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 - Thought the game never endedThis games plot is soo thin, for 1/3 of the game your going to be running from your alchemy lab to the armory so you can remember the mats you need to make some item. You also have classes, most easy, some make you wanna cry. The bosses have a huge heads up on you, and the last boss is a joke compared to the others in the game. Rating: - A unique twist added to old traditions.Take one part traditional RPG and sprinkle in some clever adaptations with a side of adventure scrolling and you'll end up with Mana Khemia. As you can tell by the recipe, this is anything but a traditional JRPG. M.K. sends you to school to make friends and explore dungeons while learning the fine points of alchemy. So let us look into NIS America's surprising hit, shall we? Story: The game begins when Vayne is visited by members of a prestigious academy of alchemy, Al-Revis, at his home deep in the woods where he leads an unassuming life with his cat, Sulpher. He is soon convinced that his differences are an asset, and he will reach his full potential...and maybe learn the truth to his past. Once you arrive at the school you're quickly recruited by an upperclassmen named, Flay. Upon arriving at the Flay cave you meet your next two partners, Nikki and Jess. The story spans the equivalent of four years...starting as a freshmen. In this time you will meet and partake in many friendships, adventures, and a journey for truth. Gameplay: As I mentioned earlier, Mana Khemia, has an vastly different style to this time old genre. I'm sure you guessed by now, but if you haven't, the game revolves around alchemy...the process of mixing common objects to produce something better. During gameplay, you'll discover recipes that will aid you in this aspect of the game...team members will also aid you...as well as randomly mixing elements to achieve new creations. Depending on what you're making, there will be two separate rooms for practicing your craft. Weapons, armors, and accessories are made in the Athanor; everything else is made in your workshop. When mixing elements in your workshop you'll have the ability to alter the items' characteristics by adjusting their ether levels...your teammates can also alter items by way of co-op. For instance: if you mix four items to create this with normal ether levels, you'll produce warm red soup....do the same with a low ether level, and you'll produce cold red soup...and yes, you will be required to know this. Now that I've taken you through the alchemy process, let's look closer at the battle system. M.K. uses a typical turn based battle system with one unique difference, if you look at the top of the battle screen you'll notice a string of cards. Each active member of your team, and all the active monsters have one card in the string...when your card is selected, it is your turn to attack...the more successful hits you land your battle meter will fill - when your battle meter is full, you'll unleash burst mode....burst mode raises the amount of damage your team can inflict. As you progress the game your battle meter will upgrade to a more powerful option...you progress the story by attending classes. Depending on your grades you'll either be allowed free time or take detention. Graphic and sound: The graphics aren't something you'll be amazed over, but they are above average. Each character, from your teammates to the NPCs have specific facial expressions that convey their emotions. The sound, however, is just annoying and I turned them off. Final thoughts: Without question, there is a great deal for the gamer to experience with good replay value. And aside from a few minor issues, you'll enjoy every aspect of this game while you try to complete it. Rating:  - InterestingI bought this game looking for something new, and that's what I got. I hadn't played any atlus games beforehand, so I didn't know what to expect. All in all, this game is strangely child-like (I blame the anime), but if you can get over that part and focus on the rest of it, it is pretty decent. The game does have some complexity in the alchemy system and it gets progressively better as you go through 'school.' I wish it wasn't so linear, but I think everyone is resigned to that in japanese games. I stopped playing FF12, if that gives you any indication, but I stopped playing this game when I got Disgaea. Rating: - funold style animation, good play, funny voice track you'll like it once you get started Rating:  - Great Sony PS-2 RPG GameIt 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.
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