Shin Megami Tensei IV
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About Shin Megami Tensei IV
Atlus released Shin Megami Tensei IV on the Nintendo 3DS back in May 2013. This title serves as a direct sequel to Nocturne and carries the weight of that legacy into a new setting. You play as a Samurai protecting the Eastern Kingdom of Mikado from demons while navigating political factions with dangerous agendas. The game blends adventure and turn-based strategy elements into a single cohesive experience. It stands apart from Atlus' other famous franchises like Persona by focusing on darker moral choices rather than high school social simulations. Players make decisions that determine the world's future across multiple endings. This is a hardcore RPG for those willing to tackle difficult battles and complex storytelling without hand-holding.
Gameplay
You control a character in a first-person dungeon crawler environment where you explore Tokyo-like ruins filled with demons. Combat happens in real-time exploration but switches to a turn-based format when enemies engage you. Your main job involves recruiting these demons by talking to them during battle or using specific items to add them to your party. Once recruited, you fuse their components to create new, stronger entities for future fights. The core loop requires managing resources and making tough moral choices that shift the game's alignment system toward Law or Chaos. Each session feels tense because a single bad move in dialogue can lead to a Game Over screen. You must carefully weigh the consequences of every interaction since the story branches significantly based on your stance.
What Players Think
Critics loved this title, giving it an 83 out of 100 score on Metacritic which signals strong reception. PlayPile members have logged over 45 hours on average to complete a single run through the main campaign. Completion rates sit at roughly 62 percent for those who finish all available endings. The community mood leans heavily toward "challenging" and "satisfying" with a secondary vibe of "gritty." Reviews frequently mention the difficulty spike in mid-game dungeons as a standout feature that separates veterans from casuals. Players note that the fusion system offers deep customization options that keep them engaged long after the credits roll. Achievement hunters have found plenty of room to grind since there are no multiplayer shortcuts available.
PlayPile's Take
Shin Megami Tensei IV is worth your time if you want a challenging RPG with genuine consequences. The price tag varies but the value comes from 50 hours of content and multiple endings. You will need patience for its steep learning curve and unforgiving combat encounters. Achievements exist for collecting all demons and completing specific story paths which adds replayability. This is not a game for players who want a relaxed narrative or easy victories. The satisfaction comes from surviving the odds and shaping the world through your choices. Give this to anyone who enjoys complex systems and does not mind dying often to learn.
Game Modes
Single player
IGDB Rating
83.0
RAWG Rating
4.3
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