KOEI TECMO Europe and GUST Studios revealed the most in-depth details yet surrounding the gameplay of Nelke & the Legendary Alchemists: Ateliers of the New World. The 20th Anniversary title is slated for physical and digital release on the 29th March 2019 for the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and digital-only on Windows PC via Steam, and will feature everything from resource management to town building to world exploration.
In order to successfully build a new town, Nelke will be tasked with venturing out into Westwald’s surrounding lands to find raw materials; perfect to entrust to one of the town’s alchemists to synthesize into sellable goods. An adventure party of up to five characters from throughout Atelier’s collection of fan-favourite games will be formed before setting off on an investigation route, with each party member having a role: Attack or Support. During an investigation, players will need to be mindful of the Action Gauge. Running through an area too fast will not only rapidly decrease the gauge, but there is risk of missing items and finishing the exploration with less rewards. The Action Gauge is also used for special Field Events where investigative teams will search for unique items critical to success, like a shovel.
Exploration does come with its fair share of danger, though. While venturing out on various investigative routes, players will encounter perilous foes which must be defeated in order to proceed. Utilising a collection of different skills, players will whittle down the enemy’s HP bar during their time on the Turn Gauge. As attack and support skills are used, the Burst Gauge gradually fills, enabling characters to perform a more powerful ability, striking down enemies with a damaging blow, or using the new power to boost defence. In addition, each character will have their own Drive Gauge, a meter that will be filled from both attacks and the use of the Burst Gauge. Utilising the Drive Gauge is of upmost importance as it enables members of the party to speed up their normal attacks.
In addition to the gameplay details, which were shown in a new gameplay trailer, KOEI TECMO Europe also confirmed today that anyone in Europe who pre-orders the title, or purchases it within the first two weeks, will be entitled to the Town Building 5-Item Set Season Pass. This pack contains the Gust 25th Anniversary Background Music Packs 1 & 2, the Atelier 20th Anniversary Appreciation House, the ‘Mysterious Alchemist’ Statue, and an additional resident ‘Gust-chan’.
Fans of the Atelier series will also be able to get their hands on a delightful Collector’s Edition of Nelke & the Legendary Alchemists: Ateliers of the New World, exclusively available through the NISA Europe Online Store. This must-have version of the game contains a hardcover art book, the game’s official soundtrack, a deluxe cloth poster, and an acrylic standee featuring the main character Nelke, all packaged into a beautiful collector’s box featuring artwork of the famous alchemists which appear in the game.
More information for Nelke & the Legendary Alchemists: Ateliers of the New World, including pre-order information, can be found at our official website http://www.ateliergames.eu/nelke/.
