Shin Megami Tensei 4

[chiyio]

Not very happy with the 3ds choice, like somebody mentioned, that means no dual audio most likely

Would be happier with vita, ps3, or the new wii-u.

[Correction]

Not very happy with the 3ds choice, like somebody mentioned, that means no dual audio most likely

Would be happier with vita, ps3, or the new wii-u.

Atlus has never localized one of their own games and kept in dual audio, so it's a lock at no dual audio for SMT4.

Releasing a PS3 exclusive game in 2013 would be suicide. To announce it for the Vita would have been unwise considering the install base (and would likely have doomed the chances at a localization). WiiU would be a huge gamble, as would delaying the game for Sony/Microsoft's next gen. Like it or not, the 3DS was the best choice.

[Hitoshura]

It's fine to have your individual preferences and all, but let's not forget that Persona was the entry point into the MegaTen series for many people. I can't speak for everyone, but I'd have never heard of (then gone on to play) the other games in the series if not for Persona. I'm glad Persona exists for that reason, and (at least thus far) there hasn't been an entry I've disliked, which is remarkable, given how lackluster (by comparison) the current gen is for RPGs..

That said, I also hope they bring out another Raidou game soon.

Nocturne and DDS1 were my first SMT titles, they are both probably the best of the bunch. It's insane to think that basically every PS2 SMT title owes its existence on Nocturne's turn press system/engine.

Other than Raidou but it does use the same engine, did you play part 2? How was that one?

[Ayn]

Nocturne and DDS1 were my first SMT titles, they are both probably the best of the bunch. It's insane to think that basically every PS2 SMT title owes its existence on Nocturne's turn press system/engine.

Other than Raidou but it does use the same engine, did you play part 2? How was that one?

Persona 1 was mine, as I mentioned, then I got interested and ended up playing the SNES ones via emu. Didn't finish them, but had a good time playing them for sure. Just got burdened down by coursework. I STILL need to finish SMT3. I love it, I just feel like I need to have a time where I can focus on it (and not use an FAQ).

If you're interested, I wrote about it here: http://backloggers.blogspot.com/2011...n-process.html

But to sum it up, Raidou 2's a better SMT game than Raidou 1 (more summons, the whole law/chaos/alignment thing going on, more of a "SMT" feel to it), but not as good of a "Raidou" game: I always felt like Raidou games were the sort of balance between seriousness and whacky antics in the SMT universe.

It's a definite improvement in many areas over the first, though. Raidou's making an appearance in the new Soul Hackers, but I'm also hoping we see one on the next gen consoles.. a lot of potential with that IP.

[Chocobunnies]

I can't read a lick of Japanese, but does the stuff in the corner basically say SMT3 was for PS2 and SMT4 is for 3DS?

[Hitoshura]

Persona 1 was mine, as I mentioned, then I got interested and ended up playing the SNES ones via emu. Didn't finish them, but had a good time playing them for sure. Just got burdened down by coursework. I STILL need to finish SMT3. I love it, I just feel like I need to have a time where I can focus on it (and not use an FAQ).

If you're interested, I wrote about it here: http://backloggers.blogspot.com/2011...n-process.html

But to sum it up, Raidou 2's a better SMT game than Raidou 1 (more summons, the whole law/chaos/alignment thing going on, more of a "SMT" feel to it), but not as good of a "Raidou" game: I always felt like Raidou games were the sort of balance between seriousness and whacky antics in the SMT universe.

It's a definite improvement in many areas over the first, though. Raidou's making an appearance in the new Soul Hackers, but I'm also hoping we see one on the next gen consoles.. a lot of potential with that IP.

Wow you haven't beat Nocturne? Where are you exactly? I remember getting my ass handed to me by those demon boss brothers in some underground tunnels and not playing for about six months, then came back completely raping everything in the game. Hm without a FAQ probably won't lead you to the True Demon Ending, if you ever play again you should shoot for that... or make another save so you can see that. It's something to behold.

So far Atlus USA has been adamant about it bringing over all SMT titles (with the exception of Eternal Punishment, which is understandable, it's not hard to find these days thanks to the reprints), I really hope they don't drop the ball with Soul Hackers 3DS. I heard they tried bringing it over to the US on the Playstation back in the day but were denied by Sony.

[6souls]

[6souls]

[xopher]

dying right now.

[Ayn]

Welp, that confirms me getting a 3DS if we get this.

And answering this weeks late..

Wow you haven't beat Nocturne? Where are you exactly?

..I have NO idea. But I'll be picking it up soon since the votes at the blog want me to go through that. Wish I could run it through a PS2 emu for screen shots, but eh, they run like shit and I have the actual disc, so.

[xopher]

PS2 emulators are fantastic now. Where have you been?

