Devil Survivor 2: Record Breaker
- May 5, 2015
Record Breaker is a masterful retelling of an already amazing SRPG. Engaging battles, a wonderful cast of characters, in-depth meta-systems and a great atmosphere make this one of the best strategy handheld experiences ever.
Your days are numbered. This is a chilling reminder that the apocalypse is upon us. Exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS handheld system, Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker offers more than 100 hours of gameplay and plot -- nearly double the content of the original Devil Survivor 2. It also includes fully voiced English story dialogue, giving new depth to the cast of Devil Survivor 2's o…
Reviews
- Engaging battles and a colorful cast of characters provide a rich and immersive experience.
- Hours of content with plenty of reasons to replay, including a new Triangulum Arc that adds significant value.
- Deep combat system and a well-presented storyline that combines tactical RPG elements with choice-based gameplay.
- Graphics are largely outdated, reflecting the DS era, and some visual elements feel tired.
- Combat can be overwhelming for newcomers, and there are many systems to learn at the start.
- The price tag may be steep for some, and the requirements for achieving true endings can be overly complex.
- story5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is praised for its engrossing and atmospheric narrative, complemented by high-quality voice acting and engaging characters. Players appreciate the deep combat system and the clever twists in battles, while the choice-based elements and multiple difficulty levels enhance replayability. However, some critiques mention a lack of innovation in gameplay and overly complex requirements for achieving "true endings."
“It's a strong story with fun characters, clever tactical RPG and choice-based visual novel gameplay, an interesting, apocalyptic setting rich with Japanese culture, and plenty of replay value.”
“High quality voice acting, deep combat system, engaging and well-presented storyline, and a choice of difficulty level that you can swap between.”
“Characters and dialogue are appealing and engaging, collecting, raising, and fusing demons is as enjoyable as ever, clever battles with unique twists that test your skills, and a second quest that’s essentially a whole new game.”
“Not much new in terms of gameplay in the Triangulum story.”
“Requirements to get the 'true endings' are too obtuse.”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its engrossing and addictive mechanics, offering hours of content through a clever blend of tactical RPG and choice-based visual novel elements. While the atmospheric story and rich cultural setting enhance the experience, some players note a lack of innovation and overly complex requirements for achieving true endings. Overall, it provides significant replay value and engaging character interactions.
“Hours upon hours of content, engrossing and addictive gameplay mechanics, great atmospheric story.”
“It's a strong story with fun characters, clever tactical RPG and choice-based visual novel gameplay, an interesting apocalyptic setting rich with Japanese culture, and plenty of replay value.”
“There isn't much new in terms of gameplay in the Triangulum story.”
“The requirements to get the 'true endings' are too obtuse.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its engrossing and addictive gameplay, complemented by a compelling story and engaging battles. Reviewers highlight the depth of the experience, noting that the combination of a wonderful cast of characters and in-depth meta-systems contributes to an immersive and captivating environment, making it a standout in the strategy genre.
“Hours upon hours of content, engrossing and addictive gameplay mechanics, and a great, atmospheric story.”
“Engaging battles, a wonderful cast of characters, in-depth meta-systems, and a great atmosphere make this one of the best strategy handheld experiences ever.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The graphics have been criticized for feeling outdated, reminiscent of the DS era, with low-resolution cutscenes and tired graphical elements. Additionally, some character designs, particularly for female characters, have been noted as odd, while the overall visual presentation may not meet modern standards.
“The graphics are largely from the DS era, and the voice acting can get grating sometimes.”
“Some graphical elements are pretty tired, and the low-resolution cutscenes are disappointing.”
“The female character design is odd, and combat can be overwhelming at first.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players appreciate that the game requires minimal level grinding, allowing for a more enjoyable experience with ample opportunities for replayability, complemented by an engaging soundtrack.
- music2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its "rockin’ soundtrack," which enhances the overall experience and adds to the replay value, while also minimizing the need for extensive level grinding.
“Not a lot of level grinding required, plenty of reasons to replay, rockin' soundtrack.”
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received mixed feedback, with some players finding the graphical elements and cutscenes lacking in quality, which detracts from the overall experience. Additionally, the combat system can feel overwhelming initially, and there are concerns regarding the design choices for female characters.
“Some graphical elements are pretty tired.”
“Female character design is odd.”
“Low resolution cutscenes.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 - Record Breaker successfully blends cool and quirky elements with deep philosophical themes, delivering a compelling emotional experience that resonates with players.
“The Shin Megami Tensei games strive to be cool and quirky, yet philosophical and emotional, and Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 - Record Breaker achieves what it set out to do.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -300 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game offers high replayability due to its engaging story, well-developed characters, and a blend of tactical RPG and choice-based visual novel mechanics, all set in a captivating apocalyptic world infused with Japanese culture.
“It's a strong story with fun characters, clever tactical RPG, and choice-based visual novel gameplay, set in an interesting apocalyptic world rich with Japanese culture, offering plenty of replay value.”
“The game has a strong story with fun characters, clever tactical RPG mechanics, and choice-based visual novel gameplay, but the replay value is lacking.”
“While the apocalyptic setting is interesting and rich with Japanese culture, I found the replayability to be quite limited.”
“Despite the engaging narrative and characters, I don't feel motivated to replay the game due to its lack of meaningful choices.”
Critic Reviews
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker Review – Breaking Records
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker is probably going to find itself a home on your 3DS for a long, long time to come.
80%Shin Megami Tensei Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker Review
Caution: Will conquer your life if you let it.
80%A whole new world -- Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2: Record Breaker review
Record Breaker is a masterful retelling of an already amazing SRPG. Engaging battles, a wonderful cast of characters, in-depth meta-systems and a great atmosphere make this one of the best strategy handheld experiences ever.
90%