Officially revealed back in June, Persona 3 Reload now has a release date. Those looking to dive into the full remake of the PlayStation 2 RPG can mark their calendars for February 2, 2024. If this one has been living rent-free in your head since 2006, you can celebrate its return with the deluxe Aigis Edition.

While we spent some hands-on time with the remake, Atlus shared a new trailer to showcase more of the fresh updates. You can check it out below to see how the overhauled visuals give new life to a fan favorite.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax-u7i2_6nQ

If you're curious about the updated music, there's also a trailer highlighting the new battle theme.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTdrcvnqDjE

Persona 3 Reload goes beyond tweaks to the visuals and music. Changes have been made to mechanics like Shuffle Time, for instance. The voice cast is also new, including the likes of Zeno Robinson as Junpei Iori, Aleks Le as the protagonist, and more. It looks like a solid mix of modernization and the type of overall faithfulness hardcore Persona fans expect. 

[caption id="attachment_398444" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Atlus[/caption]

Aigis ain't nothin' but a number

In addition to the standard $69.99 digital and physical release and two extra tiers of digital editions — Standard, Digital Deluxe, and Digital Premium — Persona 3 Reload's centerpiece is the Aigis Edition. There's no price at the moment, but this one packs in a bunch of physical and digital bonuses. The game comes in a collector's box along with an art book, two-disc soundtrack CD, and an Aigis figure. All the DLC available at launch will also be included in a DLC pack voucher. You'll be able to grab this one on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. 

Persona 3 Reload is coming to PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, and PC (Steam and Microsoft Store). It also has its sights set on Game Pass, so get ready to evoke in February! 

The post Persona 3 Reload release date set, Aigis Edition revealed appeared first on Destructoid.

Persona 5 Tactica continues a fascinating tradition of Persona spinoffs that want to break you into new genres.

It wasn’t until I sat down to write this that I realized how wild the Persona brand has gotten. I mean, sure, every big brand has to have a Musou eventually. And you can see the RPG throughline that connects Persona with the Etrian Odyssey-style Persona Q. But a fighting game set in the Persona universe? A collection of rhythm games based on Persona soundtracks? The crazy part is, no matter what direction Persona spinoffs take, they always seem to land strong and find fans. Heck, I know a guy who’s chomping at the bit for a Persona 5 fighting game, even though he’s since graduated to fighters like Guilty Gear and Street Fighter.

I say all this to set the stage for what kind of game Persona 5 Tactica is. During my recent trip to a Sega event, I spent a while with the series' next tactical RPG. As a Devil Survivor fan, I was eager to see what Atlus came up with here. And after playing the game, I can certainly say that Devil Survivor is not a good comparison for Persona 5 Tactica. However, while I still need to see how the full game pans out, I think Tactica could easily find similar success to the spinoff titles that came before it.

[caption id="attachment_398230" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot via Sega[/caption]

New story, same great taste

So, I need to take this opportunity to make a deep, dark confession. I never played Persona 5. I know that’s appalling for a self-proclaimed RPG fan like me. It was just one of those games that wasn’t available on a platform I had on hand for the longest time, and now I lack the time for a massive RPG outside of work. I know, I’m a very, very bad Persona fan.

However, I'm happy to report Persona 5 Tactica is plenty easy to follow without playing the source material. It sets the stage for a new storyline right off the bat, moving quickly from the outset. And while the game doesn’t bother reintroducing main characters, I grasped the finer details from context. Only a couple terms were unfamiliar to me, but in short, don’t feel like you need to finish Persona 5 to understand or appreciate this one.

The story bits didn’t take themselves too seriously from what I saw. The game uses Visual Novel sequences to set the stage, with a few cutscenes sprinkled in once I got into the thick of things. Tactica's tone felt silly and fun, which I was on board with. But even if you’re allergic to stories, you won’t waste too much time before getting into the meat of the experience.

[caption id="attachment_398231" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot via Sega[/caption]

Take cover!

During my session with Persona 5 Tactica, I sampled a handful of missions from the earliest section of the game. These were very much tutorial stages, so keep that in mind.

In the first stage of the game, you'll abundantly learn one lesson: take cover. Persona 5 Tactica fills its maps with boxes both big and small, shaping the field for tactical play. Enemies hide behind boxes and take shots at you, which you can dodge completely if you’re out of their line of sight. Conversely, player characters can snipe foes from behind cover as long as they can at least clip an enemy. Deciding where to park party members immediately became a consistent choice at the start of each mission.

It helps that the game follows traditional Fire Emblem rules with its turn order. By that, I mean you’ll move all your units before declaring an end to your turn, the enemy will do the same, rinse and repeat. While you have full analogue control of a character as you move them, this one is 100% as tile-based as any other tactical RPG. This only got a little confusing when my characters’ attack range was visualized by a circle around them. The design made it slightly unclear whether I could hit certain enemies, but I imagine I’d get used to this quirk quickly in the full game.

[caption id="attachment_398232" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot via Sega[/caption]

Here's our chance for an all-out attack!

For the most part, your raw damage dealing revolves around ranged attacks. In Tactica, that means relying on guns, though you have your classic Shin Megami Tensei Garu and Bufu spells to nuke foes fast. Initially, I figured melee attacks would just act as extra powerful hits, but that isn’t quite the case here.

Since Persona 5 Tactica revolves so heavily around cover, repositioning enemies comes in clutch. This is where melee attacks come in. By striking an enemy, you’ll move them several tiles in front of you, Play your cards right, and you’ll make your foe vulnerable so your other units can quickly nuke them from the safety of their respective cover. Tactical RPG fans know that party strategies are core to any genre title, but they’re really important to Tactica. If you don’t plan carefully, you can waste turns repositioning your party while the enemy takes easy shots at you.

To drive the party synergy concept home, Persona 5 Tactica integrates all-out attacks from the main series. Here, it calls them Triple Threats. Basically, if your units can make a triangle around an unlucky enemy, they can unleash a combo attack. During my demo playthrough, this pretty much meant an instant KO. I will say I was never sure just how strict or loose the positioning requirements were here. It’s possible that years of making Triangle Attacks work in Fire Emblem made me overthink this. Either way, it is a nifty concept, I just wanted to optimize it more than I did.

Similarly, units can sacrifice turns to charge themselves up for the next turn. This comes with its own unique mechanics, which the game's tutorial messages really wanted me to use. So in short, while I didn’t necessarily have a ton of attacks in these early stages, I did see enough choices to keep the experience interesting. Everything served a unique function, so the basics were easy to learn. But I quickly saw how striving for perfection could become its own rewarding challenge.

[caption id="attachment_398233" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot via Sega[/caption]

Signs of things to come

As I poked around in menus, I caught a glimpse of a skill tree system for each character. This didn’t look particularly intensive, so I don’t think anyone will need to Google “Morgana build guide” or anything. But it was nice to see some customization on the table for those who like decking out their team in tactical RPGs.

Additionally, each stage came with its own set of challenges to complete. These resembled the type of challenges you’d find in typical mobile games. For example, “Clear the stage in 4 turns” or “Take damage less than 3 times.” I felt perfectly fine with this since it veered closer toward throwing genre veterans a bone without alienating casual audiences. The game comes with several difficulty options, so I imagine the game could get wild if you want it to.

Otherwise, it was hard to get a feel for how the game will pan out in the long run. I can see the potential for greater depth later on, but I had fun messing around in these early stages. A Sega representative told me Persona 5 Tactica should last for roughly 40 hours, which seemed like a sweet spot. Compared to some tactical RPGs, that might sound like chump change. But I’d say 40 hours is enough for anyone to sink their teeth into the game without getting overwhelmed, which I imagine is what Tactica is going for.

[caption id="attachment_398234" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot via Sega[/caption]

Alright, Persona 5 Tactica, you got me

Overall, I think Persona 5 Tactica is one to watch out for. Its combat felt immediate and fun, with layouts that made me think without ever really taxing me. And in the few places I was able to pull off a unique strategy the game didn’t necessarily point me towards, I did feel generally rewarded. I do wonder if the cover system will feel as prominent in the later game as it did in these early stages, but that’s my only major concern here. Not because it wasn’t fun, I just hope the game has more tricks up its sleeves to keep things interesting.

