Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout

Gust

Industry	Video game development
Headquarters	Japan
Products	Atelier Ryza series

Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout is a role-playing video game developed by Gust that debuted in Japan in September 2019. It was made available on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Microsoft Windows. The game reached North American audiences in October 2019 and was released worldwide by November 2019 on the same platforms. This title marks the twenty-first main installment in the Atelier franchise and introduces the Secret narrative arc.

Following this, the sequel Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy launched in December 2020 in Japan and January 2021 internationally, expanding its platform availability to include PlayStation 5 alongside PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Microsoft Windows. The series continued with a second sequel, Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key, which was released in March 2023 across these same systems.

An anime adaptation produced by Liden Films aired from July through September 2023.

An enhanced version titled Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout DX, featuring additional playable characters and new content, is planned for release on November 13, 2025. This edition will be accessible on existing platforms as well as PlayStation 5 and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, bundled within the Atelier Ryza Secret Trilogy Deluxe Pack.

Gameplay

Atelier Ryza is a Japanese role-playing video game centered around a fundamental crafting mechanic known as alchemy. Its combat system blends traditional turn-based gameplay with real-time elements, allowing time to progress continuously while players input commands. Attacking generates Action Points which can be spent to perform special skills, powerful attacks, or to increase the party's Tactics Level—unlocking enhanced abilities.

Outside of battles, players engage in alchemy by collecting materials and positioning them on elemental nodes to reveal new recipes and create a variety of items. A novel feature introduced in this installment permits automation of both gathering and synthesis processes, catering to users who prefer focusing on other gameplay facets.

Plot

Reisalin "Ryza" Stout, driven by a desire for adventure, departs Kurken Island accompanied by her friends Lent Marslink and Tao Mongarten. Upon reaching the mainland, they form a friendship with Klaudia Valentz and are saved from a monstrous threat by Empel Vollmer, an alchemist, and his bodyguard Lila Decyrus. Impressed by their skills, Ryza’s group becomes apprentices under Empel and Lila, refurbishing an abandoned cottage to serve as their atelier. Klaudia later joins them after receiving her father’s consent.

Ryza’s childhood friend Bos Brunnen, estranged from her, conspires alongside his father Moritz to falsely implicate Empel and Lila as troublemakers due to their investigation into nearby ruins. Their scheme collapses; Bos escapes but is discovered within an alternate dimension called the "Underworld," where he is cared for by Kilo Shiness of the Oren race—who are engaged in battle against insect-like creatures known as the "Philuscha." It is revealed that centuries ago, the ancient Klint Kingdom diverted local water supplies, enabling the Philuscha infestation. Empel and Lila manage to seal gates preventing further invasions. After learning about his family’s involvement, Bos reforms his ways and reconciles with Ryza by joining their group.

The party uncovers that Kurken Island is an artificial sanctuary created for Klint survivors but now endangered due to failing machinery. After conducting urgent repairs, they return to the Underworld to confront and defeat the Philuscha leader called the Ravaging Queen. Utilizing a magical stone obtained from her, Ryza completes restoration efforts on the island; Bos destroys an orb responsible for returning stolen water and dispersing the Philuscha horde. Following their victory, the group celebrates before parting: Lent embarks on a career as a knight-errant; Tao pursues studies in the capital alongside Bos; Klaudia travels with her father; Empel and Lila continue their mission sealing gates; while Ryza remains on Kurken Island preparing for her own forthcoming journey.

Development

In a 2025 interview, producer Junzo Hosoi explained that the character designs drew inspiration from Japan's economic climate during the Lost Decades.

Release

The game debuted in Japan on September 26, 2019, followed by its North American release on October 29, 2019, and subsequently in other territories on November 1, 2019.<ref>Physical editions for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch were made available, whereas the Microsoft Windows version was distributed solely through Steam.<ref> Additionally, digital versions for consoles were accessible via the Nintendo eShop and PlayStation Store.<ref>

Reception

Atelier Ryza garnered "generally favorable" reviews across all platforms upon its launch according to Metacritic.<ref> PJ O'Reilly from Nintendo Life commended the revamped combat system and well-balanced alchemy mechanics, emphasizing the emotionally engaging story and compelling characters. However, he pointed out a sluggish pace during the initial stages and some repetitive side quests.<ref>

By August 2020, the game had achieved sales of 500,000 units, making it the top-selling entry in the series.<ref> The Atelier Ryza franchise surpassed 1.3 million copies sold by September 2022 and grew to over 1.6 million by March 2023.<ref> On June 26, 2023, Koei Tecmo confirmed that total sales for the series exceeded two million units.<ref>

Reisalin Stout was nominated for "Best Character" at the Famitsu Dengeki Game Awards in 2019.<ref>

Other media

A manga adaptation illustrated by Riichu began serialization in Kadokawa Game Linkage's Shūkan Famitsū magazine starting September 17, 2020.

An anime television adaptation was revealed on March 19, 2023. Produced by Liden Films and helmed by director Ema Yuzuhira, the series features Yashichiro Takahashi and Kazuki Yanagawa returning as scriptwriter and composer respectively. It aired from July 2 to September 17, 2023, on Tokyo MX and additional channels. The opening theme is performed by Sangatsu no Phantasia, while Awkmiu provides the ending theme. Crunchyroll streamed the show globally outside Asia, with Aniplus Asia holding licensing rights in Southeast Asia.

Episode list

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