gaming - The Latremie Post

FFXI Congestion Measures Coming to Bahamut World

Square Enix is addressing congestion issues in another Final Fantasy MMORPG. This time, the focus is on making it easier for FFXI players to engage on the Bahamut World while encouraging a more even distribution of traffic across servers.

Producer and Director Yoji Fujito announced that starting October 9, 2025, three new measures will be implemented to help manage population density and server demand more effectively.

### Key Measures to Reduce Congestion on Bahamut World

Fujito explained that two of the main restrictions will limit access to the Bahamut World to prevent further crowding. Specifically:
– Players who do not already have characters on Bahamut will be unable to create new characters on that server.
– The Character World Transfer Service will no longer allow existing characters to move to Bahamut.

To further encourage players to start or continue their adventures on other servers, Square Enix is also suspending the Vanadiel Adventurer Recruitment Program promotion on Bahamut. This promotion previously rewarded players with items such as Copper AMAN Vouchers, Guild Beret, and Sprout Beret for inviting friends using Gold World Passes.

### Background and Additional Context

This marks the second FFXI World to be affected by congestion control measures, following Asura. Asura, the newest server introduced in 2025, experienced a player population surge that negatively impacted gameplay back in July 2025. Square Enix implemented similar restrictions there, which remain in place due to ongoing issues.

Currently, Final Fantasy XI offers 23 Worlds (servers) where players can create or transfer characters. While Asura is the newest, Bahamut is among the oldest active Worlds. The congestion mitigation steps on Bahamut aim to maintain a smoother gameplay experience and balance server populations.

### Availability

Final Fantasy XI is available on PC platforms, and these new restrictions for the Bahamut World will take effect on October 9, 2025.

Players are encouraged to consider these changes when planning their journeys across the realms of Vanadiel. Square Enix continues to monitor server populations to ensure the best experience for all adventurers.
https://www.siliconera.com/ffxi-congestion-measures-coming-to-bahamut-world/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ffxi-congestion-measures-coming-to-bahamut-world

Where to get the Wombo Combo Legendary Assault Rifle drop in Borderlands 4

There is no shortage of amazing Legendary Assault Rifles in Borderlands 4, but only the Wombo Combo also shoots elemental grenades alongside its spray of bullets. Unlike some of the other top-tier Legendaries in the game, it’s also relatively easy to find the boss that drops the Wombo Combo. Here’s where and how to get it.

## How to Get the Wombo Combo Legendary Assault Rifle in Borderlands 4

The Wombo Combo is a possible drop from any of the bosses in the Rippa Roadbirds Ripper Drill trio, located at the Saw’s Clench Ripper Drill site. You can find the Saw’s Clench Ripper Drill site in north-central Carcadia Burn, the northwestern region of Kairos. It’s not hard to reach, and getting back to it is easy once you’ve unlocked the Judgements Lapse Order Silo — you can return to the drill in around a minute.

### About the Rippa Roadbirds

The Rippa Roadbirds are a trio of bosses, each with a different elemental shield:

– **Baby Grunt**, who uses a Cryo shield
– **Gruntabulous Vork**, who uses a Pyro shield
– **Lil Grunt**, who uses a Shock shield

The Wombo Combo can drop from any of these Grunt bosses when they die. However, killing them can be challenging. They tend to float around above the arena, dropping bombs and other floating hazards while you’re also dealing with trash mobs.

With a proper build, none of their shields is particularly difficult to take down, but if you get caught by a cluster of their bombs, you might find yourself in Fight for Your Life mode.

### Farming Tips

Farming the Rippa Roadbirds is straightforward, but returning to the Moxxi’s Big Encore machine afterwards can be a hassle. The fastest way to get back to the machine is to jump up and over the debris pile to the right of the arena’s drop-down point. Here’s how:

1. Hop onto the sphere on the ground
2. Jump onto the rocks
3. Finally, leap onto the pipes that lead over the rocks

Once you master this path, you can restart the fight within 15 to 20 seconds, although it remains a bit annoying.