How Persona 5 Tactica will rank in the proud tradition of Persona spinoffs, I can’t say yet. But it offers a unique flavor of tactical RPGs that felt overflowing in its accessibility, which is enough to catch my interest. Sometimes I just want a quick Tactical fix without getting as hard into the number crunching, and it looks like Tactica will fill that niche nicely. Is it Devil Survivor? No. But Persona isn’t exactly Shin Megami Tensei either, and that’s how it found such an endearing identity. So unless the full game stumbles in any major way, I think this will be a good time for RPG fans.

Persona 5 Tactica will launch on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch on November 17.

The post Hands on Persona 5 Tactica: Your gateway game into Tactical RPGs appeared first on Destructoid.

Persona 3 Reload proved to me just how much Persona 3 has needed a remake.

Originally released in 2006 (2007 in North America), Persona 3 marks the start of the “modern” Persona series. Sure, the first games featured students summoning demons like they’re Pokémon. But your social links, life sim elements, and more – that all started with Persona 3. I know many who still consider it a series high, but honestly, Persona 3 has always been a bit hard to come back to. On PS2, the game is missing essential quality of life, such as being able to even control your own party members. And while the PSP version fixes some of this, it comes with the caveat of feeling very much like a condensed PSP game.

As someone who has tried and failed to get deep into Persona 3 myself, I’ve been deeply curious about Persona 3 Reload. On the surface, just slapping Persona 3 on top of the foundation of Persona 5 would have been enough. But after getting to test Persona 3 Reload for myself at a recent event held by Sega, I’m hopeful that Persona 3 Reload will be even more than that.

[caption id="attachment_398165" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot via Sega[/caption]

Prepare to dungeon crawl

At the event, I was able to demo two small slices of the game. The first section gave me roughly 15 minutes inside of Tartarus, the game’s dungeon crawling hub.

Right off the bat, I can’t stress enough that Persona 3 Reload is a very, very pretty game. While it might not look too special compared to Persona 5, the new character models alone are a huge jump from Persona 3. Similarly, just as Persona 5 oozed with style via its UI, Persona 3 has much the same flourish. Everything from your main menu to your victory screens are just what you’d expect from a Persona 5 successor, even if this is a remake.

The inside of Tartarus felt familiar at the outset. Just like the original, you’ll make your way through corridors while you aim to get preemptive attacks on roaming enemies. The dungeon layout was kind of generic, but floors were brief with roughly three battles on each if you fight everything you see. The inclusion of a dash button helped minimize backtracking, and overall, the exploration felt well-paced.

Of course, this is based on the very early game. Tartarus could feel repetitive after a while, so we’ll only know how well this portion of the game holds up in the full release. I will say that, after comparing footage of the original game, the version in Tartarus in Reload does look quite a bit different with its sharp blue and green aesthetic. It felt familiar despite being new, which was a recurring theme with much of this demo.

[caption id="attachment_398166" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot via Sega[/caption]

Returning battle mechanics

Combat in Persona 3 Reload felt immediately familiar to me, which I’d consider a good thing. You’ll strike enemy weaknesses via physical or elemental attacks, which will knock them down. Knock downs give you extra turns, and knocking the entire enemy party lets you trigger bonus all-out attacks. Reload retains the three physical elements from Persona 3, meaning that you’ll delineate between Slashing, Piercing, and Striking damage. My demo tools mostly focused on the magical end of things, though.

I was happy to see the return of Shuffle Time, which I really enjoyed in Persona 4 Golden specifically. Cards will stay face up here, making it really easy to pick which boon you’ll take following combat. I love the dynamic of wondering what cards you’ll find after a battle, especially if you, say, want to conserve healing items and hope you’ll find a card to heal you instead. It’s a small thing, but it really makes the happiness chemicals fire off in my brain.

Near the end of my time in Tartarus, I got a glimpse at a mechanic that Persona 3 Reload calls Shifting. Basically, when you knock an enemy down and earn a One More, you can donate your extra turn to a party member. In other words, it’s similar to Baton Pass in Persona 5. This side of the demo ended shortly after I uncovered this, so I couldn’t get into the specifics of how Reload handles this mechanic. However, in a game that originally stripped party member control away from the player, getting Shifting so early almost felt like an apology from the developers.

[caption id="attachment_398170" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot via Sega[/caption]

Some old, some new

The second section I got to test in Persona 3 Reload involved the sequence leading to the Arcana Priestess boss. I initially thought this sequence stayed perfectly faithful to Persona 3. However, I didn’t realize that a few changes were made when I compared it to footage of the original game.

For starters, the path to the boss in which the party rushes through train cars featured a bit of added dialogue. The text that I could identify as new wasn’t exactly riveting, but I did find the inclusion exciting. It showed me that Persona 3 Reload isn’t afraid to expand on the original game, even if it was in a smaller capacity.

The boss battle itself was where I noticed the starkest change. In both the original Persona 3 and Persona 3 Portable, the party is given a little more than six minutes to finish this battle. As long as you keep up a solid pace, you can take the boss down with time to spare. Reload, on the other hand, gives you a much more generous window of about 30 minutes. However, as the battle progresses, the boss will spend turns accelerating the train, cutting minutes off your time.

This kept me on edge the entire battle, since I could never tell how much time I really had to work with. Once I put an end to the boss, I had about 40 seconds to spare. This certainly wasn’t a major change to the battle. Mechanically, I could see Atlus handling this encounter this way so your timer doesn’t matter until the final stretch. Still, it marked a deliberate change, which left me excited for what the full game could bring.

[caption id="attachment_398172" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot via Sega[/caption]

I’m so ready for more Persona 3 Reload

Persona 3 Reload certainly has a bit of baggage weighing its own hype down. Specifically, the news that the game wouldn’t include The Answer or the female protagonist route from Persona 3 Portable doesn’t make Persona 3 Reload as definitive as many would like. I think these are valid criticisms, and my time with the game certainly didn’t change that.

That said, after my session with Persona 3 Reload ended, I knew that this was the version of Persona 3 I was going to finish. What I played was polished to an absolute shine, without a single boring second in sight. Everything from combat to exploration was engaging, to the point that I forgot I was at an event and just wanted to keep playing it for another three hours.

And the music. Oh man does this game sound good. Getting an initiative in normal battles triggers a new battle theme that riffs on Mass Destruction, which was so catchy that would have spent time in battles just listening to it if not for the time limit. I hope Atlus uploads this track early to sate my ears.

All in all, for anyone who likes Persona, Persona 3 Reload looks like an essential playthrough. Whether the final product will stay faithful to the original or take risks here and there, I’ll be excited to play this one when it comes out on February 2, 2024.

The post Hands on Persona 3 Reload: Baby baby baby yeah! appeared first on Destructoid.

Persona 4 has a treasured soundtrack with many great tunes that'll get you pumped for battle or grinning from ear to ear as you hear the Junes Theme playing. It also helps establish the season as the school year passes, like "Snowflakes," which plays during the final months of the game. While you're in battle, on the other hand, the rocking beat of "Reach Out To The Truth" keeps you focused on every attack. I am thou, thou art I, here are the best Persona 4 songs, ranked!

Note: This list includes Persona 4 and Persona 4 Golden tracks, no spin-off titles.

10. "Specialist"

https://open.spotify.com/track/0nAeo4gKT75vw5QmkZLdHB?si=da8e4145411d4e78

There are very few shopping video game themes that are cooler than this. This piece has a pleasant, chill melody highlighted by a jazzy piano and an awesome percussion beat that will put on a smile on your face. You can't help yourself while you bob your head up and down to the rhythm.

9. "Reverie"

https://open.spotify.com/track/28AYf50QPbB8AhC4OYU7uQ?si=2a4960c3020c43c7

Honestly, there's not much to say about this piece. "Reverie" plays when Yu and the gang reflect on what just happened. The piano plays a beautiful tune while whirring instrumentals that float above the piece give a melancholy vibe. It's a striking song that perfectly reflects the situation the team is in whenever it plays.

8. "Never More"

https://open.spotify.com/track/7wsNi1SE40YS9YYCj44EQ4?si=b3462e0c7a264256

This ending credits song is a wonderful track that establishes the strong bonds between Yu and the friends he's made along the way. The vocals are lovely as Shihoko Hirata sings about the memories the investigation team has made over the past year. The piano in the track also gives a neat reference to "A Corner of Memories" from the beginning of the game. As Persona 4 is such a long game, it actually feels nostalgic in a sense as you've known these characters for weeks, maybe months.

