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Shin Megami Tensei 4 searches for Samurai in Europe, other regions on October 30
Good news, non-American JRPG fans – your extended wait for Shin Megami Tensei 4 is (probably) almost over! A recent press release from publisher Atlus lists a digital-only release on October 30 for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Since SMT4's classes started last year in the United States, the 3DS' venture will be priced at 18 or 20 euros, with DLC reaching the new regions within the month following launch. The game's most recent European delay was due to "last-minute issues" back in September, but Managing Editor Susan Arendt's review remarks that SMT4 has "more than enough going on to hook you early and keep you playing for a long, long time," so it might all be worth the wait. [Image: Atlus]
Shin Megami Tensei 4 delayed once more in Europe
Atlus pushed back the European release of Shin Megami Tensei 4 to October, fueling the idea that when game and continent finally meet, it'll be a universe-imploding, hell-frozen-over act of irrevocable consequence. The 2013 3DS JRPG was due to launch this month in Europe after a year of silence about it ever reaching the region. To Atlus' credit, PR Manager John Hardin explained the delay was due to a few "last-minute issues specific to the EU version, and the studio's keenly aware of what's been a long wait.
Europe gets long-detained Shin Megami Tensei 4 at cut price
Shin Megami Tensei 4 is priced just £18 or 20 euros in Europe, around half the region's typical asking price for 3DS games. The Atlus RPG cost $50 when it launched stateside last year, so it seems the lower price is a proverbial olive branch to fans frustrated by the wait. Atlus also revealed that all the DLC - minus the pre-order bonus armors offered by various North American retailers - will be available when the game hit Europe this September. At the reduced price and going by our four-star review, Shin Megami Tensei 4 looks a steal for European JRPG fans. As Joystiq's Susan Arendt put it, "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 Shin Megami Tensei 4 will demand your full attention every step of the way."
Shin Megami Tensei 4 finally journeys to Europe in Q3 2014
After being lost and presumed KIA, Shin Megami Tensei 4 finally has a targeted European window of Q3 2014. In 2013 Atlus confirmed a European arrival for the 3DS JRPG, but the game only hit Japan and North America last year. This week, Atlus said it's self-publishing Shin Megami Tensei 4 as an eShop-only game, and it'll be English-language only. The news follow's Zen United returning Persona 4 Arena's digital rights in Europe to Atlus, suggesting the Japanese publisher may be starting to self-publish its games in European territories. On the other hand, there remains no word on European release details for the four recently announced Persona games, including Persona 5. [Image: Atlus]
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."
PSA: Shin Megami Tensei 4 demonizes 3DS today
Shin Megami Tensei 4 lands on 3DS today via retail and the Nintendo eShop. In case you missed our review last week, we praised the game for its attention-demanding demon fusion system, which allows players to recruit and combine demons to fight alongside their band of samurai. Shin Megami Tensei 4 is also one of the most accessible games in the complex RPG series, making it a great entry point for new players. You can read our full review right here. And don't forget: If you enjoy good RPGs and earning free eShop bucks, Nintendo has a special promotion underway. If you register both Shin Megami Tensei 4 and Fire Emblem: Awakening with Club Nintendo by August 31, you'll pick up a sweet $30 in free eShop credit.
New Nintendo eShop releases: Metroid, Donkey Kong, Mario 2, Star Wars Pinball, SMT4
Virtual Console is doing much of the heavy lifting on the Nintendo eShop this week, with three classics making their way to the service. The 3DS snags Super Mario Bros. 2, while the Wii U picks up Metroid and Donkey Kong. Beyond these, the only new release dropping today is Star Wars Pinball on Wii U. Come July 16, you'll be able to dive into Shin Megami Tensei 4 on 3DS. Our review praised the RPG for its involving demon fusion system, noting that Shin Megami Tensei 4 is "a great entry point" for players new to the series. Keep in mind that if you register both Shin Megami Tensei 4 and Fire Emblem: Awakening with Club Nintendo by August 31, you'll pick up $30 in eShop credit.
