Update #2 [Tue 21st Feb, 2023 14:35 GMT]: Nintendo UK has shared an English trailer for the upcoming Atelier Marie Remake, which features Japanese voice acting and English subs.
Gematsu has also confirmed that the game will be digital-only in the West, but the digital deluxe edition will be available alongside the standard edition.
The digital deluxe edition will come with (via Koei Tecmo):
- Full original game “Atelier Marie Plus: The Alchemist of Salburg” included!
- Gust Extra BGM Pack
- "Another Look" Costume Set(Set of 33)
Update [Mon 20th Feb, 2023 16:30 GMT]: Koei Tecmo has announced that the Atelier Marie Remake, a remake of the very first Atelier game that launched on PS1 in Japan in 1997, is launching worldwide on Switch, as well as PS5, PS4, and Steam pm 13th July. (via Gematsu). There's also a brand new trailer (Japanese-only at the time of writing, above) to celebrate the official release date,.
Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg will not only revamp the visual style, but it will also bring new elements with it. Like the new games in the series, there will be an Unlimited Mode (meaning there's no graduation deadline), there are brand new quests, and there are now clearer guidelines on how to beat the game.
Two physical versions have been announced for Japan — both a Premium Box and a Special Collection Box. A Digital Deluxe Edition will also be available. We're sure we'll be hearing more about these very soon for Western fans.
Here's publisher Koei Tecmo's summary on the upcoming remake, along with some lovely-looking screenshots.
I’m done saving the world!
A carefree, cozy RPG adventure…
At the Royal Academy of Magic (the Academy for short), Marie is failing in her attempts to study alchemy. One day, she is given an atelier by her professor as part of a special graduation exam. In order to graduate, Marie must complete an item that will impress her professor.
But first, Marie must strive to improve her alchemy skills, collect ingredients, and earn money to hire adventurers and buy recipes and utensils… Add all of that to the synthesis, battles, and quests she must undertake, and it’s clear that she has a lot to do before she’s ready for her exam!
It’s up to you to choose where to begin! Work hard to graduate from the Academy, but be sure to enjoy yourself along the way.
Key Features
- Updated Graphics: Marie and Friends Brought to Life with the Latest Technology – Character designs and event illustrations have been revamped, and 2D animations have also been introduced in the remake. In addition, there are now 3D models of characters and stages, so players can enjoy seeing cute mini characters while they move around the map and explore.
- Atelier Series Origin, Adapted to Modern Times and Made More Playable – While maintaining the simplicity and flexibility of the original version, the tutorial and navigation of the game’s features have been expanded and improved. The methods of moving around the city and collecting items in the field have also been modified to meet modern-day demands, ensuring that the remake is even more comfortable and easier to play.
- New Elements Added to Further Enhance the Game Experience – Fans of the original version of the game, along with newcomers to the Atelier series, will be delighted by the variety of new elements that have been added to the remake. With the new Unlimited Mode, which allows you to play at a more relaxed pace, and the addition of new events that enable interactions with new characters, you can further enjoy the world of Atelier Marie.
For details on the game's original announcement, check our story below...
Original article [Thu 9th Feb, 2023 00:45 GMT]: During the Japanese Nintendo Direct, Koei Tecmo and Gust announced it would be remaking an Atelier classic. Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist Of Salburg, based on the first Japanese exclusive in the series, will launch on the Nintendo Switch this summer.
Fans can expect an update during the Atelier Series' 25th anniversary program, airing on 20th February via YouTube. Here's a first look at this upcoming title:
This game is the original Atelier game, first released on the PlayStation back in 1997 and followed up by releases across multiple other platforms.
When we hear more about the remake, we'll let you know.
[source gematsu.com, via koeitecmoamerica.com]
Comments 39
Y’all stop…I can’t…I can’t play all these games!
Did not expect this to be revisited.
Her top is so bizarre...
@Browny viddya gaem fashion at its finest.
Pleasantly surprised by this.
This probably would've gotten a positive reception overall had it been a part of the NA and EU Directs. Obviously the only reason it didn't was because of a loud minority and quiet clique of kingmakers.
I am working on something I hope to release in the coming months. These cretins will be dealt with.
Hmm full 3d remake, interesting. Also interesting choice to go SD, but I'll likely get it still.
BTW, damn they crank out Atelier games so fast....
Why is it chibi when all the other atelier games aren’t? 🧐
@Ryu_Niiyama
How does she keep her chest covered? IT DEFIES LOGIC AND GRAVITY
@graviton because that style looks closer to the original perspective. Original was a PS1 game.