7. "Your Affection"

https://open.spotify.com/track/6idKSeBnFz49htgvyWoMro?si=44ac27cc45d54733

Rolling through Inaba, it was always a delight to listen to "Your Affection." It's a happy-go-lucky song as it encourages you to turn "your misery into meaningfulness" and take "pride from fear." This song is the levity we need after going through all the dungeons during the Midnight hour. During sunny days, it matches perfectly with the colorful visuals of this lovely small town.

6. "The Almighty"

https://open.spotify.com/track/2SzaLThldhzZgZBOLJoYuK?si=9ca468f6c8db4e3b

This song is steeped with so much drama. The strings and heavy bass at the beginning illustrate a great tension, and then the gripping main melody from the guitar seeps in. About a minute in, the percussion goes faster, adding stakes to the boss battle. You then get a soothing, echoed piano and guitar taking over the piece, likely showcasing who you're fighting for, like Nanako and all the residents of Inaba. Later on, the main guitar and the soothing section collide in an epic clash that somehow works together. It's a unique take on a boss battle theme as it switches between the two styles constantly; it's like a tug of war about who's winning the fight.

5. "Signs of Love"

https://open.spotify.com/track/32NyN0Tby1YpKObfd8nrzN?si=3554fce9e1514dfc

"Signs of Love" has everything I love about the Persona 4 soundtrack: a funky beat, charming lyrics, and some entertaining jazzy overtones that keep the track riveting. There are also strings in the background that reflect the slight tension that befalls the teenage protagonist. It's a great track that I'm happy to listen to over and over again as each in-game day passes.

4. "Reach Out To The Truth"

https://open.spotify.com/track/7JR73H8enwnGiYFS2I6eWW?si=183dea8a012f4691

"Reach Out To The Truth" is a fantastic battle theme. The rocking guitar gives tasty jams, while the jazzy keyboard provides more character to the piece. The drums also keep up the intensity while the Hirata nails her performance. It does get more repetitive than the other battle themes on the list, but it's still an exciting piece for many Persona 4 players.

3. "Snowflakes"

https://open.spotify.com/track/3Ybug08EbRV4RZfcw8WZMk?si=7f97b3f31c7e4ce9

Persona 4 Golden adds a beautiful track called "Snowflakes" that establishes the journey is almost over. It's a sad, yet calming track that fits into the winter season. It talks about the "friendship that is built to last" and the "laughter from this treasured place" that will stay in each character's memories. Similar to "Never More," it gives us a nostalgic feeling, reflecting on the past year, similar to thinking back on the past year during New Year's Eve. The tune from the piano, vocals, and beats are also stunning to listen to.

2. "Time to Make History"

https://open.spotify.com/track/3fHtkMIsiv9kC0Tv2iSS3h?si=f25f817629ac422b

Goodness, I love this song! The bass absolutely slaps as the delightful vocals get us hyped to "step on up to the plate" and "time to make history." It's an absolute jam.  It's fun how all of the instruments ramp up together during the chorus, and the drums once again make their presence known in the best way. When I played Persona 4 Golden, I was always more excited to hear this number over "Reach Out To The Truth."

1. "I’ll Face Myself (Reincarnation)"

https://open.spotify.com/track/1PraA0CrjHLo16lwUw6NSq?si=814328a804dd47bd

Drama. Intensity. High stakes. This is what "I'll Face Myself (Reincarnation)" brings to Persona 4. You have a slow unassuming beginning that ramps up quickly to an intense battle theme. The emotional strings play well with the intense drums. The flow also keeps changing, giving you unexpected twists and turns in this epic boss battle music. Composer Shoji Meguro wasn't afraid to include slower pieces to this boss battle theme, adding an emotional element to the track. He went all out with the ebb and flow of this piece. It's remarkable and is one of the best Persona 4 songs, absolutely.

The post Best Persona 4 songs, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

So quit the nail-bitin'

Following on from yesterday's confirmation that Persona 3 Reload is also headed to PlayStation and Steam platforms alongside its Xbox and Windows brethren, publisher Atlus has now let fans know that the intriguing — and pretty rad looking — Metaphor: ReFantazio is coming to the same platforms.

The port announcement was spotted by the eagle eyes of Gematsu over on the Korean Twitter of publisher Sega, though it seems both the tweet and the accompanying trailer including the port reveal have seemingly vanished.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btHGCpUPjPk

Announced during the weekend's Xbox Games Showcase and developed by Studio Zero, Metaphor: ReFantazio is a brand-new fantasy franchise based around the concept of mirroring realities. While not all that much is known regarding the narrative and gameplay mechanics, the title coming from the producers of Persona 3, Persona 4, and Persona 5 suggests that we'll get a wild, highly stylized adventure starring a cast of easily shippable and cosplay friend characters, and mucho dungeon crawling.

It's definitely one of the most surprising and exciting reveals of Summer Game Fest, and while its development probably means Persona 6 is on the back burner for the time being, Metaphor: ReFantazio is already turning heads with its dynamic, action-packed, and legitimately breathless trailer. I'm looking forward to Atlus lifting the curtain on this cool-looking universe.

Metaphor: ReFantazio is scheduled to launch in 2024 on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox Series X.

Metaphor: ReFantazio also coming to PS5, PS4, and Steam [Gematsu]

The post Metaphor: ReFantazio confirmed for PlayStation and Steam appeared first on Destructoid.

FES Up

We now have confirmation that Atlus' upcoming remake Persona 3 Reload will be coming to PlayStation and Steam platforms alongside its previously announced Xbox and Windows editions. The new ports appeared on the official site in a CERO ratings listing, which was then followed by an updated trailer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RycGltKqjg

While this will hardly come as a surprise to most, there were still many only panicking that perhaps the black-and-blue brand would not be making the return journey to Tartarus. Frankly, this wasn't going to happen, not when there is so much cash to be made, but at least those who were concerned can rest easy that they will be revisiting The Dark Hour with Messrs Makoto, Junpei, Mitsuru, and company.

First leaked during Summer Game Fest, before being officially announced during Sunday's Xbox Game Showcase, Persona 3 Reload is a full remake of the 2006 PS2 classic. While fans have been craving this title for some title, the hype has been somewhat quashed by the revelation that Reload will not feature any of the content from expanded edition Persona 3 FES, nor the Persona 3 Portable release, which included the much-loved female protagonist, known to the community as "FemC".

Persona 3 Reload will launch in early 2024 on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox platforms. Additionally, Persona 5 Tactica will launch on the aforementioned platforms and Nintendo Switch.

The post Persona 3 Reload finally confirmed for PlayStation and Steam PC appeared first on Destructoid.

The heart of the franchise was not lost in translation

Making the jump from a two-screen device to a single-screen experience can be a tricky proposition. Some games, like The World Ends with You, lose something in the conversion. Others, like Layton’s Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaire’s Conspiracy Deluxe Edition, discover life can effortlessly go on with just one screen. Most games have a logical path forward moving from the Nintendo DS/3DS to modern hardware.

But Etrian Odyssey is not like most games. This franchise is categorically connected to the dual-screen era of gaming that it’s almost hard to imagine how it could possibly work on Switch. I mean, what’s Atlus going to do, cram everything onto one screen and hope for the best?

Yes, that’s exactly what it did. And surprisingly, it works.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSeXc8JwwFw

One reason why there’s always been a question mark around porting the Etrian series to Switch or any single-screen device is that its identity is in its map-making. Dungeon-crawling RPGs are pretty prevalent today, but few of them ask players to make their maps the way Etrian Odyssey does. That was the appeal of the original game; how it tied into the pen-and-paper tabletop RPGs of the '70s and '80s. It was a gimmick that worked exceptionally well with the Nintendo DS and 3DS touch screens. Hundreds of thousands of people saw the appeal, which is how we managed to get six mainline entries, two remakes, and two Mystery Dungeon spin-offs.

To remove the cartography features, or to dial them down, would remove the very soul of the series. Etrian Odyssey just isn’t "Etrian Odyssey" if you’re not drawing walls and dropping icons for treasure chests you need to revisit. So, for Atlus to find a way to port the first three titles of the series to modern hardware that retains its unique niche in the industry is quite the achievement. It may not be elegant, and it may not look great in screenshots, but by god, Atlus’s single-screen solution works.

