Gaming Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana

[2010DigitalBoy]

... is one of the best turn-based RPGs Ive ever played! Alchemy! Wow!

To the point, Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana is the sixth game in the long-running Japanese Atelier series. I really wish I could play those games, but I can't, so whatever.

This game is great. The battle system is essentially turn-based, and is as basic as any other turn based RPG. Think Final Fantasy X, but easier. Yeah, Ill admit, the game is really easy, but since I hate level grinding, this is okay with me.

One of the best things about this game is the Alchemy. There are around 200 items in the game that you can take to shops and turn them into stuff that the store will sell.

There is a lot of other crap you can do too. Not to mention there are a ton of sidequests, none of which suck like chocobo races.

So far, this game rules, and I have spent more time doing random crap than going with the story.

[hitokiri battosai]

I saw this game advertised in Newtype Usa and it looks awesome. I love the fact that u can use alchemy. I'm a major fan of Fullmetal Alchemist and I love the game. I have and love it and would recomend it too.

[BlueYoshi]

[color=darkred]It's hard to find a well balanced RPG these days; one with an in-depth battle system, extras, and side quests, and it seems that Atelier Iris only holds the latter two attributes. However, a simple battle system is better than a flawed one in my opinion, no matter how basic or complex it may be.

I'm yet to play this game, but when I do I'll definitely post my thoughts, because from what I've heard about it (and the sequel for that matter), it'll be well deserved.[/color]

[2010DigitalBoy]

There is only one real problem with this game. The English voice acting is the worst I have ever heard in any video game ever. No Exaggerating. I play it in Japanese.

Minor note, the world map is HIDEOUS.

[BlueYoshi]

[color=darkred]Bad voices and dialogue are two things I've never had any problems getting used to, so hopefully that shouldn't be an off-putter.

I've heard a lot of complaints about the world map, mainly about how painful it is to just look at, but from what I know, it doesn't seem to detract from the gameplay in any way. It's not just the world map that everyone's hating on, though, as some have said that the sprite designs on some of the characters could have been made more clear and refined, but eh, I'm not expecting the game to be perfect in every aspect.[/color]

[2010DigitalBoy]

Thats bull. Atelier Iris has THE best sprites I have ever seen. They have so many animations! When you go to your house and see everyone sitting around they do sifferent things almost every time. You can sometimes find people smoking pipes and polishing weapons. The sprites are constantly moving, even when standing still. The ONLY problem with the graphics is the world map. Other than than, this game is one of my favorite graphical experiences to date. The world map isn't that big of a concern, as you are hardly ever on it, and its hideousness actually makes it the most easily navigatable World maps ever. No Exagerration. The world map is very straitforward. Its just UGLY! None of the designes for towns and things on the map make sense! But its easy!

[BlueYoshi]

[color=darkred]Hmm, well, looking at screenshots the sprites look very crisp and distinct, but those are opinions from people who have played the game, which I haven't. I feel that there's something more to them, though, which I'll only be able to judge after having played it and seen them in action.[/color]

[2010DigitalBoy]

For anyone having trouble with this game, there is now a mini-strategy guide available on the Nippon Ichi website. Simply register an account, click members and guides.

The mini guide tells about everything in the game except a walkthrough. Its even got a detailed history of the Atelier games.