[Playthrough]Mana Khemia: Alchemists of Al-Revis

[Bou]

For a while I've had a burnout on Let's Playing/doing a playthrough of a game. My last one was Mega Man X a couple of months ago and since then I kept trying to find something new to do, but nothing kept my attention.

However, that was until I started playing this game again, its an RPG developed by Gust, my favorite RPG company. Since I started replaying it I decided I would do an LP/playthrough of this game and so far, its sticking. I feel like recording footage daily, though, that doesn't always happen, other things in life intefere/are more important but I am finally enjoying myself again with recording, it no longer feels like a 'job' as it used to.

And I'll probably periodically update this thread with the new episodes and all. But if anyone checks it out, hope you enjoy it and are somehow entertained.



Episode 01: Orientation

Welcome to my new Let's Play/Playthrough project: Mana Khemia: Alchemists of Al-Revis. I don't think its a very well known game, its developed by Gust, who made the Atelier Iris series as well as the AR Tonelico series and other games. Chances are you've played one of their games if you're an RPG nut like me, and just don't remember. At least that's how it was with me for a while until I got into the Atelier Iris series.

Anyway... In this episode, we begin the game as Vayne Aurelius, who appears to have lived alone all his life, with the exception of the black cat, Sulpher, who is with him. This leads to him being somewhat anti-social. We see him being enrolled into Al-Revis Academy, a school for young alchemists. Also, this game has multiple endings, which are character specific, depending on the character you choose to do a 'final quest' with you'll get their ending, if you choose not to, you'll get a 'bad ending' more or less. At the end of this walkthrough, after its said and done, I'll go back and get all endings for the sake of doing so for you viewers. Note: Sorry if I skip text a little too fast sometimes (reading text, not spoken). You can always just pause the video to read the text, though.



Episode 02: Exploration of the Campus

In this episode, we meet a new character by the name of Jess, and she joins the party in a session of exploring the campus to get used to where everything is and how the 'overworld' is. We also get in trouble with the principle and get accused of planning on doing something naughty by the nurse. What a day.



Episode 03: The First Task

In this episode, we are confronted by Tony and Renee, who seem to be a form of antagonist for the game. However, we are quickly saved by the hero, Flay Gunnar! Who then recruits us to be part of his alchemy workshop, as without four people total, himself included, his workshop will be revoked by the Vice Principle, who doesn't seem to like him. Even with four people now in the workshop, she gives the group a challenge, to make a Nicro Cloth within 2 weeks or they will still be removed from the workshop! The diabolical fiend!

A note on Tony and Renee: I refer to them as the Team Rocket or Bulk and Skull of Mana Khemia.



Episode 04: First Class & Tutorials

In this episode, we see the group ponder over how to make a Nicro Cloth and Vayne even states he knows nothing of Alchemy. How did he get into the school then? Do they just pick up strays off the street?! Uh, anyway, after that, we attend our first class, taught by Professor Zeppel and he tasks us with finding some Clearwater, Blue Petal, and a Spinacherb. Nikki also officially joins the party in this episode. This part is also compromised of a couple of tutorials explaining classes and how they work and the units needed to pass and get free time to do things with. I left the tutorials in, in case some of you have never played the game, that way you don't get confused or something.

[Mistah Showtime]

Seems like a pretty cool game. I was definitely intrigued by the whole class setup of it. The way it is playing out so far, it seems like it'll be a pretty deep game. I'll keep an eye out on this walkthrough for sure.

[Bou]

Thank ya and here's another 4 episodes. lol



Episode 05: The First Battle

In this episode, we head into the Living Forest to get the required items to pass the assignment. We also are introduced to the battle system of the game, which is pretty straight forward, but it has its own complexity as well. A note on the monsters, you can preemptive strike them by using the same method to cut grass, giving you an edge for the start of the battle. Also, when it becomes night time, they will become more aggressive (moving faster on the screen) and are stronger in battle. They retain their same HP but their damage output is much higher. After getting the items I also decide to try my luck with the "Bear" which is an elite monster, more or less, of the living forest.

Note: I may not show all the treasure locations, but the dungeons are pretty simple that I shouldn't need to, so, as such, I'll just go straight through the dungeon unless there is an item I know I want before completing the dungeon. I'll go back after recordings and sweep through the dungeons and gather the remaining items.

