The Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland Review Thread

[Synthesized]

Tech-Gaming, B+
http://www.tech-gaming.com/?p=5439
"With a host of improvements which both streamline and simplify gameplay elements, Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland is a game ordained to please both franchise veterans as well as casual JRPG fans. Featuring an onslaught of opportunities for gathering, synthesizing, fighting, and building, the game’s stirred sense of urgency and engaging mechanics are capable of cultivating marathon sessions."

IGN, 6.0
http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/05/24/ ... and-review
"this latest entry makes changes to the overall structure that obscure the game's best elements instead of accentuating them, and the lack of any central conflict left me completely uninterested in the story and characters. All that's left is an occasionally fun grind to finish your chores and an overall aesthetic that you will either love or hate."

EGM, 7.5
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/ ... of-arland/
Though the Atelier series might not be the epitome of Japan’s RPG industry, I’ve always had a soft spot for its various chapters. Atelier Meruru isn’t “epic,” “intense,” or “exhilarating”—it’s charming, friendly, and fun, and it’s not ashamed of it.

TechnologyTell, 9.5
http://www.technologytell.com/gaming/91 ... d-for-ps3/
"Atelier Meruru is a fantastic way to wrap up the Arland segment of the Atelier story while also providing gamers with proof that it is still possible to have an engaging, well made JRPG in this console generation. It encourages collection, creation, battling and relationship building, while also requiring players to maintain a careful balance of each to ensure a fantastic ending is achieved."

[raspberrylicious]

viewtopic.php?f=59&t=9249

[Synthesized]

The EGM review thinks the games should get rid of combat? That's a strange choice, since it would just leave the focus on alchemy. The games need that variety, IMHO.

[SharpSword]

Yeah, I noticed EGM's complaint as well. I see where the reviewer is coming from but these type of games need that combat. It's funny other site even complained about the lack of a super-villain.

[YumekuiRiko]

I like to think that the cauldrons are evil villains.
The various explosions through the series were intentional!

[Rednal]

The whole series has never really been about the plot. It's always, ALWAYS been much, much more about the characters and relationships.

Though I hate time-limited games. OTL *Got the whole series anyway*

[suttonmitchell]

IGN = trololol.

[Rednal]

Yeah, but that's IGN.

Kinda funny to hear that assessment when a lot of others seem to be saying that Meruru has the best system thus far.

[aquagon]

The whole series has never really been about the plot. It's always, ALWAYS been much, much more about the characters and relationships.

And unfortunately, that's the point that some people never seem to grasp about the classical-styled Ateliers.

[Rednal]

I don't see why; lots of their games don't care about the plot, either. They care more about how many aliens/nazis/terrorists/whatever you can shoot, with a thin veneer of plot to give them a setting and some pretty cutscenes. They should be used to games being about more than the plot.

Although I admit they may be less used to the "focus on characters" than the "focus on gameplay".