Atelier Viorate: The Alchemist of Gramnad 2
Atelier Viorate: The Alchemist of Gramnad 2 (ヴィオラートのアトリエ ～グラムナートの錬金術士2～, Viorāto no Atorie ~Guramunāto no Renkinjutsushi 2~) is the fifth release in the main Atelier series, and the final game in the Gramnad series. It was also the last of the "classically"-styled, run-an-Atelier-and-focus-on-item-crafting type Atelier games released until the release of Atelier Lise in 2007, and the last main game to be styled so until Atelier Rorona in 2009.
Like the four games before it, Atelier Viorate was exclusively released in Japan. As with its predecessor, Atelier Judie: The Alchemist of Gramnad, it was also re-released for the PSP after its initial release under the title: Atelier Viorate ~The Alchemist of Gramnad 2~ The Memories of Ultramarine (ヴィオラートのアトリエ〜グラムナートの錬金術士2〜群青の思い出).
Entries
You can find other entries of the game here: Atelier Viorate
Plot
The game takes place about 20 years after the events of its predecessor Atelier Judie: The Alchemist of Gramnad, and thus roughly a year after the end of Atelier Elie.
On a peninsula to the southwest of the continent Gramnad, there is the Kingdom of Kanalland. Here, there is a small and underpopulated village by the name Karotte Village. The main protagnoist Viorate lives there with her family, although her parents are leaving Karotte Village. Viorate, however, refuses to leave.
After a dream, the game begins with Viorate being woken up by her brother Bartholomaus. Bartholomaus tells her that today is the day that their parents will leave. Viorate is very confident about her idea to open up a shop in town, even though her father doesn't support her idea. Their parents will return in three years, and see how the siblings are doing. Until then, Viorate will need to prove that she can run her own shop.
Gameplay
Goal
The goal of the game is to run a store and increase Karotte Village's population. From the start, the game has a three years in-game time limit, but it's possible to get an extension for two more years.
Modes
The player can choose to play the game in "First Time Mode" or "Veteran Mode". The PlayStation Portable version added two more modes, the "Infinite Mode" and "Inheriting Mode", unlockable by seeing and possesing the bonus data for a specific ending[1].
Shop
The game allows the player to choose the wares for Viorate's store to sell, or the player can leave it to the game. The player can let Viorate herself be the clerk, or hire one of Viorate's friends. When Viorate is the clerk, it's possible for the player to interact with the customers, and the players actions may affect the customers choices. Many customers will also chat with Viorate, which can make more characters available for hire as a clerk.
Quests
The player can take quests from every town. The quests can involve hunting a certain enemy, or reporting in one or several certain items. Quests will increase the popularity of the shop in the respective town or city the quest was taken from.
Battle
The battles are turn-based and the player will enter battle with Viorate and two optional and changable party members. If a party member or enemy run out of HP, MP or LP, the enemy or party member is defeated. In battle, the player can use synthesized or bought items from the basket.
Auction
Auctions will take place in Karotte Village several times. It's possible to take part in them and auction an item and bid on items.
Synthesis
With the synthesis system, the player can combine different items to create a new item. More items becomes available through obtaining recipes. Recipes can be found or bought, and every recipe book includes recipes for one or several specific items. Synthesis can be performed in the workshop or at bars or inns in towns and cities outside Karotte Village.
Facilities
Facilities makes new ways to produce or store items available. Facilities can be placed in the workshop. The first facility available is the container; other facilities becomes available after seeing specific events. Placing facilities costs points[2].
Endings
The game has 11 possible endings, with 2 of them being exclusive to the PlayStation Portable re-release. The game's ending will be decided by the players actions and the development of Karotte Village.[3]
Characters
Playable Characters
- Viorate Platane
- Bartholomaus Platane
- Rodefried Santar
- Brigitt Sihern
- Eisel Weimar
- Klara Barbier
- Dastin Schmied
- Sawitt Kipper
- Mivis Pfalz
- Roland Ofen
- Katharina Tracken
- Pamela Ibis
- Paul
- Sphere (PSP exclusive)
- Lapis (PSP exclusive)
Non Playable Characters
- Nanami Schmidt (PSP exclusive)
- Eugen Barbier
- Offen Schwach
- Sem Lauren
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Editions
In June 26, 2003, Atelier Viorate: The Alchemist of Gramnad 2 was released in a "standard edition" and a "Premium Box". The "Premium Box" included 5 "Atelier Series Mascot Figures" of Marie, Elie,Lilie, Judie and Viorate, an "Atelier Series Original DVD", and a "Visual Book". The first press edition of the game included a CD by the name "Atelier Best" with 25 tracks from Atelier Viorate and past Atelier games. In July 8, 2004, a low price edition of Atelier Viorate called Atelier Viorate: The Alchemist of Gramnad 2 Gust Best Price (ヴィオラートのアトリエ ~グラムナートの錬金術士2~ ガストベストプライス) was released.
