Intro

Shin Megami Tensei, a series that I first experienced on this very site. While I wasn't really impressed by the still graphics and the first person movement, I was impressed by the gameplay. In fact I thought the way that you gain new party member was one of the intriguing mechanics that have ever experienced. However despite being impressed by the first game, I wanted to try a newer entry in the series. Eventually I was able to get Shin Megami Tensei IV, and so my adventure began.

Story

Shin Megami Tensei IV’s story begins as many of previous entries had, with a dream. You play as a lower class who aspires to be a samurai or demon hunter.  Taking part in the samurai initiation ceremony you are able to become a samurai because you know you’re the protagonist. Afterwards you meet the other main characters, who become your friends and partners throughout the game. Soon the four of you get your first mission and the story truly begins. Now, while I thought the story was a fairly well written dark story, the later half felt somewhat rushed. The story in the later half felt rather disconnected from the first half, as it introduced things that seemed rather sudden to me. Ultimately, the story in the later half felt like it was written at the last minute.

Graphics

This game has to be one of the best examples of 3D graphics in handheld consoles that I have experienced. Unfortunately though the game doesn’t actually have much in the way of the 3D graphics, but the models were very well made and well animated. The rest of the graphics consist of sprites and character art, both of which are well drawn. However, the character sprites only have simple idle animations, but the special effect sprites are well drawn and well animated. I also have to criticize the cinematics, as they were just animated graphic novels, which always feel rather lazy to me.  

Sound

There isn’t much variety in the musical department in this game, with only three tracks that I can recall. Travelling has this cool techno-esque theme, and battles have a metal musical style that adds to the intensity of battles. But, the most interesting track for me was the one that played during certain cutscenes, which gave me the feeling that something dark and ominous was coming. The sound effects are well designed and clear, which when combined with certain sprites give the sense of truly violent combat. However, the voice acting was rather hit or miss for me, though I thought the main characters had pretty good voice actors.

Gameplay

Okay, first off, I have to say that this game is difficult. I mean I died so many times that the game finally let me lower the difficulty. I eventually did lower the difficulty, but the game still gave me a hard time. Also when you die you’re met with a chance of being revived instantly at the cost of a lot of money. That means losing all of that money you gathered throughout the game. Another thing is that you can be instantly revived without having the full amount, but as soon you have the full amount required, it is taken away. That means once again losing money, so don’t use the revival system, just reload your save.  Okay, moving on from that.

Now, you walk around in a 3^rd person view, searching for items to use and/or sell. There are no more random battles instead enemies are seen as holographic figures, which can be hit for a surprise attack.  In battle you use weapons, skills, and summon demons. Weapons come in varieties that can hit enemies once, multiple times, or all of them. Skills come in a variety of elemental, physical, and status skills that can hit one enemy or all of them. Demons serve as your party members, and they are how you learn new skills.

Now, you gain demons through conservations or through fusions. Conversing with demons is the most interesting mechanic in the game. In order to convince demons to join you, you will have to answer their questions, give items, give money, and/or do special tasks. Unfortunately though they can be a bit erratic since they may do whatever they want. Demons are also gained through fusion, and while fusing is much less complicated than it once was, it’s also overly simplified. You can’t even choose what demons can be fused together; instead it does this search engine parameter system. You are allowed set these parameters to get certain results, such as setting the race to beast. You can also purchase demons if you don’t have it for the fusion. While that is extremely handy, it also accumulates to losing a lot of money. You may also customize a fusion’s skill set, but those skills come mostly from the parents.  There’s also special fusion where you can fuse more than two demons. However, these fusions are very costly, and frankly not worth your time. Remember though, Demons serve as the essential key to winning all of your battles.

Like the rest of the series Shin Megami Tensei IV’s battles are turn based.  The game uses a mechanic called turn presses, which is basically the number of action a party can take. A party’s number of turn presses is dependent on how many members it has, their actions, and if they’re a boss. Now, either party can gain or lose their turn presses depending on what they use against the opposing party.  Like using a skill against an enemy that is weak against the skill type to gain an extra turn press. However, be careful because if you use the wrong skill type it may spell doom for your party. This can make battles a challenge, and encourages players to make a party that has a great variety of skill types and affinities to balance out against the enemy.  One of the most interesting battle features though is in boss battles. Certain bosses will do or ask something that you’ll have to respond to. Choosing a response may result in either a positive or negative effect on you or the boss, such as a boost in strength. I find that this makes boss battles very fun and challenging. That makes it crucial for you to stock up on items before going into any battle.

You are able to purchase items from separate shops, one for weapons and armor and one for curative items. Shopkeepers will also appraise any relics that you have collected, but this is done as soon as talk to and can’t back out. Thankfully though appraising can accumulate to a lot of money depending on the number and rating of relics collected.

There are three ways to earn you can quests: story, taverns, and npcs. Story quests are just quests to advance the story. The quests that you gain from taverns and npcs are, for the most part, standard rpg quest fair. You know fetch quests and kill quests. However fetch quests can be repeated while kill quests cannot be repeated. There are, however, a few quests that were pretty cool and challenging to do. One I remember especially was getting Osiris’ sarcophagus safely back to Isis while avoiding an impossible Set, and you yourself are able to attack. Quests serves as a way to get money, items, and, more importantly, app points.

Apps serve as a way for you to gain some special bonuses. These bonuses include things like increasing the size of your demon stock, a discount on purchasing demons, and even increase your skill slots. These apps are proficient way of improving your chances at survival, but points can only be earned through quests. Other than that it is fine system in a rather great game.

Conclusion

Now I have to admit I haven’t beaten this game yet. I am currently trying to beat the final boss, who is level 99 while I’m only level 78. However despite that issue, I am having a great with the game. This game has been the most challenging rpg that I’ve ever played. It has been a source of frustration, laughter, and accomplishment for me. If you want a challenging rpg for your 3Ds then I’d definitely recommend this game.