Wikipedia

Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea

Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea[a] is a 2014 Japanese role-playing video game developed by Gust for the PlayStation 3.[7][8] It is the 16th main entry in Gust's Atelier series and is currently the final installment of the Dusk trilogy. The game was released in North America and Europe in March 2015.

Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea
Developer(s)Gust Co. Ltd.
Publisher(s)
Director(s)Yoshito Okamura
Producer(s)Tadanobu Inoue
Designer(s)Azusa Takahashi
Programmer(s)Yuji Higuchi
Composer(s)Kazuki Yanagawa
Hayato Asano
Daisuke Achiwa
SeriesAtelier
Platform(s)PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4,[6] Nintendo Switch,[6] Microsoft Windows[6]
Release
July 17, 2014
  • Atelier Shallie
    PlayStation 3
    • JP: July 17, 2014
    • NA: March 10, 2015[1]
    • AU: March 12, 2015[2]
    • EU: March 13, 2015
    Atelier Shallie Plus
    PlayStation Vita
    • JP: March 3, 2016[3]
    • NA: January 17, 2017
    • EU/AU: January 20, 2017
    Atelier Shallie DX
    Nintendo Switch & PlayStation 4
    • JP: December 25, 2019[5]
    • WW: January 14, 2020[4]
    Microsoft Windows
    • WW: January 14, 2020[4]
Genre(s)Role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player

A version for the PlayStation Vita titled Atelier Shallie Plus: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea was released on March 3, 2016, in Japan,[9] January 17, 2017 in North America and January 20, 2017, in Europe.[10]

A port of the game titled Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea DX for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 was released on December 25, 2019, in Japan,[5] and on January 14, 2020, in the West along with an additional Microsoft Windows release worldwide.[11] The DX version was also physically released with English support across Asia as part of the Dusk Trilogy pack in January 2020.

Gameplay

The player is able to choose one of two characters, each with a differing storyline and adventure; regardless of which character is chosen, the flow of the game remains the same. In comparison to previous Atelier games, fields are significantly larger, and the player is able to harvest a wider variety of items and raw materials to use for mixing.[12][13] Field actions differ depending on the character. Shallotte is able to scrub the floor for items with her broom or clean and catch fish using bait, Shallistera is able to uncover hidden items through dowsing, and both characters are able to mine for items at various locations on the field.[14]

A new goal management system that is known as the "life task system" displays the tasks that need to be performed at specific times, and is tailored to suit different play styles.[12][15] This system replaces the time limit feature from previous installments of the series.[16] The details of each life task vary upon play style and progression so that they match the player's previous choices, an example being that a player who spends much of the time in battle will be given battle-related tasks. The field changes dynamically during exploration depending on the player's actions; monsters and items on the map change after fulfilling life tasks.[17] Failure to accomplish enough life tasks has a toll on the player's performance during exploration and item gathering.

Just like the previous game, the battle system involves parties consisting of up to six characters, where consecutive attacks fill a Burst gauge which triggers a Burst state when filled, allowing the player to build up effect boosts from the chain, and utilize special skills.[18]

The player is able to experience events with the characters as the game proceeds. These events are separate from the main storyline and allows the player to view new sides of the characters.[19]

The player is able to combine items into different items. To create an item, the player must first obtain the blueprints and items to use as ingredients for the new item. The player can then choose what item to create through a list that is displayed by accessing a cauldron in an atelier. The player will then be able to choose ingredients and decide in what order they will be added, and the player will after a certain point in the game be able to use skills to fine-tune items in this step. At a high enough level, the access to using "Chain" will be given. By using skills of the same element, a "Chain" will build up. The Chain value affects the effect of skills. Additional effects can be picked in the last step of the creation of the item. Weapons and armor are made in the same way, but has to be crafted by character Miruca at her atelier, as the player characters Shallistera and Shallotte are unable to create such items. Miruca will also learn skills and share the level used to create items with the protagonists, but there are differences between Miruca's, Shallotte's, and Shallistera's skills.[20] Items that can be used to create other items can be obtained from the fields, but items may disappear from a location if they are harvested too frequently.[21]

