The sixteenth game in the Atelier series, Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea, is also the third game in the Dusk subseries. Unlike previous games in the Dusk subseries, this one focuses less on the time management gameplay for which the Atelier series is famous. The events of this game take place ten years after the beginning of Atelier Ayesha: The Alchemist of Dusk and six years after the birth of Atelier Escha & Logy: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky. After the devastating events that wrap up the Age of Alchemy, the events of the Dusk subgroup series take place. The water supply runs out, the oceans transform into deserts, and monsters run around the globe; at an oasis town where the water supplies have dried up, two very different alchemists, Shallistera (also spelled Shallie) and Shallotte Elminus (also spelled Shallie), encounter each other. While Shallotte works hard to provide for her mother and pursue her dreams of becoming an alchemist, Shallistera is focused on bringing peace back to Hamlet. The player selects one of the two alchemists to play as, and in contrast to the dual hero Atelier games that came before it, each of them goes on a unique journey. Furthermore, the player’s initial decision has a significant bearing on the progression of the plot, even though they will eventually need to cooperate and form a friendship.
Life tasks are a collection of quests and assignments comparable to the assignment board in Atelier Escha & Logy: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky. These tasks take the place of the time management components that were present in the main series. The story is divided into multiple parts, each focusing on a different mission that must be carried out for the Stellade Merchants’ Association. After these have been finished, the environment can also be freely explored to collect things and harvest raw materials for mixing, to seek the primary alchemy goals to get item qualities, bonuses, enhanced statistics, and experience bonuses. This can be done to pursue the main alchemy goals. Rather than gaining experience through battle, tasks are the primary means to get global experience. The characters each possess unique skills that are necessary for completing specific missions. While Shallistera can measure, Shalotte will catch the file or the rooms. Both of these characters share the ability to mine for good. The player’s choice of nature and play style also influence the tasks available to them. For example, players prioritizing combat will be assigned more assignments related to that game aspect. During exploration, the fields will also dynamically vary depending on your life chores.
You can make new products by combining existing ones and creating them from scratch using blueprints and various components. In addition to choosing the details, the player can arrange them in any order they like, which also has an effect; later on in the game, specific skills can also be employed at this stage. When you reach a particular level, you will be granted access to Chain. It impacts the results of skills and can be improved by employing other talents that deal with the same aspects. The Chain can also be utilized during item manufacturing, with extra effects as the finishing touch. The same method is also used in producing weapons and armor; however, the Shallies cannot perform this task. Thus the character Miruca is responsible for it.
The gameplay is quite similar to the games that came before it, using a turn-based fighting system with a group of up to six fighters. In addition to the two Shallies, four other playable characters are locked behind a paywall and can only be unlocked by purchasing downloadable content. Certain simplifications have been made to the gameplay, such as removing the requirement to shift positions continually and postponing the introduction of assist assaults until later in the game. Continuous hits can fill a Burst gauge; once it is complete, the Burst state can be activated. While in the Burst state, special skills and effect enhancements through the Chain can be used.
