Mana Khemia: Alchemists of Al-Revis

411mania talks about this week's game releases. Highlights include Dissidia: Final Fantasy, Mana Khemia 2: Fall of Alchemy, Metroid Prime Trilogy, Cursed Mountain, and Harvest Moon: Magical Melody.

411mania gives a rundown on this week's game releases. Highlights include Avalon Code, Mana Khemia: Student Alliance, Samurai Shodown Anthology, and Docomodake BOING! Avalon Code (DS) Avalon Code is an action RPG created by Matrix Software, the developer of Alundra for the PS1 and, more recently, the co-developer of the Final Fantasy III and IV remakes for the DS. Like in many RPGs, the looming end of the world is what drives Avalon Code's story. What's different here is the fact that your mission isn't to stop the end from happening. Instead, you've been tasked with scanning all that is good in the world into The Book of Prophecies so that when the next world is created, only the things that are worthy are brought forth. Once something has been scanned, you can change its properties as you see fit by tinkering with its parameters. If there's a monster that you think is too strong, change its attributes to make it weak. Want to turn that regular sword into a flaming one? Add fire to its code. At the very least, this mechanic makes Avalon Code one of the most unique action RPGs on the DS and something to look out for if you're tired of all the remakes that the system has been seeing. -- -- -- -- Mana Khemia: Student Alliance (PSP) This is a port of Mana Khemia: Alchemists of Al-Revis, a turn-based RPG/school sim which was originally released last year for the PS2. It is considered the spiritual successor to the Atelier Iris series as it employs many of the conventions found in those games. Many of those who are familiar with the series consider Mana Khemia to be far superior to its predecessors in most respects save for the story (Atelier Iris 2 usually takes the cake in that department). The game was developed by Gust, a company that is well-known for its item-crafting systems and character development. I recently played through Ar tonelico II, so can attest to the company's ability to make item-crafting fun and ...

Highlights for this week include Mana Khermia: Alchemists of Al-Revis (Playstation 2), Call of Duty 4: Game of the Year Edition (Xbox 360), and WWII Aces (Nintendo Wii). Check out the full list of new video game releases (USA) for the week of March 30, 2008 on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Sony PS2, PSP, Nintendo DS, and PC!

NIS America quietly released a Mana Khemia Limited Edition Scholarship Box Set, and it's unfortunately sold out. The package contains a copy of Mana Khemia: Alchemists of Al-Revis, the soundtrack, a mini poster, a collector's box (which looks like it's from Japan because of the CERO A label), and a Study Hall Jess Figure (1/8 PVC). The kicker is the package was a steal at $49.99, only $10 more than the regular edition of Mana Khemia. All 1,000 copies of the collector's edition are gone, which means eBay is the only place to pick it up. -- by: Spencer of Siliconera

Joystiq writes: 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~.