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Mana Khemia: Alchemists of Al-Revis (Premium Edition) | 
| From: NIS America
Category: Video Games
List Price: $39.99
Buy Used: $23.50
You Save: $16.49 (41%)
New (19) Used (14) from $23.50
Rating:  9 reviews
Sales Rank: 5232
Platform: Playstation2
Genre: Role Playing Games
ESRB: Everyone 10+
Media: Video Game
Batteries Included: No
Operating System: Playstation 2
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 0.1 x 0.1 x 0
MPN: 8142
Model: 00142
UPC: 857823001420
EAN: 0857823001420
ASIN: B0014FIWCI
Release Date: March 31, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| 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 |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Go back to school - alchemy school that is. In Mana Khemia: Alchemist of Al-Revis for Playstation 2, you will discover and create items, weapons and even character stats through the use of alchemy. You'll be graded on your completion of different assignments and will receive units for that class. You must gain enough units for the term, or else you will end up with detention. The better your grades, the more bonuses you'll get. You can select which classes you want to take and then get an explanation of your class. You can even earn money by taking jobs, which are posted on the school bulletin board. In this school, your lectures are all field trips to exotic locations, your tests are battles against unnatural creatures, and your homework involves alchemic fusions.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 4 more reviews...
Another worthy addition to the Gust/NIS library. April 3, 2008
Danyal Vierheller (Dover, OH (USA))
20 out of 21 found this review helpful
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?
 1/2 friends sim + 1/2 RPG = all fun April 28, 2008
J. Armstrong (Bentonville, Arkansas United States)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
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.
Great Sony PS-2 RPG Game May 12, 2008
Larry Nolan (Phoenix, AZ)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
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.
A unique twist added to old traditions. October 1, 2008
Shoyu
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
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.
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