### Drop Rates and Additional Notes

In my experience, the Wombo Combo drops fairly regularly — I received two drops in relatively short order during my research. The Rippa Roadbirds are also excellent for leveling characters quickly, so there’s a decent chance you’ll pick up a few Legendaries if you spend a couple of hours grinding these bosses.

One final note: the Wombo Combo is sometimes available at Maurice’s Black Market vending machine. With so many Legendaries in Borderlands 4, having the one you want available is a bit of a crapshoot, but it’s worth checking the machine every week — you might get lucky!

—

Happy hunting, Vault Hunter!
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146170/where-to-get-the-wombo-combo-legendary-assault-rifle-drop-in-borderlands-4

Teemo joins the 2XKO roster

Riot Games has announced that Teemo, the Marksman/Mage from League of Legends, is the latest character to join the roster for *2XKO*, an upcoming fighting game. Fans will be able to play as Teemo starting on day one when *2XKO* launches in early access next month.

Teemo’s arrival was revealed through a brand-new trailer that showcases his unique moveset in *2XKO*. The tricky Yordle wields a slingshot, dart gun, and his signature mushrooms, using these tools to keep enemies off balance in battle.

One of Teemo’s standout abilities is his ultimate, where he tosses a barrage of explosive mushrooms. These not only deal heavy damage to opponents but also knock them into the air, creating openings for follow-up attacks.

The announcement trailer is loaded with clever nods to popular memes, other Riot Games titles, and memorable moments from fighting game community (FGC) history — including the legendary Daigo Parry. This attention to detail has quickly captured the attention of fans both old and new.

With Teemo joining the *2XKO* roster, players can look forward to bringing a mix of mischievous tactics and explosive gameplay to the fast-paced fighting action. Stay tuned for the early access launch next month to try him out for yourself!
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146154/teemo-2xko-roster-announcement

What to do first in Escape from Tarkov

Getting Started in Escape from Tarkov: A Beginner’s Guide

Getting started in Escape from Tarkov can feel like standing at the bottom of Everest with no climbing experience. There is so much to learn, so much pressure, and so much to lose — often very quickly. However, by taking some essential steps early on, you can make your first several hours in Tarkov far more manageable and enjoyable.

What to Do First in Escape from Tarkov

Beyond the specific tips outlined below, the most important mindset to have when learning Tarkov is to take everything one step at a time. The game is a nearly endless marathon, and understanding that failure is your best teacher will serve you well through the thousands of hours Tarkov demands.

Here are five key tips that will greatly improve your early Tarkov experience.

1. Scav Your First Raid

There are two types of raids in Tarkov: PMC raids and Scav raids.

– **PMC (Private Military Contractor):** This is your main customizable character, equipped with better gear and weapons. Dying as a PMC means losing your equipment.
– **Scav (Scavenger):** This is a randomized character with generally weaker gear, but going into a raid as a Scav costs you nothing and you risk only the gear the Scav spawns with.

Because playing as a Scav is risk-free for your PMC gear, use your Scav raids to explore maps, avoid confrontations where possible, and get a feel for the mechanics. Pay attention to sounds like gunfire and note their locations. Search and open every loot container you find—you’ll soon learn which containers yield the best loot. Remember, your first Scav raid is a valuable learning experience, so don’t waste it.

2. Learn the Difference Between a Scav and a PMC

Understanding the difference between a Scav and a PMC is critical in Tarkov. When playing as a PMC, everyone else (both PMCs and Scavs) is potentially hostile.

Here’s a quick way to tell the two apart:

– **PMCs:** Typically wear military-style clothing and gear, including larger backpacks, sturdy helmets, and advanced weapons. Their outfits tend to be less colorful, though some cosmetics may vary.
– **Scavs:** Usually appear ragged, wearing civilian clothes and patched-together weaponry with lower-quality equipment.

Keep in mind that some player-controlled Scavs may have collected PMC gear, so appearances can sometimes be misleading. Also, when playing as a Scav, avoid shooting other Scavs, as this increases your Scav cooldown timer among other penalties.

