Shin Megami Tensei 4 Quick Review/Thoughts

  *Just a quick review of Shin Megami Tensei IV*

Shin Megami Tensei IV for the Nintendo 3DS, by Atlus

      The tensions of our lives are generally what makes them worth living. Rare is the person who can, in the end, praise the merits of a flat existence. With that said, one should keep this in mind as Shin Megami Tensei 4 implores all the tension that is at once reminiscent of a journey worth taking--and a life well lived.

      Have a Dark Souls style  experience without the perceived need of quick reflexes or heightened maneuverability. Megami Tensei 4 will see you through a calamitous 40 hour-plus adventure. Incurring upon yourself the trials of world shaping proportion as you take charge of a familiar--to the Shin Megami faithful-- yet vibrant and provocative assortment of Pokémon-esque demons. Starring as a samurai charged with the protection of your nations status quo and with it the theological underpinnings that seemingly hold fast the entire structure of society and its sanity.

Gameplay and story are a complement, sporting a turn-based, press-turn system that deepens with time and understanding, ultimately contributing to hours upon hours of drastic tactics and desperate, exhausting last-minute victories-- or unsurprising defeats. The atmosphere within the game rivals that of the combat, it is foreboding and impresses upon you the gravity and mystery that its narrative assumes. It would be a neglectful oversight to give away too much plot, but I shall attest to its captivating, if familiar, post-apocalyptic beats.

Atlus Sale Attracts Bid From SEGA - IGN

My take:According to IGN: Atlus Sale Attracts Bid From SEGA - IGN

It comes as no surprise to anyone familiar with Atlus and its stable of games that the studio is on the radar of many a publisher. Atlus published and developed titles have ranged the gambit from mainstream appeal in the Persona series to niche hardcore and/obscure titles, such as Radient Historia or Strange Journey.The devoted fan-base, most definitely , does not hurt. I have recently indulged in Persona 4: Golden and Shin Megami Tensei 4, these two more recent entries are powerfully compelling. They grab you and even in the waking ours of the night, you will find yourself wide-eyed and intently focused. The sun may be coming up, but just one more challenge quest--that demon domain won't clear it self, you know--or one more floor, in Persona's case. When it comes to sticking to your guns, I'd say Atlus is one of the most honest and determined developers out there. Often times shipping their games with, usually, no cost extras or limited edition bundles. They seem to take immense pride in caring for their fans.Some might argue that it is because of their niche out-put that they must keep passive the throngs of their specified fandom, but I say that it is a result of-- what appears to be a commitment to a sustainable long-term strategy for their development future. This is why I hope whomever acquires Atlus, leaves it be.


Thanks for reading. Thoughts, questions, comments, etc. let me know. Stay tuned for more

Shin Megami Tensei IV: A Review In Progress

Hi all: Just thought that I would endow upon you some of my current thoughts on Shin Megami Tensei IV.

As I draw closer to a review of Shin Megami Tensei IV, I would like to reflect on my experiences. The game has a mysterious, foreboding atmosphere that is heightened by its excellent sound work and static artwork backdrops. The pacing, so far, varies-- pending on my interest in challenge quests, which comprise the ancillary objectives within the game. One does not have to look far to get a sense of thrill and chill in the city of Tokyo. Tokyo is presented as a land of dread and demon fermentation. But, I would be remiss to divulge any more on the setting that I have learned in the game thus far. I believe the experience is shaping into one of diligence. In so far as you must be willing to give your attention to the nuances of the press-turn battle system. Striking enemy weaknesses and enemies targeting your own, has never been more engaging. This allows even the most mundane of demon encounters to provide there share of entertainment and shiver. 

The Price of a Pre-order

The Price of A Pre-order, Does it Cost Us Anything?

Walk into any GameStop and you'll see it, promotional material for the latest and greatest games. Pre-order incentives line the free-marketing spaces of the walls, of course no more free than just before the posters and products are perched into place. After execution of a carefully guarded game plan, designed to get in and out quickly, you reach the counter. The employees bandied conversations are of no concern to you. "Just pay and leave,"you say to yourself; but there you are and the many hollow benefits of pre-ordering are shoved into your face. 

"Well, are you interested in anything else today. You know that the new "such and such"is coming out, right. Why don't you think about pre-ordering it . . . please, please pre-order something, "begs and employee charged with upholding overbearing policies. You may at first question their motives and Gamestop's business practices, but you cave under pressure--or out of empathy.Then, just like that, your in for a copy of the "Super-duper-exciting-limited-collectors-edition, edition," of the "next big thing" from the next "big thing". 

Now, of course, there are possible arguments for both sides of the spectrum, when it comes to pre-orders. One can argue that they can help the brick-and-mortar retailers to accurately gauge interest, and by extension relay this information to the publishers, in order to produce realistic product numbers and delivery orders. This doesn't, however, address any issues with overinflated, unrealistic sales expectations--just look at the oft-cited SquareEnix Tomb Raider fiasco. Pre-orders possibly do serve to determine the sales expectations for future games in a franchise, but they can't do much to build hype, rather, they gauge it. However, I can imagine that limited editions can serve multiple, other purposes, but, again, I don't think that they raise all that much market share. Instead limited editions  can serve to reward devoted fans and day-one purchasers and/or it can serve as a slight incentive for those who are on the fence about purchasing, said game, early. 

Shin Megami Tensei IV

 I have been playing Shin Megami Tensei IV for the past couple of weeks, and I do believe I will be penning a review for this wonderful title.The narrative thus far is a suspenseful tease. There are a lot of things left under-wraps that I hope will be addressed. But the story is, in my opinion, interesting and it keeps you pushing forward, even in the wake of what is, by modern standards, a tough cookie to crack.  Now I won't go on about the punishing difficulty being a negative, but I will say potential purchasers should be aware that there is a fair

bit of challenge (read: challenge and not unreasonable difficulty). Though once you get a hang of the ins and outs of the press turn system, of previous Shin Megami Tensei series fame, you will be able to appreciate the very unassuming complexity of the streamlined, quick paced combat system--you will be greatly invigorated and truly begin to enjoy the game for the sense of achievement and thrill it can provide.