Never tried the Atlelier series? Neither have I all that much, but I’m about to get acquainted real fast. As I sit here now, Atelier Escha & Logy is slowly consuming the final 7GB of my poor, tired, war-torn PS3 as it downloads. I’m going to have to gut the old broad soon and slap in a new hard drive. It’s inevitable.
Atelier is all about crafting, crafting, crafting, and if that makes you groan, then don’t – the series is known for making a traditionally boring RPG trope impeccably fun. This time around, there are two main protagonists to choose at the outset, each offering a notably different experience for the player. Though the plot remains mostly similar, particular events and specific endings will only be available with one or the other.
Despite being somewhat of a sequel to the previous Atelier, it doesn’t seem as though it’ll be all that hard for newcomers to jump in. Basically, E&L takes place four years after the previous game, and the art of alchemy has been rediscovered as a result of that game’s events. Presumably, alchemy will factor into the gameplay quite heavily.
Atelier Escha & Logy sold respectable numbers in Japan, and with some luck and good press stands a chance to do alright here in North America as well. It’s slated for a March 11th release, so keep your eyes peeled for our review come launch week.
