Atelier Shallie Plus: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea (Vita Edition)
- January 17, 2017
- Koei Tecmo Games
Atelier Shallie Plus is a fantastic package that fans of the series definitely shouldn’t miss out on.
Atelier Shallie has returned with additional features on the PlayStation®Vita! Experience the world of Atelier through the expanded stories of the two Shallies as they meet characters from previous Dusk entries and use alchemy to fulfil their goals in this conclusion to the enchanting Dusk trilogy.
Reviews
- Engaging and unique quest system with a great cast of characters, including the endearing Shallies and the impactful Ayesha and Logy.
- Satisfying alchemy and crafting system that offers depth and complexity, appealing to both newcomers and series veterans.
- Beautiful character models and well-designed visuals, combined with fun and dynamic combat mechanics.
- Removal of the time management mechanic makes the game feel too easy and less challenging.
- Environments and backgrounds appear drab and lack detail compared to the character models.
- The story can be shallow at times, with some characters falling into cliched roles.
- story4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The story is highlighted by a great cast of endearing characters and an engaging dual-protagonist system, complemented by a unique quest structure and beautiful visuals. However, some reviews point out that the narrative can feel shallow at times, with dull backgrounds and repetitive fetch quests detracting from the overall experience. The alchemy and crafting systems are praised, adding depth to the gameplay despite the mixed feelings about the story itself.
“Awesome cast of characters. Both Shallies are very endearing. Logy and Ayesha add a whole lot to the main story.”
“Great cast of characters, engaging, unique quest system, interesting dual-protagonist system, beautiful visuals.”
“The alchemy system is satisfying as always.”
“The story feels shallow, with dull backgrounds and repetitive fetch quests.”
“I found the narrative to be lacking depth, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“The plot is predictable and fails to offer any meaningful twists or character development.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their beautiful hand-drawn visuals and engaging character designs, contributing to an immersive experience. The unique quest and dual-protagonist systems enhance the visual storytelling, while the overall aesthetic is complemented by a rich musical backdrop from the Atelier series.
“Great hand-drawn graphics that enhance the overall experience.”
“Beautiful visuals that bring the game world to life.”
“Engaging and unique quest system complemented by stunning graphics.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 200 % negative mentions
The removal of the time management mechanic has led to a perception that the gameplay is overly easy, while the environments are criticized for being visually dull, especially when contrasted with the detailed character models.
“The removal of the time management mechanic makes the game too easy.”
“The environments look super drab, especially in comparison with the detailed character models.”
- music1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for its accessibility and depth, featuring a diverse library of tracks from various Atelier titles that enhance the overall experience. Players find it complements the engaging exploration and intricate battles, adding to the fun and immersive atmosphere created by the hand-drawn graphics.
“The music features a whole library of Atelier titles, creating an accessible and immersive experience.”
“The soundtrack enhances the great exploration and fun of the game, making even complicated battles feel more engaging.”
“With its deep and captivating melodies, the music truly complements the hand-drawn graphics and custom item creation.”
Critic Reviews
Atelier Shallie Plus: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea Review
Atelier Shallie Plus is a fantastic package that fans of the series definitely shouldn’t miss out on.
80%Atelier Shallie Plus: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea (Vita) Review
Atelier Shallie Plus has its ups and downs. As a newcomer, I wasn’t necessarily disappointed, but I definitely would not say I was too impressed either.
60%Atelier Shallie Plus: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea Review
Atelier Shallie Plus: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea is great way to wrap up the trilogy. This is a perfect choice for someone looking to try their hand at a JRPG, but still offers enough meaty battle challenges and huge crafting possibilities for devout fans of the series. This Plus version is one of the best entries in the series to date, and while Atelier as a whole may not quite measure up to the genre's classics, this is still a very enjoyable handheld adventure that will keep you coming back for more.
80%