Interview: Developing Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist and the White Guardian

The Atelier Resleriana branch of games hasn’t had the best run outside Japan, what with only the Japanese version of Forgotten Alchemy and the Polar Night Liberator being the only on still running. That seems poised to change, however. Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist and the White Guardian is giving it a second chance in September 2025 on consoles and PCs. To help better understand this new entry and what we can expect, Siliconera spoke with Gust Head and Managing Director Junzo Hosoi and Team Ninja 1 Department Manager and Executive Officer Yasunori Sakuda about it.

Jenni Lada: When did development of Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist and the White Guardian start?

Yasunori Sakuda: After announcing Atelier Resleriana, we received a lot of feedback from many fans of the Atelier series saying they would like to enjoy the world of Resleriana on consoles as well. We were also thinking about if we could offer a new experience while expanding the world of Resleriana, so when we heard these comments, we decided to seriously start creating a console version right around the time of the mobile game's half year anniversary.

How influential was Atelier Resleriana: Forgotten Alchemy and the Polar Night Liberator mobile game on this entry’s development?

Sakuda: The CG aspects and event scenes cultivated from Atelier Resleriana: Forgotten Alchemy and the Polar Night Liberator were highly influential. Also, since these two titles share the same world, the story is passed down. As for the game system, we had to make major improvements to port it to a console, so while we are including a lot of elements, the results are quite different.

What sorts of elements will be in place to help Atelier fans coming to Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist and the White Guardian get caught up if they didn’t play Forgotten Alchemy and the Polar Night Liberator?

Sakuda: This game takes place within the same setting as the previous Resleriana, so we partially used its system as reference. However, this is a completely new title for consoles with a plot that takes place within the same timeframe as the mobile game, but in a different region. Those who have not played the mobile game can enjoy this as a completely new game.

For example, the area surrounding Hallfein, which players explore early in the game, will be a completely new place, which means even newcomers will be able to step into it without issues. In all directions beyond Hallfein are different maps so it's definitely worth exploring.

Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist and the White Guardian is another situation where the two lead female and male characters each seem to fill a certain role. How did past games with this dynamic, like in Atelier Escha & Logy or Felt and Viese from Atelier Iris 2?

Junzo Hosoi: As this is our first male protagonist in a long time, Atelier Escha & Logy and Atelier Iris 2: The Azoth of Destiny were great references.

For example, what kind of protagonists were they and what kind of role did they play.

We are continuing with the tradition of having our female protagonist connected to alchemy, while having our male protagonist possess a different strengthening system.

Images via Gust and Koei Tecmo

Past alchemists and games will be referenced in Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist and the White Guardian, so how far back into the series’ history do these alternate dimensions go? Will installments like Atelier Iris, Mana Khemia, or Atelier Annie be referenced?

Hosoi: Since it takes place on the same world as Atelier Resleriana: Forgotten Alchemy and the Polar Night Liberator, characters from that title will appear.

Raze and Vayne from the Mana Khemia series will appear in this title, and there will be dialogue between these two characters that aren't in the original game so please look forward to it.

So far, Totori and Sophie are referenced as crossover characters in Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist and the White Guardian. About how many past playable characters can we expect, and how did you decide who would “make the cut” to appear?

Sakuda: Though they won't participate in battles, around 17 “legendary” characters will visit Hallfein. Players will learn what they have been up to in the world of Resleriana, so look forward to it.

In the past, Nelke and the Legendary Alchemists appeared as a sort of crossover celebration of the Atelier games. How did it and lessons learned from it influence the two Atelier Resleriana titles?

Hosoi: As the game concept for Nelke & the Legendary Alchemists is completely different, it didn't influence this game much. However, it became a good reference to reflect on how many characters should actively participate when it comes to crossovers of many different characters from several series.

Images via Gust and Koei Tecmo

The early purchase bonus for Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist and the White Guardian already brought up some cosmetic DLC and additional accessories. What kinds of other add-ons can we expect? Will there be any characters who will be DLC only?

Sakuda: In addition to the standard BGM pack and extra outfits, we are planning to release additional stages and recipe expansion packs. We also have a lot more surprises in store, so please look forward to more information.

I mentioned Mana Khemia earlier. Given how open Gust has been to remakes in the past and how often remasters appear, how would you feel about a Mana Khemia collection? Likewise, how would you feel about the Atelier Iris trilogy of games returning in some form for modern audiences?

Hosoi: Both Mana Khemia and Iris are cherished titles, so we have considered re-releasing them as collections for PC or consoles, but there were many obstacles which kept it from becoming a reality.

However, if a lot of people express their desire for it, the possibility increases, so please let us know!

Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist and the White Guardian will appear on the Switch, PS5, and PC on September 26, 2025. 

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