Soul Hackers 2 Reviews
I even kind of care about "the True Ending" that's tucked away behind social links. Soul Hackers 2 is graceful and breezy enough, while still being a meaty monster-collecting dungeon crawler that I've been thinking about my return to Amami City the entire time I've been writing this review. Maybe this is the game I actually make good on that impulse.
Soul Hackers 2 is a worthy successor of the 1997 game, modernizing the series and putting it closer to games like Persona 5 and SMTV.
While it does have its stumbles, Soul Hackers 2 is a stylish JRPG with an intriguing premise and a compelling cast, and a fantastic battle system that more than makes up for the flaws it does have.
Soul Hackers 2 is a masterpiece done by Atlus in Character development, musical score, plot twists, and overall story beats. A few technical hiccups and weird camera choice make this game not have a perfect score.
Compared to Persona 5, Atlus delivers equally great characters, solid storytelling, mostly attractive design, and compelling battle and progression systems here, but the content is clearly lighter, the world much less elaborate, and the pacing a bit awkward.
Even with its bland dungeon design and lack of new ideas, Soul Hackers 2 is still an enjoyable and recommendable turn based JRPG, not on par with Atlus' best works but still better than many similar products. Just don't go in expecting a new masterpiece such as Persona 5 or SMT V.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Soul Hacker 2 is a traditional JRPG that you can easily spend hours on, but also mediocre in every aspect. Although the classic training system has enough depth, and the turn-based system also involved some minor changes, the interest of the combat system is still limited. A lot of looting content improves the playability of the game, however the looting experience is monotonous and boring.
Review in Chinese | Read full review
There's nothing abhorrently wrong with Soul Hackers 2, it's a solid JRPG with plenty to like, but nothing here feels as unique or creative as it could be given the source material. Fans will no doubt still enjoy it, but it's a missed opportunity to push the boundaries further.
Soul Hackers 2 is yet another stellar JRPG from Atlus. It may take many of its themes and gameplay elements from other JRPGs within the company’s umbrella, but it somehow still manages to feel unique thanks to its fresh setting and characters.
An intriguing story, interesting battle system, and signature art style is usually a good combo, and Soul Hackers 2 is no exception. It is easy to get lost in the story or side-quests and enjoy battling a variety of demons. For anybody enjoying Atlus' other turn-based titles, this is definitely a must-have.
Atlus' return to a non-Persona Megaten spin-off after all these years is really exciting and I can easily recommend if you've been waiting for it. But that doesn't change the fact that Soul Hackers 2 hasn't reached its full potential and could have been a much better game.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
Soul Hackers 2 does not revolutionize the JRPG genre and probably can't even compete with the top tier JRPG games, but it gets all the basics of the genre right and thanks to its solid combat system and appealing story and characters, can actually be very entertaining.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Soul Hackers 2 will satisfy both SMT and Persona fans with its exciting story, beautiful anime-style aesthetics, engaging music by Monaca, and gameplay that feels like a smart mix between the strengths of both.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Soul Hackers 2 is not a bad game at all, but it failed to add anything new to plate when it comes to the genre. The good combat alone was not enough to elevate the game enough to meet the standards Atlus set with Shin Megami V and Persona 5
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Soul Hackers 2 can’t quite match the high bar that the Persona franchise has set but it is still an enjoyable turn-based, dungeon crawling JRPG. The best parts about it are the story, the stylish art direction, and gaining new demons to use while the worst are the repetitive dungeons you’ll be spending hours and hours in. If you can look past that latter point then there is a lot to enjoy about Soul Hackers 2 whether you’re a returning fan or a newcomer.
Soul Hackers 2 is a different title than what is usually expected from Atlus, but it is also one of their best and most original games in recent years. It's a highly recommended title if you're already a fan of the company's games or turn-based RPGs in general.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Overall, Soul Hackers 2 is a good - but not great - entry into the franchise. I had quite a lot of fun with it, and I think the cast is one of my favorites in the SMT games, but it has a "low-budget" feel that is difficult to escape, and the Soul Matrix concept feels lackluster. It has a good combat system, fun character customization, and everything I'd expect from a SMT spin-off. For some fans, I'd imagine that the change from the franchise norm will feel refreshing.
Soul Hackers 2 is a smart, evocative, and classically dark game from the Shin Megami Tensei tradition. It’s not going to turn heads like Persona 5 and SMT V did, but the developers seem to have realised this and taken the opportunity to deliver a harder-hitting and more thought-provoking narrative. To me, that’s Atlus getting back to its core vision for the broad and extended SMT property. That’s what I want from this series.
Soul Hackers 2 offers a contrast of colourful and lively towns and characters with dull and dark dungeons that seem to go on forever. Optimizing your party can be quite enjoyable but the inconsistent demon recruiting system takes away from the fun of the grind. Overall, Soul Hackers 2 failed to keep my attention but it definitely has some noteworthy qualities.
A great beginning point for Atlus newcomers, but veterans might be disappointed.