A note on Nikki's battle skill "Heart Cracker" is that if it kills a certain enemy, for example shown during the "Bear" fight, Nikki kills one of the bear cubs with it, it said "Converted a Monster" What this means is that the monster actually didn't die, but was removed from battle and Nikki obtained a special item that, when collected enough, she can summon the monster of that species (in this case a Bear) to launch an assault on enemy. Not every enemy can be converted, only certain kinds.



Episode 06: First Synthesis

In this episode, we return to Professor Zeppel, who then shows us the real reason for the assignment, as the three ingredients we gathered can be used to make a Heal Jar through Alchemy. He allows us to us the cauldron in the Faculty Room to do so and explains synthesis in the process. So, with that done, Vayne creates his first item through Alchemy! We also see Tony and Renee talking to a person who is off screen and then accept our next assignment from the battle teacher, but before going, we decide to go to the Athanor to strengthen our weapons.



Episode 07: Platinum Puni

In this episode, after getting the rundown on how to use the Athanor, the man in charge of it also reveals to us our grow book, which is the leveling system used in Mana Khemia. Its an interesting concept for sure. Whenever you synthesize an item it'll appear in a characters grow book (items are assigned to each character) and in doing so you can use your gathered AP to unlock the stats and abilities connected to that item for the character. Without the item being synthesized however, you can't do anything, even if you have one in your inventory through other means. After all that we take off to the Wind's Corridor to take on the Platinum Puni!

Platinum Puni is what I consider an introductory boss fight. Nothing too hard but I wouldn't call it full-on easy either. You first face 3 hoardes of Puni's before the Platinum Puni appears.



Episode 08: Times Almost Up

In this episode, we obtain the Shiny Puniball and report back to Arsha at the Student Affairs office and with that we complete the assignment and get more than enough units to pass! And with that assignment out of the way, its finally time for the story to push forward! The Nicro Cloth is due in one more day and we are still missing one more item and Jess has no clue what it is, however, Flay comes in and tells her its a tuft and where to locate it, or rather, what to locate it off of, showing that he does have some brains. However, he still can't travel with the team because he seems to be a busy man. So, with that, Vayne and company take off to the Old School house to get the tuft from the Lorebeast.

[Mistah Showtime]

That Platinum Puni fight looked a little tough, especially if you don't tend to do a whole lot of healing in RPGs like myself. Lots of cool stuff in these vids. Learning how to make potions using alchemy and upgrade weapons was neat. I liked the whole idea of "forging" weapons and armor to upgrade them. The combat seemed really fast-paced compared to most of the RPGs I have played, which can be a good thing. You don't always need some long, drawn out attack sequence. I was looking forward to the fight with the Lorebeast, but it looks like we'll see it in the next batch of vids. ;D

[Bou]

If I wasn't worried about it dropping frames after 10 minutes, I would have continued on through it.

Here's the thing you wanted though~



Episode 09: Lorebeast & Chapter 1 End

In this episode, we continue on into the Old Schoolhouse and confront the Lorebeast. However, do we wind up getting the tuft or was it all a wild goose chase?

Note: After yesterday's recordings I left the Old Schoolhouse and went through Wind's Corridor and Living Forest to pick up all the previous items. In doing so, I got the recipes for both Jess and Nikki's default/starting weapon, which after synthesizing them, allowed me to level them up. Also, when going back to the save point, I went through each area of the Old Schoolhouse and picked up the missed items. Doing all this put me at a little over 3,000 AP.

[Mistah Showtime]

That Lorebeast took a friggin lot of health off. Got to see a few more cool new moves that you did to it. That Vice Principal lady seems like and evil wench. I wonder what she's up to......

Looking forward to more!

[Bou]

5 episodes!



Episode 10: The Transfer Student

In this episode, we open the chapter seeing Jess and Vayne doing some alchemy, when Nikki comes in and tells them of a transfer student, who apparently is from the famous Rosenkrantz family. Even being from such a famous family, Jess notes that getting a transfer student so late in the year is a little odd. And, once Flay hears of this, he wants to get him in the workshop so Flay and Vayne head off to try and recruit him!