[caption id="attachment_385716" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

The left side of the screen is dedicated to the first-person dungeon crawling experience. It works well because all three games originated on the Nintendo DS. You’ll remember the top screen of the Nintendo DS was not widescreen at it was on its successor, so fitting the picture to one-half of the Switch screen doesn’t at all feel like anything is getting scrunched. The right side of the screen is for the mapping system. On top, you have the overall map of the dungeon floor, while the bottom is a zoomed-in view of your location icon. The top map also houses the various mapping tools you can use, and players have two control options for using those tools.

With touch controls, you’ll use your finger as you would the stylus on the DS or 3DS to draw those walls and set those reminders. If you have a stylus that works with your Switch, even better. You’ll get a more precise placement with that. I don’t have a suitable stylus, so I have to rely on my fingers and those sausages are not accurate. Also—and this is just a personal thing—but I hate touching my OLED screen. I go out of my way to never accidentally leave a fingerprint on that thing, so I obviously spent the majority of my time with the other control option.

[caption id="attachment_385714" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

The second control option is more intricate, and while it can seem slow-going at first, once I got the hang of it, I started to enjoy mapping out dungeons here almost as much as I enjoyed it back on the handheld systems. This control option uses the ZR and ZL buttons in tandem with the control sticks.

What’s important to know is these control options are separate from the character movement controls. You’ll move your party through each stratum floor using the directional buttons/directional pad, and any actions associated with exploring the dungeon floor are separate from the map-making tools. After an hour or so of playing through Etrian Odyssey II and Etrian Odyssey III, the control scheme felt like second nature to me, and I could easily chart each dungeon floor as I moved my party through them without feeling like I was getting bogged down by busy work. If you're playing in handheld mode, you can switch between the two input options on the fly.

[caption id="attachment_385715" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

If you never cared about mapping a dungeon floor, there are auto-mapping options available that will chart out the layout of each dungeon floor but will not put down any icons for you. And if you’ve never played an Etrian Odyssey game before, there are several options here to help ease you into the experience. All three games of the collection feature three difficulty levels—Picnic, Basic, and Expert—that can be changed at any time with no penalty. There are multiple save slots if you’re the type of player to utilize those, a quick save option within the labyrinth, and an auto-save option you can toggle. There are three control options, but they’re limited to the control sticks and directional buttons/pad. If you’re left-handed and would prefer the mapping windows on the left side of the screen, there’s an option for that as well.

All-in-all, this is a well-rounded package that is welcoming to newcomers while retaining the elements that made this series such a niche hit. Etrian Odyssey’s conversion to a single screen gets the job done even if it's not the most sophisticated of transformations. Whether or not that’s enough to justify charging $80 for the collection—or $40 for each title separately—is certainly up for debate. If, for some reason, you do opt for a single game in the collection, go with Etrian Odyssey III: The Drowned City HD. It’s the best of the collection.

_{[This impressions piece is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

The post Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection works well enough as a single-screen experience appeared first on Destructoid.

Burn my Hype

Without a shadow of a doubt, one of the biggest and most exciting announcements of Summer Game Fest has been Atlus' reveal of Persona 3 Reload, a full remake of the classic 2006 PS2 RPG and a title for which fans have been pleading for the longest time — Unfortunately, however, the reveal came with some caveats that have left some in the community a tad disappointed.

First and foremost, Persona 3 Reload is a remake of the vanilla Persona 3 release. As such, it will not contain any of the updated edition content — such as story expansion The Answer, or the additional difficulty options. Reload will also not feature the content of Persona 3 Portable, which means no playable female protagonist, lovingly referred to by the community as "FemC". In addition, Persona 3 Reload will also have a re-recorded English voice track, featuring some very notable and talented VAs such as Allegra Clark, Aleks Le, Heather Gonzalez, and Zeno Robinson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIIPXA2A6cM

Producer Ryota Niitsuma and Director Kazuhisa Wada confirmed the above in comments to IGN.

"First I'd like to mention that since the basic concept of the Persona 3 remake was to remake the Persona 3, we don't have the FES and Portable contents included," said Niitsuma. "We wanted to really genuinely work on recreating the Persona 3 experience [...] So we have newly recorded voices, we have new scenes and events. We also have both new and arranged music. We'll be kind of releasing that information, following everything. So please look forward to that."

The news has put a damper on the project for some fans in the community, who took to social media to express their displeasure. The general consensus for aggrieved parties runs along the lines of "If it's not The Definitive Edition, then what's the point even remaking it?" — A stance that is, quite honestly, difficult to oppose. The loss of the epilogue, a much-loved player protagonist, and the voices that the player has become accustomed to somewhat undercut the initial excitement that greeted the original reveal.

Added to this is the fact that people are assuming Atlus is preparing to simply release a Persona 3 re-remake somewhere down the line, with the original content added. A Re-Reload, so to speak. It should be noted that this is pure guesswork on the players' part, but Atlus has never been shy about courting the big bucks of expanded editions, DLC content, and other post-release add-ons. Ultimately, Persona 3 Reload does look like a great remake, and remains an exciting release, but these revelations have, undeniably, cast a bit of a shadow over one of the summer's biggest announcements.

Persona 3 Reload launches early 2024 on Xbox and PC. More platform announcements are expected.

The post Persona 3 Reload has new voice cast, no FES content, no FemC appeared first on Destructoid.

Coming in 2024

The biggest Atlus announcements for the Xbox Games Showcase may have leaked early, but that doesn't mean there wasn't more in store we weren't expecting. Case in point, Metaphor: ReFantazio. From the creators of Persona 3, Persona 4, and Persona 5—duh!—ReFantazio looks like an outstanding new RPG that features the "mirror of reality."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btHGCpUPjPk

I don't know if it was intended, but I got a lot of #FE vibes watching that trailer. Hopefully, Metaphor: ReFantazio manages to make a bigger impact than Soul Hackers 2 did. We'll find out next year when Metaphor: ReFantazio launches for Xbox Series X|S and PC.

The post Metaphor: ReFantazio from Atlus was the most surprising reveal of the Xbox Games Showcase appeared first on Destructoid.

Evoking Hype

Look, let's all just look surprised, ok? It's no one's fault. As part of this afternoon's Xbox Games Showcase, Atlus revealed its long-requested remake of one of the most iconic and beloved RPGs of all-time, in the form of Persona 3 Reload, which you have never heard of before.

Persona 3 Reload is a full remake of the classic PS2 social-sim-cum-demon-catcher, which wowed western fans in 2006 and took the Shin Megami Tensei brand practically mainstream. The story concerns a party of school students who uncover a temporal anomaly known as "The Dark Hour". The students in question form the "Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad" (SEES), with the aim of getting to the root of the anomaly and the strange creatures that lay within.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIIPXA2A6cM&ab_channel=Xbox

Persona 3 was praised for its vivid visual style, attractive and likable cast of characters, and wild soundtrack. The marriage of dungeon-crawler with supah-anime social sim was a huge hit, and would lead to greater success in sequels Persona 4 and Persona 5, as well as an array of multi-genre spin-offs. Fans have been asking for a remake of P3 for many years, and this news will be 100 Christmases for those folks.

Persona 3 Reload launches early 2024. It will arrive on Xbox Game Pass day one.

The post Persona 3 Reload is coming to Burn Your Dread early 2024 appeared first on Destructoid.

Prep your Evoker

The hopes of the Persona fan community continued to rise as ongoing evidence suggests Atlus is prepping a remake of the much-loved 206 release, Persona 3. While there have already been whispers that said remake was in the works, a new domain purchase by the publisher adds fresh fuel to the fire.

Atlus has recently updated the domain name "P3RE", which has led fans to believe that an announcement pertaining to a Persona 3 Remake or Persona 3 Reloaded is imminent. The "Reloaded" suffix would reference the controversial "Evoker" guns used by the characters in-game to travel to Tartarus, the mysterious, demon0filled world that exists within The Dark Hour.

Given the launch of Summer Game Fest today, there are several key presentations that could see Atlus make the grand reveal, including tonight's kick-off show, hosted by Geoff Keighley, and Sunday's Xbox Games Showcase. Of course, it should be iterated that the Persona 3 remake remains nothing more but speculation at this point. But given the overwhelming success of a simple PC port of Persona 4 Golden, it's easy to assess that a returning P3: FES — offered modern visuals and mechanics — would essentially be a license to print money.

