[PS2] Iris no Atelier: Eternal Mana 2 official site opens.

[Recap]

This link goes to Iris no Atelier: Eternal Mana 2 website, with snapshots like these:

[Gaijin Punch]

Wow... that actually looks very good. Thanks for the link. I've never gotten into any of these games. Aren't they Alchemy RPGs, where you mix & match liquids?

[Recap]

I bought the first two games in the series and the recent Eternal Mana, but the truth is that I haven't played'em. It is said that, until Eternal Mana, the series is strongly based on the alchemy thing (combats are pretty basic), but that game, without keeping totally apart the alchemy and creation of items, it's a classic RPG with a pretty interesting combat system. Graphics are not worse than its sequel, judging by what I've seen. The sequel, from what I can understand, is going to be a bit more focused on the alchemy. Combats seem to have an action bar like Grandia's, which is great news to me. GP, I've told you before, if you like how EM2 looks, try to get the first Eternal Mana - it got superb scores in Japanese media and is being currently translated into English by Nippon Ichi America.

[Gaijin Punch]

I will keep that in mind. Haven't bought much since leaving. Only new stuff... a DS I rarely play, and Tales of Rebirth, which I'm about 12 hours into. Very nice... although the leveling/combat/item/magic systems are a bit much to keep up with. I'm shocked that Sony is allowing anyone to release Eternal Mana, being that it's 2D. I mean they cock-blocked Metal Slug 3 for the love of God.

[Gaijin Punch]

A couple of more pics here

[aerithhime]

I definantly want to play this series. Is there voice acting in the first game? I can't believe the first one is coming out in the USA. I might buy it to support the cause but I don't know it'll depend on how the English voice acting is I'd rather play the Japanese version if it's going to hurt my ears.

[Ganelon]

Yeah, I'll be getting the US version of the first game and support Atlus on future 2D RPG endeavors (meaning hopefully not more Megatens...).

[Gaijin Punch]

The first one is on the PS2, right? I wish I didn't have so many damn series I wanted to play. This one looks lovely... the Alchemy stuff doesn't usually float my boat, but the beautiful sprites do.

[Recap]

I definantly want to play this series. Is there voice acting in the first game?.

There is.

Yeah, I'll be getting the US version of the first game and support Atlus on future 2D RPG endeavors

Atlus has nothing to do with Eternal Mana US version,thoe. Oddly, it's NIS America.

The first one is on the PS2, right?

Right, if you meant the first Eternal Mana. The first Gust's Atelier game was originally for the Saturn and had a quick port to the PS One. Then, it was remade for the DC by Kool Kids in true hi resolution.

[Ganelon]

Atlus has nothing to do with Eternal Mana US version,thoe. Oddly, it's NIS America.

LOL, I always get them confused. Oh well, Atlus will very likely be distributing the game anyway as they did for Phantom Brave. I couldn't stand the 32-bit Atelier games. Way too much conversational text and not enough gameplay. The Atelier Mana series looks a lot more interesting though.

[Gaijin Punch]

New details have been givn on the Limited Edition, as well as a new character profile: Theodore. Pics of the LE can be found by clicking the farmost right link in the flash movie from the main page. It will feature two figures, and an Iris greting card. The Theodore profile was added to the charcter profile page. On a seperate note, bastards lucky enough to order from Gust Shop will get a soundtrack CD complete with a 20-pg booklet.

[Recap]

http://www.rpgfan.com/news/2005/1433.html Buy this game, people.

[Gaijin Punch]

I actually read this on their website the other day but assumed it was a translation of already posted English news. Any clue if I can enjoy this one without playing the first? I will most likely pick it up.

[Recap]

I actually read this on their website the other day but assumed it was a translation of already posted English news. Any clue if I can enjoy this one without playing the first? I will most likely pick it up.

If you ask, I can really enjoy any game with graphics like these even if I don't get a word from the story. Add to it a Grandia-ish combat system and the enjoyment will be passion, so you know my answer. Story-wise is a prequel of EM, and the main characters will make cameos here, so I think the smartest move is playing EM first (and no other Atelier games, actually). The big question here is why the heck haven't you purchased EM yet.

[Gaijin Punch]

'cause I've got like a million things in my "to play" list... including quite a few RPGs. I think I can get an Atlier M&E on the DC. Is this just a port from the two PS games? Worth getting it's cheap?

[Recap]

I think I can get an Atlier M&E on the DC. Is this just a port from the two PS games? Worth getting it's cheap?

It's a port from the two SS games, which were actually the original versions. The DC port is really nice, since everything is true hi res displayed. It's cheap, the package is big, it comes with a figurine, the games are OK if you can read the text... Worth getting to me.

[Gaijin Punch]

Well, another reason to hate those Japanese. People that buy the Limited Edition through Sofmap will get an extra figurine not found in the LE.

[Recap]

Well, another reason to hate those Japanese. People that buy the Limited Edition through Sofmap will get an extra figurine not found in the LE.

I love when the non-available/non-free extras come in form of figurines; I always pass over them.

[Gaijin Punch]

I usually don't get them unless they're in a machine, and cost 200 yen. They always decorate my desk at work or home, and fall to pieces in a few weeks.

[Recap]

IT Media has published a small report of Gust's Atelier series into its own review of Eternal Mana 2: http://www.itmedia.co.jp/games/articles/0505/30/news053.html

[PCEngine_Hunter]

I was in Japan last year when the first game came out and saw it on display at quite a few stores, it looked lovely, gorgeous 2D graphics like all other Nippon Ichi games so far and reminisent the Tales games. I will be purchasing the US version of the first game when it is released and later on the Japanese sequel.

[PCEngine_Hunter]

I definantly want to play this series. Is there voice acting in the first game? I can't believe the first one is coming out in the USA. I might buy it to support the cause but I don't know it'll depend on how the English voice acting is I'd rather play the Japanese version if it's going to hurt my ears.

Dont worry, all previous US released games from this company have had a choice of original Japanese or dubbed voices so I dont see why this one will be any different. I really really wish this was a standard practise, I dont know how many games I haven't been able to play due to horrid American "acting" (Tales of Eternia is one that springs to mind right away), thank God I wont have to deal with that any more soon as I will be able to stick to all Japanese games and ignore English versions.

[Gaijin Punch]

I got this in the mail. Very beautiful, very fun. Not too over the top (not yet anyway). About 3 hours into it. My summer games are pretty much set out for me (maybe I should make a devoted thread) so I can slowly enjoy this one with no pressure... although I would like to play the first one at some point. Cheers to Recap for nagging me until I pre-ordered it. Looks great on the new RGB monitor as well.

[Gaijin Punch]

I officially hate this game now. Easy as balls until the last battle... then impossible. Terrible design IMHO... I hate games like that. For shame, b/c everything else about it is so good.

[Dais]

I officially hate this game now. Easy as balls until the last battle... then impossible. Terrible design IMHO... I hate games like that. For shame, b/c everything else about it is so good.

But.....but......"Deceitful Wings"!