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. Digitally Downloaded
    Jun 7, 2016
    100
    The Atelier games are smarter than almost anyone gives them credit for, and Atelier Sophie is no different. The gentle coming of age narrative, coupled with the pastoral setting and likable ensemble cast, make for a very fine start to a new trilogy (we assume) in Gust’s marquee franchise.
  2. GameCritics
    Jul 7, 2016
    90
    While it may not have reached perfection yet, the Atelier series is getting close. Each new title offers a substantive change to the core mechanics, so vets will encounter something new and new players can easily jump in. I seem to say this in every review but it remains true—this is good as JRPG design gets, and I can’t wait to see what the developers have in store next.
  3. GamingTrend
    Jun 7, 2016
    90
    Surprising, fun, and challenging, Atelier Sophie is a must own in the PlayStation 4 collection.
  5. Areajugones
    Jun 7, 2016
    90
    Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book is a breath of fresh air in the genre of JRPG. This game features a mundane story but in a fantasy world where the dreams of the characters are more important than the plot.
  6. TheSixthAxis
    Jun 7, 2016
    90
    Atelier Sophie is a wonderful game, and if you’re a new player like me, it’s a great way to get yourself hooked on the rest of the franchise.
  7. ZTGD
    Jun 9, 2016
    85
    Gust’s first foray on the PS4 with their flagship Atelier title is a rousing success, and even though I lament the removal of the time limit mechanic from the series, it still proves one of the strongest entries the franchise has had to date, and one of the best RPGs available on the PS4.
  8. Digital Chumps
    Jun 12, 2016
    84
    Atelier Sophie offers a fresh start for the franchise on the PS4 and for a new trilogy. Some design changes from previous entries made this one more enjoyable for me, so if you were on the fence before, give this entry a closer look.
  9. God is a Geek
    Jul 9, 2016
    80
    Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book marks the franchise PlayStation 4 debut and one of the must play JRPGs on the system, despite its flaws.
  10. Atomix
    Jun 26, 2016
    80
    A relatively simple yet somewhat deep game. Albeit it doesn’t harbor a really challenging difficulty nor a complex story, it offers an easygoing narrative in which its gameplay rewards aspects like exploration and collections of items for alchemy recipes over other more common in the genre like action, narrative and complex controls.
  11. Everyeye.it
    Jun 7, 2016
    80
    Quotation forthcoming.
  12. RPG Fan
    Jun 7, 2016
    80
    Not the jump forward I was expecting for this series, but a light and entertaining RPG nonetheless.
  13. Brash Games
    Jun 7, 2016
    80
    Equipped with interesting characters and vast environments to explore, there is much more here than executing recipes and filling that mysterious book.
  14. Game Informer
    Jun 7, 2016
    80
    I could go on about more of the refinements I enjoyed, such as the weather system affecting what items you find and the rumors becoming much more useful and easy to track down, but my main takeaway remains the same: Atelier Sophie improves on an already fun and engaging formula.
  15. IGN Spain
    Jun 7, 2016
    77
    Atelier Sophie: Alchemist of the Mysterious Book is an episode of the Atelier series with a deep respect for the classical mechanics that adds interesting new features to expand the experience as much as possible.
  16. 3DJuegos
    Jun 23, 2016
    75
    Entertaining JRPG adventure with tons of missions and minigames to do and a turned based combats.
  17. Worth Playing
    Jun 9, 2016
    75
    All in all, Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book is a solid if unexceptional addition to the franchise.
  18. Gamer.nl
    Jun 8, 2016
    75
    If you do not let the graphics get the best of you, Atelier Sophie is a great game to spend time with, full of cute girls and explosives.

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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