Whether "P3R" shows up or otherwise, the Summer Game Fest stream kicks off today at 12:00 PT / 15:00 ET / 20:00 BST. We will bring you all of the news from the stream right here on Destructoid.

The post Persona 3 remake rumors intensify with new domain purchase appeared first on Destructoid.

Still, that $80 price tag...

One of the big questions surrounding the Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection announcement back in February was whether or not the games could adequately translate a game devised for two-screen devices into a single-screen experience. It's not impossible, as we saw with Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On! earlier this year. Now, we have an idea of what the game will look like when it launches in a few weeks for Nintendo Switch and PC.

Yesterday, Atlus dropped a new trailer for the HD remasters that includes a detailed look at how dungeon mapping will work, as well as building your squad and battling monsters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4zB2IkAXS0

As much as I like these games and as much fun as I know I'll have with them, I just don't know if the stars will align for me this year to actually play them. Etrian Odyssey games are a huge timesink, and getting three at once would basically take up two months' worth of free time for me. Also, there is a non-zero chance I won't still be playing The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom by the time these games roll out.

Still, I just may have to pick them up and keep 'em on hand for when I do have the time...like when I'm 80.

Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection will launch for Nintendo Switch and PC on June 1. Each game will retail for $39.99, or you can buy the three together for $79.99. Preorders are open, and if you do buy early, you can unlock Atlus-themed character portraits for each of the games, including Aigis from Persona 3 Portable, Nahobino from Shin Megami Tensei V, and Joker from Persona 5 Royal.

The post Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection is looking good in this gameplay trailer appeared first on Destructoid.

It's July 1, 2023 at Anime Expo

Several weeks ago, Atlus unveiled the existence of a Shin Megami Tensei 30th anniversary concert called "Band of Shadows." Held at Anime Expo 2023 in July in Los Angeles, this is billed as the "first ever live anniversary concert for Atlus in the west." It'll focus on Shin Megami Tensei works, and not the Persona series: the focus of most of the company's concert-based events in the past.

Interestingly, the concert is also getting the backing of voice actors from the series who will host and appear at the event, including: Christian La Monte (Demi-fiend – Shin Megami Tensei III), Casey Mongillo (Nahobino – Shin Megami Tensei V), and Daman Mills (Aogami – Shin Megami Tensei V).

According to Atlus, doors will open at 6:30PM PT on July 1, and again, tickets are exclusively tied to Anime Expo attendees. Pre-sale tickets are live now, and you can get them here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETr8BrD_Fp0

Ticket pricing tiers for the Shin Megami Tensei Anime Expo concert:

• VIP Pit (Standing) = $95

• VIP Balcony = $85

• GA Floor (Standing) = $70

• GA Balcony = $50

Similar to many Comic-Cons and the like, there's an add-on, too:

"A pre-show reception is scheduled and will feature early access to concert merchandise, a meet-and-greet with the show hosts, a themed autograph card signed by the show hosts, light hors d'oeuvres, and more. The pre-show reception will have limited availability and is a $125 add-on to all concert ticket purchases."

[caption id="attachment_371316" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Atlus[/caption]

The post Atlus shares new details for the Shin Megami Tensei 30th anniversary concert, including guests appeared first on Destructoid.

There definitely are no other Persona games

Atlus has announced that they’re offering a discount on every one of the mainline Persona games on every new platform they’re available on. Except for Switch.

In a celebration of the entire series’ success, Atlus has released an accolades trailer to highlight the newest ports of Persona 3: Portable, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 5 Royal. Hm. They seem to have overlooked including a quote from our esteemed publication. Hold on; I’ll find one. Here we go:

“We exist in the darkest timeline where good things don’t happen.” - Destructoid

https://youtu.be/ZNTl9FhykBw

As for the sale, here are the details provided:

• PlayStation Essential Picks Sale - March 15 to March 29
  • Persona 3 Portable - 20% off
  • Persona 4 Golden - 20% off
  • Persona 5 Royal - 30% off
• Xbox Publisher Spotlight Series - March 14 to March 27
  • Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden bundle - 25% off
  • Persona 5 Royal - 30% off
• Steam Spring Sale - March 16 to March 23
  • Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden bundle - 5% off
  • Persona 3 Portable - 20% off
  • Persona 4 Golden - 20% off
  • Persona 5 Royal - 35% off

Heaping heaps of sarcasm aside, the Persona series is terrific. If you haven’t tried one yet, now’s a decent time to give them a try. If you’re wondering where to start, Persona 4 Golden is my top pick. Should you decide you want all three, just a word of warning: they are massive time commitments. 80+ hours for each game at the minimum. They’re worth it, though, especially if you like your dating sims mashed together with RPG dungeon crawling.

Persona 3: Portable, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 5 Royal are available on PC, Switch, PS4, and Xbox One.

The post Now’s your chance to grab ‘all’ the mainline Persona games for a discount appeared first on Destructoid.

July 1, 2023

Atlus has a lengthy and respectable pedigree, and it makes sense to trot that out every so often to remind people just how long they've been around, and what they've accomplished. Announced today, Shin Megami Tensei 30th Live: Band of Shadows Concert is going to do just that. Held at The Novo in Los Angeles on July 1, 2023, Atlus is calling this the "first ever live anniversary concern for Atlus in the west," and will provide an evening of "musical performances from the Shin Megami Tensei series."

It's a collaboration between Atlus, the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation, soundtrec (a live concert production company), and Soho Live (a Tokyo-based music agency). Atlus notes that it is part of Anime Expo, and is "exclusive to those attending the convention."

Okay so the cat is out of the bag, but unfortunately some info is still TBA. Atlus says that ticket cost and the date when tickets will actually go on sale will be revealed later on. We'll be sure to keep an eye out and update you when this happens! You can also subscribe to the newsletter on the official site to get up to date info.

Seeing SMT get some love like this in the west is a bit shocking, especially when Atlus could have held yet another Persona concert. You love to see it.

Here is all the info you need on the US Shin Megami Tensei 30th Live: Band of Shadows Concert

• Shin Megami Tensei 30th LIVE: Band of Shadows Concert (part of Anime Expo)
• Venue Location: The Novo (800 W. Olympic Blvd | Los Angeles, CA 90015)
• Concert Date: July 1st
• Time: General Admission starts at 6:30 pm PDT with performance from 8 pm to 10:30 pm PDT.
• Cost: This is a paid event, pricing tiers to be shared in future updates.
• Ticket sales date: TBA
• Site landing page
• Video overview

The post Atlus announces Shin Megami Tensei 30th Live: Band of Shadows Concert appeared first on Destructoid.

Why bother holding onto old games when they're just gonna remaster 'em?

It's been more than four and a half years since Altus dropped a short trailer that seemed to indicate the Etrian Odyssey series would live on in a post-two-screen gaming world. One of the most celebrated creations of the Nintendo DS and 3DS eras, it's been all quiet on the western from Atlus on the status of this series since that trailer dropped. During yesterday's Nintendo Direct, the developer made it loud and clear it hadn't forgotten about its niche dungeon crawler with the reveal of Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection.

The Origins Collection combines the first three games in the series—Etrian Odyssey, Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard, and Etrian Odyssey III: The Drowned City—into one complete package that features new character artwork and, in a first for the series, HD graphics. Of all the franchises to debut on the Nintendo DS and 3DS, I don't there was one that was more dependent on the two-screen setup of those systems than the Etrian games. The whole point of the game was to make it like you were playing an old pen-and-paper RPG. Clearly, that's part of the soul of the series, and I can't imagine it's all that easy to replicate on a single screen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaMv86lLRgY

But Atlus is giving it the ol' college try with these HD ports. Judging by the video and screenshots, the map-making features of these games will take up roughly half the screen when you do it manually. If you'd rather just focus on exploring the dungeons, the games in the collection will feature auto-mapping, which I am not ashamed to admit I utilized throughout all of Etrian Odyssey V.

Okay, so it's not the follow-up to Etrian Odyssey Nexus like I was hoping for, but after a four-year absence, I'll take whatever Atlus is dishing out. Plus, Etrian Odyssey III is arguably the best game in the series, so I'm really looking forward to revisiting that world again with my sovereign guiding the way.

Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection will launch on June 1 for Nintendo Switch. You can buy all three titles together digitally for $79.99 or get them individually for $39.99.

