follow through with this legend in excitement and does not realize the fate that bringing the Escalario together would bring her.
Release Dates
May 27, 2004 JP| June 25, 2005 NA | August 4, 2005 JP (Best)
March 17, 2006 EU
Mana Khemia: Alchemists of Al-Revis
マナケミア ~学園の錬金術士たち~
Artist: Kazuyuki Yoshizumi
Mana-Khemia, known as Project A9, is set in the alchemy academy called Al-Revis. The story revolves around an orphaned boy named Vayne Aurelius who lives alone with his cat, Sulpher. Vayne’s father, Theofratus, was quite possibly one of the most famous and well-known alchemists in the world. One day, he gets an invitation to attend Al-Revis and ends up accepting it, opting to spend the next three years learning about alchemy. Along the way, Vayne ends up being forced into an Atelier on campus by an upperclassman and ends up making many close friends. The game takes many elements from the Iris trilogy and refines it, as well as somewhat easing the Atelier series back into it’s more traditional roots.
Release Dates
June 21, 2007 JP | April 1, 2008 NA | March 27, 2009 EU
September 25, 2008 JP (PSP) | March 10, 2009 NA (PSP) | March 27, 2009 EU (PSP)
Mana Khemia 2: Fall of Alchemy
マナケミア2 〜おちた学園と錬金術士たち〜
Artist: Kazuyuki Yoshizumi
Mana-Khemia 2 returns to Al-Revis, but this time, Al-Revis is no longer floating in the sky. The story revolves around two main characters this time around. Razeluxe Meitzen, a boy who was forced to attend Al-Revis by his employer whom he’s served since childhood, winds up meeting a strange man who deems him a potential rival. Ulrika Mulberry, a simple country girl who one day receives a Mana egg from a mysterious old man, attends Al-Revis in hopes of becoming a great alchemist. Both of the stories are significantly different, but wind up tying together at certain points of the story.
Release Dates
May 29, 2008 JP | August 25, 2009 NA | October 1, 2009 JP (PSP)
Atelier Rorona: The Alchemist of Arland
ロロナのアトリエ ~アーランドの錬金術土~
Artist: Mel Kishida
Atelier Rorona, also known as Project A11, returns the mainline Atelier series to its traditional roots of alchemy. The Kingdom of Arland’s government decides one day that alchemy would no longer be needed, and forces the Atelier our protagonist, Rorona works in, into a three year cycle of assignments to prove that alchemy can still be useful in times where technology is slowly rising, and abundant. Astrid, Rorona’s unreliable master, ends up making her student take up the mantle of saving the workshop. If Rorona fails, she and her master will be forced to leave town, never to return.
Release Dates
June 25, 2009 JP | September 28, 2010 NA | October 22, 2010 EU
Atelier Totori: The Adventurer of Arland
トトリのアトリエ ~アーランドの錬金術士2~
Artist: Mel Kishida
Project A12, and the direct sequel to Atelier Rorona, focuses on a young alchemist named Totooria Helmold who lives in a small fishing town called Alanya. The Kingdom of Arland is now the Republic of Arland, and Adventurers are now a full time job for the government. Totori’s mother was one of those adventurers, and was quite famous and well known. However, she has been missing for quite some time now, and Totori resolves to go out and find her with the help of alchemy that her teacher, Rorona, taught her.
Release Dates
June 24, 2010 JP | September 27, 2011 NA | September 30, 2011 EU
November 29, 2012 (Plus) JP | March 19, 2013 (Plus) NA | March 20, 2013 (Plus) EU
Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland
メルルのアトリエ ~アーランドの錬金術士3~
Artist: Mel Kishida
The tiny kingdom of Arls, located on the northeastern border of the Arland Republic, is where spunky Princess Meruru calls home. Ever since she was exposed to alchemy by famed adventurer Totori Helmold, all she can think about was becoming an alchemist. With Totori’s guidance, Meruru sets out to develop her home kingdom of Arls using the power of alchemy. On her way, Meruru will encounter new adventures, obstacles, mysteries, and friends, and discover what life is like outside the castle walls. How you choose to guide her through the advancement of her land will determine the final outcome in the tale of Atelier Meruru.