Episode 11: Shopping & Synthesizing

In this episode, we go on a shopping and synthesizing spree! But before that, we see a cutscene with Flay and a Mana. After all the shopping and synthesizing, we head on over to the Student Affairs office to get started on our first class of Chapter 2.



Episode 12: Gone Fishin'

In this episode, we head off to "The Heights" to carry out our assignment, we must fish for a total of two hours and not catch any monsters during that time, as doing so will reduce our grade! How do you know when you've got a monster on the line? Well, the much larger the orange bar is, the more likely its a monster, so just wait it out until you "fail" that catch, instead of trying to land in the "fail" zone.



Episode 13: Making Items Galore

In this episode, we spend the majority of it just making items. I would have done all of this off camera, which I probably will in the future unless I really need to get the stuff done with before doing something, but I wanted to show you one of the key elements in the game and something you'll be doing a lot of. At the very end, we finally turn in our assignment.



Episode 14: Gossip Shop

In this episode, we learn about the Rumors system, which, despite it sounding silly, will help the party in battle, as when certain rumors are active, it'll effect the stats of the party in some way or the other. Of course, it costs money to start a rumor, but its all fine and good for the stat boosts. I show off one of the rumors, which gets a +30 HP to all characters. We also get our next assignment, which is surprisingly in the Living Forest. We have to go to the farm located there and water the plants. Nothing too bad, but you have 6 hours to get to the farm and do so. So, its a little tricky if you don't know where you are going, especially if you get lost.

[Mistah Showtime]

Lots of stuff going on in these vids. ;D

I'm not quite sure what to think of that new guy. He seemed pretty straight-forward with everyone in the vid, speaking his mind. Lots of shopping and creation going on and poor Vayne seems to end up in more and more trouble thanks to Jess and Nikki. They are always volunteering him to do stuff. The Gossip Shop/Rumor system is interesting and seems quite unique. I certainly haven't seen anything like it before. Going out to do some farming was another nice feature in the game. Though it looks really cartoony/animeish, the game does seem to be pretty deep. I'm sure it'll be more intriguing the more I see.

[bironrolari]

Nice to see you back in the walktrhough/palythrough mood again..Gonna need to devote a whole day or two to watching all these soon XD

[Bou]

Episode 15: Free Time

In this episode, we turn in the last assignment and get ourselves some free time! Nothing story specific happens during free time, so you could just go to the Dormitory and sleep away the free time, however, during free time, Jobs and Character Quests become available, so, of course I go for those instead!

Just a small note, its best to do the Jobs first as Character Quests advance time, whereas Jobs do not.



Episode 16: Dealing With Wild Beasts and Fishing

In this episode, we take care of both the jobs that were posted on the bulletin board and report back to the clients for the cash. Also, we see our first "Burst" of the playthrough, in which the party deals out high amounts of damage to monsters for the duration of the burst. It gets a little better as it goes on, but it works for what it is for now.

To explain Jess' "Funny Pouch" ability. What it basically does, is if it kills a monster, it'll convert it into a candy item, which is the only way to get some items for synthesis, so random battle you might see me use it quite a bit.



Episode 17: Jess & Nikki's Free Time

In this episode, we begin the Character Quests for Jess and Nikki, the only two available party members to do so at the moment. We get a little bit of backstory on Jess in her's and also see she has quite the thing for explosions. We also get some backstory for Nikki and learn a bit more about Beastmen culture from Flay.



Episode 18: Freshman Final Exam

In this episode, Professor Zeppel gives us our finals exam! Its a simple one, to make a Dietary Fiber, which we already have the ingredients for, however, Jess says we could make a better quality one with another item. Nikki doesn't like the idea, just wanting to go ahead and get it done, but Flay once again agrees with Jess and stands guard over the cauldron until we can get the item to make the quality better. So, the team heads off to The Heights to retrieve the item, only to find Tony, Renee, and Roxis are there as well... Is it a race to the item now?

[Mistah Showtime]

Jess and Nikki can just talk Vayne into anything can't they? lol Poor guy is just always in the wrong place at the wrong time. XD Flay is rarely around, but he certainly knows how to pass work onto the other 3. I'm waiting to finally see him in action. Seems like a good rivalry brewing between the 2 teams. I'll be looking forward to a battle between them, hopefully sometime soon just to see how powerful they are.