The post Etrian Odyssey lives on with the Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection appeared first on Destructoid.

Look forward to something, somewhere, at somepoint

Happy new year folks! Here's to another fine year of this fine pastime of video gaming, and it seems that many of Japan's biggest developers and publishers are all ready and raring to bring fun new adventures your way in 2023... They just aren't exactly ready to come forward with any titles, release dates, platforms, or trailers...

As part of the myriad Happy New Year messages dropped by multiple studios, a lot of titles were certainly teased — in as much as it was revealed that they exist, somewhere, in somebody's desk.

[Thanks to Gematsu and Famitsu for the translations of the studios' messages.]

Konami led the charge, teasing "power-ups", (whatever the hell that means), and "new developments for familiar series" while also "quietly progressing on new projects". So, look forward to all of that. Especially the power-ups!!

Persona publisher Atlus also joined the cryptic crew, noting that it is "preparing several unannounced titles" while also asking fans to check out the incoming ports of Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden, which hit PlayStation, PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch platforms on January 19. They'll be here before you know it — ready and raring for their 14th playthrough.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PazfxkDW3RU&ab_channel=KOEITECMOAMERICA

Spike Chunsoft — of Danganronpa and AI: The Somnium Files — also noted that it was "preparing unannounced large-scale title(s)" with some form of reveal to be expected "in the not-so-distant future". Spike Chunsoft is also preparing Master Detective Archives: Rain Code for its upcoming Switch release, and will also be handling the long-awaited PS5 edition of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete Edition.

Koei Tecmo was a little more specific with its new year plans, announcing new RPG Fate/Samurai Remnant for PlayStation, PC, and Nintendo Switch platforms. Fans can expect the new title at some point in 2023. Developers Omega Force and Kou Shibusawa, and Aniplex released a short teaser trailer. You can also check out a brand-new website right here.

So there you have it. Plenty of studios are planning to release something, at some point. Let's go!

The post Japanese studios offer up non-descript teasers for their 2023 titles appeared first on Destructoid.

The Road Less Traveled...

In a little over a month from now, Persona fans will be afforded the opportunity to revisit two classic titles in the stylish JRPG franchise, as Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden make their long-awaited debut on PC and console platforms. Ahead of their respective releases, publisher Atlus has detailed a handful of new features coming to these epic tales of demons and dating.

https://twitter.com/p_kouhou/status/1602830739246137346?s=20&t=s39AvXd7ai_x3zneH0RZ8A

High-Resolution Graphics

As explained by Morgana, (who... erm... doesn't actually appear in either game), both Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden will receive a fresh coat of paint in the form of newly remastered high-resolution visuals, optimized for larger displays and presenting each title's strange worlds sharper than ever before. In addition, the control system has received several tweaks, to allow exploration and action to flow in a little more contemporary fashion.

Initial Difficulty Setting Option

Players can now select from one of five difficulty options from the start of the game. Originally, players could only select the difficulty when entering New Game +, but now you'll be able to set the challenge right from the off — So those who just want to experience the story will be able to rock modes such as "Easy" or the practically death-free "Safety". Don't fear the reaper.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7tVV9zRFMM&ab_channel=OfficialATLUSWest

Album

Persona 4 Golden has a new "Album" feature, selectable from your save room. This allows the player to revisit cutscenes and conversations from earlier in the game. Additionally, for the sake of interest, players will be able to select different conversation options and decisions from the ones they initially took, offering a sneak peek at how the chatter might have played out should they have chosen a different path of dialogue. This feature will not, unfortunately, be included in Persona 3 Portable.

Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden will launch on January 19 on PS4, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch platforms. A price has not been officially confirmed, but the two titles are expected to retail for around $20 each.

The post New features detailed for Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden ports appeared first on Destructoid.

Gorgeous hair and anime waistline not included

If there's one thing can agree on about Persona 5's cast of characters: They're a good-looking bunch. of hipsters. And now, you too can adapt the visual style of your favorite heart-stealer or confidant, thanks to this mega make-up kit, now available to order from the face-plasterers at Game Beauty.

The Persona 5 x Game Beauty collection features a wide variety of lipsticks, shadows, pencils, blushers, and eyeliners, with colours and shades stylized after those lovable roustabouts, The Phantom Thieves. There are various items and sets available to order, ranging from bundles of character blushes to a $196 dollar Limited Edition set, which includes a variety of items from the new line in a slick collector's box.

Each item is based on a different element of Persona 5. We have a palette for the thieves themselves, eyeshadow for the palaces, and lipstick and further shadows repping the individual personas.

All items ship globally (excluding Japan) and all products are cruelty-free and vegan-friendly. The set appears to have a vivid and delightful color palette, and is sure to get you looking pretty anime for the coming Holidays. Speaking of which, the makeup would also make a fine gift for the many beautiful Persona fans in your life. I'm hoping that just a few swabs of shadow and a dab of eyeliner will instantly turn me into Sae Niijima. This might be wishful thinking for The Industry's Chris Moyse, but we all gotta dream...

The Persona x Game Beauty collection is available now from the Game Beauty website.

The post This Persona 5 make-up set is going to turn me into Shadow Sae, right? appeared first on Destructoid.

That'll be a helluva lot of hearts stolen

Atlus has released a variety of sales figures concerning the many titles set within the sexy 'n' stylish Persona 5 universe — The figures are spearheaded by the recent release of Persona 5 Royal on PS5, PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch platforms, which have helped to push the brand's sales through the roof.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2ttcVKwz8I

Since its October release on the aforementioned platforms, Persona 5 Royal has shifted one million units in total. When added to the previous sales of the remixed release on PS4, Persona 5 Royal hits a high of 3.3 million copies sold. I know what you're thinking, "Can't get classier than that, Moyse". Oh no? Well, when you add all Persona 5 branded titles — Persona 5, Persona 5 Dancing in Starlight, and Persona 5 Strikers — Joker and his trendy friends have sold a grand total of 8.3 million video games.

For those keeping count, that's somewhere in the region of 16.8 million Persona titles overall, showing metaverse runners everywhere that the Shin Megami Tensei spin-off series has never been hotter. The Persona 5 franchise managed to eik several solid games off of the back of its initial 2016 launch date, (not forgetting the Nintendo 3DS release Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth and Joker's appearance in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate). And, with the lofty sales of the Persona 4 Golden PC port, it seems clear that the popular JRPG franchise is set to run and run.

Persona 5 Royal is available now on PlayStation, PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch platforms.

The post The Persona 5 brand has sold over 8.3 million games to date appeared first on Destructoid.

Speed Demons

Atlus has released a brand new update for its stylish Shin Megami Tensei spin-off, Soul Hackers 2 — Now available to download on all platforms, the new patch adds four new demons to the mix, and includes several new abilities to help slim down that all-consuming time-grind.

The new "Dash" toggle will although players to control Ringo at a much-accelerated rate, helping her to negotiate the monster-infested labyrinths with speed, and even performing her standard "slash" in double-quick time. This new speed increase can also be applied to battles themselves, with a "Speed Up" toggle allowing for quick and easy carvings in face-to-face encounters. Hopefully, these two new additions will make grinding for XP less of a chore.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vw5GhQxUiVg

Four new demons have been added to the Soul Hackers 2 roster via this new update. The demons are the fiery Aitvaras, the stoic priestess Isis, the frankly bizarre Neko Shotgun, and the hyper-iconic Pixie — depicted in her original Devil Summoner form. It should be noted that acquiring these new demons does not count toward the in-game Registration Percentage of the Demon Compendium, nor its associated achievements or trophies.

Finally, a small run of tweaks and bug fixes should improve loading times across the board, while other changes streamline the shop experience, and include new preventative measures to stop button mashers from accidentally selecting the wrong options while plowing through the game's many menu screens. Huh, an update that asks you to take your time AND speed up.

Soul Hackers 2 is available now on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox platforms.

The post Soul Hackers 2 1.02 update adds new demons and speedy mechanics appeared first on Destructoid.

Three decades of demons

Atlus has shared a new piece of 30th anniversary Shin Megami Tensei art on their official Twitter account, and they have a lot to celebrate. That's three decades of demon summoning, spinoffs, and success wrapped up in one tweet, with a few classic demons worked into the logo (like Jack Frost, Pyro Jack, and Pixie) to boot.

