Shin Megami Tensei
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'Monark' RPG by former 'Shin Megami Tensei' developers launches in October
A group of ex-Atlus developers who previously worked on the Shin Megami Tensei franchise has launched a brand new JRPG IP called Monark
'Shin Megami Tensei V' arrives on Switch in 2021
An HD remaster of 'Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne' will also drop next spring.
'Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE' gets an encore on Switch in January
The Fire Emblem and Shin Megami Tensei series are pretty popular with JRPG fans, but crossover title Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE? Not so much, mostly due to being stuck on a system a lot of people never owned, the Wii U. That's about to change thanks to an upcoming port on the Switch next year.
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 3DS remake arrives stateside next year
Atlus announced today that it will publish a revamped version of its 2011 Nintendo DS strategy-RPG Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 for the Nintendo 3DS next year in North America. The publisher notes that Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker "nearly doubles the content of the original Devil Survivor 2," offering a re-localized script, voiced story mode dialogue, and an all-new episode that continues after the events of the game's initial release. The new chapter slots into Devil Survivor 2's narrative by default, and veteran players can jump immediately to the new content at the game's outset. Record Breaker follows up on Devil Survivor Overclocked, a remade version of the first game in the series that launched for the 3DS in 2011. Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker is slated to hit retail and Nintendo's eShop in North America in "early 2015." [Video: Atlus]
Persona's demon designer wants your opinion
Shigenori Soejima is the man behind the distinctive look behind super stylish games like Persona 4, Persona 5 and Catherine. Yes, he's the man you thank for the nightmare-inducing Immoral Beast, but he's also the one who gave us Chie, Teddie, Kanji, Koromaru as well as the bevvy of fascinating demons that populate the games of the Persona universe. Soejima was on hand at E3 for a rare autograph signing, and fans lined up for hours to meet him and thank him for his work on the art of the Persona games. I asked him, through a translator, how he felt about the outpouring of appreciation, and his answer was both humbling and surprising: "He was very happy to be able to come into contact with such fans but to be honest, he wanted to talk to them more. Because he's Japanese and he can speak to the Japanese fans, he knows what kinds of things that they think about his artwork, versus, he's not sure what foreign audiences think, because he can't speak with them. He wishes he had a little bit more one-on-one time and could ask each of the people what do you like about it, what is it that draws you to my artwork? So because he wants to know that, he says for your readers to actually write to him, he would love to hear from your fans." We confirmed with Atlus that this offer is completely legit, so if you've ever wanted to let Mr. Soejima know what you thought about his work - or to ask what the real deal is with Teddie - now's your chance. We'll collect the comments below and send them off to Atlus for translation so that they can be passed along to Soejima himself. First question: Mr. Soejima, have you ever considered a micropig sidekick for Persona 5? Just something to think about. [Image: Atlus]
Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 2 rated by ESRB
Want to know if Atlus' Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 2 is coming to stateside PS3s? The devil is in the details - specifically, the ESRB's details. A rating for a PS3 version of the game recently popped up on the ESRB's website, hinting at an eventual US release. Atlus has not officially announced a Digital Devil Saga 2 re-release for the US, though its prequel made an appearance on the PSN last month. [Image: Atlus]
Report: Persona Q features FOE battles, touch-screen cartography
While it's long been known that Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth blends characters from Atlus' beloved Persona franchise with the mechanics of its likewise beloved Etrian Odyssey games, we've had scant solid information on how exactly this collaboration would work - until now. Famitsu, via Siliconera translation, claims that the map-making functionality of Etrian Odyssey will make an appearance in Persona Q. This gives prospective dungeon crawlers the chance to sketch out a map of their virtual surroundings using the 3DS' touchscreen. It's unknown how big a role this feature will play in Persona Q, though in the Etrian Odyssey games it was just shy of mandatory for anyone hoping to make any real progress. Likewise, Persona Q will feature FOE encounters. Officially, "FOE" is an acronym for "Formido Oppugnatura Exsequens," but more pragmatically you can think of these FOEs as largely optional boss encounters. Killing a FOE results in great rewards, but more often than not, it will be in a player's best interest to flee from the battle until properly prepared for that specific fight. Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth lacks a specific release date, but Atlus has targeted the Fall of 2014 to launch the handheld roleplaying epic. [Image: Atlus]
Coerce and capture demons in Shin Megami Tensei on iOS March 18
