Given its huge PS2-era catalogue, Atlus’ resolution to revive Satan Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Military is a little bit of an odd one. One thing of an experimental foray into the realm of motion RPGs, it isn’t essentially a recreation that springs to thoughts when trying again on the developer’s most prolific console technology.
However perhaps that is why it is getting a second probability. For Atlus’ fashionable viewers — those that acquired began with the Persona collection, maybe — Raidou gives a novel glimpse into the studio’s previous, and, in the end, it is a story that is worthy of being retold.
Regardless of its identify, Raidou Remastered: The Thriller of the Soulless Military is basically a remake. Whereas it does follow the unique recreation’s story and construction, the visuals have been given a whole overhaul utilizing 3D belongings, and core gameplay programs have been considerably reworked.
The result’s a surprisingly spectacular revival — a far cry from 2021’s disappointingly fundamental Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocture HD Remaster.
You play because the titular Raidou Kuzunoha — a freshly established Satan Summoner who journeys to the Japanese capital in pursuit of doubtless sinister forces. Principally, Raidou’s a peacekeeper with ties to those that shield the nation from the shadows, using Shin Megami Tensei’s regular roster of demons to help in his investigations.
It is an intriguing premise proper from the off, and the general plot twists and turns in some actually bizarre instructions. Exterior of some pretty flat characters, we would say that the story holds up fairly nicely. It is not what we would name a very tight narrative, however they merely do not make oddball plotlines like this anymore, and so the entire thing finally ends up feeling fairly memorable.
Raidou’s story is advised in episodic trend — full with title playing cards for every chapter — which creates a significant sense of tempo throughout what’s a comparatively quick marketing campaign. Certainly, in comparison with Atlus’ newer outings, Raidou Remastered’s 30-ish hour runtime is refreshingly brisk.
There are two sides to the title’s construction. The primary boils right down to detective work, as our caped protagonist hits the streets with the intention to set up leads on the present case. The second, in contrast, includes dungeon delving right into a form of spirit realm the place demons roam free.
For Remastered, the investigation aspect of issues has been streamlined. Goal markers and extra distinguished hints all however erase the unique recreation’s obtuseness, which we predict is most likely for one of the best.
Granted, enjoying the function of a detective is arguably extra fulfilling for those who’re truly having to think about your choices, however Raidou was by no means actually about unearthing clues and appropriately questioning witnesses. If something, the target markers simply make the expertise much less tedious; you are not combing complete districts simply to seek out the one NPC that triggers the following a part of the story.
Having stated that, there are occasions when the discharge reveals its age. Backtracking turns into a slight annoyance afterward as Raidou bounces between places for the sake of just some traces of dialogue, and the (completely non-compulsory, fortunately) aspect quests are little greater than a guidelines of largely boring chores.
This criticism would have nearly actually continued by way of to the sport’s fight system, had Atlus not redesigned the entire thing for Remastered. Again in 2006, the essential motion fight was a serious sticking level for many critics, with repetitive hack-and-slash mechanics all however cancelling out the sport’s cool demon-based concepts.
Right here, battlefields have been remodeled into absolutely 3D arenas, and Raidou controls like a correct motion character, boasting combos, counters, and particular strikes which can be mapped to button shortcuts. On a foundational degree alone, fight has been dramatically improved each in performance and really feel.
The system itself has all the time been fascinating, however Remastered’s tweaks enable its strengths to lastly shine. In a struggle, Raidou is joined by as much as two demon companions, who’re managed by the AI. Because the Satan Summoner, it is your job to take care of momentum; your customary sword assaults generate SP, which fuels your demons’ talents — and it is by way of these talents that you will exploit enemy weaknesses.
Hitting a weak spot briefly staggers the opponent, and in flip, Raidou will get to elongate his sword combos and recuperate but extra SP, making a satisfying loop of destruction. It is a system that continues to be reasonably distinctive to today, the place the participant acts as a form of catalyst for his or her allies, versus being the primary harm vendor.
And naturally, that is the place constructing a group of all-conquering demons turns into a precedence. Raidou can ensnare enemies of a decrease degree than him throughout fights and repurpose them as allies, however fusing demons collectively is the place the true magic occurs.
Very similar to in Persona, a demon’s expertise and traits may be transferred to a brand new type, letting you experiment with and create all types of highly effective companions. Atlus has clearly been repurposing this fusion stuff for many years, however the sense of development remains to be so addictive.
It is also vital for Raidou to assemble a diversified group exterior of battle. Throughout investigations, demons with particular talents are wanted to affect individuals or objects, resulting in extra pronounced relationships between our hero and his quirky companions.
We’re not saying that Raidou’s demons are nice characters, however small interactions and the odd line of comical dialogue instills some welcome character. The demons really feel rather more concerned, and subsequently partaking, than they do in Atlus’ different works, to the purpose the place you nearly really feel unhealthy about throwing them into the fusion blender.
Conclusion
Raidou Remastered provides certainly one of Atlus’ most experimental PS2 outings a deserved second probability. Higher described as a remake, an enormous checklist of enhancements, together with a perfectly reworked fight system, make this a must-try for the developer’s fashionable viewers. Raidou stays a uniquely bizarre and compelling motion RPG, and that is its definitive type.
