Atelier - A Diary

There's been much going on lately; however much does not change the fact that I need to cure an automaton. Getting stuck is not fun; in Atelier this does not happen too often (very likely... depending on how these games are played); let's do this. - I need high(er) quality polish. But I don't know that because my quality cap is at 50, and also not sure what is driving the cap. Okay, I am starting to get the hint (a side quest with a "needs to be high quality" flag is not going through either). - An online comment suggests the catalyst breaks through the quality lock (tried; not seeing this). In all fairness, Alchemy-riddle chapter rewards section does say "method to make higher quality items" on the previous chapter (or the one before...) Aggregation of too easy to miss things in here? Deciphering the riddle book is also not an activity I consistently enjoy (image hint does not go with me). I'd have expected the quality cap to progressively...

  After "inheriting" my mother's Atelier, I felt pressured. But also I was short of cash so I did a few quests on the side. Then I decided to focus on inventing a stronger bomb to blow a big door. To a point I was left to my own devices, and had to figure it out on my own... almost. I'm not going to tell you what we found behind the door. Never mind that, I'm off to just battling more monsters and crafting more stuff. Nearing 20 hours play, Atelier Lulua got into its own. It is signposted, but also, Lulua has friends everywhere and much stuff to do. Then the signposting suddenly arrows back to the core loop. Unsubtle, perhaps. As an exploration device the Alchemyriddle has not grown on me. As a narrative device, it partakes building a ghost plot where the main character are guided by an invisible hand. The joke is always on Lulua, and that's okay. Unsure whether the game is approaching its mid-way milestone (was that it? If so the Galaxens have been very sile...