4.5/5 ★ – AlxndrNevermind's review of Shin Megami Tensei IV.

Sometimes less is more. I could not help but think that my entire second playthrough of Shin Megami Tensei IV. As I went about completing familiar story beats, I was truly marveled at how ATLUS was able to make what is in my opinion, the best SMT game on the underpowered, portable Nintendo 3DS system. If you think I am mistaken, let me see if I can explain to you why. A brief overview of the game for those of you who need it, this is a turn-based RPG that takes a visual-novel approach for the story, quest and events in the game while also featuring fully 3D locations where the protagonist can fight demons, explore the ruins of Tokyo and also find items. This unique combination works very well and is reminiscent of Persona 3 Portable, an earlier ATLUS game released on the PSP in 2009. The story is similar to other entries, you will follow a central plot that then diverges into different paths based on the player’s choices throughout the game. Compared to SMT III and V, the story here is much more developed, and rewards the player for venturing out into the world and talking to every demon and NPC. While the protagonist is for the most part a blank slate, your fellow Samurai that you travel with break up the otherwise isolated adventure and provide much needed exposition that engages you in the story. Overall, the story is just what you would expect from a post-apocalyptic setting; it’s dark, atmospheric and unsettling at times, but also engaging and interesting enough to keep you coming back to see what happens next. Now to go back to my earlier argument that this is the best SMT mainline game, let me explain why. In the past year, I was able to play and beat SMT III and V, which helped to really give me a fresh perspective going into my replay of SMT IV. I originally played SMT IV when it came out in 2013 and on a whim decided to replay it again in order to complete the true ending. I was in an SMT kick, and felt it appropriate to go back and see if I still loved it as much as I did on my first play-through, especially given my recent play-through of III and V. To my surprise, I was blown away by how great it holds up and that I found it immensely more fun than its predecessor or successor. The story, the characters, the music; it felt like everything was firing on all cylinders and it didn’t have any unnecessary filler content. Part of why I feel III is lacking is because it has such a barebones story, it feels like you are not rewarded for almost any progress you make in the game. V is similar in this manner, but has even less going on then III, which is truly baffling. Some might say that the loneliness and sparse story helps to complement the post-apocalyptic setting, but I feel SMT IV does this better by including the citizens of Tokyo who are living in an oppressive environment ruled by demons and for the most part the story beat follow this idea for the fist third two thirds of the game. There are so many dark moments about what the people of Tokyo have to go through, and what they have had to live through only to live in constant fear of being eaten by demons or killed by other humans. The neutral path of this game really focuses on resolving this plot line, and is generally considered the true ending if you are able to unlock this path. While V has what I would consider the most refined gameplay and demon fusion mechanics, IV is still very playable and aside from some annoying things like certain demon designs and the hit or miss nature of the negotiations, I think ATLUS excelled in making such great refinements to what III ‘s mechanics were aiming for. What I would give for the next game to have a return of so many demons that are missing from V, as IV contains over 400 demons versus V’s count of 200. Last but not least, the characters are to me why IV is superior. III’s characters are given the most minimal of development, and you will hear from them probably less than fifteen times in the entire game. V tries to go for the same beats as III, so your companions/friends in the game are reduced to monologue mouthpieces for the various paths in the game. However, if III had minimal character development, I don’t think V has any (i.e. Dazai). IV on the other hand, really makes you see appreciate your Samurai companions. Jonathan and Walter ultimately follow in the same path as the Reasons and Nahobino’s, but their characters stand out in your travels across Tokyo and you feel for them when they decide to follow the path they choose. The large amount of memes to be found for SMT IV’s characters are indicative of how the effort ATLUS took to create memorable characters really resonated with the fan base. Let’s hope the next mainline game can remember this. In conclusion, SMT IV rules. Go play this game if you have been on the fence.