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ATLAS -The Lost Continent- (ATLAS -失われた大陸- ATLAS -Ushinawareta Tairiku-?) is a Japanese adventure video game developed by BrainPower and published by LittleLulu Falcon Emblem for PlayStation 4 / 5, Microsoft Windows, and Xbox One / Series X/S. The game was released on Japan in June 20, 2022 and worldwide in July 12, 2022.
Gameplay[]
ATLAS -The Lost Continent- is a world-exploring adventure game where the players advance through the story by solving puzzle, escaping from the traps, decoding ancient scripts, and mechanisms set in the different ruins and temples around the world. Most of traps and enemies have the strong element of riddle, and can be solved by unlocking, decoding, or using Co-Partner mode to escape the dangerous places. Also, characters has the facial expressions and gestures to connect each other whenever they sense danger or when their emotions change. Players can choose items for recovery, treating status alignment or combining two pieces into key items. The story has five episodes, and also multiple endings. The ending changes depending on how many events in each episodes and conversations with the crew members are completed.
Features[]
Puzzle-Solving and Ancient Decoding[]
Players encounter various puzzles that test logic, pattern recognition, and problem-solving skills. Puzzles may include:
- Aligning symbols or glyphs on ancient mechanisms.
- Decoding forgotten languages using collected fragments.
- Reconstructing broken relics or murals to reveal secrets.
Environmental Interactions[]
- Dynamic environments create high-stakes moments: collapsing bridges, rooms filling with water, or shifting walls force players to think quickly and adapt.
- Use tools like grappling hooks, torches, or rope to navigate and interact with the world.
Co-Partner Mode[]
Players can switch between Ryu and Aisha in single-player or play cooperatively in multiplayer. Each character brings unique abilities:
- Ryu: Stronger physical capabilities; can push heavy objects, climb ropes faster, and resist damage longer.
- Aisha: Superior agility and breath-holding skills; she can swim through underwater passages or reach areas inaccessible to Ryu.
Emotion-Based Communication[]
Characters’ facial expressions and gestures convey danger, clues, or emotional tension during key moments. Players can influence relationships through dialogue choices, affecting the game's story and endings.
Combat and Stealth[]
Though combat is limited, players occasionally face hostile enemies like temple guardians or Falcoon X agents. Options include:
- Stealth Mechanics: Avoid enemies by hiding, distracting them with thrown objects, or using the environment to your advantage.
- Trap Use: Lure enemies into traps or trigger ancient mechanisms to defeat them without direct combat.
Customizable Inventory System[]
Players can collect items throughout their journey to assist in their progress:
- Combine parts to create key items needed for puzzles or unlocking pathways.
- Use recovery items to heal or treat status ailments like poisoning or fatigue.
- Upgrade tools or equipment to access new areas (e.g., reinforced ropes, waterproof torches).
Multiple Endings and Replay Value[]
- The story branches based on how many events and character interactions players complete in each episode.
- Optional side quests and collectibles (e.g., ancient texts, artifacts) provide lore and clues that influence the final outcome.
Unique Temples[]
Each temple features unique challenges tied to its cultural and mythological background:
- Greece (Temple of Athena Nike): Logical puzzles and dexterity-based challenges, like balancing on narrow ledges.
- China (Temple of Heaven): Circular puzzles symbolizing harmony, requiring players to manipulate spinning discs.
- Egypt (Temple of Edfu): Trap-filled tombs and light-based puzzles using mirrors.
- Italy (Temple of Saturn): Mechanical puzzles involving gears and levers.
- Thailand (Sanctuary of Truth): Mystical challenges involving illusions and deciphering multi-layered riddles.
Exploration and Collectibles[]
Players can search for hidden artifacts, ancient scripts, and tools scattered throughout each location. Some items unlock optional areas or provide extra narrative context.
Plot[]
An 18-year-old graduated student, Ryu McDougall, is on his way to Centauria Research Center in Hawaii Islands where his father Andrew works. This center was an archaeology-based where the archaeologists exploring around the ancient places around the world. During his summer vacation with his girlfriend Aisha Kawasaki, Ryu have a strange dreams about the underwater city of Atlantis and the mysterious voice calling him to save the world. Realizing that someone calling him since the five temples were discovered, Ryu and Aisha arrive at Centauria, without his father's knowledge, he travels around five temples in Greece, China, Egypt, Italy, and Thailand so they can unlock the secret city underwater. When the two goes traveling for the first time in their life, a his secret will be await for him in this adventure.
