Shin Megami Tensei IV

About

"Shin Megami Tensei IV" is a single-player Horror Role Playing game, and the first true successor to "Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne" since 2004. As a Samurai, protect Mikado from an army of demons and make story decisions with lasting consequences, as the fate of the world hangs in the balance. The game builds on past styles of "Persona," "Devil Summoner," and "Devil Survivor" titles, featuring a compelling story of factions with nefarious goals.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 14 reviews

story14 positive mentions

character development3 negative mentions

Shin Megami Tensei IV features an incredibly deep and rewarding combat system that encourages strategic thinking and party customization.
The game offers a compelling story with interesting twists and a dark atmosphere, along with high replayability due to multiple endings and a vast array of side quests.
The transition to a third-person perspective enhances exploration, making navigation through dungeons more intuitive and engaging.

The game can be extremely challenging, with difficulty spikes that may frustrate newcomers and require careful party management.
The world map and navigation can be confusing, lacking helpful indicators, which can lead to disorientation during exploration.
Character models outside of the main character are underdeveloped, and the demon fusing interface could be more user-friendly.

story
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
62%
7%
The story in the game is set in a unique, dark, feudal-futuristic Japan and features interesting twists, though it may not be the strongest narrative overall. Players noted that while the main storyline is engaging, much of the gameplay focuses on combat and side quests, which can make the story feel secondary unless actively pursued. Despite its weaknesses, the narrative is enhanced by character interactions and the presence of mythological figures, contributing to an enjoyable experience for RPG enthusiasts.
- “The story does have a lot of interesting twists and turns.”
- “Speaking of the story, the game starts off interesting in a fictitious future based on a feudal-style Japan yet modern in time.”
- “While the story in SMT IV isn't nearly as in-depth as the Persona series, it still was very good and I kept wanting to play to see what happened next.”
- “Storywise, the game is a bit weak, preferring the usual JRPG method of 'tell, not show', but this is kept to a minimum most of the time, letting the interactions between yourself, the other denizens of the land, and the demons that inhabit it tell the story.”
- “Story is alright, but there is so much gameplay required to build your team up for each fight that the story is few and far in between from game time; it kinda makes the story feel irrelevant to the game.”
- “In terms of story, it does not have the strongest story you'll ever encounter, but it is certainly dark and has twists here and there to make it interesting.”
gameplay
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The gameplay is primarily focused on interface and mechanics, emphasizing exploration, monster collection, and strategic battles, often overshadowing the story. Players appreciate the innovative battle system and the ability to save anywhere, though some find the enemy turn mechanics frustrating. Overall, while the narrative is enjoyable, the gameplay experience is the main draw, requiring significant engagement to build teams and progress.
- “I'll try to not spoil too much about the mechanics and story, because part of the journey within this game is finding the things that you like on your own... and demons helping you out; having mythological figures duking it out alongside you is always going to be a strong point in this franchise.”
- “SMT4 continues Atlus's flagship Nintendo series with its (obviously) fourth installment, ramping up the action and intensity of gameplay with an innovative rock, paper, shotgun approach to battles.”
- “But the gameplay of this story, all the features and just how fun this game is to play, definitely make up for that.”
- “The fact that sometimes, even if you do gain the upper hand using the mechanic of striking your enemy, the game will sometimes give the first turn to the enemy on important battles seems kinda cheap.”
- “Story is alright, but there is so much gameplay required to build your team up for each fight that the story is few and far in between from game time; it kinda makes the story feel irrelevant to the game.”
- “Well honestly, most of the time you spend on this game will be pure gameplay: wandering around dungeons, battling/collecting monsters, etc. the game's story is great, but if you don't actively try and seek out more plot (talking to NPCs, doing sidequests, etc) then it might feel like there's not much story at all, but overall the story is still very enjoyable.”
music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
83%
17%
The music in the game is generally praised for enhancing the adventure, with standout battle tracks that are particularly memorable. While some find the overall soundtrack slightly forgettable, it is still considered a strong aspect of the game, contributing to its engaging atmosphere and replayability.
- “The music is amazing and will make the adventure all the more interesting.”
- “If you're looking for a fun game with addictive combat, an interesting story/setting, awesome music, and a cool interface, then this is the game for you!”
- “The battle music rocks, though.”
graphics
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The graphics in the game are notably impressive for a 3DS title, featuring significant improvements over previous entries. Players appreciate the high-quality artwork of the demon cast, which enhances the overall visual experience, while some moments are described as disturbingly effective without being overly graphic.
- “The graphics are very good for a 3DS game.”
- “There are graphics improvements compared to the previous entries.”
- “Like all SMT games, the cast of demons available in the game features great artwork and unique dialogue.”
- “The combat system is very similar to previous games with some graphical improvements.”
- “+graphics improvement compared to the previous entries.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
67%
The game offers significant replayability due to its multiple endings and a variety of quests and challenges, appealing particularly to RPG enthusiasts who enjoy exploring different outcomes and party combinations. However, its difficulty may deter casual gamers, making it a more suitable choice for those seeking a challenging experience.
- “The game offers 4 endings in total, so it provides a good amount of replayability if you are interested in seeing all the different outcomes.”
- “Pros: - interesting storyline - very good music - wide variety of party combinations with demon fusions - replayability to see the different endings or to just play through the game again on a very difficult setting if you like the challenge. Overall, I greatly enjoyed playing through Shin Megami Tensei IV, and it was well worth the purchase.”
- “I can't really judge replayability because I have not yet completed the game, but from the looks of it, there are plenty of quests to complete and demons to discover after the main story is completed. I'd recommend it to any RPG enthusiast who loves a challenge, although I wouldn't quite recommend it for the casual gamer because of its difficulty and intimidation.”
- “Pros: - interesting storyline - very good music - wide variety of party combinations with demon fusions - replayability to see the different endings or to just play through the game again on very difficult if you like the challenge. Cons: - difficulty for some - bad world map. Overall, I greatly enjoyed playing through Shin Megami Tensei IV and it was well worth the purchase.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Character development in SMT IV is noted to be minimal, with reviewers indicating that the game lacks a compelling narrative or significant growth for its characters.
- “SMT IV doesn't have much in terms of character development or a grand story.”
- “The characters feel one-dimensional and lack meaningful growth throughout the game.”
- “I was disappointed by the lack of depth in the character arcs; they didn't evolve in any significant way.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its compelling story and immersive setting, which contribute to a rich and engaging experience. Reviewers note that the depth of the combat system and the staggering amount of content enhance the overall ambiance, making it accessible for newcomers while still rewarding for veterans.
- “The atmosphere is truly immersive, drawing you into a world that feels alive and vibrant.”
- “Every detail contributes to an incredible atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”
- “The game's atmosphere is hauntingly beautiful, creating a sense of tension and wonder throughout.”