Atlus is pushing full steam ahead on the hype train for the upcoming Soul Hackers 2 (to launch on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC – but no Switch – on August 26 worldwide). It has released a nine-minute video that will “teach you how to be a Devil Summoner.”
Basically, it just gives you an in-depth look at both the gameplay and some of the core mechanics that are involved in what will no doubt be a challenging, taut experience.
To quickly fill people in, Soul Hackers 2 is the sequel to a game from way back in 1997 for the PlayStation and Sega Saturn (that would later be remade for the DS). It is not the best-known or regarded of the titles in the Megami Tensei extended IP, but it does nonetheless have its adherents, and the main issues that faced that original (dungeon design, basically), can be easily addressed with this sequel.
More importantly, though, this is a chance for Atlus to get really creative with Megami Tensei again. The last couple of games that the publisher has produced – numbered entries in both Persona and Shin Megami Tensei itself – have been somewhat inhibited by expectations for those iconic properties. Dusting off the Soul Hackers property allows Atlus to do something deeply creative again, and if it fails to land they can always brush it off and get back to Persona 6 or whatever the next big title will be.
I would have preferred a new Digital Devil Saga, personally, but then I am a dark soul (hah) and that is the darkest of all JRPGs. Soul Hackers is probably a more appropriate IP for the cultishly mainstream status that the series now has.
Anyhow, point is, watch this trailer/video then join me in looking forward to the game.