Plot

The game's story takes place about 10 years after the beginning of Atelier Ayesha: The Alchemist of Dusk and 6 years after the beginning of Atelier Escha & Logy: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky. As water sources dry up from an oasis town, the plants wilt and animals go hungry. It is here where two alchemists with different methods of making a living meet. Whilst Shallistera Argo to find a way to save her village from demise, Shallotte Elminus goes on her daily life in an attempt to become a proper alchemist.[12][22][23] After meeting each other, Shallistera and Shallotte will fulfill goals by working together.[24]

Development

During the development phase, the game was referred to by the code name "Project A16", which was announced as a new game project by Gust on March 16, 2014.[25] The game was initially announced for release on June 28, 2014, but was delayed to July 17 in the same year in order to improve the game's quality.[26]

Reception

Famitsu gave the game a review score of 33/40.[40] The game sold 43,744 physical retail copies within the first week of release in Japan.[41] Within a November 2014 earnings report, Koei Tecmo announced that 80,000 copies were shipped within the Japanese and Asian regions.[42][43]

The game has a Metacritic rating of 76/100.[27] Push Square's review of the game compliments how the game simplifies some of the more complex mechanics from previous games while still remaining to be challenging enough for the player to enjoy, giving an overall rating of 7/10.[44]

Notes

  1. ^ Japanese: シャリーのアトリエ～黄昏の海の錬金術士～, Hepburn: Sharī no Atorie ~ Tasogare no Umi no Renkinjutsu-shi ~