Release Dates
June 23, 2011 JP | May 29, 2012 NA | May 25, 2012 EU
March 20, 2013 (Plus) JP | September 3rd 2013 (Plus) US | September 4th, 2013 (Plus) EU
Atelier Ayesha: Alchemist of Dusk
アーシャのアトリエ~黄昏の大地の錬金術士~
Artist: Hidari
Atelier Ayesha: The Alchemist of Dusk follows the story of Ayesha Altugle, a girl who has been living alone in a secluded workshop ever since her grandfather died and her younger sister went missing a few years ago. She supports herself by making and selling medicine. As the story begins, she finds out that her younger sister IS alive somewhere in the world. Now, she must devote herself to finding her younger sister. Her journey to keep her promise begins.
Release Dates
June 28, 2012 JP | March 5, 2013 NA | March 8, 2013 EU
Atelier Escha & Logy ~Alchemists of the Dusk Sky~
エスカ&ロジーのアトリエ~黄昏の空の錬金術士~
Artist: Hidari
Choose from two the protagonists to unfold events unique to each character. Escha’s story will have a lighthearted tone appealing to fans of the Atelier series while Logy’s tale will be one of a darker more somber mood. Both characters will experience the same main story, but there will be different events with the respective perspectives from both characters, including different endings.
Release Dates
June 27, 2013 JP | March 11, 2014 NA | March 7, 2014 EU
Atelier Shallie
The third installment of the Twilight Dusk trilogy, Atelier Shallie once again features two protagonists and a new Life system for determining what quest the characters want to do. It will also feature tasks unique to each protagonist.
Atelier Rorona Plus
New to Atelier Rorona Plus:
Improved 3D character models
New field map modeling
New chapters featuring Totori and Meruru
More playable characters, maps, bosses, costumes etc.
Improved synthesis system and new Assignment system
Item crafting has been expanded
New battle system with advanced features
Bury items and unearth them in Atelier Meruru Plus/Totori Plus
Over 30 endings affected by player decisions
Save data shared between PS3 and PSV
Atelier Rorona Plus: The Alchemist of Arland will cost $49.99 on PS3 and $39.99 on Vita. The Vita version will be released as a download title only, while the PS3 version will be available at retail. Pre-ordering at GameStop will get you the “Orange Swimsuit” and “Lady’s Etiquette Costume”.
Release Dates
November 21, 2013 JP | June 24, 2014 NA | June 20, 2014 EU
Portable and Spin-off entries
Atelier Marie GB
Because Atelier Marie GB is a rather simple side story of Atelier Marie, a lot of things are the same. Please refer to the Atelier Marie section for further information. Relevant information is provided below.
Release Date:
January 8, 2000 JP
Atelier Elie GB
Because Atelier Elie GB is a rather simple side story of Atelier Elie, a lot of things are the same. Please refer to the Atelier Elie section for further information. Relevant information is provided below.
Release Date:
January 8, 2000 JP
Alchemist Marie & Elie ~Our Atelier~
マリー&エリー ~ ふたりのアトリエ~
Artist: Isaemon Yamagata
A side story for the Wonderswan Color that takes place after the events of Atelier Elie, where Marie and Elie open their own atelier together. It is unknown whether or not this takes place before Atelier Marie, Elie & Anis, or if it is its own continuity entirely.
Release Dates
October 25, 2001 JP
Atelier Marie, Elie & Anis ~Message on the Gentle Breeze~
マリー、エリー&アニスのアトリエ~そよ風からの伝言~
Artist: Isaemon Yamagata
A side story sequel to Atelier Marie and Atelier Elie for the Gameboy Advance. In this installment, the two girls gain a third alchemist in their atelier by the name of Anis. It is unknown if this takes place after Atelier Marie & Elie on the Wonderswan Color, or if the two are unrelated.
Release Dates
January 24, 2003 JP | March 23, 2006 JP (Best)
Atelier Lise ~Alchemist of Orde~
リーズのアトリエ ~オルドの錬金術土~
Artist: Nao Watanuki
Atelier Lise for Nintendo DS follows Lisette Randal, the youngest daughter of the Kingdom of Randal’s royal family. King Randal was a kind, easy going king who took care of his subjects and made sure his family lived a lifestyle fit for their rank. Unfortunately, he did so by borrowing money from the Rockheim Bank, the largest financial institute on the continent. They issue his entire kingdom a forecloser notice, and plan to lay claim to the entire kingdom if the debt was not payed off by a certain date. Princess Lisette flees her home and goes to the neighboring Kingdom of Orde, hoping to discover a way to help her family and pay off the debt. She uses all her money in order to buy a house on the edge of Mythreen, where she decides to become an alchemist and cash in on a growing industry. Due to the sudden popularity of alchemy, Lisette has no trouble obtaining a beginner’s license and she begins to attempt to earn the money to save her kingdom.Atelier Lise has multiple endings, which are determined by what requirements the player meets at the payment deadline.