3. See If Your PC Can Run Streets of Tarkov

Escape from Tarkov is a demanding game, and the *Streets of Tarkov* map is particularly resource-intensive, amplifying performance issues manyfold.

Before you commit to playing this map in multiplayer, try running it in offline mode by enabling Practice Mode when loading into a PMC match. If your experience is choppy or nearly unplayable, you should probably avoid Streets for now.

While it’s disappointing to skip one of the best loot-filled maps, optimizing your gameplay experience is important—poor performance can ruin your raid.

4. Avoid Ground Zero for Your First Few Raids

*Ground Zero* is the first map you’ll visit as part of the quest chains given by Traders (in-game vendors selling gear, ammo, and meds). Unfortunately, it’s also notorious for being a “meat grinder” where new players are often overwhelmed by veterans familiar with spawn points or equipped with top-tier gear.

Instead of Ground Zero, focus on safer maps like *Woods*, *Streets* (if your PC can run it), or *Interchange*, especially when playing as a Scav. These maps offer good loot and are generally easier to navigate and survive.

Remember, *nowhere* in Tarkov is truly safe—you can be shot from dozens of angles at any time—but starting on more forgiving maps will help you acclimate.

5. Stick to the Map You Like Most for a While

Although avoiding Ground Zero might delay your Trader quest progression, picking a few maps to focus on will pay off greatly.

Choose two or three maps that you enjoy and spend at least a dozen hours on each. Getting familiar with these maps—knowing how to navigate, where to find loot, and how to extract safely—will give you a significant edge.

Tarkov’s economy is tricky but profitable once you know the ropes. Mastery of a few maps will help you build the resources and skills you need to succeed.

6. Make Enough Money to Buy a Lucky Scav Junkbox

Eventually, you’ll want to save up to purchase a Lucky Scav Junkbox, which costs about 1.2 million roubles.

Why is it so important?

– It holds a large quantity of electronics, household items, and valuables.
– It significantly saves space in your stash compared to storing individual items.
– It helps you organize and maximize your inventory, freeing room for weapons, armor, and other large gear.

To earn enough money, loot and sell valuable items to Traders like Therapist (for meds, valuables, and some tools) and Mechanic (weapons, weapon attachments, ammo). Use your Scav runs to gather loot and supplement your PMC’s earnings through raids.

When you acquire your Junkbox, fill it with everything that fits to free up stash space and optimize your inventory management. As you progress, you’ll unlock and buy other containers for specific items, but the Lucky Scav Junkbox should be your first major investment.

Final Thoughts

There is so much more to learn and explore in Escape from Tarkov. Even after 1,100 hours of gameplay, veteran players continue discovering new nuances and tactics every time they play.

Take your time, be patient with your progress, and remember: failure is your best teacher in this harsh but rewarding game. Good luck, and welcome to Tarkov.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146147/what-to-do-first-in-escape-from-tarkov

Electronic Arts (EA) is reportedly nearing a $50 billion deal to go private in leveraged buyout

Electronic Arts, the company behind EA Sports FC (formerly FIFA) and one of the gaming industry’s biggest publishers, is reportedly nearing a historic $50 billion deal to go private.

According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, the new ownership group would include Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which has been steadily increasing its presence in the gaming sector in recent years. The $50 billion buyout is being financed by Silver Lake and the Saudi Public Investment Fund, and could be finalized as soon as next week.

If completed, this deal would mark the largest leveraged buyout in history. It would also represent the latest and largest move by Saudi Arabia to establish a strong foothold in the video game industry. Earlier this year, Niantic sold Pokémon Go and other assets to Scopely, a company backed by Saudi investors. Additionally, the Public Investment Fund has held a stake in Nintendo, though it reduced its position last year.

At this time, there has been no official announcement from Electronic Arts or the reported investors. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146128/electronic-arts-ea-50-billion-private-sale

What does the Cauldron do & how to use it – Hades 2

The hub world in **Hades 2** offers a variety of activities, and one of the features that will catch your eye early on is the **Cauldron**. This large black pot is situated in front of Hecate, and Melinoe can interact with it to access a range of upgrades and purchases. The Cauldron includes Incantations and other items to buy—but what exactly does it all mean? Here’s what you need to know about the Cauldron.

