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Koei fires Atelier Firis west in 2017

Friendly, charming, Sophie was my first Atelier game, and left a fair impression on my heart. So, it is good to hear more potion fun is headed our way with the next in the series, Atelier Firis, coming to western PlayStation owners.

The latest edition lands on PS4 and Vita (digital only) in spring 2017, which is the 20th anniversary of the Gust-developed series. Firis is the 18th main game, and about the last eight have hit the Vita, either directly or through an upgrade. Is it worth diving back earlier into the series?

Firis adds a branching narrative to the series, with a choice of focusing on alchemy, combat and relationships. The second entry in the ‘Mysterious’ saga follows the adventures of the enthusiastic Firis Mistlud and her loving older sister Liane Mistlud. The Mistlud sisters have lived their entire lives in the isolated town of Ertona, where Firis uses her unique ability to see where crystals of materials are buried.

By way of a fateful encounter, Firis learns of the Alchemy Exam and decides to take her first step into the outside world, setting off on a grand journey to become a certified alchemist and discover the mysteries that life has to offer! Players will experience a vast world with towns, environments and other locations reaching up to ten times the size of those featured in Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book.

Currently playing on my Vita/PS4/PS5