Release Dates
April 19, 2007 JP
Atelier Annie: Alchemists of Sera Island
アニーのアトリエ ~セラ島の錬金術土~
Artist: Nao Watanuki
The sequel to Atelier Lise and the second DS game in the series, and marks the first Western release of a traditional Atelier game. Annie is an extremely lazy girl that does not want to do any work. Her dream is to marry up so she never has to work again. One day, her parents and grandfather, who is a top-class alchemist, decide to haul her to Sera Island in her sleep. She is forced into participating in a contest to renovate and expand Sera Island in the Kingdom of Orde. Annie, obviously reluctant to be placed in such a situation at first, suddenly gains motivation upon hearing that the winner of the contest will be a contender to marry the crown prince or princess. And thus, Annie must spend the next three years learning alchemy as well as managing different resorts with the help of her new Fairy Master, Pepe.
Release Dates
March 12, 2009 JP | October 27, 2009 NA
Atelier Lina ~Alchemist of Strahl~
リーナのアトリエ ~シュトラールの錬金術士~
Artist: Nao Watanuki
Atelier Lina starts off with Lina, an alchemist who just received her state alchemy certificate, returning home to show it to her childhood friend, Luon. As she’s returning home, however, she comes across a tree on fire… which turns out to be the home of a clan of fairies. And, upon seeing Lina at the scene, the fairies assume she’s responsible. Thus, Lina is left with little choice but to travel across the country, using her newfound alchemic skill to earn enough to help the fairies rebuild their home… and just maybe track down who’s responsible for this mess in the first place.
Release Dates
December 22, 2009 JP
Hermina and Culus ~Atelier Lilie Another Story~
ヘルミーナとクルス ~リリーのアトリエ もう一つの物語~
Artist: Isaemon Yamagata
A side story to Atelier Lilie, where you play as a fairy named Culus and try to build your friendship with Hermina. It is assumed that this game takes place after Atelier Lilie, but it could easily take place during, as well.
Release Dates
December 20, 2001 JP
Atelier Elkrone ~Dear for Otomate~
エルクローネのアトリエ ~Dear for Otomate~
Artist: Fukahire
A collaboration between Idea Factory’s Otomate and Gust, Atelier Elkrone is an Otome game (a dating sim with a girl as the lead, where she has to choose between a number of bachelors) that is set during the long since used Salburg setting.
Main protagonist, Mary is the main character whom has to choose between 6 different males throughout the game. Not too much else is known about the title, although previous heroines Marie and Elie make an appearance.
Mobile
Atelier Marie
Platform: Vodafone3G
Price: 525 Yen (Plus tax) / 1 Download / Additional data 215 Yen
Genre: Role Playing
Atelier Iris ~Eternal Mana 2~ After Episode
Platform: SoftBank 3G / FOMA90x Series
Price: 525 Yen (Plus tax)/ DL
Genre: Role Playing
Atelier Marie
Platform: EZWeb BREW / 504i, 505i, 506i, FOMA2071, 2102V, 700i, 900i, 901i, 902i
Price: Site monthly flat fee of 315 Yen (Plus tax)
Genre: Role Playing
Atelier Marie / Atelier Elie Kobo Puzzle
Platform: EZWeb BREW
Price: 420 Yen/1 DL (Communication fee including tax)
Genre: Puzzle
Atelier Marie & Elie: Alchemists of Salburg
Platform: GREE
Price: ??
Genre: Social
Crossovers featuring Atelier characters:
Cross Edge
Cross Edge is a crossover game (between NIS, Gust, Bandai-Namco, and Capcom) developed by Compile Heart. It features characters from Atelier Marie and Mana-Khemia 2. It also features characters from Ar tonelico, but that isn't what this thread is about!
Release Dates
September 25, 2008 JP | May 26, 2009 NA | September 18, 2009 EU
Trinity Universe
Trinity Universe is a crossover developed by Idea Factory, featuring Disgaea and Atelier Violet characters. It also has many other characters designed by various artists, including Kazuyuki Yoshizumi, who designed Mana-Khemia's characters.
Release Dates
October 1, 2009 JP | June 29, 2010 NA | June 25, 2010 EU
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Oh, and a HUGE shoutout to Rarutos for helping me fine tune the thread. ^_^