The Alchemist of Arland is a turn-based role-playing game set in a realm of alchemy and magic, with intricate character development and turn-based battles. It is the fourth console game in developer Gust’s Atelier series to be released in North America and made for PS3. It is based on a long-running Japanese franchise. The graphics in the game use cel-shaded 3D characters and wonderfully detailed 2D backdrops to provide the impression of playing through a high-definition anime film. Combat takes place with each character and adversary attacking in turn. Positioning isn’t vital in abstract conflicts, but using the most effective strikes at the correct times against monsters with varying elemental strengths or weaknesses, can make a big difference in close combat.
The alchemy interface in the game allows players to blend mission rewards and discovered things to create powerful tools, armor, and weapons. The game’s final goal is to produce the rarest object in the world – an object that may be powerful enough to save or destroy the realm – using outstanding components and alchemistic expertise collected along the quest. The plot unfolds as a series of 12 major tasks, each of which must be completed within a set of game time to go to the next. The plot branches to numerous alternative endings based on the player’s role-playing decisions.
