RurouniZel
Asks questions so Ezalc doesn't have to
(Art by me, logos not by me)
Release info:
System: PlayStation Vita
ESRB Rating: T for Teen
Developed by: GUST Corporation
Published by: Tecmo-Koei
Game Size: 3 GB
Japan: March 30th, 2013
USA: September 3rd (PSN release) Get it here
Europe: September 4th, 2013 (PSN release)
Page of additions: http://www.ateliergames.eu/meruruplus/add06.html
What is Atelier Meruru Plus?
Atelier Meruru Plus is the third installment of the Arland trilogy of Atelier games, preceded by Atelier Rorona: The First Story and Atelier Totori Plus.
Whats the set up for this installment?
Arls Kingdom this tiny nation is located far to the northwest of the Arland Republic. Compared to Arland, with its highly developed machinery and alchemy, Arls is rather quaint, but with unlimited potential for prosperity. Gio, leader of Arland, proposes to Lord Dessier, King of Arls and Gios longtime friend, that Arls join the Arland Republic. But there are many tasks to be completed before their goal can be realized. In order to minimize criticism from opposing parties, Arls begins a development project to increase the kingdoms influence.
To begin, they decide to dispatch a number of skills adventurers to Arls from Arland. Among the delegation is the alchemist Totori Helmond. Meruru, Princess of Arls, soon encounters Totori, and alchemy, for the first time. Impressed by Totoris alchemic abilities, Meruru forces her way into becoming Totoris apprentice with aspirations of becoming an alchemist in her own right. However her father, Lord Dessier does not approve of her alchemy studies, viewing them as worthless. After some arguing, they reach a compromise; Meruru will have three years to use her alchemy to develop the kingdom and increase their population to 15,000 people. If she succeeds, hell recognize her alchemy study.
Whats the gameplay like in Atelier Meruru?
Like the prior games, Meruru must become an alchemist by exploring the neighboring lands, gathering materials with which to craft new items via alchemy. As an alchemist, she synthesizes items, completes quests for the kingdom, and gains further recipes. Like in Rorona and Totori, whenever Meruru does alchemy, explores lands, etc. she uses a certain number of days to do so. Part of the fun of the Arland trilogy is learning how the system works to best manage your schedule and learn to complete the maximum amount of tasks in as little time as possible.
Where Rorona earned store reputation and Totori earned adventurer license points for completing quests, tasks, and alchemy requests, Meruru earns development points that she can use to develop her kingdom by creating new buildings and upgrading existing ones. Gaining points will increase Merurus Kingdom Rank, which is very much the same style of system as Totoris Adventurer Rank. Developing facilities gives additional benefits like reduced costs and eliminating LP consumption.
What has been added/changed since the PS3 original?
Atelier Meruru Plus features new scenes, costumes (and not just for Meruru either), areas and boss enemies. Gameplay systems like Development Points and Difficulty has also been rebalanced (Ranks appear to require more points now, and many abilities like Lias' knockback ability and Gio's skill where he would gain additional attacks have apparently been scaled back a lot, presumably because they made the game too easy). Accessories can now be registered at Pamela's shop, and there is also an additional ending.
Vita Screenshots
Characters:
Merurulince Rede Arls (Meruru)
Meruru is the Princess of Arls Kingdom and Totoris apprentice. Shes bright and optimistic, but has a tendency to act without thinking. She admires Arland, but wishes for her own kingdom to become equally as prosperous. Because of this, she decides to set out and use alchemy to develop the land.
Totooria Helmond (Totori)
This heroine from the previous game has become a full-fledged alchemist after finishing her adventure searching for her mother. Shes also become pretty famous all across Arland. Originally, Rorona was supposed to come to Arls to assist in the development project, but for reasons unknown Totori was sent on her behalf. Shes still brutally honest at times, although she does seem to be trying harder to watch what she says.
Rorolina Frixell (Rorona)
Rorona is the heroine from the first game in the series, and also Totoris alchemy teacher. Her personality hasnt changed all that much shes still a total airhead and still really loves Totori. But shes a true genius, and her knowledge of alchemy is beyond comprehension. Before the game begins, Gio ordered Rorona to head to Arls. But due to some sort of disruption, she was forced to stay behind in Arland. Eventually, shes able to make her way to Arls and shows up in this form. What happened, exactly, remains a mystery
Keina Swaya
Keina is our heroines best childhood friend. She also works as a maid at the castle and can do anything, from cooking to cleaning and all things inbetween. She serves as Merurus devoted caretaker and best friend. Being forced to deal with Merurus constant state of pandemonium has made her very mature for her age.
