Shin Megami Tensei IV
Shin Megami Tensei IV drops you into a medieval-inspired kingdom named Mikado, where you start as a fresh-faced samurai recruit. Things seem pretty standard at first: fight demons, protect the realm, yada yada, but then the game pulls the rug out from under you. From there, it’s a wild ride through warring factions, moral dilemmas, and enough philosophical debates. You’ll align with angels, demons, or say "screw both" and carve your own path, all while recruiting and fusing demons to build your ultimate squad.
GAME DATASHEET | |
---|---|
Name | Shin Megami Tensei IV |
Genre | Monster-taming JRPG |
Console | 3DS |
Released | 2013 |
Developer | ATLUS |
Publisher | iXIT Corporation |
Language | Japanese | English |
SPANISH TRANSLATION | |
---|---|
Released | 2022 |
Group | Tradusquare |
First off, this game is dense. The story is the best in the Megaten series, right up there with Strange Journey Redux, because it doesn’t just throw a generic good vs. evil conflict at you. Instead, it forces you to wrestle with some heavy questions: what’s the cost of order? Is freedom worth chaos? And why do all these angels and demons sound like they’re giving us a lecture? The alignment system really matters here, with each route offering wildly different perspectives and endings, so replayability is solid.
Gameplay-wise, SMT IV nails the classic formula. The Press Turn system is as punishing as ever, rewarding smart play and absolutely wrecking you for mistakes. Demon fusion is addicting, and the sheer variety of team comps keeps battles fresh. That said, the difficulty curve is… weird. The early game is brutal (RIP anyone who wandered into Minotaur unprepared), but once you get past that, it smooths out. Still, the challenge is part of the charm, and the satisfaction of finally taking down a tough boss is unmatched.
Now, let’s talk memes. SMT IV is also the most memeable game in the franchise. From Walter’s infamous "Hoy!" obsession to Jonathan's freakouts, the game is a goldmine for hilarious moments, even the NPCs drop some unintentionally funny lines! The dialogue, combined with the game’s often ridiculous demon designs (looking at you, Mara), makes it a gift that keeps on giving for the fandom.
Join the conversation