As Atlus points out, the series began in Japan on October 30, 1992: a sufficiently spooky release window, inline with the dark themes that the series typically plays with. Now it's celebrating three decades in existence, with spinoffs that have spinoffs. The staying power of the SMT name is pretty awe-inspiring.

Recent Shin Megami Tensei happenings

As the Shin Megami Tensei art tweet shows the series as a whole is still going strong, having just launched Soul Hackers 2 this year, and Shin Megami Tensei V in 2021. The Persona umbrella is also enjoying a huge resplendent re-release era on multiple platforms, and arguably the best core SMT game, Nocturne, was remastered recently. Smartly, Atlus knows a lot of the older entries will still hold up with a few minor modern tweaks.

Shin Megami Tensei isn't going anywhere for a long time.

https://twitter.com/megaten_atlus/status/1586372292552130560

The post Atlus shares 30th anniversary Shin Megami Tensei art appeared first on Destructoid.

It's right there on their official YouTube channel

The full top 30 billboard for Persona 5 Royal tracks is in, thanks to a new event from Atlus on their YouTube account (presented by "DJ Morgana" on behalf of the development studio). As a reminder, Atlus is using the opportunity to push one of their most successful games of all time again, given the recent re-release on multiple platforms.

Over on the official Atlus YouTube channel, the publisher has been slowly revealing the top-voted Persona 5 Royal music tracks over the course of several weeks. But today, we finally got the number one pick: Life Will Change. Let's take a look at how the rest of the top five shook out!

The top five Persona 5 Royal tracks from Atlus:

1. Life Will Change
2. I Believe
3. Rivers in the Desert
4. Take Over
5. Last Surprise

The most incredible thing about this is that there are so many choices for top Persona 5 Royal tracks. Like, literally just one game: as so many other franchises would kill to have a top thirty of beloved tracks total. My only gripe is that Beneath the Mask clocks in at number 13 (it should be higher!). Other than that, it looks mostly fine. It was a good opportunity to basically queue up the entire soundtrack and listen to it all over again.

Life Will Change is the top pick

It's not a surprise win, but "Life Will Change" is the number one pick. You can listen to it, with the winning declaration, below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX_5BDleeTc

The post Atlus reveals their list of top Persona 5 Royal tracks appeared first on Destructoid.

But you should probably go to bed

Atlus' celebrated JRPG Persona 5 Royal is getting set to head to tabletops everywhere, in the form of a brand new card game adaptation that is currently in the works at Pandasauras Games. Designed by veteran designer Emerson Matsuuchi, the new game hopes to capture the surreal adventure and excitement of the 2019 smash hit.

Details are slim-to-none on the rules and setup of the Persona 5 Royal card game but, according to Matsuuchi, games will see players will team up as members of The Phantom Thieves before embarking upon quests to steal hearts, defeat demons, and redeem a rogues' gallery of bad dudes and dudettes. The world and characters of Persona 5 will all be putting in an appearance, from Joker, Lady Ann, and Morgana, to the Palaces, The Metaverse, and the luxurious but unnerving Velvet Room.

The Persona series has always been a fine fit for tabletop adaptation, what with its compendium of monsters and demons, multiple protagonists and antagonists, dungeon-crawling nature, and, of course, its sexy and immediately recognizable visual style. The franchise has seen a number of official and unofficial adaptations already, in the form of the Japanese card game Persona VS, and the very cool Unofficial Persona 5 Phan-Game.

Persona 5 Royal will launch in the fall of 2023. In related news, Atlus announced this weekend that series classics Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden will finally launch on PlayStation, PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch platforms in January 2023. You can read more about these releases right here.

The post Deal your Heart: Persona 5 Royal card game in the works appeared first on Destructoid.

It's a Persona-palooza

January 2023 just got slightly busier. This morning, Atlus dropped word that its ports of Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden will land on Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation, and PC on January 19. That's just a little over three months away, fitting in nicely between the release of One Piece Odyssey on January 13 and Fire Emblem Engage on January 20. I know a few of my friends who've been waiting for a Persona 4 Switch release date will be very excited by this. Unfortunately, lest there be a surprise Limited Run Games or Strictly Limited announcement on the horizon, both titles will be digital only.

https://twitter.com/Atlus_West/status/1578696035932815360

Persona 3 Portable was originally released for the PSP back in 2009 as the third version of the game, following Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 and Persona 3 FES, both for the PlayStation 2. Persona 4 Golden is the best-selling PlayStation Vita title that also became a pretty big hit when it was released on Steam in 2020.

As a reminder, Persona 5 Royal releases on October 21 for Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. If you own the game on PS4 as I do, there will be no free update to the PS5 version.

The post Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden are hitting modern platforms this January appeared first on Destructoid.

Speed Demon

For those of you currently grinding it out in Shin Megami Tensei spin-off Soul Hackers 2, Atlus is currently preparing a new update that hopes to make your hour-chomping journey through the demon-filled dungeons a more streamlined and faster-paced experience.

The new update, which will drop on all platforms in November, will feature a variety of gameplay and U.I. tweaks, all seemingly designed to remove the hurdles between you, the monsters, and endless nights of level-grinding action. The November update will add a "Dash" function to our dungeon-running heroes, and will also offer a "high-speed" option to the game's many, many, many demonic encounters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiHU6riu1UQ

In regards to Soul Hackers 2's U.I. and menu system, several small tweaks have been made to expedite the process and get you back to soul 'ackin in double quick time. Players will now teleport to the shop interior when selecting the shop from the in-game map, while the tip transitions on loading screens have been stripped down to increase load times. Some menu elements will also be rearranged to prevent you over-eager button mashers from accidentally clicking the wrong option.

In addition to the above changes, four more demons will be added to the big book of baddies. These are the fiery Aitvaras, the priestess Isis, comical warrior Neko Shotgun, and finally, the iconic cutie-pie, Pixie (Devil Summoner variant). While a specific launch date is yet to be announced, fans can expect this update to hit next month.

Soul Hackers 2 is available now on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox platforms.

The post Soul Hackers 2 update to bring slicker, quicker gameplay options appeared first on Destructoid.

MM(n)O

Publisher Atlus has taken the somewhat brutish step of filing suit against a party of Shin Megami Tensei fans who allegedly created an unofficial server for the now-defunct SMT MMO, Imagine. In related news, a fan server, titled "ReImagine" has been operating since 2020, but has now, understandably, been taken offline. The suit was initially spotted by Twitter user "Marsh".

According to the lawsuit, (viewable here at CourtListener) Atlus is seeking around $25,000 per copyright violation, citing the "irreparable damage" that the Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine recreation has caused to the publisher. The defendants are identified "Rekuiemu" and "COMP_Hack" which the suit alleges are responsible for the creation of the unofficial MMO, its engine, and its front end. The suit also alleges that Rekuiemu attempted to pass off the game as their own creation, "copyrighting" the new build and attempting to profit through both its distribution and its in-game activities.

As reported by VGC, a swiftly removed message on the ReImagine Discord saw a mod stated that it was a "competitor" that was served the lawsuit, and not ReImagine itself. But, fearing further reprisal, the ReImagine team has chosen to shut down the ReImagine servers and website to protect its developers. The lawsuit itself only refers to the defendants, and does not explicitly reference "ReImagine". The veracity of this statement cannot be clarified, and the ReImagine site is no longer operational.

ReImagine was, in essence, a full replication of the Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine client, which first launched in Japan way back in 2007, but was eventually taken offline in 2016, following the closure of developer Marvelous' PC department. The ReImagine server featured the worlds, characters, and U.I. of the original MMO.

While this is not the first example of a defunct MMO being recreated and ultimately shut down by its official publisher, often it is merely a case of a simple Cease & Desist order, rather than the full-blown serving of a lawsuit, whisking users off to the courtroom to face a string of five-figure fines. Ultimately, the alleged money-making here is probably the deciding factor that led the publisher to immediately settle the matter on stringent legal grounds

The post Atlus is suing fans who recreated defunct Shin Megami Tensei MMO appeared first on Destructoid.

Thank you for the music

Next month, the legendary Persona franchise will take to the stage once again, as the returning Persona Super Live P-Sound 2022 concert will regale a packed auditorium with a playlist of memorable and distinctive tunes pulled from the iconic JRPG series. However, anyone expecting any sort of reveal may want to keep their expectations in check...

