KOEI TECMO Europe and developer GUST Studios today unveiled additional information on the brand new battle system of the highly anticipated JRPG, Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream. The latest installment of the beloved Atelier series will be available across Europe on February 25, 2022 for Nintendo Switch ™, PlayStation®4 and Windows PC via Steam®, with pre-orders active on all platforms. To celebrate the announcement, a new trailer has been released with the opening theme of Suzuyu’s “Syndetos” game.
When Sophie sets out on her adventure to find a missing friend and unravel the mystery behind Erde Wiege’s dream world, she will have to battle the many monsters that inhabit the land – and some of them may be familiar to fans of the Atelier series who have. played the previous chapters! For the first time in the series, Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream features a battle system that starts instantly with no loading times or separate screens, allowing the game to flow seamlessly between exploration and combat. In this new battle system, up to six party members can join forces for “multi-link turn-based battles”. These group members will be divided into two teams; the “assault team” which is made up of the 3 members in the front, and the “back-up team” which includes the 3 members in the rear.
One of the abilities introduced by this new battle system is Twin Actions. Here, the front and back rows can choose to attack together or have the front row make the first move while the last row picks up and reloads. This skill uses fewer MPs than performing single attacks, giving players the ability to inflict more damage on their enemies in battle. Alternatively, players can use the Support Guard action which allows a back row member to protect a front row member when attacked. Since members in the front and back rows can be swapped freely it is important to keep track of each member’s HP and use these skills at the right time. To use the Twin Actions and Support Guard skills, Technical Points (TP) are required. When Dual Gauge reaches 100%, Dual Triggers, a special move in which two party members cast a powerful ability at the same time, can be activated for an advantage in battle.
Some of the enemies that Sophie and her companions will encounter will be covered by an aura and it will be more difficult to inflict damage on these monsters, which in turn will deal large amounts of damage to the group. Attacking the monster’s aura with an element it is weak against will reduce the aura and stun the monster, allowing Sophie and her friends to perform more actions in a row than usual. In some battles, Weather Control can also be used during a fight to create favorable situations that weaken the monster’s aura.
Furthermore, players will be able to use the in-game Photo Mode to capture their favorite moments from within the title, including images of the beautiful environments, members of their party, the people of Roytale and the numerous species of monsters that roam the area! With a wide range of editing features, players can create memorable images from their adventure to enjoy Sophie’s epic journey even more.
KOEI TECMO Europe also announced today that digital pre-order of the Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream on all platforms. Those who pre-order the game digitally will receive access to the “Easy Breezy” costume for Sophie on their adventure! A limited time bonus, the “Comfy and Casual” dress for Sophie, is also available to those who purchase the game physically or digitally within the first two weeks of launch. Additionally, those who physically purchase the game around launch will receive a special reversible cover for their game and a bonus poster featuring exclusive NOCO artwork!
The celebrations do not end there, however, as KOEI TECMO Europe has provided two delicious special edition versions of Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream, a Premium Box and a Special Collection Box, available exclusively through the KOEI TECMO Europe Online Store. The Premium Box version of the game includes an artbook, a B3 fabric poster with original artwork, a soundtrack ‘Extra Tracks’ CD, an early-access DLC costume for Sophie and the game, all packaged in a charming box from collection.
The must-see Special Collection Box version of the game contains all the content featured in the Premium Box version, plus an A1 wall scroll with original artwork, a metal keychain with a whale necklace motif based on Sophie’s in-game jewelry, a set of two transparent illustrated folders and a special large crystal paperweight. Pre-orders for these versions of the game will open shortly, with more details coming to KOEI TECMO Europe’s social channels.
For more information on Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream, you can visit the official website, in addition to the social channels on Facebook www.facebook.com/koeitecmogames, Instagram and Twitter @koeitecmoeurope.