### What is the Cauldron for?

The Cauldron serves as a central upgrade station for the hub world, allowing Melinoe to unlock new weapons, tools, and other useful items. When you interact with the Cauldron, you’ll be presented with a list of **Incantations**, which represent the various upgrades available.

Each Incantation requires a specific amount of resources to unlock, with some needing rare, late-game materials. As you progress through the game, more Incantations become available, expanding the variety of upgrades you can obtain.

### How to Use the Cauldron

To use the Cauldron, approach it and select **Interact**. From there, highlight any Incantation to view the resources needed to unlock it. If you have the required materials, you can choose to unlock the upgrade and immediately benefit from its effects.

The Incantations offer a variety of boosts, including unlocking new vendors, improving the inventory of existing NPCs, or granting access to new Aspects that enhance your weapons.

### Gathering Resources and Making Choices

As you play and fight through the game, you’ll gather materials that can be used at the Cauldron and other locations. After completing a run, return to the Cauldron to check if you have enough resources to purchase any new upgrades.

When you first start, it’s a good idea to unlock whatever upgrades the game recommends. However, as you continue to progress, you’ll want to consider your playstyle and strategy more carefully. While you’ll eventually unlock all Incantations, the order in which you choose to do so can greatly influence your experience.

—

The Cauldron is a key part of enhancing your journey through Hades 2, providing valuable upgrades and new options to customize your gameplay. Keep an eye on your materials and plan your purchases wisely!
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146097/what-does-the-cauldron-do-hades-2

What does the Cauldron do & how to use it – Hades 2

The hub world in *Hades 2* offers plenty to explore, and one feature that grabs your attention early on is the Cauldron. This large black pot sits prominently in front of Hecate, and Melinoe can interact with it. The Cauldron contains Incantations and other items available for purchase—but what exactly do they all mean? Here’s what you need to know about the Cauldron.

### What is the Cauldron for?

The Cauldron is used to upgrade the hub world and unlock new weapons, tools, and other items for Melinoe to purchase. When you interact with the Cauldron, you’ll see a list of different Incantations. These Incantations act as upgrades, each costing varying amounts of resources. Some upgrades require rare or late-game materials.

As you progress through *Hades 2*, more Incantations will become available in the Cauldron, expanding your options and enhancing your gameplay experience.

### How to Use the Cauldron

To use the Cauldron, simply approach it and select **Interact**. Highlight an Incantation to view the resources needed to unlock it. If you have the required materials, you can purchase the upgrade and immediately benefit from its effects.

Incantations offer a variety of benefits. Some will unlock new vendors, while others improve what NPCs sell. Additionally, there are upgrades that grant Aspects, which let you enhance your weapons.

### Tips for Using the Cauldron

As you fight through the game, you’ll collect materials that can be used at the Cauldron and for other purposes. After each run, be sure to return to the Cauldron and check if you can afford new upgrades.

When you’re just starting out, it’s safe to unlock whatever the game recommends. However, as you progress, consider your playstyle carefully before purchasing upgrades. While you’ll eventually unlock all Incantations, the order in which you do so can significantly impact your journey.

—

In summary, the Cauldron is a crucial feature in *Hades 2* for improving your character’s abilities and expanding what’s available in the hub world. Use it wisely to tailor your experience and strengthen Melinoe as you delve deeper into the game.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146097/what-does-the-cauldron-do-hades-2

How to get Cinder – Hades 2

In **Hades 2**, there are numerous upgrade materials to collect, and one of the first essential resources you’ll need is **Cinder**. This valuable material is used early on to purchase a few weapons and, later in the game, to acquire powerful Arcana Cards. However, farming Cinder can be challenging, especially when you’re just starting out.