According to a statement by publisher Atlus, the concert will not be used as an opportunity to reveal any new games set within the reality-bending universe. Fans can expect some awesome music, live vocals, bafflingly written lyrics, and appearances from the series' voice cast — but if you go in expecting a Persona 6 announcement, then you might come away a little disappointed. With ringing ears, tapping toes, and having had a great night, mind, but disappointed.

It's understandable that some fans might be getting a tad antsy, given that the smash-seller Persona 5 debuted way back in 2016, following a development cycle that lasted practically an entire generation. Since then, Atlus has released several new spin-offs, including musou-like Persona 5 Strikers, two new Persona Dancing titles, and Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth for Nintendo 3DS. But if you're holding out for Persona 6 announcement, keep holding, friend. After all, even when we get the inevitable reveal, how long is that dev cycle going to be?

Persona Super Live P-Sound 2022 takes place October 8-9 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan

The post Atlus says no new Persona announcement at P-Sound Concert appeared first on Destructoid.

The Phantom Thieves have returned

Atlus has opened pre-orders on the long-awaited PS5, PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch ports of its mega-selling JRPG Persona 5 Royal. The Digital Edition is available for wishlisting on various platforms or for outright pre-order on the PlayStation Network and the Microsoft Store.

For physical media fans, Persona 5 Royal is also available to pre-order on console in steelbook form at various retailers, priced at a pretty lofty $60 USD. This edition includes a physical copy of the game on the console platform of your choice, along with 40 DLC items such as costumes, music tracks, and more.

For the more die-hard heart stealers, Atlus has revealed a "1 More" collector's edition, which is available exclusively at the official Atlus store. The snazzy set, which retails for around $120 USD, (not including shipping), contains a steelbook hard copy of Persona 5 Royal on the console platform of your choice, alongside a selection of character art prints, an arcana tarot deck, a replica of that prick Akechi's satchel, a "La Grimoire" art frame, and over 40 pieces of post-release DLC.

The set is housed in fun "treasure chest" style packaging. Don't kick it open, though.

Persona 5 Royal launches October 21 on PS5, PC, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Game Pass.

The post Pre-orders open for Persona 5 Royal on PS5, Xbox, PC, and Switch appeared first on Destructoid.

Jumping Jack Frost

I'm a simple man: I see a Shin Megami Tensei game, and I'm interested in it. Although the cadence has been off and on for various subseries, Atlus managed to muster up Soul Hackers 2, which is a follow-up to the 1997 original — and the first Devil Summoner game in roughly 14 years.

It's a good thing Devil Summoner doesn't miss.

Soul Hackers 2 (PC, PS4, PS5 [reviewed], Xbox One, Xbox Series X)
Developer: Atlus
Publisher: Sega
Released: August 26, 2022
MSRP: $59.99

Despite going with a setup that could be considered confusing in some other works, Soul Hackers 2 is surprisingly frank and forthcoming with its narrative conceit.

As an organic avatar named Ringo, your job is to save humanity at the whim of Aion, an AI. Aion has determined that it needs two key people to survive to prevent an impending cataclysmic event, which is where you come in. Using a demi-god-like ability called a "soul hack," you can save a portion of someone's soul, and cheat death. The kicker is that doing this too often can mess with the fabric of reality. Again, all of this is easy to follow, conveyed naturally through dialogue, and there's even reminder story text on loading screens (as well as chat logs in case you accidentally skipped a cutscene or forgot what just happened).

Soul Hackers 2 takes a bit to get going in earnest, but until then, you're quickly united with new summoners that become core party members. You slowly learn the details of Aion's aims and the real world alongside your buddies; including the wrinkle of needing to locate covenants (powers that, when gathered, can cause destruction). The vibe is still very much occult (with demons galore) and cyberpunk, but there's also an air of mystery and espionage to the day-to-day critical path events. It helps that in true SMT fashion, the cast doesn't take itself too seriously. Although there are moments of stoic heroism, things can get goofy and relaxed, all backed by lovely (dual audio) voice acting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiHU6riu1UQ

The neon-adorned city is another character too (which can be viewed in a performance-based 60 FPS or 4K visual toggle). There's bars, shops, quest-givers, demon fusion stops, all the stuff you've come to expect from an Atlus RPG. All of that slowly opens up as you explore more of the city, which fits the crescendoing nature of the narrative that you're discovering with Ringo and her crew. From there you can choose if you want to start going on sidequests — usually in areas you've already been, with a heavy focus on returning to explored dungeons — or keep going with the story.

Speaking of dungeons, they're mostly straightforward, and a few of them do blend together. It's decidedly "hallway-based," and player choice typically distills down to "enter the door you need to go into/walk to the dead-end and get an item." This isn't unique to Soul Hackers 2, but going into two "underground" locations nearly in a row didn't feel great.

This feeling is accentuated by "Soul Matrix" dungeons, which allow you to delve further into the psyche of each party member and learn more about them — garnering rewards and progression in the process. It's mostly the same-looking location, but the more you progress with the story, the farther you can go and the more you can do. There are teleport waypoints in every dungeon (and an early-access spell where you can instantly leave a dungeon), so it's not like they're insurmountable challenges per se, so much as time-consuming.

Whenever I would feel down, a character moment would pop up in the middle of a dungeon and make me smile again. Or I'd do something really cool in battle, or figure out a new tactic, and soldier through. As an Atlus staple, a lot of the foundation of the game is held up by the cast, and the way they interact (especially at the bar, where you have most of the game's heart-to-hearts).

One fun little mechanic of exploration though is "demon recon," where you'll send demons out into the map upon entering it. Coming across them could grant a health bonus, a gift in the form of an item, or an encounter that lets you potentially recruit a new demon. It can get rote over time, but I appreciate the attempt to mix things up, and finding new demon party members is always exciting.

Combat is menu-based, with teams (usually the player first) taking full turns, and each member acting — then the other team gets a full turn. It can lead to some nasty dogpiling either way, so you need to plan ahead for it, pay attention to your synergies/weaknesses, and heal up/defend/buff accordingly.

Soul Hackers 2 has a similar weakness system as other SMT games, but this time your bonus is linked to a "Sabbath" super-like ability that's triggered by consecutive weakness hits per turn. More weakness hits equal more damage when the Sabbath is unleashed. In other words, if you hit any enemy with any weakness four times (for your standard party of four), you'll get a Sabbath rating of four, and that does more area-of-effect (AOE) damage once your turn is done. You can skip the Sabbath animation and it's fun to try and run the numbers up, especially when you account for strategic play like keeping an enemy low without finishing them off, allowing the Sabbath to do it for you.

One thing you do need to keep in mind with Soul Hackers 2 is that it generally does ask players to pay attention to their loadouts. Not only does your elemental kit matter (heading into a fight with no enemy weakness access can be killer), but your equipment generally should stay up to date, as should your item synergies (like boosting the element of choice for that summoner). Progression-wise, it behooves you to max out a demon, get a gift once it's maxed, then try something new. It's a very simple and effective loop, topped off by demon fusing and purchasing, where you can try out new mechanics and upgrade bit by bit. Even on normal mode, things can get dicey if you're under-level and ill-equipped.

At one point when I noticed my party wasn't as powerful as I'd liked, I spent around 20 minutes in various shops, upgrading my stats and abilities, and fusing demons. I noticed an immediate difference, as fusing allowed me to unlock more area-of-effect abilities to wipe out groups of enemies, while maintaining options for boss fights with a greater variety of weakness access. Roughly 10 hours in you'll unlock "commander abilities," which are like sparingly used supers that Ringo can trigger for the party. It's really satisfying to see all these little puzzle pieces fall into place, and in true SMT fashion, there's a lot of customization involved.

But unlike a lot of past games, getting stuck doesn't spell disaster; nor should you ever need to quit in frustration (I'm looking at you, old-school Nocturne players). Easy mode is incredibly forgiving to the point where you can continue an unlimited amount of times in combat (like, pick right back up inside of the current fight without a game over screen), and can be toggled on at any time. Coupled with saving anywhere and fast travel, the big quality-of-life stuff is standard.

I wandered into Soul Hackers 2 expecting a general sense of quality from Atlus, and ended up getting sucked into its world. While dungeon design can feel samey at times, it's not enough to distract from the flashiness of the game as a whole. As usual, Atlus really nails the details; it was fun to hang out with this crew and see where things went.

The post Review: Soul Hackers 2 appeared first on Destructoid.