Well, Atlus, you figured out the key to success: make a quality game, and then around a year later, release a sequel with minor improvements… oh, and change the setting from urban to rural.  It worked for Persona 3 and Persona 4 and it sure as hell worked for Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha Vs. King Abaddon.

Atlus was kind enough to send me a copy of the game accompanied by my very own Raiho plush.  At first I was reminded of the first Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army, a game which was enjoyable, but felt just a little rough around the edges.  At Raiho’s adamant suggestion I spent a good amount of time with the game, and here are my findings:

Extras – An old friend is the best kind of friend

So when I first loaded the game in my PS3, I was informed that by loading my save file from Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army I could get some potential bonuses.  Naturally, I had to find out what they were, so I took a trip to Foxes’ house to grab my memory card and transferred it onto my PS3 hard drive.  I was pretty determined…

After loading the old file I was informed by the Herald of Yatagarasu that a demon I knew was wandering the capital.  I also received a Commendation.  It turns out the commendation was just an item placed in my inventory that sells for 10,000 yen.  Not bad.  The other part interested me more: every demon that I had recruited in Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army would now instantly join me as soon as my level allowed it.

This made me surprisingly happy, since you do get pretty attached to your demons, no matter how expendable they may be.  I was being reunited with friend after friend and I couldn’t help but smile no matter how lame that sounds.

Improvements – Something good only better

Many features from the first game have been slightly adjusted, while some have been overhauled.

• Two demons can be summoned in battle: Any awkwardness in battle when it comes to slaying enemies has been greatly diminished.  As the game frequently suggests, the second demon slot is a great place for a support character with boosts and healing spells.  This also makes it easier to train all of the various demons available in the game and gain massive amounts of loyalty.
• Weapon system overhaul: No longer do you need to sacrifice one of your demons to get a better sword.  Now there are a variety of ores and other rare materials that are acquired after battle or from demons which are used to upgrade your weapon.  This is convenient since re-summoning demons can get very costly.  You are also now no longer limited to just using a katana.  Axes and hammers can also be crafted and wielded by Raidou.  These weapons each have their own benefits and drawbacks so the player can decide which one is the best for their style of playing.
• Getting allies is easier: In the first title, you had to target an enemy’s weakness and then run up to them and mash square (I think) to capture the demon in a demon-tube-thingy.  In the sequel, good ol’ negotiation has returned which made things less awkward and more familiar.  Also, your two summoned demons can aid in negotiations, adding a new layer of strategy.

• MAG > SP: Anyone who plays a lot of MegaTen games will tell you that keeping your SP full is both annoying and costly.  Devil Summoner 2 introduces the MAG system which is basically a communal SP bar shared by all of Raidou’s demons.  But wait, doesn’t that mean it gets consumed like 3x faster? Yes and no.  Now when you hit an enemy’s weakness and then attack the stunned foe with a physical attack, you can steal a nice chunk of their MAG thus replenishing your supply.  This means if you play smart, you will never run out of SP/MAG and can keep casting your most powerful spells.

• More Gumshoeing: Since the game revolves around Raidou’s position as a detective, it is now possible to take a series of sub-cases which have no effect on the main story.  Once completed, Raidou will be rewarded with some cash, weapon-crafting materials, or etc.  This is nice to earn some bonus items and can sometimes provide some humorous sub-plots.  When I am a bit lost in the story, I sometimes remember what I was supposed to be doing while attempting to complete one of these case files.

Recycling – Reducing the amount of reusing

The game starts out in the same setting as the first game: the capital of fictional 1920’s-30’s Taisho era Japan.  For this reason, a lot of the same maps and graphics are reused and don’t appear to have been touched up much.  At first I was kinda disappointed, but around the second chapter, a much welcomed change of scenery occurs: Raidou and the crew take a trip to rural Japan, far from the urban setting of the capital.

The concrete buildings and trains are transformed into lush forests while Shinto shrines and some new awesome characters (Nagi FTW) are introduced.  When this happened, all my concerns of a game heavily based in recycling melted away and I was instead absorbed in ancient, rural Japan.

Running Around – Not sure where to go

My only complaint with the game is that at times it can be difficult to know exactly where you’re supposed to go or what to do.  I wasted a lot of yen just taking the train back and forth.  This is even worse if you take a little break from the game.

When I first I noticed you could go onto the roof and speak with Gouto,  I assumed this was for the purpose of helping you if you get a little lost.  Sadly, he only repeats one or two phrases per chapter that are pretty cryptic and not very helpful.  It would be nice if a better tips system was put into place.