Characters[]
- Ryu McDougall - The main protagonist of the game. An 18-year-old energetic young man who loves adventure and wants to exploring around the world.
- Aisha Kawasaki - The main deuteragonist of the game. Ryu's curious, yet kind 18-year-old Indian-Japanese girlfriend who loves swimming. Due to her iron lungs, she can hold breath underwater for last long before she discovers Ryu's origin of the Atlantis.
- Andrew McDougall - Ryu's father and archaeologist. He is the leader of the Centauria Research Center base who feared about Ryu's safety. He revealing that he adapted Ryu after his real son died in accident during graduation ceremony.
- Gareth - Ryu's good friend who is marine biologist.
- Christina - Ryu and Aisha's medical doctor who always check out their conditions. She is excel in cooking.
- Hubert - A stern historian who befriends Ryu and Aisha. His mission is gathering historical data from various sources, including archives, books, and artifacts.
- Walter - A technical expert who can decoding or decrypt any files contain ancient language or history. He turned out to be an Interpol Bureau Federation agent who wants to arrest Pierre for attempt murder of Ryu and Aisha for being the ancient civilians of Atlantis.
- Pierre - A bio-tech scientist and long-time friend of Andrew, who can examine any of organic of ancient creatures or extinct reptiles. He revealed his true identity as the Falcoon X Organization agent who is sent to kill Eleanor, a human mother of Ryu from King Poseidon and attempt murder both Ryu and Aisha to get rid of ancient people for good. However, a still-alive Aisha knock him out, allowing himself to be arrested.
- Mie-Li - A linguist professor from New Republic of China. Her goal is decipher the characters discovered during an archaeological survey. She is afraid of reptiles and insects.
- Bobby - An engineer and member of archaeologist team, who designed the Centauria Research Center. He is well versed in machinery and can open a password-locked case in a day.
- King Poseidon - Ryu's original father rules the lost city of Atlantis. In the past, he falls in love with a human woman Eleanor and giving birth to their son before he lost his lover to the one of the Falcoon X Organization spy.
- Eleanor - Poseidon's lover and Ryu's mother who's killed by Pierre after she giving away her son to Andrew to raise him up.
Locations[]
- Centauria Research Center - The main base that serves in all episodes, located nearby the Hawaii Islands.
- Temple of Athena Nike - The first temple located in Greece, the goal is to get the first Atlantian glyph.
- Temple of Heaven - The second temple located in China, the goal is to get the second Atlantian glyph.
- Temple of Edfu - The third temple located in Egypt, the goal is to get the third Atlantian glyph.
- Temple of Saturn - The fourth temple located in Italy, the goal is to get the fourth Atlantian glyph.
- Sanctuary of Truth - The fifth and last temple located in Thailand, the goal is to get the fifth and last Atlantian glyph.
- Lost City of Atlantis - The lost underwater city located in the Strait of Gibraltar, the goal is collecting five ancient stone to unlock the passage to the Sapphire Shuttle.
- Sapphire Shuttle - The mysterious space shuttle and the final stage that located after unlock the passage in the lost city of Atlantis. The goal is to find the answer about Ryu's original home.
Development[]
The development of ATLAS - The Lost Continent- began as a passion project by BrainPower, a small but ambitious Japanese studio. Led by director Yoshito Higuchi and producer Masanori Miyake, the team set out to create a game that combined deep storytelling, challenging puzzles, and immersive world exploration.
Inspiration[]
The game drew inspiration from:
- Classic Adventure Games: Titles like Tomb Raider and Uncharted influenced the game’s focus on exploration, environmental storytelling, and cinematic presentation.
- Cultural Mythology: Each temple and location was carefully crafted based on the myths and architectural styles of their respective cultures, such as Greek mythology, Chinese cosmology, and Egyptian hieroglyphics.
- Interactive Storytelling: The idea of multiple endings and relationship-driven narratives was inspired by visual novels and role-playing games like Persona and Mass Effect.
Design Philosophy[]
The developers wanted ATLAS - The Lost Continent- to stand out by blending:
- Emotional Depth: Through facial expressions, gestures, and dynamic dialogue, characters feel alive and responsive to the player’s actions.
- Challenging Gameplay: Rather than relying on combat, the game emphasizes problem-solving, stealth, and exploration.
- Cultural Authenticity: Historical and mythological research ensured that each location was respectful of its cultural origins while offering an imaginative twist.
Development Timeline[]
- Early Concept (2018):
- The initial concept centered around an underwater city and the mystery of Atlantis. The idea expanded to include worldwide temple exploration to create a more diverse experience.
