Atelier Iris 3: Grand Phantasm

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Atelier Iris: Grand Fantasm

Developer(s) Gust
Publisher(s) JP Gust
NA NIS America
EU THQ
Aspect ratio 480i (SDTV)
Platform(s) PlayStation 2
Release date JP June 29, 2006
NA May 29, 2007
EU July 27, 2007[1]
UK August 3, 2007
Genre(s) console role-playing game
Mode(s) Single-player
Rating(s) CERO: A
ESRB: Teen
PEGI: 12+
Media 1 DVD-ROM
Input methods DualShock 2

Atelier Iris 3: Grand Phantasm, released in Japan as Atelier Iris: Grand Fantasm (イリスのアトリエ グランファンタズム Irisu no Atorie Guran Fantazumu?) is a console role-playing game developed by Japanese developer Gust for the PlayStation 2.

The game was released in Japan on June 29, 2006, in the US on May 29, 2007 and is in Europe on July 27, 2007.[1]

Contents

[edit] Gameplay

Players guide their party of adventurers through the town of Zey Meruze which acts as a central hub and five different areas called Alterworlds, acting as the dungeons. In order to progress through the game, players must undertake quests which are obtained from the Raiders Guild in town. This system is a departure from previous games in the series, and allows players to undertake multiple tasks at once and to choose their own way through the game to an extent. As tasks are completed, the party gains guild points. Once enough guild points are gained for the next rank, the next part of the main plotline follows, before more side-quests in the form of tasks are made available.[2]

When the party moves from the town to an alterworld to complete a task, a timer starts counting down. If the task is not completed before the timer runs out, the party is safely removed from the alterworld and must attempt the quest again.

Alchemy forms an important aspect of the story and gameplay, as with the other Atelier Iris games. Items are combined in the party's workshop by the character Iris, forming new items and equipment. This system is used to create attack items for combat, healing items, status attack or restoration items, weapons and armor for characters to equip and various other items.

The game also features some side story characteristics, that allow Edge to engage in conversations with some of the townspeople upon the completion of certain quests. These conversations provide additional details about the townspeople.

[edit] Playable Characters

Unlike previous games in the series, the maximum number of playable characters is 3. However to compensate for the fewer number of characters, once a certain point is reached in the game, Edge and Nell can equip various 'Blades' which can change their stats and skills.

  • Edge Vanhite (エッジ・ヴァンハイト Ejji Vanhaito)
The male main character, aged 19, who works as a Raider exploring the Alterworlds. After losing his family at a young age, he has since been living with Iris. He's quiet and his honest personality makes him seem unfriendly but deep down is kind and sensible at heart. (CV: Nozomu Sasaki (佐々木望), Vic Mignogna)
  • Iris Fortner (イリス・フォルトナー Irisu Forutonā)
The female main character, aged 16, who works with Edge as a Raider. Growing up in an alchemist family, she can do simple synthesis. She has an optimistic and straightforward personality but is a little clumsy. She shares a namesake with Iris Blanchimont from Atelier Iris 1 and Atelier Iris 2, but aside from similar looks, the two are completely unrelated. (CV: Miyu Matsuki (松来未祐), Michelle Ruff)
  • Nell Ellis (ネル・エルエス Neru Eruesu)
The third playable character, aged 15, who works with her older sister Yula as a Raider to rebuild their family wealth. A very energetic girl often lacking seriousness. After getting into a fight with her sister, she joins the party in Chapter 3. (CV: Natsumi Yanase (柳瀬なつみ), Jennifer Sekiguchi)

