Soul Hackers 2 - Review @ RPGamer

RPGamer reviewed Soul Hackers 2:

Soul Hackers 2 Review

A Friendlier, Simpler Apocalypse

Even though Soul Hackers 2 is a follow-up to a cult game that was released more than twenty years ago, it managed to raise interest and catch the eye of many players who have enjoyed Atlus’ latest releases. More than the fact that it is a sequel to Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers, the hook is that it is a spin-off to the acclaimed Shin Megami Tensei series. Featuring demons, a cyberpunk setting, and turn-based combat, Soul Hackers 2 has obvious similarities and the same high standards as the parent series. Including most of Shin Megami Tensei’s staples, it undoubtedly welcomes newcomers to the franchise in a friendly way.

The story begins when Aion, a digital being that oversees the actions of humankind, sends two agents to protect the world from imminent destruction. Acquiring human bodies, Ringo and Figue begin their mission, discovering that an organization of Devil Summoners called the Phantom Society is behind the attempt. The inclusion of the Phantom Society is the only reference to the previous entry, so there’s no need to be aware of those events. Players take control of Ringo and recruit three Devil Summoners: Arrow, Milady, and Saizo. Aided by Figue, this newly formed party finds out that the leader of the Phantom Society, dubbed Iron Mask, is trying to gather the Covenants, which combined could give the host the power to destroy the world. The mission then becomes to find the Covenants before him. Overall, the story is engaging and well designed, including a couple of welcome twists and interesting interactions that entwine the fate of the summoners with Iron Mask and the Covenants. While the plot doesn’t deviate from the initial premise and is somewhat uncomplicated and less ambitious compared to other titles within the Persona and Shin Megami Tensei family, it makes it easier for newcomers to come on board.

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Soul Hackers 2 is a great spin-off. It isn’t as long or ambitious as other Shin Megami Tensei titles, but it’s clearly made with the same quality. While the reduced number of demons and the simpler mechanics can be a negative for veterans, Soul Hackers 2 proves to be a much friendlier starting point for newcomers. Fans of the franchise will likely enjoy this installment, even if it lacks the complexity of other titles in the series.

Score: 4/5