Final Thoughts

Devil Summoner:  Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Soulless Army was a good game, but the improvements made on the sequel bring the series to a whole new level.  It really seems like the creators spent time considering what needed to be improved and the best way to do it.  I continually find myself really enjoying just about every aspect of the game.  No matter how frequent the battles are, I still have fun with my favorite demons at my side.  When I am progressing in the story (if I know how to) I love the new setting and characters.

Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon may be one of the last great PS2 titles and it definitely didn’t disappoint.  Here’s hoping we see Raidou, Gouto, and Narumi in the next generation of gaming…

Roy atlus, ps2, review 2 comments

So this morning I was checking Famitsu’s main site and they had links to webcomics featuring both Disgaea 3 and Devil Summoner.  I peeked through them a bit and the art is pretty good, I especially like the Devil Summoner manga.  I was gonna work on a translation, but I really just don’t have the time. Still, I figured you guys might wanna take a look:

Disgaea 3:  School of Devils

Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoho Vs. Kodoku no Marebito

I especially enjoy the scenes where Gouto talks to Raidou.  Why don’t I have a cat that only I can talk to?  All my cat does is bug me for food and sleep on me while being very heavy.

Anyway, I am not sure if this is just a sneak peak of the full serialization, or if more are going to be released as webcomics.  If they are, I will definitely post them as well.

Roy atlus, disgaea, nis, ps2, ps3 4 comments

After completing Resident Evil 5 I found myself in a unique situation: not really having a game which I had to play.  On the rare occasions when this occurs, I usually flip through old games and either play a classic for nostalgia’s sake, or play a game I never got around to trying.

I had played Metal Gear Solid 1,2, and 4 and loved them all immensely.  For some strange reason, I had never played Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, which some would argue is the crowning jewel of the series.  I even remember a friend insisting that I borrow it when it came out, stating quite firmly that I needed to play it.  I think I ended up returning it about a year later untouched.  For Christmas, NutGarden05 bought me a Metal Gear Solid pack which included the complete version of Snake Eater dubbed Substance.

I went into the game with little knowledge or expectations.  All I knew really was that it concerned Big Boss and took place in Russia during the Cold War.  I admit part of me wasn’t expecting much, simply due to the fact that the game is over four years old.  In retrospect I realize how foolish this was…

Anyway, here is a rundown of what I liked:

Presentation – FoxDie is not for painting

First of all, the game’s opening movie and song are both very impressive and seem to really kickoff the game’s style and feeling.  I love the imagery of the ghost-like snake skeletons and the use of forest-y colors.  The song sung by Cynthia Harrell gets me every time I hear it (listening to it now).  It is used a few times throughout the game at important times which adds to the drama.  You can download it here if you would like to slap it on your iPod.

History – We go way back

I really enjoyed the story due in part to the history of the series I have knocking around in my head from the previous titles.  Knowing the future of various characters makes seeing their past that much more interesting.  Seeing Ocelot for the first time when he was a total nub was great.  Discovering that it was actually Big Boss who introduced him to the weapon he comes to have an unhealthy obsession with: the SAA (Single Action Army) is bitterly ironic.  I am only naming a few to prevent spoilers, but trust me, this game really ties things together.

Setting – A colder kind of war

I thought the fact that the game took place during the Cold War gave it a level of class and style most games focusing on any kind of gun warfare lack.  It felt a little like an old James Bond movie, without ever approaching that lame card-playing, fast-car-driving level.  I found myself really getting into Cold War culture, which I will admit is bizarre.  Something about the actual history of the times makes all the Kojima-fabricated-stuff sound like it could really have happened, which is pretty scary.  This game made me think about just what my country is/was capable of.

Bosses – Some are big

If you give Hideo Kojima a box, and tell him to think inside it, you are going to be very disappointed.  The bosses I fought in this game, known as the Cobra Unit, were very uniquely designed.  If that weren’t enough, the way the player does combat with them is even more unique.  Two battles in particular stand out in my mind:

The first was the snipe-off I had with an ancient sniper known as “The End.”  The battle takes place on a series of enormous woodland maps which makes things tricky since he is equipped with some decent camo.  I choose to fight fire with fire and hunt him with my sniper rifle.

I was shocked to learn that there are several other ways to kill this boss.  By entering the battle, saving, and waiting seven RL days, he actually dies of natural causes.  That is not a particularly glorious battle, but it’s still rather ingenious.  Another option is to snipe The End before you even get to the boss battle when he is first introduced.  Again, this is somewhat cowardly but very different.

The next battle (if you can call it that) took place in bizarre spiritual realm assembled by the next Cobra member who stood out in my mind: “The Sorrow.”  The Sorrow is actually deceased, so during the “battle” with him, he has no HP bar which totally threw me off.  Naturally, I had started by unloading on him like a sucker.