[Correction]

PS2 emulators are fantastic now. Where have you been?

They still require serious hardware.

On topic:

The dungeons look gorgeous, the voice acting is good and the setting is very interesting.
Disappointing is the return of first person combat (unless there's something on the touch screen) and the continuing re-use of 2D assets from the 1990s SMT games. I guess that's just something they do with this franchise.

[Moridam]

after having spent some time with nocturne recently, i don't think i'll be able to resist this if it comes to the US. still mad about 3DS though!

[Xno Kappa]

It's 2012, why the first person combat? Could never get into the SNES SMT games, or Dragon Quest either, for this very reason because it just screams lazy from developers. Nocturne and DDS1/2 did it right, why go back?

[Hitoshura]

They still require serious hardware.

On topic:

The dungeons look gorgeous, the voice acting is good and the setting is very interesting.
Disappointing is the return of first person combat (unless there's something on the touch screen) and the continuing re-use of 2D assets from the 1990s SMT games. I guess that's just something they do with this franchise.

Playing Nocturne at 1920x1080 internal res, cranked AA and other settings, looks as close as Nocturne HD we are going to get. My PC is only a Phenom X4, with 4GB DDR2 ram, shitty ass 5700 Radeon HD and it can still somehow run anything I throw at it on High or cranked settings. I doubt anyone on this forum would call what I have "serious hardware".

As for people bitching at first person battles, I kinda get it, but you aren't missing much aside from seeing the main character and other demons fucking lunge forward and throw one of the most generic punches/attacks in JRPG history or cast a spell that you will see anyway in first person. I have never seen so many enemies on a battle screen at one time like this game has and I think that, combined with the press turn system is going to bring a lot of interesting fights. Since this team also made Etrian Odyssey I am willing to bet the on screen enemies are able to join in a current battle you are in.

[Correction]

It's just old fashioned and unworthy of the new gen. Part of Nocturne's appeal is the immersion, the real sense that you are alone and in a lot of danger. Switching from a 3rd-person dungeon crawl to a 3rd person perspective fight surrounded by demons is the meat of the game's gameplay and aside from the random invisible enemies cracking your screen it feels modern. Now it looks like they've somewhat done away with random battles but they've taken a huge step back with the Dragon Quest presentation. 3D exploration to kaboom you're fighting quivering 2d sprites just doesn't transport me to the same place. Maybe it'll work thematically (as you don't seem to be as on your own this time around) but it still reeks of laziness.

[Hitoshura]

To me it was about finding your reason, conquering and creating your own demon army. You are definitely alone, just have demons to rely on at least until Dante. Which BTW is still the coolest video game cross over I think I have ever seen and actually worked very well.

http://i48.tinypic.com/2rdjmnl.jpg

[Ayn]

Maybe I'll see how my desktop or laptop run it.

Desktop's a Core 2 Duo 3.0 ghz with a Radeon 6850

Laptop's a Quad Core at 2.1 ghz with a 6750.

But mostly I don't feel like restarting. Again.

[xopher]

Both of those machines will run any PS2 game fine.

[Correction]

New Famitsu is out, scans circulating.

http://www.siliconera.com/2012/09/18...of-new-demons/

Character design for Shin Megami Tensei IV is being done by Masayuki Doi, who was the art director and character design on Trauma Team.

Music for Shin Megami Tensei IV is being composed by Ryota Kozuka, who has worked as a composer on Persona 4, Trauma Team and both Devil Survivor games. Also working on the game’s music is Kenichi Tsuchiya, who has worked on Catherine, Trauma Team and Devil Survivor, among other Atlus titles.

No Meguro, no Kaneko.

Let's hope it's because they're both busy working on Persona 5.

Extra:

character designs are the work of Masayuki Doi (Trauma Center series)

Director – Kazuyuki Yamai (Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne Maniax, Raidou series)
Art director – Eiji Ishida (Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne, Strange Journey)
Composer – Ryota Kozuka (Trauma Team, Soul Hackers 3DS opening theme)
Main programmer – Satoshi Ooyama (Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne Maniax, Raidou series)
Sound director – Kenichi Tsuchiya (Shin Megami Tensei series, Persona series)

Demon designs

Raphael – Keita Amemiya (Kamen Rider ZO, Zeiram)
Omoikane – Yoshihiro Nishimura (Tokyo Gore Police, Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl)
Kuebiko – Kyouma Aki (Godannar, Persona 4 The Animation)
Saburo Koga – Tamotsu Shinohara (Kamen Rider 555, Kamen Rider Ryuki)
Asmodeus – Yasushi Nirasawa (Kamen Rider Blade, Kamen Rider Kabuto)

So good news if you like Kamen Rider or whatever.

Spoiler: show