The Last Alchemist

The Last Alchemist Review

Game: The Last Alchemist
Genre: Adventure, Simulation
System: Steam (Windows)
Developer | Publisher: Vile Monarch| Marvelous Europe
Controller Support: No
Price: US $ 19.99 | UK £ 16.79 | EU € 19,99
Release Date: July 12th, 2024

A review code was provided, and many thanks to Decibel PR.

Experience the magical world of alchemy and discover its wonders in The Last Alchemist! Delve into the art of solving alchemical puzzles by skillfully transforming and combining Essences. Immerse yourself in the craft of creating unique items, tools, and machines to aid you on your journey. Explore the enchanting landscapes filled with peculiar resources, and befriend the Agari, charming mushroom creatures who will support you in finding the cure for your mysterious affliction. Embrace the beauty and magic of alchemy as you embark on this heartfelt adventure.

An image from The Last Alchemist. There is a black background with gold-ish plants underneath. There is text in the middle which reads "The disease didn't take my life, but is slowly consumed my strength.

An image from The Last Alchemist which shows a black background and half of a sun in golden yellow in the top middle. In the middle of the image is text which says "With time running out, I decided to give Alchemy one more chance."
Help me, alchemy; you’re my only hope

Meet Your Protagonist in The Last Alchemist

Meet the Apprentice, who finds himself in the Old Imperial Star observatory, a place that holds special significance as it once belonged to his beloved mentor, who has passed away. The laboratory is filled with an array of extraordinary instruments and devices and the immense wealth of knowledge that the Apprentice requires to follow in their footsteps and become the new Master Alchemist.

In humbly following the path paved by his mentors, the Apprentice finds solace in the hope of discovering a cure for the enigmatic ailment that burdens him. Despite exploring every avenue available, his unwavering dedication and relentless pursuit of answers serve as a beacon of light amidst the darkness of his affliction. With guidance and perseverance, he is determined to unlock the secrets that hold the key to his healing and well-being.

An image from The Last Alchemist showing a creature shaped like a mushroom greeting the Apprentice.
Is there mush-room for this fun-gi?

Agari…Agari Everywhere

Just when you may be feeling a bit lonely, you are suddenly surprised by the friendly presence of creatures that look like mushrooms and fungi! The first one you encounter will be waiting for you at the observatory. These delightful little beings are known as Agari, each with their own unique name and special talents. What I find truly endearing about the Agari is their ability to bring joy and laughter to the Apprentice through their playful interactions. I have always had a soft spot for humour in games, so this aspect of the game really resonates with me. Moments like these make the gaming experience truly enjoyable and heartwarming.

The Agari are cautious around The Apprentice. While The Apprentice was resting, the Agari quietly assumed control of the land and observatory, leaving The Apprentice feeling bewildered. With his mentor gone, he now finds himself as The Last Alchemist. It is essential for him to demonstrate to the Agari that he is reliable and deserving of their trust.

An image from The Last Alchemist showing a machine used for extracting seeds.
Machines are paramount to aid you in your quest

The Importance of Tools

The tools and machines are essential companions on The Apprentice’s journey to find a cure in The Last Alchemist. As you begin your quest, you will come across the “magnifier,” a valuable tool that opens up new perspectives on the world. With the magnifier, you can explore and understand the intricacies of plants, herbs, and other elements of nature. Every piece of knowledge you gather will be carefully preserved in a special encyclopaedia, ready for you to revisit whenever you need guidance.

I have a deep craving for knowledge, and whenever a game incorporates an encyclopedia or dictionary to assist in teaching and learning, my heart skips a beat with excitement. I find myself drawn even closer to the game as I immerse myself in the opportunities for growth and discovery that it provides.

As you journey through the game, you will find yourself in need of gathering more materials and resources to construct a plethora of intricate machines. These machines are designed to assist you in refining materials for potent potions, extracting essence from bountiful herbs and plants, and converting wood into sturdy planks, among many other tasks. Each creation will aid you in your quest to uncover a cure for the mysterious ailment that afflicts you while also lending a helping hand to the world around you.

The main currency in the game is insight. You gain insight from discovering new things, and you can also sell items for insight at one of the machines.

An image from The Last Alchemist showing a scene with machines and an encyclopaedia entry displaying information about essence.
Use essence to create potions.

Lotions and Potions

One of the most intriguing aspects of The Last Alchemist is the art of potion-making and alchemy. Surprisingly, this involves solving puzzles, which add an extra layer of challenge to the game. It’s reminiscent of a game like Tetris, where strategic thinking and problem-solving skills are key in placing shapes in the right positions to solve the puzzle. It may seem straightforward at first, but it can actually be quite tricky. The Last Alchemist offers a unique and engaging gameplay experience that is sure to keep players entertained and challenged.

I found the puzzles to be quite challenging, but I didn’t feel frustrated by them. In fact, I still enjoyed working through them. The challenges really added to the sense of accomplishment when I was able to solve them. It was a rewarding experience overall.

An image from The Last Alchemist showing the Apprentice walking through the land, with a hill in front of him and small trees to the left.
I’m walking through the land.

Immerse Yourself

One of the aspects of The Last Alchemist that truly resonates with me is the way it transports you into a wholly imaginative and captivating fictional realm. The encounters with the intriguing Agari beings, the tranquil beauty of the landscapes, and the genuine connections made along the way all contribute to making this world a joy to lose yourself in. I appreciate the care and detail put into creating such a rich and immersive experience for readers like myself.

One of the wonderful features of The Last Alchemist is the ability to take a break and replenish stamina by sitting on benches. It can be frustrating in games when running out of stamina means having to end the day and wait for it to replenish.

Thankfully, in this game, you have the option to relax on a bench and replenish your stamina, allowing you to continue on your journey without the hassle of having to sleep. This small addition makes a big difference in the overall experience of the game, giving players a chance to catch their breath and continue on with their adventure. It’s important to remember that the Apprentice has their limits, and there will always be a time when they will collapse from exhaustion, no matter how much stamina they have left. However, it was a nice change to be able to replenish their stamina by simply taking a short break on a bench.

One thing that stood out to me was the lack of controller support in the game. I attempted to use my controller, but unfortunately, it didn’t seem to be recognized. I tested the controller with another game, and it worked perfectly. I believe adding controller support would greatly enhance the gaming experience. Additionally, there is no option to re-map the keys for a more personalized user experience. While this may not be a deal breaker for me personally, I understand that it could be frustrating for some users.

Conclusion

The Last Alchemist truly stands out in the adventure simulation genre, offering a refreshing experience for players. The captivating visuals draw you in, while the intriguing narrative keeps you engaged. But what truly steals the show are the Agari – delightful and endearing beings that inject humour and cuteness into the game. It’s rare to come across such charming characters, making The Last Alchemist a truly heartwarming experience.

You can find The Last Alchemist on Steam here 

Final Verdict: Two Thumbs UpTwo thumbs up

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