Is the sequel to Devil Summoner everything it should be?

Let’s find out…

The recently released “Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs King Abaddon” seems to be worth your money so says the internet buzz. Released on May 12th, the sequel to the popular first installment has gathered a rather high number of positive reviews. None of which seem to fall below the 80% mark. A high achievement indeed.

Here are some blurbs dredged from the internet…

RPGFan.com »“…one of the most vastly improved sequels I’ve ever played for an RPG.”
Thunderboltgames.com »“Raidou vs King Abaddon feels like the product of a company that listens to it’s customers.”
Destructoid.com »“Shin Megami Tensei and Devil Summoner series fans, we shouldn’t even need to say it: You need this game.”
1Up.com »“…the total revamp of the battle system makes Devil Summoner 2 more than “more of the same.”

So what is everyone so excited about?! Improved combat, graphics and extra content (not to mention multiple endings and story progression) are just some of the things praised with almost every review also adding that the game is a vast improvement over it’s predecessor in just about every way possible. But don’t take our word for it.

Atlus USA 宣布了最新版的 Megami Ibunroku Persona 将会在这个秋季在北美上市。
最新版的PSP将会在经典版本PS1的基础上增加了更为完美的图形设计，更为激动人心的场面并且所有的最新配乐均来自Persona3歌手Yumi Kawamura。

虽然不是很让人惊奇，（但是Persona系列非常受欢迎并且Shin Megami Tensei特权家族已经加入许多新的追捧者。我们在digitaldevildb网站迫不及待地欢迎您的加入。在未来的几个星期，我们将会给你提供更多的信息,包括上市日期和其他额外的内容。
请关注我们。

Atlus USA 宣布了Megami Ibunroku Devil Survivor 将会在今年6月在北美上市。 这款游戏同一时间还会在日本上市。直到现在，Atlus USA还未曾发表评论关于这款游戏或其他特殊版本的游戏是否有其他额外的捆绑活动。大概我们可以期望有美妙的音乐或者其他的什么。当然，如果我们能看到这款游戏的美妙之处的话。）但是至少我们可以为前面的等待做好准备。

Majin Tensei系列的玩家都应该会发觉这款游戏很熟悉且充满了娱乐性。同样地，Survivor这款游戏混合了经典的单人RPG模式和战略RPG模式。我本人亲自玩过日本游戏很酷，而且音乐和游戏性都很棒。这个游戏的部分有趣之处在于收集恶魔。你可以通过拍卖获得恶魔也可以每次在战斗中打败了他们而能看见新的恶魔。当然你也可以让他们成为你的同盟军来增加你的力量。

你为生存准备好了吗？

October 23rd has been set as the Japanese release date for Devil Summoner Kuzunoha Raidou vs. King Abaddon, the new installment in the Devil Summoner series. A limited release version subtitled “Plus,” will also be available and features an extra disc: “Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne Maniacs Chronicle Edition,” a new edition of Maniacs rumored to have Dante’s character replaced by Raidou. The regular edition contains a bonus soundtrack CD.

King Abaddon throws you back into the role of Raidou some years after the events in the previous game. This time around there’s over twice the amount of recruitable demons and up to two can be summoned at once. Demon negotiation has been brought back from previous titles and your demon companions are able to help you out in the process. You are even able to forge your demon partners into new types of weapons.

As of yet Atlus USA has made no announcement on a possible North American release of the ‘Plus’ edition of King Abaddon or of ‘Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne Maniacs Chronicle Edition.’

老新闻 十月 6th, 2008

Persona 4 has been released in Japan. The new addition to the series takes place in the rural town of Inaba where unsolved murders have been taking place on the foggy days after heavy rains. Rumors circulate the community about a mysterious television station that airs only at midnight called “Mayonaka TV,” where one is supposedly able to see a broadcast of their shadow-self.

Persona 4 brings back many elements of the previous incarnation of the series, blending glossy anime sequences with slick, cartoonish graphics. There are some minor tweaks to the gameplay as well as other presentational changes. For instance, the suicidal Evokers from Persona 3 & FES have been replaced by the use Tarot cards and the Velvet Room is now located inside a limousine. Gameplay-wise there are 5 stats instead of the previous 3 and now other party members can take direct orders as well. By and large Persona 4 retains many of the features from 3 and FES, such as the Commu (Social) Links, “One More,” and “All-out Attack,” while offering plenty of new content for those still itching for more after Persona 3.

Atlus USA has announced that a North American release is planned for December 9th, 2008 and is slated to be packaged complete with a soundtrack CD and “Visual Data” art book companion.

Price: 7300¥

老新闻 十月 17th, 2008

A couple of weeks back, Famitsu unveiled the first information on a Persona 3 prequel for mobile phones. Entitled Aegis: The First Mission, the game stars Aigis and appears to deal with the specific events that led to the Shadow’s domination of the area years prior. The game is an action RPG; screen shot captions state that the game still utilizes SP and Personae summoning for attacks. It features characters both new and familiar to those who have played through both Persona 3 releases. The title was released for download on November 14th, 2007.

While it appears the game is available for all mobile phones (including Softbank 3G terminals), the title seems to be focused on Yahoo!’s mobile network. For those interested (and obviously living in Japan), Famitsu gives the following directions: enter the phone menu, pick RPG, then Megami Tensei and then “Aegis THE FIRST MISSION”. The game costs 525 yen (about $4.75 USD) , plus tax.

The following screens are from the Famitsu entry:

Thanks to QBasic for pointing out the original Siliconera entry about the game. You can view his original thread on the subject here, which includes some additional images thanks to Emilio.