Shin Megami Tensei IV Review: Storyline, Gameplay and Features

How familiar are you with Japanese video games? Are you looking for some changes that a gamer always wanted? Then here is a Japanese role-playing game from Atlus; Shin Megami Tensei IV. This impressive game has been released for the gaming platform, Nintendo 3Ds on Japan and North America, while Europe has been scheduled for September 19, 2013. Shin Megami Tensei IV is yet another addition to the famous game series Megami Tensei, which was released firstly in the year 1992. Megami Tensei was a game based on a novel series Shin Megami Tensei, a famous novel in Japan. The game is all about fighting against deadly demons and protecting your kingdom.

Shin Megami Tensei IV: Storyline

Shin Megami Tensei IV features an interesting storyline which is set in a medieval country of East Mikado. The people of East Mikado are being divided into two groups; Noble ones and Peasants. The story starts with a black Samurai who is in act of creating chaos by delivering books and knowledge to Casualties and as a result they are turned into demons. Thus, it became very necessary to hunt this black samurai down with the help of other Samurais. At this point the role of protagonist, Flynn comes. He is a young man hailing from Kichijoji who is a newly emerged Samurai. There are two other main characters in the game, Jonathan and Walter, who also had become a Samurai at the same time Flynn became. Jonathan is a member of Noble group, while Walter is a Peasant. Both are also young just like the protagonist. It is up to the player to choose which mission he would like to play; helping Walter to stop Yamato or helping Jonathan to kill a demon named Lilith.

Shin Megami Tensei IV: Features and Gameplay

One among the most impressive feature that the game delivers is the improved gameplay mechanics of Demon Fusion. Yet another thing to notice is that the game is completely accessible even for a newbie. Moreover, Shin Megami Tensei IV delivers battle systems that are much challenging. The background details of the game as well as the combats within it are also much better. Whereas the area where the game featuring map designs that are too simplistic and the shallow characters that are easily forgettable, are not very impressive. Another field where some players may get irritated will be the early stage difficulty. While talking about the visual impression that this game has to offer, it features nice and attractive graphics along with an excellent voice acting. The 3D dungeons as well as other environmental details within the game has made it a solid RPG experience to new adventures.

The gameplay of the Shin Megami Tensei IV is similar to its older installments featuring battles between humans and demons. Unlike many other games featuring a real battle, Shin Megami Tensei is something unique where you collect demons either by negotiation or by bribing or by compulsion. These demons can be stored once you get them, but if the negotiation is failed, then you will be hunt down by them. If any of your demon is defeated in a battle, then you must ensure the complete strength regain before participating it into yet another battle. Yet another impressive technique that can help you is to create even more powerful demon by combining two or more demons together, this game mechanics is called as 'Demon Fusion' that we have discussed earlier. The game is not just about creating powerful demons, there are various features to explore for humans too. Even they can be equipped with weapons, firearms, ammos, armors etc.

Conclusion

Keeping two or three 'not so good' features aside, Shin Megami Tensei IV is one of the best first-person role playing game to have. Even the excellent combats, demon fusion mechanics etc are some among the most remarkable features. Keeping the quality of story as well as the explorations in one side, the game is finely tuned with every essential details to make itself being called a hardcore dungeon crawler for Nintendo 3DS.