The Alchemist Code
{{short description|2016 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = The Alchemist Code
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| developer = Jun Imaizumi
| publisher = Fuji & gumi Games
| series =
| engine =
| platforms = Android, iOS, browser
| released = {{Video game release|JP|January 18, 2016|WW|November 2017}}
| genre =
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
| director = Shōji Kawamori
| producer = Jun Imaizumi
| designer =
| programmer =
| artist =
| writer =
| composer = {{ubl|Yoko Shimomura|Shinya Tanaka|Shigeki Hayashi}}
}}
{{Nihongo foot|The Alchemist Code|誰ガ為のアルケミスト|Dare ga Tame no Arukemisuto|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}}, also known as For Whom the Alchemist Exists, was a 2016 Japanese tactical role-playing game published by {{ill|Fuji & gumi Games|ja|gumi (企業)}}.{{cite magazine |title=『誰ガ為のアルケミスト』描きたかったのは、心の葛藤～プロデューサーインタビュー |url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201602/18097821.html |magazine=Famitsu |access-date=March 26, 2025 |language=ja |date=February 18, 2016 |archive-date=July 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729160732/https://www.famitsu.com/news/201602/18097821.html |url-status=live }} It was discontinued on November 28, 2024.
Gameplay
The Alchemist Code is a tactical role-playing game that follows seven characters and themed around the seven deadly sins. It takes place on the continent of Babel, where the imposing Tower of Babel stands over seven nations.{{cite web |last1=Hodgkins |first1=Crystalyn |title=Ta ga Tame no Alchemist Social Game Gets Theatrical Project with Shoji Kawamori |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-02-05/ta-ga-tame-no-alchemist-social-game-gets-theatrical-project-with-shoji-kawamori/.127387 |website=Anime News Network |access-date=March 26, 2025 |language=en |date=February 5, 2018}}
The game involves turn-based combat on a grid-based battlefield where units take turns based on speed stats. It also has features such as attacks from the side or rear dealing increased damage, terrain height impacts attack power, defense, and critical hit chances, and friendly fire is also possible.{{cite magazine |title=【新作】ガチゲーマーなら絶対にハマる！ 『誰ガ為のアルケミスト』の5つの魅力 {{!}} ファミ通App【スマホゲーム情報サイト】 |url=https://app.famitsu.com/20160218_640750/ |magazine=Famitsu |access-date=March 26, 2025 |language=ja |date=February 26, 2016 |archive-date=September 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922083844/https://app.famitsu.com/20160218_640750/ |url-status=live }} The game can be played in a singleplayer or multiplayer including a player vs player (PVP) system.
Plot
Long ago, the discovery of alchemy led to devastating warfare, nearly driving humanity to extinction. In response, the seven nations forged a fragile peace, banning alchemy for centuries. However, in the Continental Year 911, the nation of Lustrice defied this pact, amassing an alchemy-powered army in a bid for dominance. In retaliation, the other six nations, led by Envylia, united to crush Lustrice and banish alchemy once more. Yet, two decades later, alchemy stirs once again, threatening to plunge the land into turmoil.
Development and release
It was published by Fuji & gumi games. The game was planned, developed, and produced by Jun Imaizumi—the company's vice president—.{{cite web |last1=Pineda |first1=Rafael Antonio |title=Macross' Kawamori, Ghibli Composer Hisaishi Work on Phantom of the Kill Maker's RPGs |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-09-23/macross-kawamori-ghibli-composer-hisaishi-work-on-phantom-of-the-kill-maker-rpgs/.93248 |website=Anime News Network |access-date=March 26, 2025 |language=en |date=September 23, 2015}} In an interview with Famitsu, that he wanted the game to be a "casual" game. He said after creating the seven characters that he wanted to make the conflict about "alchemy". He also created grids so that the characters can be moved by tapping. The animation was directed by Shōji Kawamori. The game was released in Japan on January 28, 2016, for iOS and Android devices under the title For Whom the Alchemist Exists.{{cite web |last1=Mateo |first1=Alex |title=Huwie Ishizaki Performs For Whom The Alchemist Exists Film's Theme Songs |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-04-12/huwie-ishizaki-performs-for-whom-the-alchemist-exists-film-theme-songs/.145680 |website=Anime News Network |access-date=March 26, 2025 |language=en |date=April 13, 2019}}{{cite web |last1=Bitner |first1=Jon |title=The Alchemist Code And The Rising Of The Shield Hero Collaborating For New In-Game Event |url=https://www.thegamer.com/the-alchemist-code-the-rising-of-the-shield-hero-event/ |website=TheGamer |access-date=March 26, 2025 |language=en |date=December 28, 2020}}
It released its browser version in September 2017.{{cite web |last1=Pineda |first1=Rafael Antonio |title=For Whom the Alchemist Exists Game Ends Service on November 28 |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-09-30/for-whom-the-alchemist-exists-game-ends-service-on-november-28/.216156 |website=Anime News Network |access-date=March 26, 2025 |language=en |date=September 30, 2024}} The game was released worldwide in November 2017 under the title The Alchemist Code.{{cite web |last1=Harris |first1=Iain |title=Gumi's The Alchemist Code racks up five million downloads worldwide |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/the-alchemist-code-racks-up-5m-downloads/ |website=Pocket Gamer |access-date=March 26, 2025 |language=en |date=May 2, 2018}}{{cite web |last1=Wong |first1=Alistair |title=Japanese SRPG For Whom The Alchemist Exists To Bring Its Tactical Battles Worldwide |url=https://www.siliconera.com/japanese-srpg-alchemist-exists-bring-tactical-battles-worldwide/ |website=Siliconera |access-date=March 26, 2025 |date=September 14, 2017 |archive-date=November 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241113161030/https://www.siliconera.com/japanese-srpg-alchemist-exists-bring-tactical-battles-worldwide/ |url-status=live }}
Discontinuation
The international version was discontinued on March 31, 2023.{{cite web |title=The Alchemist Code is shutting down for good at the end of March |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/the-alchemist-code/end-of-service-notice/ |website=Pocket Gamer |date=February 9, 2023 |access-date=March 26, 2025 |language=en}} Fuji & gumi Games's website announced on September 26, 2024, that the game will completely end services on November 28, 2024.