[Bou]

Two more since I can't sleep.



Episode 19: Roxis

In this episode, we continue on our way and run into Roxis, who was ordered to stay behind by Tony and Renee to stall us. A battle ensues after some small talk. After the battle, we see just why Tony wanted the group distracted. He may be a minor villian, a Team Rocket-esque villian, but that stunt was just low.

The boss fight with Roxis isn't too bad. A little easier compared to the Lorebeast but I think that's because you are able to increase your characters stats a good bit now. I'm not sure, but as a second boss, he's pretty easy/standard.



Episode 20: Chapter 2 End

In this episode, we still finish our assignment and then the chapter comes to a close, but not before Roxis leaves Vayne with some words to think about. Nikki also makes a pact with the Mana of Tree after the group returns to the tree.

[Mistah Showtime]

Tony is a real a-hole. XD Nice to at least see Roxis in action. I've been waiting to see what the guy can do since he is somewhat mysterious, the wild card in all of this. Vayne is the same way, definitely intriguing with his unknown powers. Speaking of, I wonder what kind of powers Nikki's new mana will give her. I wonder why Roxis hates Vayne though......

It'll be interesting to see how everything starts to unfold as the story progresses.

[Bou]

Episode 21: Summer Break

In this episode, we get another black screen at the start of the chapter as someone is talking to a kitten. Perhaps talking to Sulpher? We also start summer break, however, school rules dictate that the students cannot leave the school until graduation, so, summer break is done at the school. Oh well, we got plenty of jobs and summer work to keep us busy!



Episode 22: Jess & Her Mana

In this episode, we learn how Jess and her Mana, the Mana of Wind, met and made their pact. Other than that, most of this episode is comprised of simply running around and turning in jobs for people, mainly the ones who wanted items, the battle jobs come next!



Episode 23: Caterperider

In this episode, we head off to the Living Forest where the bug-loving Brownie is located and set out to stop him! The Caterperider is accompanied by three Kamikaze Dolls, a brownie like species, however, even with his entourage, he isn't too bad, he also drops a recipe for us, so all in all, a good time out!



Episode 24: Puni Gathering & Yulaurnie

In this episode, we set about finishing the jobs given to us, first by going to the Wind's Corridor to take out the suspicious gathering of Punis, and then off to The Heights to deal with Yulaurnie, another Brownie type, however, this isn't your average brownie, its wielding a giant hammer thats why too big, even for Nikki! ...Okay, maybe not for Nikki, but you get the point.

[Bou]

Episode 25: Price of Popularity

In this episode, we explore the school a little and get some scene's with Flay, Nikki, and Jess. After that, we start up Nikki's second Character Quest, and her popularity has reached a whole new level that its starting to wear thin on the workshop, and Flay's nerves.



Episode 26: Helping Jess... Again

In this episode, we finish Nikki's second CQ, and begin on Jess' second one. Once again, she began to work on an item, and once again, it blew sky high. Vayne of course, helps her out once again by cleaning up the workshop and helping her dispose of the mess. However, we are also encountered by the evil Vice Principle! ...Who actually knows what happened and lets it slide. Huh... Maybe she's not so bad after all.



Episode 27: Flay's Horror Night

In this episode, the group finishes up all their work for the time being, but finds themselves in another predicament: Boredom. Apparently, Flay has already heard about this predicament and has set up a series of hunts for them to go on in relation to the ghost sightings at the school. He sends them to four locations, each one that apparently has a scary story to it.

Only two locations are showcased here, though. The rest are to come later though!

[Mistah Showtime]

You did a ton of synthesizing in those first few vids. XD I suppose it was all necessary to complete missions for people. Not a whole lot of fighting this go round. Nikki and Jess continue to be a pain in Vayne's ass with all their mischief causing him grief. Looks like Melanie is up to something now as well. Flay must know something is up since he sent them there to check things out.

It's getting more interesting the more you post. I'll be looking forward to getting a few questions answered in the next batch of vids.

[Bou]

lol

Be glad I don't do all the synthesizing on screen. Its a KEY element of the game. Its truly what the game revolves around and most games put out by Gust. I just do the majority of it off screen after recordings. The only ones I leave in are ones I need to do while recording, such as for jobs, or ones that lead to cut scenes.



