This title was a 'must buy' for me from the start. I loved the alchemy-system of the other series 'Atelier Iris' and also played the first Mana Khemia and aside from the item- and weapon-making I've always thought the stories and the characters to be definitly one-of-a-kind. At least I haven't come across anything like it before. What I've seen so far had definitly gotten me hooked, thought I do have to admit that at first I was a bit... weirded out by the characters personality this time around. They are quite an unique bunch of people, both in good and bad ways. However, while I at first had an instant dislike for certain people - like Pepperoni from Ulrika's party (a fairy-man?) - once I choose to advance in their story I couldn't help starting to like them. Even if they do silly things most of the time or the behavior generally would usually get on one's nerves, I couldn't help but find it ... endearing. The alchemy system is brilliant as ever, with some new features, like the 'item gathering roulet' as I like to call it an several mini-games that make fetching necessary ingredients for an item fun. The battle system is round-based, but gained new features. You can have three 'active' members, while two more (when you got all party characters) are on 'waiting' where - depending on their skills - they can regenerate their health and magic. During battle you can switch them out, but also are able to make a follow-up attack that will put them in place of the last active character. Helping out a character by making a standby-character take the blow and exchange their position will also be rewarded if you've unlocked the skills by synthesing new items and activating it by giving out a certain number of points. That can be to regenrate health or magic, to automatically blocking to making an attack before the enemy can attack and perhaps even chancelling the attack. This varies with each character and makes them even more unique than ever :) Within the so called "unite mode" - a mode triggered when the group has given and taken a certain amount of damage - there are a few more specials that can be triggered once a certain point of the story has been reached. Three to be exact: Intimate attack, Intimate defense, Finishing strike In the matter of attack you simply need to follow-up the attack of an active character with the two (ready) stand-by characters. Usually this is triggered by pressing X, however once you are in unite mode and have triggered the first supporter, you have the option to trigger the Intimate attack by pushing the triangle-button, which will be executed by the last character. Same goes for Intimate defense instead of following up an attack, you need to have a stand-by take the blow for an active member, the follow up by triangle-push to trigger their "intimate defense" skill. The finishing strike will be avaiable when a separate gauge, next to the one signalising when unite mode will be ready, is filled. Unlike the unite mode - which starts at zero at each new battle - the finishing strike is built up over several battles. The finishing strike is - as it's names says - basically an 'ultimate' attack, which once again has the requirement of a "chain attack" (3 characters attacking directly after each other due the support attack), before you can chose one of the three char to do the execution. Each of those three features is unique to the character choosen. All in all for me it was definitly worth every cent.Read full review
I bought this game because I love the first one. The story for this game is not serious at all( in a good way because its funny). There are some characters in this game can be either annoying or amusing. I just only found 1-2 characters that can be possibly annoying. The battle system in this game is really addicting and is different from any other RPGs I have played. Although there is no bonus challenge dungeon. Although there's a secret route that must be unlocked, I still wouldn't call it a bonus dungeon because it still conflicts with the story. This game has a great soundtrack and you can choose which BMX you want during the battle to choose after fulfilling a few requirements so that you wont hear the same song over and over. I find myself really wanting to complete all of the crafting because its the only way you can have your characters to be stronger, and aim for completion. For the parts I did not like about the game is the lag,one to three bugs that can freeze the game, small text on SDTV, and it is not worth playing again after you complete the secret route. When I scroll the menu down for crafting, it has like a 1-3 sec delay before it can move down to another page. For those who want an easy RPG game to relax and enjoy the story,I would definitely pick this one up. I would also recommend for those who love #1, should pick it up too. PROs Great soundtrack Addicting alchemy crafting system and battle system Funny characters and story In my opinion, they did a good job with the voice acting ( fits pretty well for most characters) At least 60-80 hours of playing Flay is back (enough said) Almost all skills is flashy and looks cool. No random battles (thank god) CONs some people may be turned off by the game's graphic slight lag when menu scrolling. Too easy ( I only found 1-2 battles that keep may be difficult if you haven't keep up with character customization.) Few characters can be annoying. No challenging dungeons or end game content if you dont count the secret route.(secret route dungeon is too easy in my opinion) This is my first time reviewing and hopefully everyone understands that this review is based off my opinion.Read full review
To RPG fan's buy this game as fast as you can.Ok let's start of with the story.The story is well told some time with full voice's and in text.Character's are awsome you can choose between a girl and a boy.I alway's play girl's.At time's the character's say some dumb thing's that will make you laugh.Batlle is easy to learn what I troble with it the sythasising.The totorial to it was confusing to me.I try and match the color's but I still lose point's.The control's are perfect no problem's here.That's pretty much it.It's been so long since I've played a game that was so enjoyable.I love this game and highly recommend it.
Played the first game, and was ecstatic when I found out there was a second. I still had a PS2, so I was glad to try it out. The story is definitely of the same type as the first game, which was a plus in my opinion.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This game is awesome! When you start playing you get so involved it’s hard to stop! I love it!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in Video Games
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on Video Games