The PlayStation Portable version was released in February 3, 2011 as "standard edition", "Premium Box" and in downloadable form through PlayStation Store. First press editions came with custom stickers for the PlayStation Portable system.
The PlayStation Portable version includes several new events, music, items and recipes, artworks, endings and the three new characters: Nanami Schmidt, Lapis, and Sphere. The layout has also been changed to fit the wide screen of the PlayStation Portable, and the staff roll was replaced with a new one. While several characters recieved updated artwork in promotional material, the game itself largely uses the original art from the PS2 version. The only exceptions where the updated artstyle is used are during new event stills.
Music
- Main article: Atelier Viorate ~Alchemist of Gramnad 2~ Original SoundtrackThe opening song 海を仰ぐ (Umi o aogu / Looking Out at the Sea) and ending theme この青い空の下 (Kono aoi sora no shita / Beneath this Blue Sky) was sung by Shue Nagakura. The "True Ending" theme STAGE was sung by Mayumi Iizuka (published in the single Pure♡).
The PlayStation Portable version included five new tracks, with two of them being vocal songs used in the credits of the new endings. The "Sphere End" theme ゼンマイ式しあわせクロック (translated as "Happy Clock" in the credits) was sung by Sphere's voice actress Kana Hanazawa. The "Lapis End" theme celestial ark was sung by 真理絵 (also known under the name Marie).
The music of the PlayStation portable re-release was collected in an album called Atelier Viorate ~The Alchemist of Gramnad 2~ The Memories of Ultramarine Original Soundtrack (ヴィオラートのアトリエ 〜群青の思い出〜 オリジナルサウンドトラック), published by SMD Itaku (Music). The album consists of two discs and 78 tracks in total.
Other media
Atelier Viorate had fewer adaptions into other media compared to previous mainline games. Only one comic adaption and one comic anthology was released for the game. However, the PSP port brought about a new promotional 4-koma series.
Atelier Viorate The Odd Village Renewal Project
A comic series by Yoshihiko Ochi based on the game ran in the magazine FamitsuPS2 (ファミ通PS2). It was later collected in one book under the name Atelier Viorate The Odd Village Renewal Project (ヴィオラートのアトリエ きてれつ村おこし), published by Enterbrain in September 30, 2005. Notably, Yoshiko Ochi also made the popular Atelier Marie & Elie: Zarlburg Alchemist comic series. The story adapts Brigitt's character storyline from the game.
Promotional illustration for the manga adaption
Episode 1 of the 4-koma series made to promote the PSP release
Collaboration with online game Ai Sp@ce
Trivia
- The game is sometimes referred as Atelier Violet due to the spelling of the main character's name in Trinity Universe. However, in Nelke & the Legendary Alchemists, the original Viorate is used.
- In promotional materials and the CD insert for Atelier Viola: The Magician of Regallzine (which pastiches the game's logo), Veola can be seen talking to Viorate, exclaiming that she is 'taking over'.
Gallery
Package artwork
Concept art
Synthesis screen artwork
Ending artwork
Ending artwork
Ending artwork
Ending artwork
Event artwork
Ending artwork
Telephone Card Illustration
Telephone Card Illustration
Telephone Card Illustration
Telephone Card Illustration
Telephone Card Illustration
Telephone Card Illustration
20th anniversary art by Jun Futaba
Artwork for the PSP version
Artwork for the PSP version
References
- ↑ [1] Wikiwiki.jp/viorate/
- ↑ [] Atelier Series Official Chronicle
- ↑ Endings - Atelier Viorate wikiwiki.jp
External Links
- Official Japanese Site(Playstation 2)
- Official Japanese Site (Playstation Portable)