A wealth of information and assets highlighting the Synthesis system and colourful cast of characters in developer GUST’s upcoming RPG, Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book. The latest entry into GUST’s long-running series comes to the PlayStation 4 for the first time on 10th June 2016, with a simultaneous digital-only release for the PlayStation Vita handheld system.
A wealth of screenshots and a delightful new trailer introduce the game’s cast, with the latter accompanied by the heart-warming Atelier Sophie theme ‘Phronesis’ by Japanese music artist Rurutia. A gameplay video showcasing the new Synthesis system has also been released.
In Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book, alchemy is key to crafting useful items that can aid Sophie and her friends on their travels. Throughout their journey players are encouraged to discover and concoct a variety of new and useful recipes, which are then added to the Mysterious Book, Plachta, whose memories slowly return as her pages are filled. Using what they’ve learned, players can easily craft items with specific bonuses attached to them using the series’ brand new Synthesis system. To do this, players have access to a 4x4 panel system which can grow depending on the type and quality of cauldron. As ingredients are placed into the cauldron, they will take up a set amount of tiles on the panel which, if utilised correctly, allows items to be more efficient than they normally are. A wide choice of recipes with different shape, size and quality can be used to craft items, and making full use of the panel space is vital to receiving optimal bonuses.
On their journey, players will experience the world through the eyes of Sophie Neuenmuller, who runs an atelier in the town of Kirchen Bell. Joined by best friends Monika Ellmenreich and Oskar Behlmer, they begin a quest to learn new alchemy recipes and restore Plachta’s missing memories. Along the way, they also meet Julio Sebald Leidenschaft, a young knight from the country of Adalett, who’s investigating alchemy for unknown reasons, and Fritz Weissberg, an ex-mercenary – now puppeteer – who is skilled with the ways of the sword.
A diverse cast of townspeople are also on hand to help Sophie and her friends with their adventuring needs. Making his return from Atelier Escha & Logy: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky is Logy, who runs a prosperous blacksmithing shop in town. Corneria, a girl with the unique ability to duplicate items, runs a mass production shop. Harol Simens is the local clock shop owner, and while he can be sarcastic and harsh, he’s in fact a caring and helpful fellow. Leon is a travelling clothier, proud of her talents at making charming clothes. Horst Basler runs the café and will serve as Sophie’s eyes and ears, as he is well-versed in the latest information around town.
A limited edition of Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book is currently available to pre-order exclusively through the NIS America Europe Online store. This includes a 48-page hardcover art book, a 2-disc soundtrack with 38 tracks of in-game music, a cloth poster, and five miniature art prints all housed in a beautifully designed collector’s box.
