Mana Khemia: Alchemists of Al-Revis (Premium Edition)

by NIS America

Product Features

• Mana Kehmia takes place in a campus setting where players can participate in academic courses
• Battles that resemble fast paced fighting games
• Everything you find in the field is used to craft items with alchemy
• Anime style dating simulation combined with classic RPG

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0014FIWCI
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: March 31, 2008
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,956 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #77 in Video Games > PlayStation 2 > Role-Playing
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Mana Khemia is the 5th entry in the Alchemy RPG series that began with Atleier Iris; Eternal Mania. The game is quest based, classic style RPG where players adventure on to various missions to complete the game. However, unlike the ordinary classic style RPG, alchemy is the main focus of the game. Meaning players will discover and create items, weapons and even character stats through the use of alchemy.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another worthy addition to the Gust/NIS library., April 2, 2008

By 

Danyal Vierheller "reader of all" (Dover, OH (USA)) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Mana Khemia: Alchemists of Al-Revis (Premium Edition) (Video Game)

The ninth game in the popular Atelier series (though only the fourth one we've had here in the States), Mana Khemia shares elements of the AI games as well as the Gust/Banpresto RPG Ar tonelico: Melody of Elemia.

The gameplay this time around is built around creating items through alchemy. While other games in the series had it as an important part, MK relies on it very heavily. To level up, you must create more and more items. This unlocks new abilities that you purchase with AP earned in battle.

The game is divided into chapters, and each chapter is divided into different sections. They start with an Event, which sets the stage for the chapter. Then there are a few Classes, where you hone your alchemy skills by completing quests. Then you have either Free Time or Detention depending on how well you did in your classes - Free Time has a quest system similar to Atelier Iris 3. You do odd jobs for money (and possibly items, I'm not sure about that yet). You can also converse with one of your teammates to build a relationship with them, but it's not really what I'd call a dating sim.

If you're a fan of the Atelier Iris series, Gust RPGs or NIS games in general, I highly recommend it. It's fun to play, there's a ton of content (10 hours in and I'm STILL learning how to do things!) The four-star overall rating is due to the fact that it can get a little repetitive at times .. but it's that same gameplay and wicked sense of humor we've come to expect from the series.

Besides, a black cat who transforms into a weapon? I like cats, and I like swords, so how could I NOT like this?

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 1/2 friends sim + 1/2 RPG = all fun, April 28, 2008

By 

J. Armstrong (Bentonville, Arkansas United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mana Khemia: Alchemists of Al-Revis (Premium Edition) (Video Game)

Another great game from NIS america - if you like turn based RPG's or collection games then you will find much to enjoy here. 8 Different endings to earn, a new game + mode and a challenging bonus dungeon for completists.

You may want to pick up the strategy guide for the crafting sub-game though. While the game does a good job of telling you what the element of all the different items and gear you collect is, you cannot access that list while crafting. So either a large collection of notes or the guide can be quite useful.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Sony PS-2 RPG Game, May 12, 2008

By 

Larry Nolan "GRUMPY G" (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mana Khemia: Alchemists of Al-Revis (Premium Edition) (Video Game)

It must be a Great Game, my 15 yr old grandson played it all the way thru and my wife is now over 75% thru the game. Both of them said it is a 5-star game. The graphics are typical PS-2, but still looks good. I seems to be a continuation or side story of the "Atelier Iris 3" game and uses the same looking characters, dungeons, locations, etc. and the battle system is much the same except no experience is received and characters do not have levels. Instead they gain better skills and improved abilities thru alchemy which is the main theme of this version of the game. It's a fun game and keeps you busy collecting alchemy ingredients and materials to create new things. I reccomemd it to fans of the Atelier Iris gsme series and RPG fans in general.