Gaming Review of Gumi's The Alchemist Code: Is it worth the download and play?

Photo credits to toucharcade
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So I have been waiting for this game since last month when I saw a sponsored post in Facebook. The hype was this JRPG (Japanese RPG) Styled game was in the same spirit of Final Fantasy Tactics.

When I first played Final Fantasy Tactics I was feeling meh as I felt the controls and the gameplay was a bit clunky but as the story line progressed I was hooked on the conspiracy and the depth of the characters. Then you discovered you can play as a double samurai sword wielding Holy Knight who had counter and reflect. You pretty much bulldozed your way from mobs of enemies.

So you are introduced to the continent where seven kingdoms exists and at the center is the ruins of the Tower of Babel. Legends tell of the siblings Nimul and Emmel who created the power of Alchemy in a bit to become gods. The tower struck down and a backstory that you would have to uncover. Alchemy has been deemed forbidden but as the drums of war start this ancient magic is utilized once more.

You take control of the lives of two brothers Logi and Dias Crowley who embark on a journey of knowing their motivations and priorities. They unlock the power of the Alchemy and must choose the path that they will take. Along the way you will be meeting a myriad of different characters both good and villains. I have not finished it yet but so far the characters are pretty vanilla in the sense that can distinguish who are the bad guys. Hopefully after a few more chapters it would not be so easy.

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So let us talk about the gameplay. You take control of the main characters and some supporting characters and troops that you will summon. Called phantoms they are the spirits of past heroes who you call on when you get into a battle. You have different kinds of characters. This really seems a steam punkian world as you both have magic and technology. Your party can be compromised of your run of the mill swordsmen, soldiers, thieves, hunters, clerics and mages as your usual trope of RPGs. Joining in the mix are brawlers, inventors, gunners, samurai, ninjas, shamans and even a few bazooka wielding dudes. Nothing says OP (Overpowered) when you fire a bazooka at a flimsy clothed mage who is stuck casting his spell.

Frankly I was a bit disappointed in the so called customization. Regardless of class everyone goes through different items as "equipment" It is not really treated as equipment as it is just a means for you to add stats and increase your job level. How else would I explain the need of a hunter armed with a bow to need a lance as part of the things he needs to job level up.

Photo credits
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So an important aspect of these turnbased JRPGS is the utilization of terrain to your advantage. You can tilt your map 180 degress so that you can look around trees, rocks, buildings or whatever obstacles in order for you to assess the best course of action. Always have your range characters placed in higher ground, use your tanks to fend off enemies from your squishies and keep them healed up with a cleric or potion. Location is everything. Attack from the rear especially on high flee and defensive skilled characters in order to hit. Whittle them down with suppressing fire from distance and did I mention the Bazooke wielding dude earlier? Yes, yes I did have him rain missiles and havoc on your foes!!! Range in this game is OP. I usually mow down half the enemies even before they get to my frontline but hey I am not complaining.

Photo credits
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If you love turn based Japanese RPGs then this a good game for you. There are a ton of characters to collect, different ways of tackling on how to beat the enemies depending on your taste. Would you go old-school swordies, mages and the like or would you nuke em to kingdom come with a bazooka! It is your choice. It is even has an automode you can switch on so that it can grind and farm while you are doing something else like writing this review.

I am looking forward to discovering more aspects of the game.

I would share with you this gorgeous anime like trailer from Gumi

If interested to download it is available for free in both Android and IOS. For more information you can go to their website https://alchemistcode.com/

It has a ton of cool things like a webcomic, some details about the characters and videos.

Excuse me while I go back to playing.