Classic turn-based RPG Shin Megami Tensei is coming to iOS on March 18. Adventurers interested in collecting demons and exploring the dank dungeons of the Atlus series' progenitor can grab Shin Megami Tensei through the App Store for $7.99. This port marks the first time that Shin Megami Tensei will be made available the West since its initial launch in Japan in 1992. The same team responsible for Western ports of Persona 4, Catherine, and Shin Megami Tensei IV will undertake translation of this lengthy RPG. This port is the first project in what will be a busy year for the Japanese developer and publisher. Earlier this week, Atlus announced it intends to localize four new Persona games in North America: Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, Persona 4: Dancing All Night and Persona 5. [Image: Atlus]
Atlus confirms four new Persona games for North America
In November, Atlus revealed four new games in the Shin Megami Tensei spin-off series, Persona. Notably absent from that announcement was any information on a North American release, but now Atlus has revealed its plan to bring those games to the West. Chibi-style dungeon crawl Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth will reach the 3DS in the Fall of 2014. Atlus describes the dungeon crawl as a cross between Etrian Odyssey and Persona, that sees characters from Persona 3 and 4 plumbing the first-person depths of an alternate version of Yasogami High School. Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, an enhanced re-release of Persona 4 Arena, is slated to debut on the PlayStation 3 in the Fall of 2014. Atlus' description of the fighting game mentions the addition of two characters from Persona 3, Junpei Iori and Yukari Takeba, as well as a wholly new character, the mysterious Sho Minazuki. A more nebulous "2015" release window has been attached to Vita rhythm game Persona 4: Dancing All Night. According to Atlus' description, Dancing All Night stars pop idol Rise, who returns to Inaba only to discover something called the "Midnight Stage." This Stage is populated by evil shadows, but these foes can't be defeated by simple elemental attacks. Instead, Rise will have to rely on funky fresh dance moves. Persona 5, the latest entry in Atlus' fan-favorite series, will also reach the PlayStation 3 in 2015, though Atlus offers no further information on this heavily anticipated roleplaying game. Alongside this confirmation comes a swath of new media. Above you'll see a new Persona 5 teaser, while footage from both Persona 4 Arena Ultimax and Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth can be found below the break. Screenshot galleries are below this text. [Image: Atlus]
Sega reveals plan to make Atlus into Atlus once more
In its first major move since acquiring the company in 2013, Sega has revealed plans to split Index Corporation into two separate divisions, according to a Gematsu translation of a Sega press release. Come April 1, Index Corporation will cease to exist and in its place will be two new divisions of the overarching Sega corporate umbrella. Atlus will continue to create the sort of quirky, Japanese games the company is most famous for, while Index Corporation - this new division borrows its name from the now-split subsidiary - will handle things like advertising and content distribution. Sega managing director Yukio Sugino will serve as representative for Atlus while Yasuhiko Hamada, Index executive vice president, will lead Index Corporation. Additionally, Index Digital Media, Inc. (Index Corporation's international arm) will be rebranded Atlus USA Inc. According to Sega, this corporate restructuring will allow both Atlus and Index Corporation to function more smoothly, yet remain independent to create the kind of content that made Atlus an attractive acquisition for Sega in the first place. [Image: Sega]
Shin Megami Tensei IV summons $10 discount
Purchase Shin Megami Tensei IV by October 14, and the game will set you back $40 - a $10 discount over its standard $50 price point. As publisher Atlus points out, this is the first official discount the 3DS roleplaying game has gotten since its debut on July 16. This price cut applies to both digital download and physical retail incarnations of the game. If you're on the fence about picking this game up, have a look at our review of Shin Megami Tensei IV in which we award it 4/5 stars. "If you've ever wondered what all the Shin Megami Tensei fuss was about, Shin Megami Tensei 4 is a great entry point," our Susan Arendt wrote. "It eases you into the gameplay without babying you, giving you the tools you need to succeed and enjoy your adventure while still providing a hefty challenge." "It's not the prettiest thing you'll ever pop into your 3DS, and the story isn't the series' strongest, but SMT4 will demand your full attention every step of the way."
Devil Survivor 2 tops 1,800 pre-orders, ensuring European release
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 will appear in European territories thanks to 1,800 fans who were willing to pre-order the game. British publisher Ghostlight Ltd. offered the following on its official forums: "I've got some fantastic news for you....#clears throat#... it seems that after a herculean push over the last week, I am delighted to say that Devil Survivor 2 has reached its pre-order target! A massive (and I do mean MASSIVE) thank you to everyone who ordered the game or posted about it and helped us spread the word. I knew we could count on you! :)" As a special thanks to its fans, Ghostlight plans to include the names of everyone who pre-ordered the game prior to September 2 within its manual. Those who purchase Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 via Ghostlight's website after September 2 will be left out of the manual, but will receive the limited "Gold Edition" of the game, which includes an A4-size poster and special gold logo. Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 was published in America by Atlus in February 2012. Ghostlight has yet to announce an official release date for the European version of the game.