[edit] Other Characters

  • Ash F. Abenstein (アッシュ・フォン・アーベンスタイン Asshu Fon Ābensutain)
The highest ranked Raider in the world, who always works alone.
  • Annastra (Anna) Servatika (アナストラ・セルヴァテイカ Anasutora Seruvateika)
A Guild receptionist, who handles normal quests. A shy and gentle person, she always gives a warm and friendly "Good work." to every Raider at the completion of their quests.
  • Phenyl Neet (フェニル・ニート Feniru Nēto)
A Guild receptionist, aged 12, who handles combat quests. Phenyl is a rude and unfriendly person, who has a bit of a complex about her height: she takes extreme offense at comments made about it.
  • Ewan Kleines (ユアン・クライネス Yuan Kurainesu)
A womanizing researcher who works at the Scripture Library. Ewan is an intelligent person, but his carefree and narcissistic attitude never makes him seem that way.
  • Yula Ellis (ユラ・エルエス Yura Eruesu)
A daughter of a wealthy family. Yula comes to Zey Meruze with Nell to work as a Raider in order to rebuild their family wealth.
  • Alvero Kronie (バージゼル・クローネ Baajizeru Kurōne)
An overly proud Raider, of below-average skill.
  • Noella Martyr (ノエイラ・マーテル Noeira Māteru)
The Guild Master. Once a highly ranked Raider herself, she is optimistic person who often smiles despite her busy work schedule.
  • Kremeyna (Meyna) Neju (クルメーナ・ネジュ Kurumēna Neju)
A retired female Raider who is always seen standing sadly at the memorial stone and says very few words.
  • Pamela Ibis (パメラ・イービス Pamera Ībisu)
A ghost librarian in Grimoire Castle. She has a bubbly personality, but is painfully forgetful. She also has a rather amusing habit of appearing in front of people out of thin air, sometimes resulting in her scaring the bejeezus out of them.
  • Crowley (クロウリー Kurourii)
A mysterious ex-Raider who currently hires other Raiders for his own secret agenda.
  • Manna Martyr (マーナ・マーテル Māna Māteru)
Owner of the Grocery Store. Manna is a hard worker with a bright smile, but she has a slow personality.
  • Ella Fulchaphen (エラ・フルクハーフェン Era Furukuhāfen)
The bookstore owner. Ella is bored of her job, and is unfriendly to her customers. She is a childhood friend of Iris.
  • Yach (ヨー・ヤッケ Yō Yakke)
Owner of the General Store. A merchant from a faraway land who loves rare items who has a bit of a greedy personality. Yach also appeared previously in Atelier Iris 2, but it is unknown if the two are related.
  • Hagel Boldness (ハゲル・ボールドネス Hageru Bōrudonesu)
The owner of the weapon store who is passionate about weapons whose only concern is his bald head. Hagel is a fixture in many of Gust's works, appearing in both previous Atelier Iris games as well as Ar tonelico.
  • Funan
A fisherman with a philosophical personality about fish.

[edit] Voice Talents

Japanese Version

  • Satoshi Katougi - Ewan Kleines
  • Daiki Matsubayashi - Ash F. Abenstein
  • Hazuki Nishikawa - Yula Ellis
  • Miwa Kouzuki - Noella Martyr
  • Junko Ueda - Annastra Servatika
  • Sayaka Narita - Phenyl Neet


U.S. Version

NOTE: US NTSC and PAL territory versions include a Japanese voice option so you can listen to the original Japanese voice overs.