Shin Megami Tensei 4 Review: Devils in the details
The Shin Megami Tensei series of Japanese role-playing games has typically featured deep, thought provoking storylines and richly dense game mechanics that provide immensely satisfying experiences while also scaring off a lot of would-be players. The games are so cram-packed with lore and quirky gameplay that they've proven more than a little overwhelming for newcomers. The most recent installment in the series, Shin Megami Tensei 4, is easily the most accessible of the bunch, easing new players into SMT's idiosyncrasies without making the game too basic for long-time fans. The story and visuals aren't quite up to the series' typically high standards, but there's more than enough going on to hook you early and keep you playing for a long, long time. You play as a newly-christened "Samurai" – chosen guardian of the realm against demons. Along with your companions, you've been fitted with a mystical gauntlet that allows you to perform mighty feats, like using magic and summoning captured demons to fight alongside you in turn-based battle. Your training for these new responsibilities has been exactly nothing, but fortunately your gauntlet comes equipped with a helpful AI named Burroughs who's more than happy to bring you up to speed on how to perform your Samurai duties.%Gallery-193433%
Nintendo offers $30 in eShop credit for Fire Emblem, SMT4 purchase
As part of a newly launched promotional offer, Club Nintendo members are eligible to receive $30 in eShop credit for buying and registering both Nintendo's Fire Emblem: Awakening and Atlus' upcoming Shin Megami Tensei 4 for the Nintendo 3DS. Club Nintendo members have the option of buying both games either at retail or via Nintendo's eShop in order to be eligible for the offer. Shin Megami Tensei 4 launches in North America on July 16 as an eShop download and as a retail-exclusive Limited Edition Box Set. Nintendo announced an upcoming Wii U crossover game featuring Fire Emblem and Shin Megami Tensei characters back in January, though no further details have been revealed.
Atlus' parent company Index files for 'civil rehabilitation'
Index Corporation, parent company of Shin Megami Tensei and Persona publisher Atlus, is petitioning for "civil rehabilitation proceedings," a form of bankruptcy protection under Japanese law. As part of its petition, as of May, the company has ¥24.5 billion ($249 million) in total liabilities. Jurists.co.jp has a pretty solid explanation of the procedure from this point forward. The company will have a supervisor appointed and a plan will be drawn up for rehabilitation of the company. After that, there is a creditors meeting and approval. Then the company is supposed to follow the plan. We've reached out to Atlus for a statement about if this will have any impact on the company's daily business or release schedule. Update: Atlus provided the following statement from President and CEO Naoto Hiraoka: "Currently, Index Digital Media, Inc. and the Atlus brand are unaffected by the Index Corporation proceedings in Japan. We're carrying on day-to-day activities, business as usual. Shin Megami Tensei IV and Dragon's Crown are still releasing on July 16 and August 6 respectively, and we're licensing and publishing third-party titles such as R.I.P.D: The Game and Daylight. We want to thank all of our fans for their outpouring of support."
Shin Megami Tensei 4 helps series newcomers with free DLC
Atlus is preparing a volley of free downloadable incentives for early adopters of upcoming 3DS exclusive Shin Megami Tensei 4. The Platinum Surcoat will not only bestow a sense of elegance and self-esteem on your samurai, but early-game stats bonuses designed to aid players who are new to the series. The DLC also includes three different hairstyles and, finally, a map pack with an exclusive collectible demon and enemies that will generate extra experience. The hairstyles will be free permanently, but both the armor and map pack will revert to $1 and $2 respectively, a month after Shin Megami Tensei 4 launches on July 16. All pre-orders will net a collectible box set version of the game, which includes a custom case, starter guide and art book, and the obligatory soundtrack.
Shin Megami Tensei 4 trailer is definitely going to be a samurai
We've seen plenty of Shin Megami Tensei 4 in Japanese, so here's a better, albeit brief look at how the upcoming 3DS RPG looks and sounds in English. North America passed the rite to receive the Atlus game on July 16, while Europe is still waiting in the wings with a summer release window.
