Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea DX

Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea DX is an expanded version of the 16th edition of the Japanese RPG series entitled Atelier. Koei Tecmo, the company responsible for development and release, not only implemented all the DLCs created for the original and add-ons prepared for the Plus version, but also prepared improvements to the exploration and combat system.

Plot

The action of Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea DX takes place six years after the events presented in the previous part of the series. As a result of a powerful drought, the game world is gradually moving to destruction. When deadly danger hangs over the tribe of one of the protagonists, Shallistera Argo, a young alchemy adept who has lived far from civilization, decides to embark on a journey to find a way to save her loved ones. As it was previously, the authors allow us to choose one of the two characters. The second heroine is Shallotte Elminus, the owner of an alchemical workshop located in a small oasis in the desert. When a girl who dreams of a career as an adventurer meets Shallistera Argo, she decides to team up with her to help her uncover the secrets of the world.

The choice of the heroine determines the course of the story. While Shallistera's story focuses on finding answers to questions about the world, from Shallotte's perspective we can see above all everyday life in a dying land.

Mechanics

In Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea DX, the action is shown from a third-person perspective (TPP). The driving force behind the plot are the "life goals", i.e. special missions, the completion of which entails changes in the structure of the presented world and allows us to gradually develop the heroine. Besides, there are slightly less important tasks and side missions, commissioned by characters living in the game world.

Exploring a variety of locations, we often encounter enemies with whom we are fighting in turn-based mode. As the heroines are joined by various companions over time, it's important to use their abilities during battles and to ensure that they are properly placed on the battlefield. When attacking enemies, we load a special indicator, the filling of which increases our firepower; at the same time we get access to special skills. In the DX version, the authors introduced two features not available in the original game – while running allows you to move around faster, "Fast-forward Battle" accelerates skirmishes.

The game does not lack an extensive alchemy system, for which the series is famous. In order to create more and more powerful items in the heroine's workshops, we have to not only buy specific components, but also have special recipes that we find or buy.

Technical aspects

Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea DX looks nice. The graphic design of this production was maintained in a colorful, manga-like style, while the designs of the characters were the responsibility of a Japanese artist Hidari.