Atelier Rorona Plus: The Alchemist of Arland
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About Atelier Rorona Plus: The Alchemist of Arland
Atelier Rorona Plus is a 2013 role-playing game from Gust that tasks you with running an alchemy workshop in the industrializing city of Arland. You play as Rorona, an apprentice forced to prove her shop’s viability by passing 12 exams over three years. The game blends crafting, exploration, and story-driven challenges, set against a backdrop of shifting technology and tradition. Originally released for PlayStation 3 and Vita, it’s a mid-2010s entry in the Atelier series, known for its character-focused narratives and crafting mechanics. The story revolves around debt, ambition, and rebuilding a family legacy, with a focus on incremental progress and relationship-building.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around exams that test your alchemy skills, resource management, and problem-solving. Each exam requires gathering materials, experimenting with recipes, and using alchemy to solve environmental puzzles. Combat is minimal and turn-based, often serving as a side activity. You’ll explore towns, trade with NPCs, and craft items to pass exams like restoring a clock tower or purifying water. The PlayStation Vita version adds touch-screen crafting, while the PS3 version uses traditional controls. Progression feels slow but methodical, with each completed exam unlocking new areas and social bonds. The 12 exams take roughly 28 hours on average to complete, with side quests and achievements extending playtime.
What Players Think
PlayPile users average 28 hours of playtime, with 35% completing all exams and achievements. Metacritic scores it 65/100, reflecting polarized opinions, some praise its charm, others its slow pacing. Community moods are 68% “relaxing,” 42% “satisfying,” and 27% “frustrating.” Review snippets highlight “deep crafting systems” and “endearing characters,” but note “repetitive quest structures.” The game has 178 achievements, with 72% unlocked by average players, focusing on exam success, recipe discovery, and social interactions. Despite a modest Metacritic score, 82% of players rate it 4 or 5 stars on PlayPile, citing its “steady, story-driven pace.”
PlayPile's Take
Atelier Rorona Plus is best for players who enjoy slow-burn narratives and crafting depth over fast-paced action. With a 65 Metacritic and 35% completion rate, it’s a niche but rewarding experience for series fans or those who appreciate incremental progress. The 178 achievements and 28-hour average playtime justify its $29.99 price tag for a 2013 title. If you’ve finished Atelier Sophie or Ryza and want something with fewer combat segments, this is a solid follow-up. Avoid if you dislike grinding or linear progression.
Game Modes
Single player
IGDB Rating
82.8
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