Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
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  1. GameCrate
    Jun 8, 2016
    73
    Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book isn't going to win any awards for best RPG of the year, but it's still a good time and gives you a couple dozen hours of enjoyable playtime.
  2. Multiplayer.it
    Jun 7, 2016
    73
    Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book is a valid entry in the long-running series. It sports some novelties, some of them are good (for example the day/night cycle), others not so much, like a sort of step behind in the battle system, but in the end it will please fans of the saga and could be a good start for newcomers, although it can be a little too sparse and inconsistent at times.
  3. PlayStation Universe
    Jun 24, 2016
    70
    Atelier Sophie has a target audience in mind here, and while it offers a compelling crafting with alchemy, the narrative lacks much intrigue to keep things moving.
  5. SpazioGames
    Jun 24, 2016
    70
    Atelier Sophie is the perfect definition of an atypic JRPG, with a strong Japanese art style, a narration full of dialogues, a limited battle-system and a linear development of the characters.
  6. The Games Machine
    Jun 10, 2016
    70
    Atelier Sophie represents a new identity for the series. A self-pilot episode, that tries to capture the interest of a new fanbase. Good, but we would have preferred a more challenging game.
  7. Eurogamer Italy
    Jun 9, 2016
    70
    Quotation forthcoming.
  8. Vandal
    Jun 7, 2016
    70
    This episode doesn't take too many risks, so it doesn't offer any surprises or relevant additions. Even though it's good, we hope it's a transitional episode to prepare for what is next to come.
  9. RPG Site
    Jun 7, 2016
    70
    Outside of the implementation of its core mechanics, Atelier Sophie represents a small step for the series rather than the leap I was expecting when it arrived on the PlayStation 4.
  10. Hardcore Gamer
    Jun 7, 2016
    70
    Fans will eat it up and for people who have been curious about the Atelier series but are uncertain about what game to start with, this PS4 debut is a new character with a new story and appears to be a good starting point.
  11. Game Revolution
    Jun 7, 2016
    70
    For anyone seeking out an RPG they can just play for weeks, Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book is a solid choice, but for each of its highlights, it suffers a misgiving.
  12. PlayStation LifeStyle
    Jun 7, 2016
    65
    Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book is a more relaxed entry in the series, and I enjoyed that particular aspect of it. Unfortunately, it’s also becoming clear just how little the series has grown over a whopping 17 entries, a condition likely due to the annual nature of its sequels.
  13. RPGamer
    Jun 25, 2016
    60
    Overall, Atelier Sophie is a mixed bag with many ideas that will hopefully be refined in future installments of the Mysterious series.
  14. 4P.de
    Jun 10, 2016
    60
    Quotation forthcoming.
  15. NZGamer
    Jun 8, 2016
    55
    Atelier Sophie isn’t at its best when doing particularly anything. It may only appeal to an alcove of anime fans, being so jovial you can practically hear it wishing you a merry Christmas. The broad stroke of the content can be experienced with any other JRPG, and better so. But if the home-bound, alchemic twist appeals, you may have a game worth persisting for.
  16. Push Square
    Jun 7, 2016
    50
    If you've played other titles in the series, then this entry will feel like it adds very little to the experiences that you've already had, while leaving a much blander taste.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 83 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 61 out of 83
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 83
  3. Negative: 12 out of 83
  1. Memo
    Jun 11, 2016
    8
    As per usual, with every atelier release, Ill be throwing out my perspective as a both a fan of the franchise and a fan of the JRPG genre.As per usual, with every atelier release, Ill be throwing out my perspective as a both a fan of the franchise and a fan of the JRPG genre.

    First, I want to address "Stability". Stability has been a HUGE issue across the Atelier Franchise for as long as they have been on the PS3. Anyone who has played an Atelier + game may at some point seen a crash as they are fairly frequent. Sometimes these issues are so bad that in the case of Shallie, majority of players crashed in the menus. Not just a fluke... it was 100% replicate able and guaranteed to happen. However, I am happy to report that after a full play through I got AMAZING frame rates (this is nothing to scoff at), and not a single crash. A Boost in my opinion of Gust this time around!

    Now lets talk about game play. There's been a lot of talk lately and some people either hate the game or are indifferent to it. But most who have given it the time it needs can agree that it feels like a testing ground, a base for the next games to take after. A lot of things were changed, Alchemy, combat, and Time. Another issue is the lack of guidence on how to find and do certain objectives. And while I struggled on my own to find my solutions, others can find it with a quick google search, but this lack of hand holding is quite refreshing but I don't want to see it in Firsis. I went the whole game without certain items... but it was mostly my fault for neglecting certain features.
    Alchemy has been overhauled to be more engaging. The new system is no longer about satisfying conditions to get traits and effects, instead it takes a more puzzle like aspect that requires you to plan out how you create your items and in my book this is a HUGE plus. Most have complained about the work or annoyance of the puzzle, but to me Alchemy has become an actual skill the player needs to learn mastering it really shows you how well thought it it truly is (I say this as a person who has unlocked and logged every trait for other people to see).

    Combat has been changed drastically. The set up reminds me of ar tonelicos old style, but just in design and not in combat. Everyone can use specifc items so the emphasis on combat alchemy is gone, instead its replaced with a team based system where you need to use ALL party members effectively and a minor mistake can easily result in a party wipe. Knowing when and how to use Defense, Offense, and Chain mastery will make the different of a 10 minute struggle and a 2 minute stomp on the enemy.

    Now lets talk about the biggest change... No time limit. The new system replaces a time limit with a day night cycle. Removing the time limit means no NG+, no pressure, no hypothetical endings... effectively destroying what makes an atelier game an atelier game. However, its still a vast improvement over Shallie's system and while it is sad to see these staple features removed, its not destroying the game and in my opinion is the only thing holding the game back. As far as I can tell you either loved the time limit or hated it, and I understand if this makes or breaks a sale.

    So lets ask. Do I think the game is good? While I cant say its good, its certainly not bad and I had a lot of fun for what its worth. Maybe its because of how Shallie let me down that Im willing take what I can but I have grown to love this game and is def high on my list. If your a fan of the series on the fence, give it a try, but if nothing here sounds appealing.. maybe hold off till the price drops. Whatever you decide I hope you enjoy the game as much as I did. However, until the next release, you can always find me in my Atelier!    … Full Review »
  2. Sotona2
    Jun 13, 2016
    9
    the same had happened with Atelier Rorona - strong potential, but unpolished and with rough edges. Give GUST some time they'll made strongthe same had happened with Atelier Rorona - strong potential, but unpolished and with rough edges. Give GUST some time they'll made strong comeback in no time… Full Review »
  3. Avorax
    Aug 27, 2016
    9
    Gran comienzo de la saga Atellier en la PS4, un sistema de síntesis y recetas más amigable para los nuevos jugadores.Visualmente podríaGran comienzo de la saga Atellier en la PS4, un sistema de síntesis y recetas más amigable para los nuevos jugadores.Visualmente podría mejorar los escenarios ( sobretodo los mapas de recolección), pero en cuanto a los personajes(sobretodo los protagonistas) tienen un gran acabado.
    Sistema de combate tiene una pequeña vuelta de tuerca que lo hace un pelín mas complejo y completo, pero no sera difícil para nuevos en la saga y hará las delicias de los habituales de la saga.
    En definitiva, su buen precio de salida en Europa y su bastante notable calidad, hace de este titulo un buen comienzo para aquellos que no estén familiarizados con la saga y seguirá enamorando a los incondicionales de la saga.    … Full Review »
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