Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana

"If you like to try new things, this game should be at the top of your list"

The reason I decided to get this game was because it had alchemy in it. After watching Full Metal Alchemist and reading the manga, I started to wonder if there were any video games that utilized alchemy. This was one of the first I found and I immediately bought it and played it. It was one of the top video game experiences I have ever had. This game mixes the old with the new to create a satisfying blend.


Story

The story is a save the world from an evil force kind of story that utilizes alchemy. It starts when the main character, Klein, has to fight a monster without his trusty elements. Luckily, a girl named Lita shows up to help and saves him. Klein sees an interesting town while walking, and stops in the closest town to ask where it is. He gets his answer and goes to where the entrance to the town is. Alas, it's locked. However Klein meets up with Lita there and gets sucked into a cute and interesting chain of events. The good guys are pretty average fare for RPGs, for the most part. There's a perverted drunk (he's awesome and funny), a swordsman with a mysterious past, a cat/girl (annoying), and a female swordsman who has relations to one of the "baddies". Yep, standard fare, but they are a pretty endearing cast.

The baddies are the "destroy the world" type and they are hunting for a certain item to bring about the end of the world. There's also another group whose leader is actually pretty cool and funny, and his battles are the hardest in the game, no doubt. So, the first group of "baddies" is average, but the second group adds a lot more fun and challenge to the story. A lot of average event to do; items to find, demons to kill, people to see, etc. An extremely redeeming part of the story comes in the form of side quests, which are very fun to do.

So, story gets a B-


Graphics/Sound

Graphics are 2-D. That's right: 2-D. But they are excellent. The backgrounds and dungeons are visual treats, and there's an illustration for each item. Sprites are nicely done and the developers have created character portraits for each of them, each with their own array of faces and feelings. I find that to be awesome and the portraits are just mindblowing. The 2-D style really fits this game to a "t".

Graphics get an A

Sound is probably the best quality of this game. The composers made no missteps in the music. Battle themes are so good, you'll probably want to get into a battle just to hear them, and even more the same for boss themes. This is one of the best video game soundtracks ever for me and the music really adds to the fun and atmosphere of the game. Voice acting is carried out well and the only voice I had a problem with was the catgirl's.

Sound deserves an A+


Gameplay

Gameplay has three crucial parts: battle, synthesis, and interaction with the world. The battle system is really like any other RPG battle system, closely resembling FF1 and 2. The differences are in how Klein can synthesize items to be used in battle and the skill system. In battle, you select commands and the character executes them on the spot, with the exception of charged attacks. you can use skills, guard, use items, and a couple other commands. There are special items that only Klein can use and make, and these make for a fun experience, as items are usually necessary to pull through boss battles. Klein can also amplify power and range of his items using his skills, which is a good tactic for battles. Klein will be the driving force behind winning battles and if he kills an enemy, he gets elements used in his item synthesis. The other characters aren't as vital to battles as Klein is, but their abilities and skills are pretty cool and helpful. Battles can range from easy to frustrating.

Synthesis is mainly done in shops or by Klein. Shop synthesis is a novel and addicting process and there are many rewards to doing it, because you can get extremely strong items and equipment if you work at it enough. Synthesizing with klein requires elements, which are picked up from enemies or extracted from objects on the field. You must also have the right Mana to make a certain item, so some items won't be available to you early in the game. You can amplify the Mana's energy and abilities by giving it items and by using certain combinations of Mana, you can reduce the amount of elements you have to use to make an item.

Interaction with the world is addicting and pleasureable. By talking to shop owners, you can view cutscenes or recieve new recipes to make. Some cutscenes are funny, other revealing or sad. Make sure to talk with these people a lot. By talking to certain people in certain locations, you may get sidequests or access to new locations. You solve puzzles using your Manas' abilities and extract elements from objects on the field by using your cane. You can ask for help or tutorials while on the field, too. All this interaction with objects on the field is possible with the command wheel, which you pick what action you want to do on the field with. It's a concept that allows much deeper interaction with your surroundings.

Overall, gameplay gets an A

Control

Sometimes, control can be frustrating and slowdowns can occur. Places you think may be accessible cannot be reached. But that's pretty much the only problems with controls. Other than that, control is pretty smooth.

Control gets a B-

There's also a boatload of extras to be found in this game, which makes for a lot of replay value. If you like to get all the extras, multiple playthroughs may be necessary.

So, with that in mind, you should buy this game. They sell it for cheap on Amazon and it could probably be found at a Gamestop. So, that's it for this review.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 01/12/09

Game Release: Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana (US, 06/28/05)