- Early prototypes focused on environmental puzzles and the partner system, establishing the core gameplay loop.
- Pre-Production (2019):
- The team collaborated with historians and cultural consultants to design temples and puzzles that reflected the mythology and architecture of each region.
- Initial scripts and character designs were created by writer Megumi Aramaki and artist Atsushi Saitou (Love Live! Superstar!! and Hirogaru Sky! Pretty Cure), respectively.
- Full Production (2020–2021):
- Gameplay Mechanics: Developers worked to refine the Co-Partner Mode, ensuring smooth transitions between characters and meaningful use of their abilities.
- Graphics and Art Style: Using a mix of realistic and stylized visuals, the team aimed to balance immersive environments with expressive characters.
- Music and Sound Design: Composer Hayata Takeda created a dynamic score that blended traditional instruments from each region with orchestral arrangements.
- Voice Acting: Key characters were brought to life by talented Japanese and international voice actors to deliver emotional and immersive performances.
- Testing and Localization (2022):
- Extensive playtesting ensured that puzzles were challenging yet intuitive and that environments encouraged exploration.
- Localization for global audiences included translations in multiple languages and adjustments for cultural context.
Challenges During Development[]
- Balancing Difficulty: Striking the right balance between accessibility and challenge required repeated iteration. Some puzzles were reworked to offer multiple solutions.
- Dynamic Partner System: Ensuring the AI partner was responsive without feeling intrusive or overpowered took significant time to fine-tune.
- COVID-19 Impact: Remote collaboration during the pandemic posed challenges for asset creation and testing but also encouraged innovative workflows.
Post-Release Plans[]
Following its release, the team expressed interest in supporting the game with:
- DLC Episodes: Additional temples exploring new regions and myths.
- Free Updates: Quality-of-life improvements based on player feedback, such as new accessibility options and expanded dialogue options.
- Community Events: Encouraging fan art, speedruns, and puzzle-solving competitions to build an active fan base.
Possible Endings[]
The ending of ATLAS - The Lost Continent- depends on the player's interaction rate and completion of key events throughout the story. The outcomes range from a tragic Bad Ending to a hopeful Best Ending, based on how invested players are in character relationships and optional story content.
Bad Ending[]
(Interaction and event completion rate < 45%)
Ryu’s lack of connection with his companions leads to devastating consequences.
Aisha sacrifices herself to save Ryu during a massive explosion in Episode 4, but her death is permanent. Pierre successfully steals the Atlantean artifact aboard the Sapphire Shuttle, leaving Ryu unable to prevent the impending danger. Ryu meets his biological father, King Poseidon, and reluctantly ascends the throne as the new king of Atlantis, abandoning his life on Earth. The game ends with Andrew, Walter, and the rest of Ryu’s friends mourning his absence, while Ryu gazes solemnly over his underwater kingdom, forever separated from his loved ones.
Good Ending[]
(Interaction and event completion rate ≥ 45%)
Ryu’s actions and relationships create a bittersweet resolution.
Aisha dies heroically, saving Ryu from the explosion in Episode 4. Her absence leaves a lasting void in Ryu’s life. During the confrontation on the Sapphire Shuttle, Pierre overpowers Walter and briefly escapes, but the Atlantean artifact is ultimately secured. Ryu reunites with King Poseidon, who reveals Ryu’s true heritage. However, Ryu chooses to return to Earth rather than assume the throne. Back on Earth, Ryu is reunited with Andrew and his friends, but he has no memory of his life as an Atlantean. Despite being surrounded by loved ones, he mourns the loss of Aisha, gazing wistfully at the ocean where her sacrifice lingers in his heart.
Best Ending[]
(Interaction and event completion rate ≥ 70%)
Through strong bonds and completed events, Ryu’s journey concludes with hope and redemption.
Aisha’s sacrifice in Episode 4 appears inevitable, but during the confrontation on the Sapphire Shuttle, she miraculously survives. She intercepts Pierre’s final attempt to escape, knocking him unconscious and enabling Walter to arrest him. Ryu meets King Poseidon, who acknowledges his son’s deep connection with humanity. Recognizing that Ryu belongs among the people who raised and loved him, Poseidon uses his powers to send Ryu back to Earth. Back on Earth, Ryu awakens to find Aisha alive and well, thanks to Poseidon’s blessing. Together, they reunite with Andrew, Walter, and the rest of their companions. The group shares a heartfelt celebration of friendship and survival, marking the end of their extraordinary journey. The final scene shows Ryu and Aisha gazing at the stars, symbolizing their bond and the enduring legacy of Atlantis.
