Atelier Yumia combat and synthesis systems introduced

Friend actions and mana surges.

We’re still four months away from the March 21st release of Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land. Does that make it too early to start digging into the game’s combat and synthesis systems? Not according to KOEI TECMO and Gust.…and those of us who’ve set our countdown timers to the 21st (122 days).

The details are handily displayed—along with new artwork from Benitama—in the video below.

The trailer provides a glimpse of the numerous changes in store for series fans, but it all flashes by pretty quickly. Today’s press release helpfully provides some details on what you’re seeing:

To prepare for the adventure ahead, players will rediscover the Atelier franchise’s signature synthesizing system in a fresh form by manipulating “mana” to create new items useful in combat or exploration. To create more powerful items, fans will have to master the art of “Resonance Synthesis” by adding ingredients which resonate with each other to the “Alchemy Core” of the recipe. The strength of the resonance will depend on the quality of the ingredients selected.

The combat system has also been revamped in Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land to offer intense real-time combat with intuitive gameplay. The skills available to active team members will depend on their distance from the enemy (close or ranged combat). Compared to previous instalments, players can now move or interchange characters at any time during the fight. When certain conditions are met, a powerful “Friend Action” combo can be unleashed in battle. By meeting certain conditions, players will be able to activate “Mana Surge”, which will allow for exclusive actions to be performed. In addition, each character will have a unique special move, “Maximize Mana Surge”, which can inflict significant damage on enemies.

The Atelier games may focus on combat and item synthesis, but that’s not all players can expect to do. Atelier Yumia will also ramp up the options for players to customize their bases for numerous gameplay bonuses and power-ups.

Journeying alongside Yumia and her friends, players will explore the vast open world of the Aladiss continent. As they travel, they will be able to build their own bases. Thanks to the new “Building” feature, fans will freely be able to create and decorate their atelier from a vast choice of walls, floors, roofs, furniture, and more, or choose to select a predefined base model from the catalog. By increasing the “comfort level” of their atelier, players will unlock bonuses such as the ability to develop their base and enhance the skills of Yumia and her companions.

Lastly, if players do not wish to return to their base during exploration, they will be able to set up a camp where they can spend time cooking, which will provide various benefits during exploration and combat, or resting. Certain character events that can only be seen at camps will sometimes occur, providing greater insight into Yumia and her companions.

Some pre- (and post-) order bonuses have been announced, too. Buy your physical or digital edition by two weeks after release and you’ll receive an early purchase costumes for Yumia and Flammi, as well as the unique “Training Wrist Weight” equipment.

Finally, there is a Premium Box physical edition available in the NIS America Store. For $160, players will get the base game, Yumia’s precious stuffed animal, an artbook, a set of 6 decorative keychains, a CD with extra tracks, and an official short story and accompanying translation booklet.

For more information on Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land, visit atelier.games/yumia/us/.