Episode 28: Horror Night Continued

In this episode, the group continues on with the horror night Flay had set up for them and along the way, find Roxis passed out and foaming at the mouth. They also learn that Riggs was taken by a monster deep into the Resource Center and they set out to go get him back.



Episode 29: Fallen Lover

In this episode, the party catches up to the monster to find out it went on the rampage because the ghost hadn't been around for a while. Apparently it likes the ghost and her absence made it angry. Weird little monster.

The boss fight against the Fallen Lover isn't too bad, though it is a step up from Roxis. It has an SP damaging attack that hits everyone, its regular attacks, an attack that hits everyone and can put them to sleep and it has Megaheal. So, all in all its a pretty diverse boss. I honestly forgot about the Megaheal or I would have sealed it a lot sooner.



Episode 30: Chapter 3 End

In this episode, Flay introduces us to Pamela, the ghost. She's apparently been at the school since the principle was a young man (and alive back then too) but somehow died and never moved on. Flay mentions that its a prank to scare the freshmen with her every summer. Kind of mean, but schools usually do have pranks so all in all its not too bad. Besides, we get her as a party member so I'm not complaining.

Pamela is one of my favorite characters. Mainly due to her large appearances in games. She's been in most games Gust has put out, never as a party member until now. She was in the three Atelier Iris games as a supporting character and a few others I have not played yet. But each incarnation of her I love and this one is no exception.

[Bou]

Episode 31: Back To School

In this episode, we get another black screen as the same man before can be heard talking to a woman. After that, we get our Chapter title and the chapter begins with Professor Zeppel telling us that the festival will be held soon and that they're is going to be a battle arena. Flay, without asking, already signed himself and Vayne up for the tournament and thus, Flay joins the party at last after obtaining his mana. The Mana of Cold... or Gold. The text makes it kind of hard to read it, but I'm pretty sure its Cold.



Episode 32: Nikki's Talent

In this episode, we mainly do some shopping, as new items become available at the start of each chapter, and we also begin to synthesize those said items. Besides that, we get a cutscene involving Nikki and one of her talents.



Episdode 33: The Man'sWay

In this episode, we continue to synthesize items and get cutscenes to go along with them so it isn't completely boring. If it is, then I apologize. We also learn Flay's way of synthesizing, or as Nikki sums it up, man's synthesizing.

[Mistah Showtime]

A monster in love with a ghost who believes naughty boys should be punished but goes around scaring everyone. A little bit of a hypocrit isn't she? ;D Cool that she joined the team though. Nikki being able to sing certainly explains a lot about why she is so popular with the guys. It has caused it's fair share of trouble so far. lol I rather enjoy Flaya's way of synthesizing too. XD If you have extra left over, throw it in too! That's the way! lol Curious to see how this battle arena turns out as well.

[Bou]

lol



Episode 34: Chain Attacks

In this episode, we do some more synthesizing before heading out to get our first class of the semester, which deals with another form of item gathering, mining. Flay and Pamela accompany us, finally putting our party count over 3 and allowing us to switch members on the fly. As such, Flay teaches about chain attacking in a battle.



Episode 35: Outdoor Miner

In this episode, we meet the teacher at the Mana Ruins and he gives our pickaxe and the task to bring back some mining materials by 6PM. When you check your memo it'll tell you to find two gather spots and bring them back. This will award you a B. There actually is one more mining spot, but its to the North of the map and I've only ever reached it once before time was up, sadly, that wasn't the case this time. But its okay, I only need to get another B or an A to pass this Chapter, anyway.

PS: Ha! Mega Man has invaded Mana Khemia with the song titles. XD



Episode 36: Messy Jess

In this episode, we mainly synthesize items that lead to cutscenes, because I'd rather have those in a recording than leave them out, simply for the humor that the cutscenes of it bring. Other than that, we get a scene with Jess and the Vice Principle with concerns of Jess' room.

[Bou]

Episode 37: Stone Watcher

In this episode, we attend class taught by the battle instructor who tells us about Bursts, which is rather pointless, seeing as we already had bursts happening before now. Stupid teacher! Anyway, the assignment he gives is on a 30 minute timer, you have to find the Stone Watcher in the Living Forest and defeat it before time is up, however, you also want to use a Burst for a higher grade. All in all, its pretty easy. The Stone Watcher has a high HP count but nothing threatening.

