Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland

[Saturnine Tenshi]

ATELIER MERURU: THE APPRENTICE OF ARLAND

 

Platform: Playstation 3

Genre: RPG

Developer(s): Gust/NIS America

Release Date: May 2012

Official Website(ENG): http://nisamerica.co...atelier-meruru/

Official Website(JPN): http://atelier-ps3.jp/meruru/

 

Introduction:

The tiny kingdom of Arls, located on the northeastern border of the Arland Republic, is where Princess Meruru calls home. Ever since she was exposed to alchemy by famed adventurer Totori Helmold, all she could think about was becoming an alchemist. With Totori’s guidance, Meruru sets out to develop her home kingdom of Arls using the power of alchemy. On her way, Meruru will encounter new adventures, obstacles, mysteries, and friends, and discover what life is like outside the castle walls. How you choose to guide her through the advancement of her land will determine the final outcome in the tale of Atelier Meruru.

 

The Press X or Die review of Atelier Totori, Meruru's predecessor: http://pressxordie.c...urer-of-arland/

 

Game Features:

• New “Development” system: develop new areas and facilities in Arls to gain access to even more lands to explore!
  
• Developing new areas and facilities will change the appearance of the in-game world! How you develop the kingdom will alter the outcome of the story.
  
• Classic turn-based battles feature a Time Card turn system, making the battles even more strategic!
  
• Master item synthesis with the help of the ever-popular Homs!
  
• Fan-favorite characters from previous Atelier games return with more stories and mysteries to uncover!
  

Screenshots

I've uploaded the latest NIS America release of screenshots here. 02/06/2012

 

Trailers

 

Oh, the "Prinny Bomb" e-mail/press release featured this simple photoshop somewhere between many things: chiefly cute and awkward.

 

 

Afternoon strolls finds you staring at a poppet and her oh-so-awkward, "Hi."

 

"Well," you think, "what now?"

[SixTwoSixFour]

I really need to actually get somewhere in Totori. I think I got five minutes in before getting distracted by something else. My first encounter with the series, because though I kept meaning to pick up the PS2 entries, it never actually happened.

[Saturnine Tenshi]

The PS2 entries are a semi-far cry from the Arland games. I'd place the Atelier Iris and Mana Khemia (which are also considered Atelier games if you didn't know) on a different track. They emphasize story more than the core Atelier games.

 

Atelier Annie, Rorona, Totori (and Meruru) are closer to the original design. While synthesis takes on a larger role in Mana Khemia than the Iris games, it's still nothing near the core of the experience. Whereas the Arland titles—I'm just going to use them for comparison—punctuate synthesis, characters and, to a lesser degree, exploration.

 

I like them all, and either approach has some measure of appeal. I think you should know that if you don't like the Arland titles, you could very well like the Iris and Mana Khemia titles.

[Saturnine Tenshi]

Forgot to post this here: the NISA Store super-maximum limited edition of Atelier Meruru is now available for pre-order here: http://store.nisamerica.com/Games/Atelier-Meruru-The-Apprentice-of-Arland-Limited-Edition.

 

Limited Edition: Grand Finale Set Includes:

• Atelier Meruru Limited Edition Box

- Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland for PS3

- Full color, softcover art book

- Atelier Meruru OST

- Unique black "Barrel" t-shirt (L size only)

 

I'm going to pass on it for a couple reasons:

 

$64.99 + shipping. (Though there is a free shipping method for U.S. residents.)

I could make a better t-shirt, and in a size that fits me.