Mobile game ‘The Alchemist Code’ delivers on strategy RPG brilliance

Japan has long been known for producing some of the industry’s best strategy role-playing games, with franchises such as “Final Fantasy Tactics", “Fire Emblem”, and “Valkyria Chronicles” leaving an indelible imprint on many a gamer’s heart.

Having already secured a devoted fan base in Japan for its blend of challenging tactical gameplay, charming anime aesthetics, and addictive gacha-style summoning system, Gumi Inc.’s “The Alchemist Code” seems set on treading a similar path. And with its international launch for iOS and Android devices, it’ll have the opportunity to win over hordes of new converts across the globe.

A tale of two brothers

“The Alchemist Code” follows Logi and Dias Crowley, brothers and knights of Envylia who, though possessed of distinct and sometimes warring philosophies, have one goal in mind: the establishment of a new world where their beloved sister, Agatha, can live in peace.

As violence envelopes their lives and war threatens to dismantle the kingdoms, the brothers find awakening within themselves the forbidden power of Alchemy. Though this bestows upon them the might to destroy enemies, it also threatens to widen the divide between them.

Will Alchemy lead them to glory, or to ruin?

The story is standard fare for your typical fantasy anime. Still, the characters do grow on you, and if you want to find out what befalls them, you’ll have to go through the meaty Story campaign.

At launch, this mode consists of over 150 levels separated into chapters, episodes, acts, and missions. The plot is advanced through visual novel-style cut scenes – complete with fully voiced characters – that occur before every mission.

To live – and die – by the code

“The Alchemist Code” is a turn-based strategy game. Every mission is set in a small battlefield partitioned into grids. You’re given control of four heroes, a mercenary you can recruit for a fee, plus two subs to replace units felled battle.

One by one, you give orders to your heroes. For example, you can move them across the grid, positioning them as you see fit in relation to your enemies’ formation. You can have them attack said enemies or perform special abilities.

Some skills take more than a turn to charge, giving targets the opportunity to get out of harm’s way. Others can hurt allies as well as enemies. Both sides have healers, long-ranged units, magic users, and several more fantasy archetypes. You’ll therefore have a rich variety of skills at your disposal, which is great, because you’ll soon discover that heroes and foes have various strengths and weaknesses to exploit.

The environment poses several challenges, as well as benefits, to your party. While enemies on higher ground will have an advantage over you, the vice versa is also true. Striking a target from behind deals extra damage. The positioning of your troops is therefore necessary for survival and victory. Spread your units too thin, and they can get picked off one by one; have them huddle in a tight spot, and they can fall victim to a powerful area-of-effect spell.

All these elements combine to create a strategy game with a gratifying amount of complexity and depth. While the early missions are simple, soon enough you’ll be taking into consideration every battleground feature, enemy placement, and unit capability. When overpowering your adversary with sheer might is no longer a viable option, you’ll have to commit to employing intelligent strategies and well-timed maneuvers. And that is what makes “The Alchemist Code” such a joy to play.

You can replay missions to grind for experience and items. Thankfully, “The Alchemist Code” comes with an Auto Battle system, so you can do something else while the A.I. does the fighting for you.

If you’re serious about collecting loot, however, the Event quests are your best bet. Many are available at a time, and change and renew every couple of hours, days, or weeks. While these are often more challenging than the Story missions, completing them awards you valuable items necessary to upgrade your heroes and equipment.

Yes, heroes can be upgraded. In addition to leveling them up, you can raise their level cap, evolve them into to rarer, higher-star units, and even unlock new jobs. For example, one priestess can eventually become a bishop or a mage, while another can turn into a bard or a chemist.

Using the summoning system, you can acquire more heroes to add to the initial 5 you start out with. At the moment, “The Alchemist Code” boasts more than 50 recruitable heroes.

Heroes, as well as the items necessary to power them up, are summoned using gems (which are rewards for achieving milestones, or purchased using real money). You can avail of free summons, however. Normal summons can give you free items every few minutes, while the Rare summons will grant you a free hero every 3 days. There are also a number of more expensive, but more rewarding time-sensitive special deals.

All summons are randomized, of course, so there’s some frustration when you get a character you don’t fancy, or one you already own. While in-app purchases aren’t necessary, they significantly speed up a game that’s otherwise a tad slow and grind-heavy. Spend too much on these purchases to create overpowered heroes, and you could end up breezing through the game..

In addition to Story and Events, “The Alchemist Code” features two more main modes: Arena and Multiplayer.

Arena is PVP, allowing you to pit a selected cadre of heroes against another player’s. All heroes are A.I.-controlled, so you can sit back, relax, and watch who comes out on top.

Multiplayer is cooperative. Players form teams of up to 4 members, then take turns battling A.I.-controlled enemies.

These are fun, rewarding modes that serve as good diversions from Story and Events.

While the game is already brimming with content, expect a lot more in the months to come. The Japanese version, “For Whom the Alchemist Exists,” already boasts numerous additional missions, and it won’t be long before these extras make their way to “The Alchemist Code.”

A quality strategy RPG       

“The Alchemist Code” may have a so-so story, but its gameplay is engaging, it offers loads of colorful and exciting heroes to obtain and develop, and its several modes will keep you busy. Its sweet, sweet gacha goodness can prove taxing on your wallet, but the game provides enough ways to circumvent the need to dish out cash. Overall, “The Alchemist Code” is a brilliant mobile game, especially if you’re hankering for a quality strategy RPG. — LA, GMA News

Free-to-play “The Alchemist Code” is now available on the App Store and Google Play Store. Visit its official website or Facebook page for more information.