Fuji & gumi released a web fan club on January 28, 2025, in commemoration of the ninth anniversary of the game's release where players of the game can communicate with each other.{{cite web |title=タガタメのWebファンコミュニティ「CLUB誰ガ為のアルケミスト」，本日正式オープン |url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/318/G031823/20250128034/ |website=4Gamer.net |access-date=March 26, 2025 |language=ja}}
Music
Reception
By April 2019, the game was downloaded 8 million times globally.
Micheal Logarta praised the game for its "engaging gameplay" but commented that the story is a "so-so". It concluded that The Alchemist Code is a "brilliant mobile game".{{cite web |last1=LOGARTA |first1=MICHAEL |title=GAME REVIEW: Mobile game 'The Alchemist Code' delivers on strategy RPG brilliance |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/scitech/technology/633781/mobile-game-the-alchemist-code-delivers-on-strategy-rpg-brilliance/story/ |website=GMA News Online |access-date=March 26, 2025 |language=en |date=November 20, 2017}} Kurotani Yamaari praised the game for its "solid structure" and "rich story".{{cite magazine |title=『誰ガ為のアルケミスト』10年後にも記憶に残る重厚なドラマと登場人物たち。8年以上も歴史のあるゲームだけど触ってみてほしい一本【夏のおすすめゲームレビュー】 {{!}} ゲーム・エンタメ最新情報のファミ通.com |url=https://www.famitsu.com/article/202408/13981 |magazine=Famitsu |access-date=March 26, 2025 |language=ja |archive-date=August 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813042024/https://www.famitsu.com/article/202408/13981 |url-status=live }}
Anime film adaptation
An anime adaptation was announced in February 2018. The film was directed by Shōji Kawamori and Masanori Takahashi and animated by Satelight.{{cite web |last1=Hodgkins |first1=Crystalyn |title=The Alchemist Code Anime Film Reveals More Cast, Staff |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-02-03/the-alchemist-code-anime-film-reveals-more-cast-staff/.142940 |website=Anime News Network |access-date=March 26, 2025 |language=en |date=February 23, 2019 |archive-date=March 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321183639/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-02-03/the-alchemist-code-anime-film-reveals-more-cast-staff/.142940 |url-status=live }} The film was released on June 14, 2019, under the title For Whom the Alchemist Exists: The Movie.{{cite web |last1=Pineda |first1=Rafael Antonio |title=For Whom The Alchemist Exists Film's Teaser, Visual Reveal June 14 Opening |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-03-21/for-whom-the-alchemist-exists-film-teaser-visual-reveal-june-14-opening/.144832 |website=Anime News Network |access-date=March 26, 2025 |language=en |date=March 22, 2019}}
Collaborations
The game made several collaborations. In 2018, they collaborate with the Fate/stay night, a visual novel game, where users can use characters from the game.{{cite web |last1=Ricchiuto |first1=Madeline |title=The Alchemist Code is Getting a Crossover with Fate/stay night Unlimited Bladeworks |url=https://bleedingcool.com/games/the-alchemist-code-is-getting-a-crossover-with-fate-stay-night-unlimited-bladeworks/ |website=Bleeding Cool |access-date=March 26, 2025 |language=en |date=April 4, 2018 |archive-date=September 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928105941/https://bleedingcool.com/games/the-alchemist-code-is-getting-a-crossover-with-fate-stay-night-unlimited-bladeworks/ |url-status=live }}, In 2020, the game collaborated with The Rising of the Shield Hero where users can summon characters from the anime. In May 2021, they collaborated with the game {{ill|Crystal of Re:Union|ja|クリスタル オブ リユニオン}} where users can get luxurious items from the game by signing in.{{cite magazine |title=『クリスタル オブ リユニオン』コラボ限定英雄"アハト"が登場！『誰ガ為のアルケミスト』コラボは5/1より開催 {{!}} ファミ通App【スマホゲーム情報サイト】 |url=https://app.famitsu.com/20210428_1792330/ |magazine=Famitsu |access-date=March 26, 2025 |language=ja}} In July, they collaborated with the anime That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime where can play as Rimuru Tempest, a character from the series.{{cite web |last1=Sheehan |first1=Gavin |title=The Alchemist Code Is Getting An Interesting Crossover Event |url=https://bleedingcool.com/games/the-alchemist-code-is-getting-an-interesting-crossover-event/ |website=Bleeding Cool |access-date=March 26, 2025 |language=en |date=July 5, 2021}} In November, they collaborated with the manga The Seven Deadly Sins where users can play characters from the series.{{cite web |last1=Dellosa |first1=Catherine |title=The Alchemist Code launches The Seven Deadly Sins collab with new characters and in-game giveaways |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/the-alchemist-code/seven-deadly-sins-collab-new-characters-giveaways/ |website=Pocket Gamer |access-date=March 26, 2025 |language=en |date=November 19, 2021}}
Notes
{{Notelist}}