Devil Survivor 2: Record Breaker Reviews
Other than the fact that players who tend to skip story in games will have a bad time, I believe this is a game that every 3DS owner should have in their library.
Atlus says it's “two full-length RPGs in one package!” which should make this a must-buy for players of the original and newcomers alike. As a player of the original on the Nintendo DS, I decided to relive the event of the Septentriones scenario and I do not regret it. The story is brilliant and the battles are just a joy to play. If you haven’t experienced the first game, Devil Survivor/Devil Survivor Overclocked, and are worried about jumping in at DS2, don’t worry as the stories are completely separate. With essentially two full-length RPGs contained within this one release, you’re sure to get your money's worth.
Devil Survivor 2 is not even close to Atlus' finest moment, but it is a very fine game nonetheless. It does a good job of offering a narrative with thematic depth, and mixes in well with some deep character development and monster fusing mechanics. If it wasn't for the generally uninspired effort to pull the game into shape from a visual perspective, it would be in the running to be one of the better examples of the genre on a console loaded with them.
Because it was a 2012 DS game, the first release of Devil Survivor 2 flew under the radar of a lot of strategy RPG players. If you're one of those, or want something that can take up a lot of time, then Record Breaker should be on your radar.
With all of its content and features, Devil Survivor 2: Record Breaker is the definitive version of the game. It's a well-made strategy-RPG that fans of the genre will enjoy. The Triangulum arc is a significant addition to any already lengthy game. In the long run, though, most of the new features are not worth buying the game on its own. If you're a fan of the original Devil Survivor 2 and want to re-experience the original or if you're a newcomer, it's a fantastic purchase. Those in it just for the new Triangulum arc may want to wait for a price drop, since the arc alone isn't meaty enough for a full $50 purchase.
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. 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. It's tough but not impossible, it's long but not repetitive - there's no game quite like it.
Overall, it's hard to find much to hate about Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker. The combat is satisfying and complex. The story is deep, with rich characters, and a plot that you actually change with your decisions throughout the game. The demon fusion system is improved over that of the previous entry in the Devil Survivor series, and the exclusive features that come with the new version give it much more content than the vanilla game. If you're looking for a quality RPG to sink a hundred or so hours into, and you own a 3DS, buy this game.
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker takes an "if it ain't broke don't fix it" approach as a sequel. It feels largely unchanged from its predecessor, but the general core systems it is based on are well refined enough that it still offers a good challenge for those with the patience to tackle it.
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2: Record Breaker is an enormous package.
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.
A solid follow up for the strategy RPG spinoff of the Shin Megami Tensei series
Newcomers should come now, old-comers may want to wait.
I do wish that more new content was added to the original storyline, especially for folks who have gone through it before. As it is, even the extra stuff in Record Breaker right now might not be enough to sway some folks who played the original to death. For folks who have never played the DS game or fans who love the idea of a new storyline to experience after the main adventure, however, Record Breaker is an excellent example of the JRPG genre. If you love the Megaten series and old-school, turn-based JRPGs, this is one devilish game that's well worth experiencing.
With fun, strategic battles, a roller-coaster narrative that never lets up, and a fantastic sense of upbeat, apocalyptic style, Devil Survivor 2 is a full-on blast from start to finish. If you missed out on the original release, you're in for a treat, and if you've already played the DS cart to death the Triangulum scenario adds another immediately accessible full-length adventure to the experience - more than enough reason to return. Whether you're a longtime MegaTen fan or just enjoy deep, strategic RPGs, you'll have a great time with Record Breaker, so summon up your courage and sign in to Nicaea; you won't regret it.
Fans of both tactical RPGs and anime will find something to enjoy here. The characters are well drawn, if not overly endowed for school age, and the voice acting is a nice touch. I particularly liked the allegory of being able to summon demons through your mobile device and the dangers of technology. The UI is nicely done and captures the feel of an early smartphone as if it was on your 3DS.
While Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2: Record Breaker isn't the full 3DS remake some might hope, it's still a bigger, better version of what was already a fantastic, engrossing strategy-RPG twist on Atlus' beloved demon-summoning series.
Its gameplay is marvelously addictive and it follows a well constructed plot that will keep players holding on to it for dozens of hours on end. A very recommended proposal for fans of the series and for newcomers who feel curious about it.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Shin Megami Tensei continues to produce decent offerings in a market that doesn't see a lot of good JRPGs anymore.
Despite the aesthetic and DLC complaints, Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2: Record Breaker is an all-around solid JRPG, with great gameplay and an equally great story. Not to mention that the oodles of extra content and updates to this version would be worth a second buy for fans who purchased the original, let alone any newcomers to the series.
This update to a DS classic doesn't give you much in terms of hardware upgrades, but the additional campaign and gameplay changes make Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker worth playing for a second time, or a first time if you skipped the first release.