Atelier Lydie & Suelle: The Alchemists and the Mysterious Paintings

This adventure game is as bubbly and light as its subject matter, which will appeal to many players, but its repetitive play eventually wears thin. Artist Philip Guston once said that "Painting is an illusion, a piece of magic," but in In Atelier Lydie & Suelle: The Alchemists and the Mysterious Paintings, that takes on a whole different, and literal, meaning. These works of art are actually portals to new and magical worlds. It's an interesting concept with some real potential, but the game as a whole just feels shallow and light. That's not to say it doesn't have its fair share of fun bits, but it's ultimately more kitsch than masterpiece.

Atelier Lydie & Suelle is a lighthearted role-playing game best played in smaller doses. The characters are bubbly and fun, and the banter between them is cheesy at best. The different paintings the twins explore are also colorful, with plenty of personality. The problem is that no matter how different the world around you looks, you're always doing the same things: Fight. Collect materials. Craft. Wash, rinse, and repeat. And since there's never any real depth in the game's plot, there's no sense of urgency to accomplish anything. That makes for a great occasional diversion, but after a while the cycle of repetition starts to wear on you. Before long, you can't help but feel like you're just going through the motions instead of appreciating the game's style.