@Browny you’re missing the point. Marie is an alchemist, what’s gravity. I like her.
@Browny LOL.
Atelier games so hard to resist! But there are so many... I wish this had been in the English direct.
Love it! I’m excited to okay this. I actually like the chibe style. I think it looks like a fun way to preserve the essence of the art style on PS1.
Woah, I leafed through the Japanese Direct as well, noting some [currently] exclusive stuff, but managed to miss this - perhaps after all my fast-forward taps landing on the polygonal chibi scenes I didn't immediately recognize (the original, which has a translation patch for its PS2 bundle with Ellie, is all 2D like pretty much everything before Rorona). Great news, only fitting for Switch to become even more of the grand Atelier machine it is, but I would certainly be much more enthused to hear about a western release date. Marie staying in Japan in every incarnation is almost bitterly memetic by now, and Koeimo still keeping mum about the prospects of Gust's long ported Nosurge dilogy (half of which already came west on Vita) doesn't instill excessive optimism. But fingers crossed!
EDIT: fingers uncrossed, foot inserted in mouth - despite still featuring the Japanese trailer alone, Koeimo's US website reports the new ports as well. Itsallhappening.jpg
Rune Factory 3, Suikoden, Mega Man Battle Network, Tales of Symphonia, Baten Kaitos and Atelier Marie in about half a year... with more Theatrhythm, Fire Emblem and Fantasy Life on top. Switch is truly the ultimate JRPG machine.
..........did someone say "former Japan-exclusive"?
Add it to the pile!
Chibi style ?? 😶🌫
Will this game have some playable male characters ?
@Browny
The magic of double sided tape
I like the chibi style here alongside the drawn 2D art interactions.. I don't know why. It actually increases my interest.
Although I'm not sure if I'll get it myself, looks great with its combination of 3D chibis and 2D artwork (good to hear from @nhSnork that it's also coming outside of Japan)!
Love the series, but I don't like the choice to go with a chibi art style here.
old fashion ps1 games have a certain charm about them..
@Browny
Par for the course for Koei Tecmo.
I like the new look hopefully we get CE/LE editions of the game.
@mr_eman par for the course for Gust, especially since Marie and her outfit pre-date the Koeimo days by 14 years.😛
Nice pictures. It looks like a nice game.
@Liam_Doolan I'm so happy that Koei Tecmo is finally releasing RPG's from their back catalogue that were previously Japan exclusive! Hopefully they'll release older RPG's outside of the Atelier series as well!
I really hope the special edition comes to us as well.
@nhSnork Same outfit, but re-interpretted by Koei Tecmo. Take a look at the old PS1 game stills and promotional art. Though it's still a halter bikini top, comparatively way less gravity defying. Not complaining, just an observation.
Gust have always impressed me by how graphically comparable the Altelier games look on Switch compared to competing consoles. I would love to get into the Altelier series, but there are so many on Switch & PS5 that I don’t know which one to start with.
Is there any way to play as male characters ?
@mr_eman
...YMMV, looks pretty much the same to me.🤔😆 As for "defying gravity", hers seem like the type of clothes that have bust support in their job description.
@Anti-Matter IIRC there should be some you can hire into the party, yes.
@JONOFTHEJONS It doesn't matter too much where you start, as long as it's the first game in the series of games which would be either Rorona (Arland), Ayesha (Dusk), Sophie (Mysterious) or Ryza.
I'd say probably either Rorona if you want to play through them in order of release as that's the earliest of the games currently released on Switch (until Marie at least) or Ryza if you want to start with something that's more beginner-friendly with no time limits to worry about. Dusk and Mysterious trilogies are really good too though so can't go wrong.
@BenAV Thanks, I’ll take a look through the eShop to see how much they are.
Everyone looks like a nendoroid.
Still need to play one of these games at some point. Been eyeing Ryza as my entry into the series.
@Anti-Matter Every Atelier game has a female protagonist except for Atelier Escha & Logi. Every single one has a couple male side characters you can add to your party, that's as far as it goes.
@JONOFTHEJONS BenAV already gave a thorough answer, but I just wanted to chime in to say that I'd definitely start with Ryza. The quality of life improvements are significant, if you end up falling in love with the formula you can then try to go back and overlook the rough edges of earlier entries.
Cool will get the digital deluxe.
Ah too bad about no physical. Still, definitely gonna play this.
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