[edit] Mana

  • Plua - The DARKNESS Mana, found deep within the confines of Grimoire Castle. The Elder demon controls her and turns into an Elder Dragon as her second form to defend against Edge and company. When acquiring Plua, she sends enemies into deep slumber and allows Edge the ASSASSIN BLAZE -- specializes in speed and high evasion bonuses.
  • Nymph - The WATER Mana, possessed by an Ice Sprite in the Posporia Fairyland lake region. When released from the Ice Sprite, Nymph launches a giant ice wall onto enemies for ice-damage and allows Nell the SAGE BLAZE -- specializes in healing and support skills for curative purpose.
  • Siren - The SOUND Mana, who can be optionally found near the fishing area of Ishtar's Woofer promontory. The demons, Musica and Cancion, guard Siren; when freed, she blows a tuba to divide enemies HP 25-50% off, allowing Nell the ANIMAL BLAZE -- specializes in many Kobold assistance and speed bonuses.
  • Jiptus - The POISON Mana, that can be found in the marsh area of Valtessa Forest. When Edge liberates Jiptus, she stings one enemy to lower POWER/SPIRIT, allowing Edge the DEAD BLAZE -- specializes in summoning dark friends and high anti-dark attack bonuses.
  • Diemia - The STONE Mana, found in the Stone Sanctuary of the Posporia Kuma Fort area. Once freed, Deimia charges at enemies in a straight line for stone-damage; allows Nell the FORTIFIED BLAZE -- specializes in high-physical attack upgrades equal to/greater than Edge with a larger rapier.
  • Fanatos - The EVIL Mana, trapped within the Squawks Magic Castle. This is Iris's best mana summon as she uses a shocking trident on one enemy for lightning-damage, also allows Edge the MARTYR BLAZE -- specializes in all upgrades (minus speed) with the ability to AUTO-REVIVE.
  • Faustus - The ILLUSION Mana, sealed in the Crystal Rookery of the Dakascus's crystalline Pengie Tribe. Faustus nullifies all status upgrades of one enemy and allows Nell the TOYMASTER BLAZE -- specializes in using dolls, but very slow with high defense bonuses.
  • Luplus - The TIME Mana, who can be optionally unsealed by seeking the Shadow Stalker in Ishtar's Uroborus Seal area. The Shadow Stalker is the most difficult boss but when destroyed, Luplus casts HASTE on the party, also allows Edge the CHRONOMANCER BLAZE -- specializes in high-arcane magic attack upgrades using ancient tomes.

[edit] Music

The soundtrack was mainly composed by Ken Nakagawa with the opening song composed by Revo and two other vocal songs composed by Daisuke Achiwa. It was released June 21, 2006 in Japan by TEAM Entertainment.

Opening Song

  • schwarzweiß～霧の向こうにつながる世界～ (schwarzweiß ~Kiri no Mukou ni Tsunagaru Sekai~ / schwarzweiß ~Worlds Connected Beyond the Mist~) by Haruka Shimotsuki+Revo

Insert Song

Ending Songs

[edit] Reception

Reviews
Compilations of multiple reviews
Game Rankings 65% (based on 14 reviews)[3]
Publication Response
1UP.com D+[4]
GameSpot 6.2/10[2]
GameSpy 2/5[5]
GameZone 8.1/10[6]

Grand Phantasm has been released to mixed reviews. It currently has an average score of 65% at Game Rankings.[3]

GameSpy's review in particular criticised the game for a number of reasons including the combat system, storyline and generic characters. The review concluded "the series is stagnating in gameplay that was obtusely old-fashioned ten years ago".[5] 1UP.com's review was also scathing, describing the gameplay as linear, the dungeon timer as poor game design and the graphics as being lower quality than the original game - "the character sprites are just a few degrees away from looking like Playmobil figures".[4]

Some reviews were favourable, in particular those from GameZone and RPGFan. GameZone described the game's characters as likeable and the dialogue as well-voiced, though considered the game to be driven by quests rather than the story. The game's music was highly praised: "next to the gameplay, this is the number-one reason to play AI3." The review described the game as lacking innovation but as "an inspired, enamoring RPG that grabs its players in a way that few RPGs have."[6]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Atelier Iris 3 ~Grand Fantasm~. IGN. Retrieved on 2007-06-01.
  2. ^ a b VanOrd, Kevin (2007-06-02). Atelier Iris 3: Grand Phantasm Review. GameSpot. Retrieved on 2007-06-02.
  3. ^ a b Atelier Iris 3: Grand Phantasm Reviews. Game Rankings. Retrieved on 2007-05-14.
  4. ^ a b Barnholt, Ray (2007-05-29). Reviews: Atelier Iris 3. 1UP.com. Retrieved on 2007-06-01.
  5. ^ a b Joynt, Patrick (2007-05-29). Atelier Iris 3: ~Grand Phantasm~ Review. GameSpy. Retrieved on 2007-06-01.
  6. ^ a b Bedigian, Louis (2007-05-29). Atelier Iris 3: Grand Phantasm Review. GameZone. Retrieved on 2007-06-01.

[edit] External links

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Atelier Iris video games


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