Mana Khemia 2 Fall Of Alchemy

Japanese role-playing games make up some of the most beloved video games and franchises in history. Their unique style and approach to action have made them a staple in the hearts of gamers all over the world, not just in their home country. One of those classing JRPGs is Mana Khemia 2: Fall of Alchemy, and it's about as Japanese as they come.

Developed by Gust and published by NIS America, Mana Khemia 2: Fall of Alchemy is a lush, isometric 2.5D action RPG where instead of leveling up your characters, you learn new recipes and craft all kinds of equipment using alchemy. If you’re ready for a unique JRPG that forges its own path, then here is everything you need to know about Mana Khemia 2: Fall of Alchemy.

Artful Presentation

As previously stated, Mana Khemia 2: Fall of Alchemy is a 2.5D isometric game, but that doesn’t mean it is lacking in detail or beauty. The game is entirely hand-drawn, with beautiful 2D sprites set against a largely 3D world and environments.

That artful attention to detail extends to the creatures you take on in battle. Each one is uniquely designed and has its own intricate attack animations. The perspective of these combat encounters also gives you a much better look at the character sprites, which can only be a bonus.

Craft Your Way to Success

Mana Khemia doesn’t rely on arbitrary leveling to increase the power of your characters. Instead, you will craft increasingly powerful items and equipment that will imbue your party members with the strength they need for the bigger challenges you’ll encounter in the game.

This is a bit of a departure from the standard format of a JRPG where grinding is the answer to all of your problems, but Mana Khemia 2: Fall of Alchemy definitely isn’t another Final Fantasy game. It stands on its own as a truly memorable, engaging experience that will stay with you long after it's done.

Complex Combat

As with any JRPG, the primary method of gameplay is the tactical turn-based battles you’ll find yourself in. These aren’t run-of-the-mill battles though. No, fighting in Mana Khemia 2: Fall of Alchemy is a multi-layered experience where you need to take into account several different systems as you make combat decisions. Manipulating the turn order, swapping party members, and things like the Unity Gauge all contribute to a battle system that is far more complex and strategic than what is available in other games.

Pros

• Fantastic art
• Engaging combat systems
• Great cast of characters

Cons

• Story mode goes on a little too long