Today, KOEI TECMO Europe and developer GUST Studios revealed further information about the all-new battle system in their highly-anticipated JRPG, Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream. The latest entry in the adored Atelier series is scheduled to release across Europe on February 25th, 2022 for the Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®4 Computer Entertainment System, and Windows PC via Steam®, with pre-orders starting today on all platforms. To celebrate the announcement, a new trailer featuring the game’s opening theme “Syndetos” by Suzuyu was released.
When Sophie sets out on an adventure to find a missing friend and unlock the mystery behind the dream-like world of Erde Wiege, she will have to fight the many monsters that inhabit the land – some of which Atelier series fans may recognise from previous entries! For the first time in the series, Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream features a battle system that begins instantly without any load times or separate screens, allowing gameplay to flow seamlessly between exploration and combat. In this new battle system, up to six party members can join forces for “multi-linked turn-based battles”. These party members will be split into two teams; the “assault team” which consists of the 3 members in the front, and the “back-up team” which features the 3 members at the back.
One of the abilities that this new combat system introduces is Twin Actions. Here, the front and back rows can choose to attack together, or have the front row make their move first while the back row recovers and charges up. This ability uses less MP than performing the attacks separately, offering the chance for players to inflict more damage to their foes in battle. Alternatively, players can use the Support Guard action that allows a member of the back row to protect a member in the front row when they are being attacked. Since the members in the front and back rows can be freely switched, it’s important to keep track of each member’s HP and to use these abilities at the right time. In order to use the Twin Actions and Support Guard abilities, Technical Points (TP) are required. When the Dual Gauge reaches 100%, Dual Triggers — a special move where two party members launch a powerful ability together — can be triggered to get an upper-hand in battle.
Some of the enemies that Sophie and her companions encounter will be covered in an aura, and these monsters will be more difficult to inflict damage upon, dealing large amounts of damage to the party. By attacking the monster’s aura with an element it is weak against, the aura will be reduced and stun the monster, allowing Sophie and friends to perform more actions in a row than usual. In some battles, Weather Control can also be used during battle to create favourable situations that weaken the monster’s aura.
In addition, players will be able to use the game’s built-in Photo Mode to capture their favourite moments from inside the game, including images of the beautiful environments, their party members, the people of Roytale, and the many species of monsters roaming the land! With a wide range of edit functions, players can create memorable pictures from their adventure to help them cherish Sophie’s epic journey.
KOEI TECMO Europe also announced today that Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream is available for pre-order digitally across all platforms. Those that digitally pre-order the game will receive access to the “Easy Breezy” costume for Sophie on their adventure! A Limited Time Bonus, the “Comfy and Casual” outfit for Sophie, is also available for those who purchase the game physically or digitally within the first two weeks of launch. Additionally, those who purchase the game physically on its first-run will receive a special reversible coversheet for their game and a bonus poster with exclusive artwork by NOCO! The celebrations don’t stop there though, as KOEI TECMO Europe is also offering two delightful special edition versions of Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream, a Premium Box and a Special Collection Box, exclusively available through the KOEI TECMO Europe Online Store. The Premium Box version of the game includes an artbook, a B3 fabric poster featuring an original art piece, an ‘extra tracks’ soundtrack CD, an early-access DLC costume for Sophie, and the game all packed into a charming collectable box. The must-have Special Collection Box version of the game contains all of the contents featured in the Premium Box version, as well as an A1 wall scroll featuring an original art piece, a whale necklace motif metal keychain based on Sophie’s in-game jewellery, a set of two illustrated clear files, and a special large crystal paperweight. To learn more about these special editions, and future offerings, be sure to sign-up to the KOEI TECMO Europe Online Store mailing list.
For more information on Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream, check out the official site, ‘Like’ us on www.facebook.com/koeitecmogames, and Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @koeitecmoeurope.