References

  1. ^ November 7, 2014, Atelier Shallie Out In March 2015, Atelier Ayesha Plus Set For January 2015 Archived 2014-11-08 at the Wayback Machine, Siliconera
  2. ^ Wright, Steve (November 10, 2014). "The latest two Atelier games heading to Australia in 2015". Stevivor. Archived from the original on May 15, 2024. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  3. ^ "Atelier Shallie Plus announced for PS Vita - Gematsu". gematsu.com. 24 November 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  4. ^ a b "Atelier Dusk Trilogy Deluxe Pack launches January 14, 2020 in the west". Gematsu. 26 September 2019. Archived from the original on 16 December 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Atelier Dusk Trilogy Deluxe Pack launches December 25 in Japan". Gematsu. 26 September 2019. Archived from the original on 16 December 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  6. ^ a b c "Atelier Dusk Trilogy Deluxe Pack announced for PS4, Switch, and PC". Gematsu. 14 September 2019. Archived from the original on 16 December 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  7. ^ 2014-03-31, 「アトリエ」シリーズ最新作となる「シャリーのアトリエ～黄昏の海の錬金術士～」が2014年6月26日発売。2人の“シャリー”が綴る黄昏の海の物語 Archived 2014-04-02 at the Wayback Machine, 4gamer
  8. ^ 2014-03-28, Atelier Shallie announced for PS3 Archived 2014-03-31 at the Wayback Machine, Destructoid
  9. ^ "Atelier Shallie Plus announced for PS Vita". Gematsu. 24 November 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  10. ^ "Atelier Shallie Plus coming west in January". Gematsu. 19 October 2016. Archived from the original on 16 December 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  11. ^ "Atelier Dusk Trilogy Deluxe Pack launches January 14, 2020 in the west". Gematsu. 26 September 2019. Archived from the original on 16 December 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  12. ^ a b c 2014-03-30, Atelier Shallie debut screenshots, details Archived 2014-04-03 at the Wayback Machine, Gematsu
  13. ^ 2014-03-31, A Look At Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea’s Story And World Archived 2014-04-03 at the Wayback Machine, Siliconera
  14. ^ 2014-04-08, Atelier Shallie introduces new characters and field actions Archived 2014-04-10 at the Wayback Machine, Gematsu
  15. ^ 2014-03-31, 『黄昏』シリーズの正当続編PS3『シャリーのアトリエ～黄昏の海の錬金術士～』、二人の主人公や新システムを公開 Archived 2014-04-03 at the Wayback Machine, インサイド
  16. ^ 2014-06-26, PS3「シャリーのアトリエ」＆テレビアニメ「エスカ＆ロジーのアトリエ」完成記念発表会が開催―岡村ディレクターによるゲームの紹介や出演声優のトークが展開 Archived 2014-10-25 at the Wayback Machine, Gamer
  17. ^ 2014-04-13, Atelier Shallie details three new characters, field actions Archived 2014-04-16 at the Wayback Machine, Gematsu
  18. ^ 2014-04-22, Solle returns in Atelier Shallie, more characters introduced Archived 2014-04-25 at the Wayback Machine, Gematsu
  19. ^ SYSTEM - キャライベント Archived 2015-03-06 at the Wayback Machine, Atelier-ps3.jp
  20. ^ 2014-05-19, PS3「シャリーのアトリエ ～黄昏の海の錬金術士～」24歳になっても変わらない（？）ウィルベルが登場！わかりやすくシンプルになった調合システムも紹介 Archived 2023-11-02 at the Wayback Machine, Gamer
  21. ^ 2014-03-31, 黄昏シリーズ第3弾は2人の“シャリー”によって異なる物語が紡がれる―PS3「シャリーのアトリエ ～黄昏の海の錬金術士～」が6月26日に発売 Archived 2014-04-01 at the Wayback Machine, Gamer
  22. ^ 2014-04-01, A Glimpse Of Atelier Shallie Archived 2014-04-04 at the Wayback Machine, Siliconera
  23. ^ 2014-03-31, ふたりの少女が紡ぐ新しい物語、“黄昏”シリーズ第3弾『シャリーのアトリエ ～黄昏の海の錬金術士～』 Archived 2014-04-01 at the Wayback Machine, Famitsu
  24. ^ 2014-06-26, PS3「シャリーのアトリエ」＆テレビアニメ「エスカ＆ロジーのアトリエ」完成記念発表会が開催―岡村ディレクターによるゲームの紹介や出演声優のトークが展開！ Archived 2014-10-25 at the Wayback Machine, Gamer
  25. ^ 2014-03-25, “Project A16”の正式タイトルは『シャリーのアトリエ 黄昏の海の錬金術士』！ 6月26日にPS3で発売予定 Archived 2014-03-31 at the Wayback Machine, Dengeki PlayStation
  26. ^ 2014-05-01, PS3「シャリーのアトリエ ～黄昏の海の錬金術士～」発売日が7月17日に変更―さらなるクオリティアップを図るため Archived 2014-07-07 at the Wayback Machine, Gamer
  27. ^ a b "Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea for PlayStation 3 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 2015-08-22. Retrieved 2015-06-13.
  28. ^ "Atelier Shallie Plus: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea for PlayStation Vita Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 2024-05-23. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
  29. ^ "Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea DX for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 2024-05-23. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
  30. ^ O'Reilly, PJ (14 January 2020). "Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea DX Review (Switch eShop)". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  31. ^ Rudek, Jordan (24 January 2020). "Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea DX (Switch) Review". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  32. ^ Veron, Red (1 February 2017). "Review: Atelier Shallie Plus: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea". Destructoid. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  33. ^ Adcock, Matt (21 February 2017). "Atelier Shallie Plus: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea Review (PS Vita)". Push Square. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  34. ^ Wachter, Sam (9 March 2017). "Atelier Shallie Plus: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea Review". RPGamer. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  35. ^ North, Dale (10 March 2015). "Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea is a fine showcase for the long-running franchise". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on 27 July 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
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  39. ^ Cowley, Ric (18 January 2017). "Atelier Shallie Plus: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea - a solid PS3 JRPG port". Pocket Gamer. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  40. ^ 2014-07-08, Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1335 Archived 2014-09-09 at the Wayback Machine, Gematsu
  41. ^ 2014-07-23, Media Create Sales: 7/14/14 – 7/20/14 Archived July 23, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, Gematsu
  42. ^ 2014-11-13, Atelier Shallie Reaches 80,000 Shipped Between Japan And Asia Archived 2014-11-17 at the Wayback Machine, Siliconera
  43. ^ "Fiscal Year Ending March 2015 1st Half Financial Results" (PDF). Koei Tecmo Holdings Co., Ltd. November 7, 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 17, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  44. ^ "Review". Pushsquare. 11 March 2015. Archived from the original on 29 September 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
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