### How to Get Cinder

Cinder is earned by defeating **Hecate**, the boss at the end of the Erebus section of a run. Each time you clear this boss, you receive one piece of Cinder. This means you can farm a steady supply by repeatedly replaying the first section of Hades 2.

You’ll need several dozen pieces of Cinder to unlock all of the **Nocturnal Arms** from the Silver Pool and to upgrade them fully. Besides weapon upgrades, Cinder is also necessary for Meditating to acquire new cards and for using the Cauldron.

### Tips for Farming Cinder

The biggest hurdle in collecting Cinder is defeating Hecate consistently. To improve your chances:

– **Unlock and upgrade Keepsakes**: Certain Keepsakes can provide significant buffs or advantages during the boss fight.
– **Focus on your build**: Tailor your weapon upgrades and Arcana cards to counter Hecate’s attack patterns.

Taking the time to prepare properly will make farming Cinder much more manageable and help you progress faster in Hades 2.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146104/farm-cinder-hades-2

Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian review: Course correction

Atelier, Gust’s long-running item synthesis RPG series, reached new heights with the debut of *Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout* in 2019. Gust used that momentum to sincerely attempt to reinvent what Atelier is in both systems and scale, leading to the massive and successful *Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land*.

At the same time, the series couldn’t escape a certain albatross hovering above Japanese RPGs. We saw *Atelier Resleriana: Forgotten Alchemy & the Liberator of Polar Night* hit mobile and PC as a free-to-play game featuring a gacha system. The history here is as important as it is fun to recount — *Polar Night* hardly made it a year in the global market before being shut down.

The years 2024 and 2025 have been brutal for mobile spin-offs of RPG giants, with even Square Enix shutting down games left and right, some of which had been around for five or more years. In this harsh landscape, Atelier really had no chance.

Gust seems to have responded to this situation with today’s review subject: *Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian*.

—

### Part Two: Atelier Boogaloo

Set in the same world as *Polar Night*, this game is a more traditional Atelier adventure. It features turn-based combat, characters who join the journey as part of the story, and — notably — no online restrictions or currency-adjacent gameplay limitations.

While it’s impossible to know if this was intended as a mobile game or some kind of expansion to *Polar Night*, it feels more like a course correction or pivot than an entirely new entity. Unfortunately, it’s held back by systems that feel like a mobile game being fed into a proverbial wood chipper.

You can choose between two playable characters: Rias, a scrappy girl who sifts through ruins searching for treasure (while avoiding her overprotective sister who works for the local government body), and Slade, a more serious young man who inherits a mysterious relic and an empty book linked to lost civilizations.

The two meet early on, and their goals quickly intertwine, especially as Rias discovers she can utilize the lost art of alchemy. These characters have a lot of personality and chemistry, which initially makes the game seem promising.

Rias is a particularly fun twist on the typical Atelier protagonist, beginning her story by running away from a giant, rolling “Puni” (think of it as a slime from *Dragon Quest*, but obnoxiously cuter) in a ruin — a goofy homage to *Indiana Jones*. Slade, playing the straight man to Rias’s antics, balances the duo well.

I was genuinely having a good time watching these characters bounce off each other, but soon the game’s shortcomings became apparent. It caught me off guard with how sloppy it feels overall.

—

### Slapdash Adventure

After the rising quality of the *Secret* series and the go-for-broke energy of *Yumia*, *Resleriana 2* (for lack of a better shorthand) feels slapped together in almost every way. From its low-budget aesthetic to grind-heavy, menu-laden systems that scream mobile game design, it’s hard to ignore the stark difference.

Gameplay involves running a shop staffed by identical, color-swapped fairies, alongside simple dungeons that require little thought to clear. There’s an endless supply of these fairies to throw money at and recruit for your store.

Everything you need is accessed through a small, localized hub. The story is told at a snail’s pace with shallow bonding scenes peppered throughout. Alchemy feels constrained and de-streamlined compared to other recent Atelier games, seemingly designed to encourage grinding and resource management rather than creative experimentation.

