Atelier Yumia is the latest entry in the long-running Atelier series, and it is quite a different experience compared to what we have been used to so far. We had Firis in the past, where they tried (and failed, badly) to create an open world structure, but this is the first time the developers actually managed to get the formula right.

The story follows the journey of Yumia, an alchemist living in a world where alchemy is considered taboo for reasons that are not fully explained at the start. She joins an expedition team tasked with exploring the former territory of the ancient Aladissian Empire, which collapsed several centuries ago under mysterious circumstances.

As in previous Atelier titles, Yumia uses alchemy to craft helpful items and support the people around her. Slowly, as the team uncovers more about the fallen empire and its history, she begins to gain the trust of those she meets. Her personal motivation for joining the expedition is tied to uncovering the truth behind her mother’s death.

It becomes clear fairly quickly that alchemy played a major role in the downfall of the Aladissian Empire. Yumia eventually has to face the moral dilemma of accepting that the very skill she relies on can also cause immense harm.

The companions who join her each have their own motives, often diverging from the expedition’s official goals. Lenja wants to prove herself after being abandoned by her tribe. Rutger sold his memories on the black market as an orphan and now lives with the consequences. Isla and Victor are hunting the murderer of their family. Nina, the most mysterious of the group, is eventually revealed to be an ancient homunculus created back in the days of the empire, making her essential to uncovering what truly happened in the past.

Is the story solid? Honestly, not really. The progression feels fragmented due to the open world structure and the pivotal moments lack the tension needed to make them memorable. The character designs are excellent (Yumia is almost certainly the most attractive Atelier protagonist so far), but the characters themselves are not given enough development because their arcs are split into small pieces scattered throughout exploration.

For me, the narrative aspect was a big miss, and I suspect much of that comes from the gameplay format. It does not allow for the same kind of structured storytelling that earlier Atelier games excelled at. The story feels like an afterthought rather than the heart of the experience.

The gameplay on the other hand is solid and enjoyable. Exploration has a good pace with plenty of objectives to pursue, and the alchemy system is well designed and fits the open world approach. I am not the type of player who tries to break alchemy systems, but even with a casual approach it felt rewarding.

Would I recommend Atelier Yumia? Only if you enjoy open world games. If you do not, it can easily become tedious. The gameplay loop is strong, but the storytelling will disappoint anyone who expects the usual Atelier charm in full force.