Koei Tecmo has announced that yet another Atelier game will be coming in Spring 2019. It’s titled Atelier Lulua: The Scion of Arland and, as you might expect from the title, will be a followup to the Arland trilogy — making it a tetralogy.
Atelier Lulua: The Scion of Arland is coming to the Nintendo Switch, PS4, and PC Steam Spring 2019! This is the latest entry to GUST’s popular Atelier franchise and continues the fan-favorite Arland trilogy set several years after Atelier Meruru. #AtelierLulua #KTfamily pic.twitter.com/sR6XYIZTmr
— KOEI TECMO AMERICA (@KoeiTecmoUS) October 25, 2018
Atelier Lulua will take place after the final title in the original Arland trilogy, Atelier Meruru, and will feature Rorona’s (the protagonist of the first part of the original trilogy) daughter, Elmerulia “Lulua” Fryxell. The press release doesn’t make mention of any specific traits she might have (or whether she’s Rorona’s biological or adoptive daughter), but it’s noted she’s not particularly talented in alchemy and is currently studying under the tutelage of a “certain teacher.”
Joining Lulua on her adventure to become a respectable alchemist will be her best friend, Eva Armster. Not much is known about her for now, but the release lists her occupation as a Nursery School Assistant, and screenshots suggest her weapon is a bazooka.
As for the gameplay systems, they will both pay homage to those from the Arland series (with the appropriate upgrades, of course), while also taking some inspiration from the recent Mysterious titles. Specifically, Lulua will be able to explore locations familiar to those who played Atelier Rorona, Totori and Meruru, and collect many synthesis materials native to the trilogy as well; while the battle system will build upon those of Atelier Sophie, Firis and Lydie & Suelle.
All in all, the chance to go back to Arland and see how everything has changed since we left it in 2012 is certainly an exciting development. The possibility of such an event occurring was briefly mentioned when Koei Tecmo announced the release windows for Nelke & the Legendary Alchemists: Ateliers of the New World and the Atelier Arland Series Deluxe Pack, but was quickly dismissed.
That said, there are two things fans might want to be wary of in the coming months as more information comes in: First, considering that the JP version of Atelier Lulua is also coming out in Spring 2019, there’s a good chance it won’t be dubbed. Second, though it’s unlikely given the nature of the series, there’s a possibility that Sony will find something to censor before it arrives.
Atelier Lulua: The Scion of Arland is due out for the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and PC in Spring 2019.
