Nelke & the Legendary Alchemists: Ateliers of the New World puts players in the shoes of Nelke von Lestamm, a young noblewoman who has always been fascinated by the ancient legend of the Sage of Granzweit; a tale of the Granzweit Tree which is said to bestow great power upon those whom discover it. As she grew up and learned her skills were not in alchemy, she studied hard to become a government official and help those around her. The day Nelke is set to graduate the academy, however, her life changes forever as she hears a rumour that the tree can be found within her father’s lands near the small village of Westwald. Her father grants her permission to search for it on one condition – that she becomes governor of the area and develops Westwald into a prosperous city.

As players work hard to build Westwald up from a quaint village to a flourishing city, they will require the aid of the many alchemists that settle in the town. Nelke and the Legendary Alchemists: Ateliers of the New World features famous alchemists from previous entries across the Atelier series, including those from the Salburg, Arland, Dusk, and Mysterious trilogies.

In Nelke & the Legendary Alchemists: Ateliers of the New World players assume the role of Nelke von Lestamm, a young aristocrat who longs to become an alchemist, but sadly does not have the talents required. With a strong fascination with the ancient legend of the Sage of Granzweit, she is excited to uncover new information which rumors that the sacred Granzweit Tree is within the lands her father governs.

Not only are the eccentric alchemists on hand to help with developing Westwald, but Nelke will rely on their help to unravel the mystery behind the Granzweit Tree. The main cast of the Dusk series; Ayesha Altugle, Escha Malier, Logix Ficsario, Shallistera Argo and Shallotte Elminus, are just a handful of the alchemist friends which she will have the pleasure to work alongside on her journey. More alchemists are yet to be revealed from across other Atelier titles like the Salburg, Mysterious and Arland trilogies.

In Nelke & the Legendary Alchemists: Ateliers of the New World, players need money to develop the land and build new facilities, but will require the aid of well-known alchemists. By sending alchemists out across the lands to gather materials and synthesize them provides Nelke with income from selling the final product in one of Westwald’s shops. As the town’s population grows, players can construct Ateliers, Shops, Growing Areas, Landmarks, and Roads, to name a few. Many facilities will allow helpers run their day-to-day procedures – place a resident as a helper in a Growing Area and they will ensure that the items planted are harvested and ready for use.

To further celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Atelier series, GUST Studios are running an Atelier Art Contest. Budding artists can submit their designs for a chance to win some exciting prizes; four awards will be selected, the GUST, Mel Kishida, NOCO and Regional Awards – and each will have prizes that Atelier fans will be wanting to get their hands on. For more information on the contest, which closes on the 31st October 2018, please visit the competition site here.

Nelke & the Legendary Alchemists: Ateliers of the New World will be released throughout the West in early 2019 on PS4, Nintendo Switch, and digitally on PC (Steam).