Famitsu has released a new set of screenshots from Atlus’ recently announced 3DS game Shin Megami Tensei IV: Final that provide a first glimpse of the gameplay and story. The game is a followup to 2013’s Shin Megami Tensei IV, and is described as a multi-story, multi-ending, full-length game, rather than an enhanced re-release.
Famitsu gave some details on the story, setting and characters for the game. The story takes place in 203X in Tokyo, where the sky has been blocked off with bedrock to prevent its destruction in the wake of a war between gods 25 years earlier. Tokyo is in a state of internal struggle for limited resources, all while the angels and demons stand over the city, ruling the humans within it from atop the food chain.
A number of characters have been revealed so far:
- Protagonist – An apprentice within an organization known as the Outlaw Hunters. During a mission, he was attacked and killed by a demon. Voiced by Hiro Shimono.
- Mysterious Demon – A demon the protagonist formed a pact with following his death. The demon grants him new life and the ability to summon demons. Voiced by Shuichi Ikeda.
- Asahi – The protagonist’s 15-year-old childhood friend, and a fellow member of the Outlaw Hunters. Voiced by Tomoko Seike.
- Navarre – Yes, that Navarre, from Shin Megami Tensei IV. After his unfortunate death, he meets the protagonist and possesses him. Voiced by Shintaro Ohata.
Players will be able to select a group of partners from their allies, and these partners will assist the protagonist in combat, leveling up and gaining new abilities alongside him. Each partner has a different ability set; Asahi specializes in healing abilities, and will learn how to heal status conditions, while Navarre is more focused on support and using attack items. They’ll assist the protagonist on each turn, in addition to a party of demons that the player summons like in other Shin Megami Tensei games.
Producer Kazuyuki Yamai said in an interview with Famitsu, “We’ve looked over a lot of player feedback from Shin Megami Tensei IV and we’re making improvements everywhere we can, even to things like controls and demon conversations – there’s a lot of reconsideration and reforming going on. We’re aiming to make the number one RPG for 3DS, so we’re paying attention to every detail. We’re making it so that even those who didn’t play Shin Megami Tensei IV can enjoy this game.”
Development of Shin Megami Tensei IV: Final is said to be 90% complete, and it releases in Japan on February 10, 2016. It will cost 6480 yen, roughly $54 USD.
