Score
Gameplay:	7
Graphics:	7
Sound:	8
FunFactor:	9
PlasmaFactor:	8
Overall:	7.8

Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana Review
August 15, 2005 by Christian Costa

by Christian Costa - August 15, 2005

The southern land of Regallzine is full of vicious monsters, beautiful landscapes, and the setting for Nippon Ichi's newest role playing game Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana. Atlas as the growing fandom of this game calls it is a deep and intriguing story where you take on the role of Klein, a young alchemist trying to become the greatest alchemist of all time. He does not use the theory of equivalent exchange for an alchemist, but he is a kid so lay off of him! As one of a few alchemists you have the ability to control Mana, or magical spirits. Mana will supply you with magic, abilities (on and off the battle screen), and maybe if you like the annoying but cute things, some friendship. Naturally there is a main bad-guy, an alchemist of course, who wishes to bring forth the end and rebirth of the world through Mana. This is where some of the most memorable and very confusing characters come in of all role-playing time. Ranging from a cat-witch to a drunk, womanizing archer, to a artificially made human and god. The interactions between the characters is what makes this game hilarious. Not to mention the funny cop-outs they use for making fun of the ESRB borad.

Lets Go...

The gameplay for ATLAS is very much like every other role-playing game. You take on a mission to deliver lunch to a magic shop and somehow within 5 minutes into the game the fate of the world rests on your shoulders. And you have never been more interested. The gameplay is self-explanatory from the very beggining. Every time you get a new character, ability, or Mana the game introduces them with a tutorial. Very easy to come to terms with non-role playing gamers but it tends to get old fast for those who just want to play or already know what they are doing. The battlescreen is also very easy to use. Just circle through which action you would like to partake in and then choose a sub-action. For example if I wish to use one of Klein's alchemic abilities I would choose mana synthesis and make a healing bulb to cure my party. Very easy to use and there is even a strategy for using some of these actions. Many characters such as Delsus and Lita use fast attacks which deal little hit points but alows them to attack once again before an enemy attack. It is very much like Final Fantasy X's line-up system but you can not predict the enemy's next attack. Fun and upsetting at the same time. Many different abilities can be used of the battle screen from turning into a mystical puppy, to extracting elements from almost any object on the screen. This makes the gameplay amazing if you love destruction. The story is smooth though it takes "I saw that coming" turns and every now and then you will ask yourself what just happened after a seven minute long conversation sequence.

Fanboys only

The graphics for ATLAS is very hard to describe. Besides being on the world map there are no traditional graphics. Everything is well drawn japanimation. This made the game for me. Every flower was bright and vibrant until I blew it up. The colors are all very vivid, full, and beautiful. The world map however is a drawn Klein walking around a pixel trail or through horrbile graphed mountains. The world map is what really hurts the graphics. They are jagged, plain, and outdated since the Playstation. But the art is really what made the game for me and the uniqueness of it will make any fanboy fall in love instantly.

JPop at it's best

Beethoven himself could not have done better with this soundtrack. I am in the process of ordering it straight from Japan, It's hard to find however. The opening song fits perfectly with the animation and explains the story oddly enough. Naturally it is japanese so I have no idea what the young japanese girl is saying but through the piano and beats you can figure it out. I would even go as far as to say that this soundtrack rivals that of some of the crappier Final Fantasies. They do tend to use some of the same tracks over and over again but the situation tends to be the same ie boss battles or Klein having feelings for his crush. But none-the-less the sountrack kicked and the opening song is definitely already on my Ipod.

Destruction is key

The most used ability of the game is elemental extraction. Many of you may not know how alchemy is used but it is the deconstruction of an objects matter and turning it into something totally different. Like turning lead into gold. No equivalent exchange ever mentioned in the game but as a self-proclaimed alchemist I am allowed to mention such things. The point is you basically get to blow alot of stuff up and turn it into elements which aid you in battle. You also get an ability to actually use fire to make objects blow up! There is nothing better than blowing stuff up for a making the world a better place!

Over the ESRB's head

The most interesting thing about this role-playing game was the odd side quest scenario. Throughout the whole game there is only one side quest available at a time. once you do one there maybe another at the same town or you may have to go to a different one. It was very confusing and irritating but oddly enough amusing because the ladder ones you get some really good stuff. There is also the issue of the Caravan Collector. The more items you discover and make the more money you will recieve with extra items from this collector. It is also a great way to unlock many of the in game extras like the awesome soundtrack of a couple of the movies. The item creation rating system is also kind of cool because the better quality ingredients used to make a liquor drink or food used as weapons (don't listen to anyone who says not to play with your food) the better the rating of the store you made the items in. Doesnt really help you but its still quirky. The extra dungeon gives you one of the best things in the game (I would reveal it but NIS would have my haed). Not to mention you become a demon hunter and you get paid lots of money for destroying stuff!There are also many other funny little things through out the game that make you feel awkward but at home at the same time. No other game I have played has ever ripped on the ESRB as obviously as this one did. Not to mention there is the cold-silent guy in your party who fangirls drool over because he is the best in the game. The conversations between him and the womanizing archer are priceless. And of course no role playing game would be complete with out having a crazy guy in every town saying the most ridiculous things and every now and then to help you progress the odd part of the story.

 

From Lead to Silver

Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana is a great game lucky enough to be brought to the shores here in America. There are many games much like it but this is one of the few released here so we are all fortunate to have it. It was worth every penny though I warn hardcore role-playing gamers. If you are not looking for a funny, short, pixel-less, odd RPG this game is not for you. ATLAS is an instant fandom hit and will be played out several times in japanimation conventions to come. This game is for the select few but for those of you with this game I salute you as the brave and dedicated for you are the ones that keep games like this coming out and brightening every otaku's life.