During Ryza’s rise and Atelier’s growth arc, Gust released other titles too. These included a surprise sequel to an earlier Atelier game (*Sophie 2*) and a sequel to Koei Tecmo’s *Fairy Tail* adaptation. While I had some issues with the latter (*Sophie 2* remains superior), both projects retained the oomph, polish, and strong identity characteristic of Gust’s bigger releases.

So this doesn’t feel like some reined-in spin-off, or at least it’s not explainable as such. Instead, it feels like a massive step backward — one that would be extremely confusing if not for what you find when you plug *Atelier Resleriana* into a search engine.

—

### Combat That Shines

One bright spot in *Resleriana 2* is its combat. The game returns to a traditional turn-based system from the more active combat styles of recent Atelier titles but adds some engaging twists.

Combat emphasizes teamwork with follow-up attacks and features a replenishing Ability Point system. This means fights are more about maintaining flow rather than worrying about dwindling resources. Battles move at a fast pace and reward paying attention to turn order and enemy weaknesses.

It’s also a relief to command characters as a party after several years of real-time systems focusing on individual control. This refreshing combat design helps salvage some enjoyment from an otherwise underwhelming package.

—

### Looks Like a Duck, Quacks Like a Duck… But Not a Duck?

Even though this game has its merits — after all, it’s still an Atelier game with the core loop that makes the series fun — *The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian* is almost immediately compromised narratively by its ties to the previous *Polar Night* game.

Not only do characters from previous Atelier titles appear as dimension-traveling Wanderers (a clear tell of mobile game design influence; sorry, *Octopath Traveler* fans, but it’s true), characters from the first *Resleriana* and allusions to its story are presented as a big deal.

Unless you played that prior game before its shutdown in March 2025, it’s impossible to understand that context without consulting YouTube or other external sources. That’s a major problem.

—

### Final Thoughts

I’ve come to really appreciate the Atelier series over the years, despite initially avoiding it (time limits stress me out, to be honest). I’ve imported physical trilogy cartridges for the Nintendo Switch and even pre-ordered the special edition of *Ryza 2* back when I had the means.

I share this to emphasize how much of a step backward this installation feels in the series’ evolutionary trajectory.

*Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian* looks and feels cheap (I hate to go there, but it’s unavoidable). It’s full of what feels like kitbashed, clumsily molded structural systems shoehorned into a single-player game that suffers deeply from its connection to a failed gacha title.

It bums me out to say it, but that’s the vibe.

—

### Availability

*Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian* is available on September 26, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC. A PS5 review code was provided by the publisher for this review.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146079/atelier-resleriana-red-alchemist-white-guardian-review-score

Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian review: Course correction

Atelier, Gust’s long-running item synthesis RPG series, reached new heights with the debut of *Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout* in 2019. Gust used that momentum to sincerely attempt to reinvent what Atelier is in terms of systems and scale, leading to the massive and successful *Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land*.

At the same time, the series couldn’t escape a certain albatross hovering above Japanese RPGs. We saw *Atelier Resleriana: Forgotten Alchemy & the Liberator of Polar Night* hit mobile and PC as a free-to-play game with a gacha system. The history here is as important as it is fun to write out all the titles! That’s because *Polar Night* hardly made it a year in the global market before being shut down.

The years 2024 and 2025 have been brutal for mobile spin-offs of RPG giants, with even Square Enix shutting down games left and right—some of which had been around for five or more years. Atelier really had no chance. Gust seems to have responded to the matter with today’s review subject, *Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian*.

—

### Part Two: Atelier Boogaloo

Set in the same world as *Polar Night*, this game is a normal Atelier adventure, with turn-based combat, characters that join the journey as part of the story, and no online restrictions or currency-adjacent gameplay limitations. While it’s impossible to know if this was supposed to be a mobile game or some kind of expansion to *Polar Night*, it feels more like a course correction or pivot than an entirely new entity—and is held back by systems that feel like a mobile game being fed into a proverbial wood chipper.

