Soul Hackers

What kind of game is Soul Hackers?

Soul Hackers is one of the spin-off titles from ATLUS, the company that created the Shin Megami Tensei series.

It is the second installment in the Devil Summoner series, a new series derived from the Sega Saturn, following the world and elements introduced in the previous Devil Summoner.

The world view and elements like "Zoma" and "Hero" remain the same as the previous title. However, the lessons learned from the previous installment have been extensively incorporated, making it a very user-friendly game. In response to the relatively high difficulty of the previous Devil Summoner, this installment is designed to be more accessible even for those new to the Megami Tensei series. It serves as my top recommendation for newcomers asking, "I'm new to Megami Tensei, which one is easier to start with?"

Soul Hackers represents the final form of the old Shin Megami Tensei series, which started with the Famicom, Super Famicom, and Sega Saturn, incorporating the iconic 3D dungeon exploration and turn-based battles that define the series.

While it may not include some Megaten elements such as "Set in Tokyo," "Post-apocalyptic world," or "Characters representing the Law, Neutral, Chaos alignment," it still captures the essence of the Megaten series.

The absence of characters directly embodying Law, Neutral, Chaos alignment makes the characters more relatable, resulting in a story that is easier to connect with. This aspect is shared with the Persona series as well.

However, challenges common to the Megami Tensei series (and therefore, its appeal) may still be present for beginners:

• Winning battles may require more than just leveling up the main character and equipping good gear.
• For those who find 3D dungeons challenging, the game might be difficult.
• Players who strictly avoid using support magic might find it challenging.

Despite these challenges, for those who enjoy these aspects, Soul Hackers is an incredibly engaging game that is worth playing!