The Last Alchemist

I have completed all the achievements so I guess i can review the game. Before you actually buy the game because of my thumbsup, please see below: I will say that I will recommend the game if its price around $5 - $10. It is not worth $18. So only get it if its on sale. Basic gameplay - 4/10 - It's actually alright. Inventory management is very old school and depends on drag and drop. Not the most optimized, however it is functionable. Movement is just classic and very in character. Storyline - 7/10 - Doesn't drag on too long but provides milestones for progress. It is also kinda simple and gives a lot of room for thoughts. I think this game is very well suited for kids generally! Alchemy Gameplay - ?/10 - I can see the developer put in a LOT of effort in developing the alchemy system. Now the reason I add ? for the rating is because there is potential for this mechanic but its complexity doesn't fit with the simplicity of the game's storyline. [spoiler] The alchemy gameplay is generally a puzzle game. The game does NOT hand hold you through so you have to figure out the recipes on your own. That's the whole idea of the game - to think like an alchemist. Try and fail until you get the result you need with the rss available. If you actually need a guide, you're probably not playing the game as intended. (unless its to find certain plants than thats understandable) Some elements are not compatible which you can use the telescope to avoid the waste of essense. The main storyline is rather easy if you simply collect most ingriedients as each area unlocks and use said elements to make the essence you need. The wasted potential is the combination of elements that can lead to something more! A lot of people might complain on the redundant resources that are not used even to the end (actually, they are used in furniture for the achievement) and the telescope mechanic that seems rather pointless - (will save your butt when you try to get the achievement for 60 tiles essense) The shape of each essence and the combination to ensure it doesn't explode while still alowing the fusion is the true purpose of the telescope. It's a hidden gem of a mechanic. The flexibility of the fusions while balancing out the shape of elements and stability... All this was made but not really used in the main story. In fact I didn't really care until I was doing the acheivement then it pique my interest. But I'm already at the end of the game... 8/10 for the mechanic (could be optimized) & 1/10 for implementation of said mechanic. [/spoiler] Cons - I hate construction - 0/10 It's super unneeded. I get that everyone is dead leaving me and one other person alive but seriously?? Why do I have to create so much paper?? I have a perfectly fine notebook (the journal) here I can rip the paper out from. This is just a time waster. Rather than wasting my rss making a cabinet or 3 I just piled everything on the floor. It feels redundant other than those required by the quest. Final Thoughts: Its a good game for kids to play. The storyline is simple (and touches on certain topics without getting too deep into it, giving some room for thought), the puzzles are fairly decent and helps train a patient & resilient mindset and the gameplay (walking around to observe the environment) engages the players. However, definitely not worth the current price.