*The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian* lets you choose between two characters: Rias, a scrappy girl who sifts through ruins in search of treasure (while avoiding her overprotective sister who works for the local government body); and Slade, a guy whose father passed down a mysterious relic and empty book that also seem to be connected to things lost civilizations have left behind.

The two meet, and their goals immediately intertwine, especially as Rias discovers she can utilize the lost art of alchemy. These characters have a lot of personality and chemistry, making this game seem like an early win.

Rias is an especially fun twist on the typical Atelier protagonist, starting her story running away from a giant, rolling Puni (think a slime from *Dragon Quest* but obnoxiously cuter) in a ruin in a goofy homage to *Indiana Jones*. Slade is more serious, playing the straight-man role well against Rias’s antics. I was having a good time just seeing these characters bounce off each other—but soon the game itself stepped in the way, catching me off guard with how, well, sloppy it feels.

—

### Slapdash Adventure

After the rising quality of the *Secret* series and the go-for-broke energy of *Yumia*, *Resleriana 2* (I guess we can call it that?) feels slapped together in almost every way—from its low-budget look to its grind- and menu-heavy systems that are impossible not to associate with mobile game design.

Systems involve running a shop with identical, color-swapped fairies as staff, and a series of simple dungeons you don’t have to think much to get through (and find an endless array of said fairies to throw money at and recruit for your store). Everything you need to access is localized to a small hub, the story is told at a very slow pace, and it’s seasoned with shallow bonding relationship scenes with the characters you meet.

Alchemy feels held back and de-streamlined compared to other recent games in favor of encouraging grinding and resource management.

During Ryza’s rise and Atelier’s growth arc, Gust released other games. We saw a surprise sequel to an earlier Atelier game (*Sophie 2*) and a sequel to Koei Tecmo’s *Fairy Tail* adaptation. While I had my issues with the latter (*Sophie 2* rules), both of these titles still had the oomph, fidelity, and strong sense of identity as Gust’s bigger titles.

So this doesn’t feel like a sort of reined-in spin-off, or at least explainable as such. It’s like a massive step backwards—one that would be extremely confusing if not for what you get when you plug *Atelier Resleriana* into a search engine.

—

### Combat: A Bright Spot

One aspect in which *Resleriana 2* does shine is combat. It’s a move back to traditional turn-based from the more active systems in recent games, but the twists it brings to the table are fun to engage with.

It has a big emphasis on characters working together with follow-up attacks, alongside a replenishing Ability Point system that means fights are more about maintaining a flow than worrying about dwindling resources. It moves at a fast pace and rewards paying attention to turn order and enemy weaknesses.

It’s also nice to be able to command characters as a party after several years of real-time systems focusing on individual control.

—

### Looks Like a Duck, Quacks Like a Duck… Not a Duck?

Even if this game has its own merits, which it does—it’s still an Atelier game with the same core loop that makes these games fun—it is almost immediately compromised narratively as well by its connections to the previous game.

Not only do characters from previous Ateliers show up as dimension-traveling Wanderers (a clear tell of mobage adjacency; sorry Octopath 0 fans, but it’s true), characters from the first *Resleriana* and allusions to its story appear and are presented as a big deal.

Unless you played that game before March 2025, it’s impossible to get that context without consulting YouTube or something. That’s a big problem, if you ask me!

—

### Final Thoughts

I’ve come to really dig Atelier over the years after kind of avoiding them for a long time (time limits stress me out, I’ll be honest), so much so that I imported the physical trilogy carts for Nintendo Switch and even pre-ordered the special edition for *Ryza 2* back when I had the means to do so.

I say that to emphasize the weight of my words when I state how much of a step backwards on the series’ evolutionary trajectory this experience feels like.

*Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian* looks and feels cheap (I hate to go there, but it’s unavoidable) to play, and is full of what feel like kitbashed structural systems clumsily molded into a single-player game that suffers from its connection to a failed gacha joint.

It bums me out to say it, but that’s the vibe.

—

### Availability

*Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian* is available on September 26, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

A PS5 code was provided by the publisher for this review.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146079/atelier-resleriana-red-alchemist-white-guardian-review-score