Dessier Hahlsner Arls
Lord Dessier is the king of Arls and Merurus overprotective father. Hes an old friend of Gio and has gone on a number of adventures with him in the past. He entrusts Rufus with all of his kingdoms political issues, meaning his public profile is at a minimum. Regardless, he remains popular among the people of Arls, which attests to his commanding presence.
Rufus Falken
Rufus acts as the official butler of Arls Kingdom. Hes very intelligent, he handles nearly all of the kingdoms political issues single-handedly, and hes also Merurus private instructor. Because of these talents, Meruru doesnt stand a chance against him. Rufus is highly protective of Meruru, but instead of pampering her, he expresses his concern by being ruthlessly strict with her. Rufus is a borderline-tyrant and very stingy when it comes to time and money. He never shows his true emotions and tends to talk in a calm, indifferent manner.
Lias Falken
Rufuss younger brother spends his days serving as a castle gatekeeper. He basically worships the ground Rufus walks on, and his ultimate goal is to become as much like Rufus as possible (though hed never admit it). Meruru tends to occupy most of Rufuss time, which makes Lias more than a little jealous. But at the same time, Rufus asks him to act as Merurus personal escort.
Mimi Houllier Von Schwarzlang
Mimi is an Arland Adventurer Guild member and a good friend of Totoris. She appears in Arls as if she only has Totori on her mind. Shes certainly gained plenty of experience since her last adventure and has gotten much stronger. Shes made an effort to become more ladylike, but her true character comes out whenever she interacts with Totori.
Gino Knab
Totoris childhood friend once claimed to be the strongest adventurer around. He may not be able to back that up just yet, but hes certainly earned the right to call himself a real adventurer. After Totori left for Arls, he partnered up with Mimi. But eventually he decides to follow Totori into this new land. Hes certainly matured, but his playfulness shows itself whenever hes around his old friends.
Filly Dee
Filly worked as a receptionist in Arland and came to Arls with Totori. She used to get really nervous around strangers, but her job has forced her to deal with her phobia. Her powers of imagination have also powered up, so any regular relationship becomes a target of her delusions.
The Homs
The Homs are utterly loyal to their master(s) and assist in a variety of tasks, including alchemy. Their primary order is to look after the tiny Rorona, but they receive another order to help out Meruru while Rorona is left in her care. Theyve also started to display a small amount of emotion, bringing them one step closer to real humans.
Hanna Olses
Hanna manages a shop in Arls. She doesnt fret over tiny details and she considers herself a good friend of Meruru.
Sterkenburg Cranach
A former knight of Arland, Sterk still lives as a self-proclaimed knight. He acts as a guardian of the local adventurers while he continues to search for the retired king who seems to have wandered off. Meeting Princess Meruru has awakened his knightly desires once more.
Esty Dee
Acting as Arlands secret investigator, Esty has left the guild in her sister Fillys hands to pursue a career in espionage. She also has no choice but to act as Gios chaperone in Arls.
Gio
The head of the Arland Republic and the worlds greatest known swordsman still enjoys wandering the land aimlessly. For whatever reason, he has decided to make Arls his base of operations for the time being.
Reviews for PS3 edition (Vita ones will be added when they are available):
Technology Tell 95/100
http://www.technologytell.com/gaming/91991/review-atelier-meruru-the-apprentice-of-arland-for-ps3/
Technology Tell said:
Gamrreview - 8/10
http://www.gamrreview.com/review/88939/atelier-meruru/
GamrReview said:
ZT Game Domain - 8.5/10
http://www.ztgd.com/reviews/atelier-meruru-the-apprentice-of-arland/
ZT Game Domain said:
RPGamer - 4/5
http://www.rpgamer.com/games/atelier/ameruru/reviews/amerurustrev1.html
RPGamer said:
EGM - 7.5/10
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/egm-review-atelier-merurur-the-apprentice-of-arland/
EGM said:
The O-Network - A-
http://www.t-ono.net/Game-Reviews/Atelier-Meruru-the-Apprentice-of-Arland-PS3-Review.html
The O-Network said:
