Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land (PlayStation 5)

I was so looking forward to this game. I have loved Atelier games for many years (going back as far as Atelier Iris - 2004). This one doesn't feel like it belongs in the same game series. Ateliers have always been where you do alchemy but this game has taken the fun out if it. You have to put so many things into making a decent item, it takes way too long so generally use the "Auto" choice, which also takes more fun out of it. More complicated synthesis with more options and no cauldron has taken away a lot of the enjoyment. As synthesis is such an integral part of the game series, I can not understand why, after 20+ years, you totally change the way it is done. I understand that in a long series of games, it has to evolve and change but this feels it has changed the game fundamentally. It plays more like an open world "Tales of..." game now.I won't say I'm not enjoying it and I will finish it but, as a game, it has sadly lost its identity...

It's ok, but doesn't really feel like an Atelier game. I completed it and although the series has never been known for difficulty, I easily beat the final boss with gear I'd crafted halfway through. I just couldn't be bothered to craft any more, due to how tedious they've made alchemy, without ever feeling like your ingredient/placement choices have much impact either. It's a strange feeling, playing an Atelier game and not wanting to craft at all, as it's become so uninteresting and has little impact on gameplay.The story and visuals are good still, but it just made me pine for something small-stakes and cuter. Perhaps it's time to try an older Atelier and just skip the inevitable sequel this will get.