The first gameplay trailer for a long-missing JRPG series hitting Xboxhas just landed

The first gameplay trailer for a long-missing JRPG series hitting Xboxhas just landed

What you need to know

  • A new gameplay presentation has been unveiled for Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land, the latest installment in the Atelier franchise.
  • Atelier is a series of light-hearted JRPGs where everything from their stories, characters, and gameplay is heavily themed around alchemy.
  • Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land is scheduled to be released on March 21, 2025 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC via Steam, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S

As a seasoned JRPG enthusiast who has traversed countless worlds, battled hordes of mythical beasts, and forged countless legendary weapons, I must admit that the unveiling of Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land has piqued my curiosity. Having grown up hearing tales of the enchanting Atelier series from fellow gamers, yet never having the pleasure to partake in its magic myself, this new installment promises a fresh adventure that I can’t resist.


On August 27, 2024, during the Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase stream, Koei Tecmo and Gust unveiled a fresh installment in the long-standing Atelier series titled Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land. For convenience, let’s call it Atelier Yumia. This upcoming game is set to drop next year on various platforms such as Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and 5, PC via Steam, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. Notably, Atelier Yumia will mark the first time an Atelier series game is available on Xbox consoles.

On September 2, 2024, exactly five days later, Koei Tecmo unveiled a fresh gameplay video showcasing the storyline and characters for Atelier Yumia. This presentation included both returning veterans and new faces in the series, as well as plans to enhance the alchemy gameplay that Atelier is renowned for.

For those unaware, Atelier refers to a long-running series of Japanese Role Playing Games (JRPGs) produced by Koei Tecmo’s Gust division. The journey began in 1997 with “Atelier Marie: The Alchemist of Salburg” on the PlayStation One. What sets Atelier apart from other JRPG franchises is its strong focus on alchemy. From their narratives, characters, gameplay mechanics, to the influence alchemy has on the world, everything revolves around this concept. Atelier Yumia continues this trend.

In the world of Atelier Yumia, alchemy is widely shunned due to the belief that it brought about the sudden downfall of the once powerful Aladissian Empire centuries ago. Yet, one determined young girl embarks on a journey to uncover the true events that unfolded that fateful night.

As I tread the path of my life, I am none other than Yumia Liessfeldt, an alchemist by birthright and calling. A tragic event in my past, the loss of my dear mother, revealed to me a secret lineage of alchemists within our family. Growing up listening to whispers about alchemy being ‘evil’, I found myself questioning this belief as my mother was a kind and gentle soul who practiced this forbidden art.

Yumia embarks on an adventure alongside the Aladiss Research Group, seeking to uncover the authentic past events leading to the decline of the Aladissian Empire, determining whether her mother had noble qualities, and demonstrating beyond doubt that alchemy does not possess malevolent nature.

In Atelier Yumia, players embark on an adventure where they traverse diverse landscapes, interact with a vibrant cast of characters who may join your team, and engage in real-time battles against enemies and adversaries. As you journey, gather resources for crafting through exploration and combat, then apply your alchemical skills to create useful items.

In this game, the assortment of items you can create through alchemy spans from healing concoctions, adornments, tools, weapons, and protective gear. Moreover, Atelier Yumia marks a new milestone in the series as it allows players to utilize alchemy to craft building materials, enabling you to construct residences or even entire towns for the characters you meet during your adventure.

Another beloved JRPG franchise comes to Xbox consoles

The first gameplay trailer for a long-missing JRPG series hitting Xboxhas just landed

The Atelier series is highly regarded as a timeless favorite among JRPG enthusiasts due to its heartwarming, low-pressure narratives, captivating and well-developed characters, stunning environments to traverse, and intricate and engrossing alchemy mechanics that keep players hooked.

Even though I haven’t played any Atelier game before, the gameplay presentation of Atelier Yumia has piqued my interest and made me consider giving this series a try for the first time. The characters appear both cool and enjoyable to control, and I’m eager to find out how intricate the alchemy crafting system in Atelier Yumia is and what unique items it lets you create that might be downright wild.

In a world where many games incorporate crafting systems, post-Minecraft, will the Atelier series continue to distinguish itself with its unique alchemy gameplay and emerge as one of the top JRPGs on Xbox? Discover the answer next year when Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land releases in 2025, available for both consoles and PC via Steam.

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2024-09-02 18:39