Atelier Iris Plots its Phantastic Return
Hmm, a play on words? That could only mean that it’s somehow related to the game’s title.
Published: February 27, 2007
As Gust Co. continues an impressive track record with its famed Atelier franchise out West (with some nine installments and counting), we here in the states can only thank a recently kick-started localization for our familiarity with a pair of strategy-dabbling Atelier Iris games. Or should we say, trilogy.
Indeed, NIS America has made vocal its plans to bring Atelier Iris 3: Grand Phantasm out yonder. With the series entering its third generation, it promises to offer content reminiscent of the original AI (another 40+ hours of it, we're told), while managing to work in some funky-fresh new gameplay enhancements.
Examples? Gone are the previous games' random encounters, as Grand Phantasm opts for the Symbol Encounter System so, y'know, you can actually see enemies before enounctering them. The fighting mechanic has also been bumped up to a notably more verbose Active Cost Card Battle System, enabling your speedier characters to get their licks in before the others. And hey, new guild quest system!
“We take great pride in providing a great gaming experience,” blushes Haru Akenaga, president of NIS America, Inc. “We welcome the new direction Atelier Iris 3 is taking with its combination of new game systems, design, and user friendliness. I can't wait to play the U.S. version,” he admits.
The story, told across 10 episodes, has sommmething to do with a sought treasure (the Wizard's Libram of Escalario, if that makes it any more alluring) said to have been split into eight parts that, when reunited, will grant its possessor any wish. Main character Edge stumbles upon a piece of the prize on an expedition (he's with the Raiders' Guild, you see) with childhood pal Iris, which sparks the beginning of their sprawling adventure. Oh, and we're told there's lots of dimensional gate travel to be had.
Atelier Iris 3 should be washing up on North American shores this May. We've got a slight hunch there'll be some sprite-happy media posted before then.
Indeed, NIS America has made vocal its plans to bring Atelier Iris 3: Grand Phantasm out yonder. With the series entering its third generation, it promises to offer content reminiscent of the original AI (another 40+ hours of it, we're told), while managing to work in some funky-fresh new gameplay enhancements.
Examples? Gone are the previous games' random encounters, as Grand Phantasm opts for the Symbol Encounter System so, y'know, you can actually see enemies before enounctering them. The fighting mechanic has also been bumped up to a notably more verbose Active Cost Card Battle System, enabling your speedier characters to get their licks in before the others. And hey, new guild quest system!
“We take great pride in providing a great gaming experience,” blushes Haru Akenaga, president of NIS America, Inc. “We welcome the new direction Atelier Iris 3 is taking with its combination of new game systems, design, and user friendliness. I can't wait to play the U.S. version,” he admits.
The story, told across 10 episodes, has sommmething to do with a sought treasure (the Wizard's Libram of Escalario, if that makes it any more alluring) said to have been split into eight parts that, when reunited, will grant its possessor any wish. Main character Edge stumbles upon a piece of the prize on an expedition (he's with the Raiders' Guild, you see) with childhood pal Iris, which sparks the beginning of their sprawling adventure. Oh, and we're told there's lots of dimensional gate travel to be had.
Atelier Iris 3 should be washing up on North American shores this May. We've got a slight hunch there'll be some sprite-happy media posted before then.