Throughout the adventure, characters will need to employ their skills in alchemy in order to proceed, with gamers utilizing an updated version of the panel synthesis system featured in the Mysterious sub-series. In Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream, new items are created based on the alchemic components of materials placed on the panel. Alchemic components are associated with an element (color) of either fire, ice, lightening, wind, or light. By selecting material that consists of an element (alchemic component) that matches the type of item you want to synthesize, various effects can be acquired. With alchemic components, panels that light up brightly are known as link components. When link panels of the same element are adjacent, they form a link, and the greater the number of links, the better effects can be acquired. In order to create powerful items, being aware of links and strategically placing alchemic components becomes key.
As the game progresses, catalysts and restricted panels will also become available for use. Using catalysts will enable special effects such as increasing the size of the synthesis panel. And while restricted panels have a higher synthesis difficulty level – making it harder to place alchemic components—there are special effects that can only be acquired by using a restricted panel.
In addition, Sophie and Plachta will be able to unlock the special use of Assist Skill further along in their adventure. When Plachta’s synthesis is unlocked, either Sophie or Plachta can be selected to assist with synthesis. There are some recipes that are exclusively for Sophie, and some only for Plachta, and a few of these recipes include important items required to proceed in the game. In order to create the advanced items that are key to the story, players need to raise their level as an alchemist (Alchemy Lv.). Balancing the use of Sophie and Plachta in synthesis to increase each of their Alchemy Lv. will be essential to advancing the storyline and unlocking the mysteries behind this mysterious dream.