We recently found out that Gust’s Project A16, the next game in the Atelier series, is called Atelier Shari: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea for PlayStation 3. Like Atelier Escha & Logy, Atelier Shari will also have two protagonists and this week’s Dengeki magazine shares more about the characters.
Gust director Yoshito Okamura who previously worked on Atelier Rorona: The Alchemist of Arland, Atelier Totori: The Adventurer of Arland will be in charge of directing Atelier Shari: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea.
As far as timeline goes, it still remains unknown as to how much time has passed between Atelier Shari and Atelier Escha & Logy, but the game will have the same dual-protagonist system, where both characters will have their own stories.
Atelier Shari: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea introduces a new “Life Task” system, which is how you’ll be advancing through the game. Once you see a Life Task objective, it’ll have three elements you must clear: explore, compound, and fight. After accomplishing the objectives, you’ll be advancing through the story of the game.
Shari, short for Sharistella, is a 16-year-old alchemist, who comes from a family that continues protecting an ancient alchemical relic. She is replacing the head of her family, who has fallen ill, to go on a journey to find a way to save her village from a life or death crisis, on his behalf.
To do so, Shari will be headed to an oasis town called Stellad. Her story will revolve around the mystery of the world, with the “Dusk” theme as the core of the story. It’ll be more on a serious and courageous note, where you’ll be seeing the young girl grow more mature.
Charlotte Eluminus is a poor 18 year-old alchemist, who works some sort of subcontract position. She currently lives in Stellad, and has been managing “Atelier” since her father passed away; however, she doesn’t really have any experience and is kind of a “joke of an alchemist”.
While she may not sound too serious, she’s an ambitious girl with big dreams of wanting to do something huge after being successful, one day. Her story will be about her adventurous and comedic days. The theme of her story is said to have more of an Atelier vibe to it, where you’ll be experiencing the growth of a foolhardy girl.
When you’re out in the field, you’ll have full 360-degree control of the camera. The alchemy synthesis will also be easier to enjoy and understand, one of Gust’s goals for Atelier Shari: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea.
The combat system will have a Cost Turn bar similar to that from Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland, and with a similar turn order bar to the right like in Atelier Ayesha: The Alchemist of Dusk.
A premium box version of the game will be available for 9,800 yen, which will include four-discs of soundtrack and a special drama CD.
Atelier Shari: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea will be released on June 26, 2014 for PlayStation 3.
Images courtesy Famitsu.com.