Also, I should point out, even if you have 3 classes scheduled, if you get the required units for Free Time before you finish classes, it'll skip to Free Time automatically.



Episode 38: The Bet

In this episode, Tony reveals to Vayne that him and Roxis has entered the Battle Tournament as well, and of course, goes on a spiel about how Flay and Vayne have no chance, which Flay quickly enters the scene and throws up Roxis fainting at the sight of Pamela to Tony. In the end it comes down to a bet between Flay and Tony.

The majority of this episode though, is comprised of doing delivery jobs as well as collecting the items for said jobs, since I didn't have them all. But, next time, we shall do the battle jobs!

[Bou]

Episode 39: Giant Golden Pig & Dark Bringer

In this episode, we set out to complete the jobs we accepted previously, all three being battle jobs. First we go to the Living Forest to put a stop to the gluttony of a monster and then to the Old Schoolhouse to deal with an evil force.

The Giant Golden Pig isn't too bad, he does hit pretty hard, though, and has a tendency to block a lot of normal attacks, but other than that, he goes down in standard fashion. The Dark Bringer on the other hand, is more of a handful. He hits hard, has full party attacks and is able to act immediately again after using his Savage Blow attack, which can be bad for characters like Pamela and Jess.



Episode 40: Dealing With The Delinquents

In this episode, after the throw down with the Dark Bringer, the group heads deeper into the Resource Center to deal with the delinquents that have been ditching classes and causing trouble. The school has quite the disciplinary action, doesn't it? Sending a group to beat the hell out of them. Ah, well... After that, we return to Arsha to get our rewards.

[Mistah Showtime]

Dang, I'm falling behind. XD I'll catch up soon. Just with all the coding, simming, etc. I've done over the past few days I haven't had a chance to sit and watch. I'll be sure to check them out and comment by tomorrow night.

[Bou]

Its okay XD Get to them when you can.



Epsiode 41: Jess & Her Illness

In this episode, we finally begin to enjoy our free time as we go about and begin Character Quests. Nikki isn't available for CQ's this chapter, but Jess, Pamela, and Flay are. So, we start with Jess and find out something about her that she has been keeping from everyone, she even tells Vayne to keep it from the others.

After that, we start on Pamela's first CQ, in which she isn't very happy with the way the workshop looks. She says its too dull and needs to look more cute, so, Vayne gathers a few items for her to do so with. Nothing else to it there.



Episode 42: Flay's Test

In this episode, we start Flay's first CQ in which he wants to test Vayne's resolve to do good things. Of course, Flay organized all the bad stuff to happen, and Vayne sees through it all pretty easily, but he still goes along with it. After the shenanigans though, its time for the school festival!

[Mistah Showtime]

Wow! So much happened in those vidoes! I'll try to hit on a few key things.

I like the combo attacks in this game. It's pretty cool chaining 3 people together for a single attack combination. I like the fact you can mine as well to gather materials just like you can farm. I'm sure it will come in handy as time goes on. Found out a couple of things about Jess. Her room was a mess and caused the Vice Principal to faint, which was funny I thought. XD Her illness makes one wonder what exactly it could be since she was pretty vague. And, last but not least, she seems to have the hots for Vayne as hinted at in the end of that last video. The Stone Watcher and Giant Golden Pig seem to have a lot of defense, but not very much attack power. The fights looked rather easy. Being able to use Burst so easily for a better grade was nice since it gave you that extra week of free time once you had enough points to be done with the term. I'm interested to see just how the bet will play out. Flay certainly seems to be trying hard to get Roxis and Vayne around each other to provoke either a fight or a competition to see who is best between them He must know something that nobody else does. That's what I've been led to believe at least. The Dark Bringer fight certainly was a toughie, but I thought it was kinda cool seeing Pamela fade in and out as her health diminished. The Delinquent fight didn't seem that tough, but just long because of the amount of enemies. It was cool to see Nikki's special attack though. The redecorating for Pamela and Flay tests were pretty campy as Vayne was pretty much forced into both of them and is too nice not to comply. It's good he played along though. I'm looking forward to the battle arena since the festival is finally here!