PSA: 1,800 pre-orders will get Devil Survivor 2 published in PAL region
Publisher Ghostlight would love to release Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 in the PAL region, but it needs to reach its minimum order quantity of 1,800 units by August 30 in order to do that. An update on its official blog details two versions of the game: a standalone release of Devil Survivor 2 for £25 and a bundled copy with the 3DS' Devil Survivor Overclocked for £50. The bundle carries a £10 discount and cannot be shipped to Germany due to "an existing distribution agreement." Devil Survivor 2 continues the series' tradition of following a group of high-school students that save the world by making pacts with demons. If you're on the fence, we were quite fond of it.
Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers summoned to 3DS April 16
Hidden within Nintendo's expansive release list was a firm date for Atlus' 3DS update of the never-localized Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers. You'll be able to negotiate with demons in labyrinthine first-person dungeons starting April 16 in North America.The updated 3DS version of the Saturn/PlayStation RPG features new content including a bonus dungeon, in which you can encounter Raidou Kuzunoha from other Devil Summoner games.
Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers coming to North America in spring
The next game in the Shin Megami Tensei series to make it to North America is one that missed its chance before. Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers was released on Saturn in Japan in 1997, but was never localized.But now Atlus is planning to release a localized version of the 3DS remake in North America in the spring of 2013. The first-person RPG combines a futuristic "cyberpunk" setting with the traditional SMT demon battles and negotiations. The 3DS screen adds automapping functions and the ability to change difficulty levels on the fly.
Shin Megami Tensei transferred to Atlus in North America
If you're a fan of the venerable Shin Megami Tensei RPG franchise, you might be pleased to know that Atlus is taking over publishing duties on the Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine online title from California-based Aeria Games. Gamasutra reports that Atlus views the forthcoming April move as a "homecoming" for the game, which was originally released in 2007. Prior to the move, Atlus managed the Japanese servers while Aeria handled the North American operations. Gamasutra says that "all characters and player data will be carried over automatically, although there will be a short period of downtime while this occurs."
When Genres Collide: Why Devil Survivor 2 works so well (and Namco x Capcom doesn't)
This is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer. One of the dullest strategy RPGs ever made is Namco x Capcom, a forgotten Japan-only release for the PlayStation 2 in 2005. Playing the crossover was about as exciting as banging your head against the wall -- the two activities are equally repetitive.The reason it fails so completely is paradoxically the very reason that it looks so appealing in trailers: the active, combo-based combat. Namco x Capcom's combat isn't too bad at first, but it quickly becomes a series of using the same combos again and again, across maps that take ages to clear out. I've had math tests that were more fun. But now we have Devil Survivor 2, which manages to succeed in every way that Namco x Capcom's battle system failed.The key here is that, as far as I can tell, Devil Survivor is the only SRPG spinoff that retains some semblance of what made the original so popular in the first place. Now hear me out before you start typing that angry comment. Final Fantasy Tactics is a fine strategy RPG, but it has much more in common with Tactics Ogre than most mainline Final Fantasy games (Final Fantasy XII notwithstanding). Replace the jobs with more generic classes, switch out the Chocobos for horses, and you'd hardly know the difference.It's easy enough, I suppose, to shoehorn an existing universe into the basic framework provided by the likes of Tactics Ogre. But speaking the language of the genre without sacrificing the spirit of the original game is considerably harder. That's why I'm so impressed with Devil Survivor and its sequel, which manage to translate the battle system of a traditional RPG into an SRPG setting without missing a beat. Just how impressed was I by Devil Survivor 2, specifically? Just read my review to find out.%Gallery-149047%
Unlocalized Shin Megami Tensei ends up on iOS
The original Shin Megami Tensei game was never officially released in North America -- until now. Atlus parent company Index has posted what looks like an emulated version of the Game Boy port of the first-person RPG on the iOS App Store, for $13.99. From Japan-only release to digitally distributed on your phone -- that's quite a jump in convenience!Of course, you have to deal with the tiny little issue of the game still being in Japanese. Maybe that part's not so convenient. Combining demons is a pretty delicate art even in your native language![Thanks, Jared.]
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked trailer is talkin' demons
We know that the prospect of capturing and exploiting demons is a tough nut to wrap your mind around, but we're still amused by how perplexed everyone is in the Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked trailer posted above. Yeah, guys: There are demons. Get over it, already.
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked due in North America this summer
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked, Atlus's enhanced 3DS port of the DS Devil Survivor, will be available to North American gamers eager to jump back into demon-filled Tokyo this summer. Atlus announced the release window today and sent out new screenshots, which you can enjoy in our gallery. Overclocked includes everything from the DS game -- about a group of Tokyo residents attempting to stop demons from invading the city through interdimensional rifts, before everyone dies -- with an extra eighth day added to everyone's projected lifespan, and voice acting added throughout.%Gallery-115113%
