Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & The White Guardian: A Gacha-Free Experience
Koei Tecmo Europe recently announced that the upcoming Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & The White Guardian will notably deviate from its mobile predecessor by omitting the gacha system. This is a significant departure for the series, offering a refreshing change for players.
No Gacha, Offline Play
The November 26, 2024 announcement on Twitter(X) confirmed the absence of the gacha mechanic, a common source of frustration in many mobile games. This means players won't be forced into grinding or in-app purchases to progress. The game will also be fully playable offline, eliminating the need for an internet connection.
The official website further reveals that the game boasts new protagonists and an original storyline set within the familiar world of Lantarna, suggesting a fresh narrative experience separate from the mobile game's lore. Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian is slated for release on PS5, PS4, Switch, and Steam in 2025. Pricing and a specific release date are yet to be unveiled.
A Look Back at the Mobile Gacha System
The mobile title, Atelier Resleriana: Forgotten Alchemy and the Polar Night Liberator, served as the foundation for this upcoming console and PC release, but it incorporated a gacha system.
While retaining core Atelier elements like synthesis and turn-based combat, the mobile game required players to invest in gacha pulls to acquire and strengthen characters. A "spark" system, differing from the more common "pity" system, governed these pulls. Players accumulated medals with each pull, eventually unlocking characters or Memoria (illustration cards).
Released in January 2024 on Steam, Android, and iOS, the mobile game received mixed reviews. While mobile users generally praised it (4.2/5 on Google Play, 4.6 on the App Store), the Steam version faced criticism, particularly regarding the perceived high cost of the gacha system. The upcoming console and PC version's decision to remove this mechanic is likely a direct response to player feedback.