Shin Megami Tensei 4 trailer runs toward the light
In Shin Megami Tensei 4, the choices you make not only affect you, but those around you. Also, the protagonist is apparently really into cardio.
Shin Megami Tensei 4 hits North America July 16, EU arrival confirmed
Shin Megami Tensei 4 is coming to North America on July 16, and the game is confirmed to be coming to Europe too, although there's no release date for the region yet.Following on from the announcement in this morning's Nintendo Direct, Nintendo of America revealed each copy in the first shipment of the Atlus JRPG will be a Limited Edition Box Set. Included in the box set are the 176-page Strategy & Design Book, which features the starter guide and a range of artwork, a soundtrack that covers the breadth of the SMT series, and a slipcase with key art by Atlus graphic artist Masayuki Doi.
Shin Megami Tensei 4 chooses 3DS this summer
Atlus' Megami Tensei meta-series (or MegaTen) will receive its first core entry in almost ten years with Shin Megami Tensei 4, an upcoming 3DS RPG slated to launch in the summer.Shin Megami Tensei 4 is "the first true successor to 2004's Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne," and promises game-changing decisions and branching storylines. "Decisions players make throughout the course of the story will have lasting repercussions, as the fate of the world hangs in the balance," Atlus says.Shin Megami Tensei 4 will lean on the series' iconic demon-collecting mechanics, enabling players to recruit and fuse together over 400 different demons for battle. The Press Turn battle system will also make a return, encouraging combatants to coordinate attacks in the correct order to exploit enemy weaknesses.The system has been used in other Shin Megami Tensei games, though it was originally introduced back in 2003 with Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne on the PlayStation 2.
Shin Megami Tensei 4 trailer features combat, dungeons
For those with the gift of the Japanese language, you go right ahead and translate what's going on in this Shin Megami Tensei 4 trailer in the comments. For those who can only process the pretty pictures, here's what the 3DS game's combat will look like. Still waiting on that international launch announcement!
Shin Megami Tensei 4 begins quest in Japan May 2013
Atlus' Shin Megami Tensei 4 is scheduled to launch in Japan this May. Ruliweb (via Siliconera) grabbed the release date of May 23 out of this week's Famitsu magazine in Japan. There is also a special SMT4-themed Nintendo 3DS XL scheduled for release on launch day with the game pre-installed.There is currently no announced international release window for Shin Megami Tensei 4. If you're not familiar with the series, we have an editorial on why fans of JRPGs are anticipating it.
Why Shin Megami Tensei 4 is my most anticipated JRPG of 2013
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. Like many people, my introduction to JRPGs came via the likes of Final Fantasy VI and Final Fantasy VII. Heavily story-based, limited dungeon crawling, turn-based battle systems with an emphasis on flashy animations. I loved them.Now it's 2013 (wow, I live in the future), and things have changed. I find that the RPG I'm looking forward to most isn't Tales of Xillia or Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII. Neither is it Ni no Kuni, which is as pretty an RPG as you will ever find. It's Shin Megami Tensei 4.
Shin Megami Tensei 4 trailer is easy to watch
Atlus has now released a Shin Megami Tensei 4 trailer in a more convenient format than "video included with another 3DS game," and you can watch it in crisp, clear direct feed. The new game combines third-person dungeon exploration with classic SMT first-person 2D battles ... and mysterious voxelized heads of bearded men.Atlus will show an even longer version of this trailer at TGS ... at the Sega booth ... once a day. And we had just praised the company for the convenient release of this one.
Shin Megami Tensei IV coming to 3DS in 2013, here's its debut trailer
You wouldn't know it from looking at it, but that video up there is actually off-screen handicam footage of a 3DS' screen. Right? As it turns out, the debut trailer for Shin Megami Tensei IV was tucked away inside the 3DS re-release of Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers, which doesn't actually come out in Japan for a couple more days.Things look bleak in SMTIV, what with all the destruction and desolation and chilly-lookin' weather and everything, but gameplay and/or story details remain scarce on account of our inability to speak or read Japanese. At any rate, we do at least know that the game will be out sometime next year.
