12. Atelier Firis: The Alchemist and the Mysterious Journey DX (Switch eShop)

The first game since the start of the Arland series not to release on PlayStation 3, Mysterious Journey stars Firis, who learns alchemy from the previous game's star, Sophie. Firis' adventure sees her embark on a quest to explore the world beyond the cave she was raised in, and to hopefully pass an exam that will certify her as an alchemist.

It's certainly nothing revolutionary when it comes to story or mechanics — and Firis also reintroduced the time mechanics — but the brand-new open world felt like a breath of fresh air. And once you'd passed Firis' exam, you were free to explore Atelier Firis: The Alchemist and the Mysterious Journey at your leisure.

Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube840k

11. Atelier Escha & Logy: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky DX (Switch eShop)

Atelier Escha and Logy: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky DX gets off to a pretty turgid start with exposition-heavy scenes punctuated with lots of tutorials.

However, once it gets its bearings, it's another satisfying tale with two strong lead characters to choose from, a great cast of supporting characters, and that deep alchemy sat right at the centre of it all, pulling the weaker strands of its gameplay together into a satisfyingly unified whole.

10. Atelier Lydie & Suelle: The Alchemists and the Mysterious Paintings DX (Switch eShop)

Atelier Lydie & Suelle followed the familiar-yet-cosy format of the Atelier series, but the DX version on Switch brought about a whole slate of updates and upgrades that make this a bit of a standout. The DX version added a Nelke & the Legendary Alchemists tie-in, a fast-forward for battles, and a photo mode — all welcome additions that improve the experience. As Atelier games go, though, this is simply solid, workaday fare.

As the third entry in the Mysterious series, however, this might not be the best place for newcomers to jump in, but it's one of the most rewarding for fans as it ties many of the series' plot threads together. Otherwise, while it's content with relying on what the Mysterious games have done so far, Lydie & Suelle makes for a rather lovely adventure all the same.

9. Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian (Switch eShop)

Between a restrained scope and structure that harkens back to the Atelier games of old, a bevvy of fresh gameplay twists to call its own, and a metric ton of fanservice for veterans, Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian feels like a triumphant celebration of the entire series’ legacy.

More importantly, it’s just a really great RPG experience. Appropriately, it mixes together a bunch of quality ingredients — a heartwarming narrative, strategic and dynamic turn-based combat, complex crafting systems — and synthesises them into a jolly little romp of an adventure. There’s certainly a bump in the road or two, but the ride is too enjoyable to linger on those for long.

8. Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book DX (Switch eShop)

This 2015 release arrived on Switch in 2021 in DX form. Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book has you finding the mysterious talking book of the title and working to unlock memories within and improve as an alchemist.

With excellent art and the new Dollmake feature, which let you customise the book (named Plachta), Sophie gave the Mysterious series a solid start and the DX version added some welcome QoL options — who wants to stroll when you can sprint?

Sophie was also popular enough to get a sequel in 2022, but the first game stands on its own as a series highlight.

7. Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea DX (Switch eShop)

The final entry in the Dusk trilogy, and arguably the strongest, Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea DX adds a nice new camera, spices up the alchemy, strengthens the turn-based combat system, and gives you two heroines to play through as, each with a journey unique enough that it's more than worth your while playing through the whole thing twice.

World exploration is just as tightly controlled as in previous Atelier games and won't perhaps suit those hoping for a larger sense of adventure or the desire to get completely lost in the wilds of the world, but this is another solid entry that performs excellently on Switch and suits portable play perfectly.

6. Atelier Lulua: The Scion of Arland (Switch)

Atelier Lulua: The Scion of Arland proved to be a great entry in Gust’s long-running series. Much like the many concoctions made by the eponymous Lulua, this was a refined product that reflects several of the best traits of its predecessors.

If you can get past the ho-hum storytelling and learn to master the intimidating crafting system, you’ll find that the game has plenty to offer in its surprisingly involved combat system, gorgeous locales, and rewarding gameplay loops.

5. Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream (Switch)

2022's Atelier Sophie 2 stands as a wonderful achievement; an entry that feels like the perfect fusion of the old and the new. Sophie’s adventure may not have much to offer up in the story department, but it more than makes up for this with its streamlined design, thrilling combat, expansive world, and addictive alchemy system — all stalwart pillars of the series.

It's a winner for both longtime fans and newcomers, and one of the best Atelier releases yet.

4. Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key (Switch)

Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key ends Ryza's three-game run on a high note, serving up a heady mix of exploration, crafting, and combat that benefits greatly from a narrative arc that's had time to develop and grow.

The new key mechanics add more depth to combat, synthesis, and exploration, the world is more seamless and diverse than ever before, and the whole thing comes together to form a satisfying end for this hugely popular protagonist.

We did have some issues with small text, no English dub, and a little fussiness in how information is relayed, but overall this is Gust's finest adventure to date and a JRPG experience that long-term fans and newcomers alike will find plenty to delight in.