Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoner - PS2 Game (Retro Fam)

Yes, the PS2's days appear to finally be dwindling down (I feel like I've been saying that for two years plus now), but Atlus continues to release some solid games for the aging system regardless. Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha VS King Abaddon (I am not typing that whole thing again) is an enjoyable and solid RPG that delivers the goods in terms of moments of fun combat and atmosphere, all wrapped up in a detective narrative. Playing as the devil summoning Raidou Kuzunoha, you're up to your neck in a missing person's case and end up taking on a whole bunch of otherworldly baddies in the process. Like nearly every other game that bears the Shin Megami Tensei brand on it, Devil Summoner 2 has quite the immersive world to explore, and the real-time combat makes the game that much more fun to enjoy. The detective elements don't always work too well, but the game's story ends up being one well told given the elements of the narrative. The only drawbacks to Devil Summoner 2 end up being the just plain bad camera angles that can impede exploring, and the fully rendered 3-D graphics definitely show the age of the PS2. Flaws aside though, Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner 2 is an enjoyable and more than solid RPG that is definitely worth playing, and here's hoping that Atlus keeps the RPG train on the PS2 coming for some time yet.

Many of you may ask me in my opinion what justifies giving a game 5 stars. As a reviewer I care about a few key factors. Originality, good game play, decent atmosphere/plot, and a seamless non broken experience rate the highest on my list. Things such as "glitches or bugs" can knock down a grade on my end.Let me state right off the bat any title with "Shin Megami Tensei" stamped on it somewhere will be a Japanese rpg but not a "stereotypical" J-rpg. Devil Summoner 2 continues this proud tradition in style.As someone living through a new recession the story line hit home. Devil Summoner 2 has a mystery novel vibe to it. You are Raidou, a young man who can negotiate with demons so they will join you but you are a detective during the 1920's in Japan as well that is struggling to hold onto traditions as it enters the modern era.The Capital's people are hauntingly enough a reflection of us. For some unknown reason "luck" has become imbalanced in the universe. Those that are poor and unlucky are EXTREMLY destitute while the wealthy with good life circumstances go about charmed oblivious existences often not caring or even knowing about the suffering around them. The back drop of this "past Japan" is much akin to "Modern America". There are unemployed workers that are completely without hope. Those fortunate enough to have jobs are forced to labor in harsh conditions thus resort to alcohol and other vices to dull the pain. There are nice girls who turn tricks at the red-light dist.