zoozbuh | Atelier Sophie 2 (REVIEW) - Worth Playing for Newbies? @zoozbuh | Uploaded March 2022 | Updated October 2024, 1 hour ago.
Game: Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream
Platform: PS4 (also on Switch/PC)
(Click "Show More"!)

Thanks to Koei Tecmo Europe for the review code!
I hope you all enjoy the review as I put a lot of love into this.

Some little things I forgot to mention in the review:
- The "recipe ideas" system is no longer as vague as it was in Sophie 1. The requirements for each recipe are given, and if they're confusing, it usually means you have to synthesise more, or progress the story.

- Alchemy has "Support Skills" which can change effect levels and do a lot of useful stuff during alchemy. These skills are learned by your teammates depending on how close you are with them!

- Unfortunately the Quest board/system isn't as robust as Ryza 2, but it makes more sense with the game's world. Instead of having a separate "reptutation" with different groups in the city, you have an Adventurer Rank instead. Still fun, and the main way of getting money.

- You can speed up battles by 2x and speed up/skip text from the very start now. No NG+ required! Handy if you have to do a boss multiple times.

- Plachta can now synthesise items too! This seemed slightly tacked-on, but again, it makes sense for storyline reasons, and fits in well with Plachta's personal journey.

- (Spoiler?) Don't worry about character sidequests or trophies. As far as I know, nothing is missable, and your Clear Save allows you to go for a NG+ or carry on from where you left off.



00:00 Start
00:57 What is Atelier?
01:27 Sophie 2’s Premise
02:06 Do I Have to Play Sophie 1?
03:00 How does it compare to Ryza?
04:39 A Smoother Experience
05:24 More Engaging Alchemy
06:40 Unique Weather System
07:45 Soundtrack
08:36 Final Thoughts