This is a computer game in which the final boss is nationalising a town's water supply, from an oligarch's monopoly. Like what more do you need? That's rad as hell.

Ryza is a highlight in the Atelier series in two ways, it continues the raise in new twists and quality each new entry in the series has been masterfly building on, but it was so refreshing to play one of these games that legitmtly had something, anything, to say.

I would never thought a game with this asthetic and tone would be genuinly relatable, but the way Ryza nails the feeling of growing up in a working class town, where your tallents are villified and pursuits are treated like an inconvenience. The struggle between commitment to a place and the unreasonable compromises said place demands of you.

Oh and it's SO queer-coded, like moving form your tory island hometown to live in a commune so you can finaly persue your intrests and kiss your new aristocrat girlfriend? Immaculate narritive.

There's a reason this is the new standard for Atelier and is the title everyone recomends. If you're looking for your first Atelier, this is THE one!

~ Soffie