Do not buy this game. Do not look at this game. Do not think about this game and hopefully the sales will send the message that ports like this won't fly -- especially when stuff like Disgaea runs flawlessly on the PSP.
Presentation - 2.0
Graphics - 4.0
Sound - 6.0
Gameplay - 2.5
Lasting Appeal - 6.0
Overall -
There are a lot of Atelier games out there, and Gust keeps adding to the lineup with new installments in the main series and spin-offs to keep track of. It is a lot to deal with. Also, the major installments tend to come out in trilogies, which share storylines and sometimes gameplay mechanics. One line might not be as interesting for specific players, but another could be a perfect fit.
Arland best. Couldn't finish Mysterious. Dusk is good. The ones before those are good but I prefer the 3d games
Pretty good article. The Atelier series is a very weird one. As each game have it's own ideas and can play vastly differently than another title even in the same trilogy.
But to get to know the franchise or at least what was the fundation of it. I would argue that the Arland is the best one, even though I prefer other sub-series even more.
411mania talks about this week's game releases. Highlights include Dissidia: Final Fantasy, Mana Khemia 2: Fall of Alchemy, Metroid Prime Trilogy, Cursed Mountain, and Harvest Moon: Magical Melody.
Mana Khemia is a relatively solid game. Despite its numerous clichés and poor choices in graphic design, the game presents a fun and relatively addictive battle system and alchemy system. Backed with solid audio, Mana Khemia balances its cons with its pros. However, these remarks apply only for the PS2 version from 2008. 2009's Mana Khemia: Student Alliance deserves little praise.
The port's errors transform an average game into an abomination barely worth touching. Atelier fans that have not yet checked out this spinoff series or readers interested in the combat and alchemy should avoid Student Alliance and hunt down the PS2 version.
Wow...the framerate is solid, graphics (for a game that uses sprites) are good. Loading screens are literally a couple seconds max. This guy should be fired, especially after his 'Lasting Appeal' where be basically says this is a good game minus the load times. How in the hell does that warrant a 2.7 out of 10? It doesn't.
I find it ridiculous that IGN, a source i consider to be rather solid for just about anything about games, would allow this review to be posted. It's obvious the review (Sam) is impatient but what's glaringly obvious is that HE doesn't like the game. Considering people look to IGN before making their purchases, it's sad that people will take this review to heart and pass up a descent game. It may not be perfect, but it's surely better than a 2.7/10. But to take off 4+ points in each category for bad load times, that's just weak. This game easily gets a 6/10 in my book, possibly a 7/10 for the crafting system.
Wow. Is it really that bad? Either way, I'm glad I got this game for the PS2 a year ago. When I bought it last March, I was at first disappointed because the day I bought it, I'd heard that they'd be releasing a port to the PSP. I enjoyed Disgaea immensely on the PSP, so I was glum about it, figuring it'd be coming rather soon and be as good or better than the PS2 version I'd just purchased(the Disgaea port on PSP is actually better than the PS2 version if you ask me and many others). I did't realize it'd take them a year to get it out and that they'd do a sub-par job of porting it, so I guess I made the right choice after all.
I have it for PS2 an the game was great. In my case i would give this game 8.6 out of 10. I've beat tjhis game in 89 hours an it was well worth the play.
This guy dosnt know the meaning of Classic Spirte style. He needa go back to Classic SNES & Sega G Style.
reviews are someones opinion, and people must not follow reviews, they must follow on what they like =]
main reason why i dont look at reviews is cause of this ign reviewer.
i just usually search videos and watch the gameplay
who ever wrote this article must be a hater