Atelier Marie The Alchemist of Salburg Gameplay

Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg

Atelier Marie The Alchemist of Salburg Plot

Atelier Marie takes place in a fantasy medieval world of magic, however, as the narrator soon points out, most people actually live quite ordinary lives. As the grand adventures are left to the few chosen ones, the wide majority are content with their mundane lifestyles as long as there’s peace in the world.

Capital of Schigsal Kingdom, Salburg, is home to the famous Salburg Academy, which specializes in the studies of alchemy. The school is revered as producing some of the best alchemists on the entire continent. The game’s main protagonist Marie is getting the worst grades in the academy’s history. Despite her embarrassment, Marie constantly tries to improve herself, but also constantly fails. Miserably failing at alchemy, her instructor Ingrid decides that Marie needs to be taught with unconventional methods.

Ingrid allows Marie to open her own workshop to practice her alchemy outside of class while still continuing her studies. Marie will have five years to create an item using the skills she has learned through alchemy. If Marie is able to create an item that is to Ingrid’s satisfaction, Marie will graduate in five years’ time.

The game features 7 unique endings (6 in the original version), and the player’s final ending will be determined based on the player’s actions throughout the course of the game. Depending on the player’s playstyle, Marie may end up in a variety of life paths such as further pursuing academia or becoming a conventional fantasy hero.

Atelier Marie The Alchemist of Salburg Gameplay

Synthesizing

Marie can synthesize items at the workshop. The method of making items is very simple, as items do not have qualities or traits like they do in newer Atelier releases. Marie’s chance of success increases with her level, and each item requires certain ingredients. The player can also purchase tools to raise the rate of success. Synthesis consumes MP, as well as builds up Fatigue. The success rate goes down in proportion to the value of the Fatigue stat, and items simply cannot be crafted if Marie does not have enough MP. The success rate is also affected by how clean the workshop is.

There are four categories of items that you can create, and you can create more items through recipe books that can be purchased from the academy or read at the library. A complete list of items can be found here.

Gathering

Gathering is based on a menu that is presented when Marie visits a place outside of town. The player will be given three options:

“Search for 1 Day” – This will automatically pass one day in game. The player may get materials for synthesize, or they may be attacked by enemies.
“Camp Menu” – This option will bring up your status menu. Although items can be used in this menu, equipment cannot be changed. Using items consumes MP.
“Go Home” – If the player chooses this option, it will bring Marie straight back to her workshop.

Tasks

Marie is able to take tasks from the Tavern to earn popularity and money. The more popular she becomes, the more likely that high leveled adventurers will want to accompany her outside of town.

Battling

Battle is turn based, and the active party can consist of three members. Marie can hire adventurers to accompany her to areas outside of town. Each character will have a basic set of commands: Attack, Defend, Change Position, Special Ability, Use Item, and Run. However, characters cannot attack without first equipping a weapon. Marie has a maximum level of 50. She gains experience by synthesizing items and by fighting enemies.

Fairies

Depending on Marie’s achievements, she’ll be visited by the fairies and be given a Fairy Bracelet. There are three main types of Fairies – the door-to-door merchant Fairy, the cleaner Fairy, and hireable Fairies. The merchant will offer items from the Fairy Forest that are difficult or impossible to find on one’s own. The Cleaner Fairy will clean Marie’s workshop, and the hireable Fairies will do synthesis or gathering for Marie in exchange for money. The synthesis capabilities, working speed and salary depends on the Fairy’s color.

Mini games

Mini games were added to the game in the Sega Saturn port and onwards. These often occur in connection to an important synthesis or a rare material. Some can be avoided – as an example, the cheese mini game can be avoided if the player purchases a mouse trap from the academy shop.

Calendar

The game begins in Autumn on the first of September and ends five years later (worth of in-game turns or “days”). There are four seasons and many materials can only be found according to these, and several events are tied to the season as well. The player will have to adhere to deadlines for quests as well as plan their actions around the seasons. Important dates include the royal knight’s monster hunts, the academy shop sales, and the yearly solar eclipse.