Anyway, all you do is walk through waist-deep water while The Sorrow summons phantoms of each and every unit you have killed throughout the game.  Every unit.  I was amazed at the attention to detail here.  People who I slit the throat of appeared with blood gushing from their neck, those who I allowed to be devoured by vultures appeared with vultures circling their heads, etc.  It was intensely spooky but has really stuck with me.

I especially like that this scene forces the player to remember every person you’ve killed.  It’s very easy to kill someone in a video game and not think much of it.  In fact in most games involving guns, success is measured in head shots.  I feel that this scene really changed the way I thought about video game killing, as strange as that may sound.  I did not want to kill anymore for the rest of the game unnecessarily.

Positive Female Characters – They DO exist

It doesn’t take long before the player is introduced to the individual who taught Snake all he knows: The Boss.  She and Snake co-created the CQC (close quarters combat) techniques which are so popular throughout the series.  However, The Boss is still just about everyone’s superior in terms of skills.  This becomes clear by the respect she commands from friend and enemy alike.  She is a very important part of the game’s story and the series as a whole.

The second impressive female is EVA, a highly trained spy who is working just about everyone over. Her skills in espionage are matched by her love for motorcycles.  In the end she ends up besting just about everyone in terms of espionage – including Snake.

I found it refreshing that both female characters contend with Snake on an even level, and in some cases actually surpassed him in skill.  This is contrast to the stereotype of female characters constantly requiring rescue, being the inspiration for revenge, or simply providing eye candy.

Conclusions – I haz them

I admit I am a bit embarrassed as both a gamer and a Metal Gear Solid fan to be appreciating this game so late in its life.  Still, I needed an outlet for me to express my appreciation for the game, so I hope no one minds.  I was thinking about my site and realized I tend to focus a lot on the future rather than the past.  This is probably because I don’t consider myself much of a retro-gamer, but I think a balance of past, present, and future is a good thing to have.

I really enjoyed playing through Snake Eater.  The game’s story and deeper connections now established from the other titles will stick with me for a while I am sure.

Roy action, konami, ps2, review, videos 2 comments

Flight Plan’s newest SRPG for the PS2, Sacred Blaze, will be released later this month in Japan.  The title’s release injects one more shot of life into a system that just refuses to die.  Some new information was revealed about the game’s inner workings, giving me a better understanding of character maintenance and game-flow.

Would you like to be able to equip a spear or a shield?

One event that allows for character customization is called “Prayer Event”, when this occurs a unit will ask God for a new power.  As God you can choose from a number of different boosts you can grant to your units.  Your hero characters will be given more substantial bonuses than generic characters such as abilities and equipment options.

Since you are God, your goal is to increase faith among the masses.  The player’s hero character will be responsible for making this happen.  Increasing faith requires granting the prayers of sub-characters who are in need.  Depending on which main character the player picks, there will be different sub-character and different opportunities.

I really hope Sacred Blaze won’t suffer the fate of other decent titles that came along at the end of a system’s life:  fading into obscurity only to be recognized in a later generation as a handheld port.  I don’t know why, but my gaming instincts are telling me this may be the case.  Maybe I am just paranoid.

Related Entries:
Sacred Blaze: Playing God

Roy preview, ps2, videos 2 comments

So I wake up today around 1, hungover, not really wanting to solve a mystery and Atlus has to go and send this image!  While I complain deep down I truly love Atlus for pulling this kinda shit.  It helps to keep the brain from stagnating, and it’s just plain exciting.

The first thing my mind thinks is Kuma/Teddie… wearing Naoto’s clothes.  I am not saying that has any validity, or makes any sense, it’s just the first thing I thought.  Sometimes first impressions, not muddled by logic, can be the most accurate.  Upon some further inspection I realize the proportions are all wrong–it can’t be Kuma/Teddie.

I check and see if there is anything on Atlus’s website to give any additional insight.  Nothing.  I check all my Japanese sources to see if there are any Shin Megami Tensei games I have somehow overlooked (ha).  Nothing.

OK Modified initial-theory-that-also-makes-no-sense: Jack Frost wearing Naoto’s hat.  Seems like the most likely, and yet even more befuddling.  Who else wears a hat like that…  Then it hits me like a cement truck filled with walrus blubber:  Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha Vs King Abadon.  It’s been out long enough for localization to begin!  Of course, I thought it was Naoto’s hat but it is really Raidou’s!  And that is also his cape around Jack’s shoulders!

My weary mind can resume barely functioning until Atlus decides to fuck with me again.

Related Entries:
Devil Summoner: Kuzunoha Raidou Vs. The Abadon King
Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha Vs. King Abadon Video
Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha Vs. King Abadon Story Info
Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha Vs. King Abadon Packaging and Battle Elements
Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha Vs. King Abadon Opening Movie

Roy atlus, ps2, rumor 2 comments