The absolute pinnacle of the series at this point. The story still takes second place to Ayesha but the gameplay, the characters, the world, the synthesis, all of it is the best it's ever been for Atelier. I was concerned with them repeating a lead heroine again (Ryza 2 was a big step down from it's predecessor) Sophie was someone I enjoyed a lot the first time and so I went in with worried but positive expectations when this came out. I'm still surprised all this time later by just how good this game is, there is nothing about it that didn't feel perfect and like the best possible next step of evolution for a series that is always evolving. It was new and fresh yet maintained it's tradition so well - it fit really well with the setting in this game that brings both the past and the present together as well.