NIS confirms Atelier Iris 'spiritual sequel' for PS2

by Jason Dobson { Dec 14th 2007 at 8:00AM }

NIS America threw us a curve ball last month when it announced its intentions to make a name for itself as a gentler, more casual publisher, a stark contrast to the studio's decidedly niche role-playing roots. Thankfully, like a distant relative returning home for the holidays, the company has not forgotten where it comes from, as NIS has announced plans to bring yet another Japanese-style RPG to the PS2 early next year with Mana Khemia ~Alchemists of Al-Revis~.

Set for release on March 18, NIS describes the game as a "spiritual sequel" to the Gust-developed Atelier Iris series of strategy RPGs -- something of an unknown quantity here in the US despite it having garnered a considerable following in Japan since the late-90s. NIS also calls Mana Khemia a "campus sim style RPG" in which players play as both teachers and students in order to complete "academic quests." Reading this, we can't help but be reminded of last June's GrimGrimoire, also published by NIS and one of the best titles this year that nobody played, though honestly we're just thrilled knowing that we'll still having something new to look forward to playing on the never-say-die console well into the first quarter of 2008.

Tags: Alchemists-of-Al-Revis, Atelier-Iris, GrimGrimoire, JRPG, Mana-Khemia, nis, NIS-America

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

velocitystrike @ Dec 14th 2007 8:33AM

It'll be on the PSP and Wii in no time. You read it here first.

Ahem.

Jon @ Dec 14th 2007 8:35AM

Hell yeah. More life for my PS2. Thanks NIS. Now if there is only a way to force Koei to speed up PAL localisation.

jeffx @ Dec 14th 2007 8:36AM

Sorry I don't usually nitpick but:

"Gust-developed Atelier Iris series of strategy RPGs"

the games are straight up RPGs, not SRPGs.

FidliousWong @ Dec 14th 2007 9:20AM

Any post mentioning Grim Grimoire = Pure Win.

Also, did anyone truly fear NIS wouldn't be bringing games like this over anymore?

Dear NIS

Some Summon Night would be excellent. And some Tokimeki Memorial. Thank you in advance....

NYC-L.E.S. Dragoon @ Dec 14th 2007 11:21AM

Don't even mention Grim Grimoire. I can't find that game in stores. I've been searching for months and no one seems to have it. Damn NIS AMERICA! Make more copies!

(Someone help me find it! Please J/K - maybe)

FidliousWong @ Dec 14th 2007 12:21PM

If I hadn't preordered my copy, my EBgames would have gotten zero copies of it. My best advice, don't fear online. Plenty of copies in online stores. Ebay you may even save a couple bucks.

Imadogg @ Dec 14th 2007 9:24AM

No idea what this is, but that girl should turn around. That teddy looks angry.

Martez @ Dec 14th 2007 11:10AM

Spiritual sequel, eh? Good, the game doesn't deserve a direct one..

Draco @ Dec 14th 2007 11:23AM

NIS are the ones who produce the Disgaea games aren't they? I am really itching for a SRPG for the PS3... FF tactics or the next Disgaea, a true Shining force (God I loved those on Genesis).

Shining force was the best S-RPG thats from before I even knew what a S-RPG was, I just knew I loved it.

Robobagins @ Dec 14th 2007 11:57AM

Disgaea 3 is upcoming. If you have a japanese psn account you can d/l a trailer for it.

Draco @ Dec 14th 2007 12:34PM

Yeah I have the trailer :) wasnt huge on the fact everyone in the trailer was level 9999, but I guess thats part of the game.

Disgaea was always neat in that you could go forever with your levels and stats, but it looks like they made it to easy to get lvl 9999 (or they just tweaked the trailer), which now is only really like lvl 99 on any other game.