Downloadable Content[]
The team at BrainPower envisions ATLAS - The Lost Continent- as a platform for ongoing exploration, with new temples, myths, and gameplay features introduced through DLC episodes. These expansions will take players to new locations, uncover hidden lore about Atlantis, and introduce fresh mechanics and characters.
DLC Episodes planned[]
- DLC 1: The Forgotten Fjords
- Release Date: August 26, 2022
- New Location: Norway (Temple of Njord)
- Plot: Ryu and Aisha discover a lost Norse temple dedicated to Njord, the sea god, hidden in the icy fjords of Scandinavia. As they navigate frozen caverns, ice-covered ruins, and treacherous waters, they uncover connections between Atlantis and ancient Norse myths.
- New Features:
- Ice physics that affect movement and puzzle-solving.
- A grappling hook tool for crossing chasms and pulling objects.
- New enemy: Frost Guardians, animated statues that can only be stopped by solving environmental puzzles.
- DLC 2: The Deserted Outback
- Release Date: November 28, 2022
- New Location: Australia (Temple of the Rainbow Serpent)
- Plot: The Rainbow Serpent, a creature central to Aboriginal mythology, is tied to a hidden artifact that could unlock more secrets of Atlantis. Ryu and Aisha travel to the remote Australian Outback, navigating labyrinthine caves and avoiding deadly wildlife.
- New Features:
- Environmental hazards like sandstorms and quicksand.
- Animal encounters, including venomous snakes and territorial kangaroos.
- A translation minigame to decode ancient Aboriginal paintings and reveal hidden paths.
- DLC 3: The Shattered Peaks
- Release Date: February 27, 2023
- New Location: Peru (Temple of the Condor)
- Plot: High in the Andes Mountains lies a temple built by an unknown civilization that predated the Inca. Ryu and Aisha must brave thin air, dangerous cliffs, and intricate traps to recover an artifact linked to Atlantis' celestial origins.
- New Features:
- Oxygen management in high-altitude zones.
- Vertical puzzles involving rope bridges and climbing walls.
- Hidden shrines that reveal the connection between Atlantis and the stars.
- DLC 4: The Frozen Abyss (Final Expansion)
- Release Date: April 25, 2023
- New Location: Antarctica (Temple of the Icebound Titans)
- Plot: The final DLC takes players to Antarctica, where an ancient Atlantean outpost lies beneath the ice. Ryu and Aisha uncover shocking truths about Atlantis’ final days and face their most dangerous challenges yet.
- New Features:
- Survival mechanics, including body temperature management.
- A new vehicle: Snowcrawler, used to traverse the icy terrain.
- Final showdown with the remnants of the Falcoon X Organization.
Other DLC Additions[]
- Side Quests and Characters: Each DLC introduces new NPCs and optional storylines to deepen the lore and expand character relationships.
- Cosmetic and Gameplay Upgrades: Unlock new outfits and tools for Ryu and Aisha inspired by each region. Special relics that provide small gameplay bonuses, like faster swimming or reduced fall damage.
- Challenge Mode: A post-game feature where players can tackle timed puzzles or combat-free stealth challenges from the DLC locations to earn rewards.
Dream Voices[]
| Character(s) | Japanese version | English version |
|---|---|---|
| Ryu McDougall | Taku Yashiro | Sean Chiplock |
| Aisha Kawasaki | Fairouz Ai | Kira Buckland |
| Andrew McDougall | Akio Ohtsuka | Kyle Hebert |
| Gareth | Kazuya Nakai | Daman Mills |
| Christina | Miyuki Sawashiro | Jessica Gee George |
| Hubert | Chiaki Kobayashi | Brian Anderson |
| Walter | Yuuichi Nakamura | Luis Bermudez |
| Pierre | Katsuyuki Konishi | Ben Diskin |
| Mie-Li | Asami Seto | Christine Marie Cabanos |
| Bobby | Taiten Kusunoki | John Eric Bentley |
| King Poseidon | Masaki Terasoma | Patrick Seitz |
| Eleanor | Chiwa Saitou | Dorothy Elias-Fahn |
Age Ratings[]
T for Teen: Content is generally suitable for those aged 13 years and older, may contain language, brief/partial nudity, some suggestive themes, and/or mild scary scenes.
Trivia[]
- This game has inspired by Tomb Raider, Persona, B.L.U.E. Legend of Water, and Uncharted.