Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse Reviews
For fans of the series and newcomers alike, Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse is a quintessential JRPG experience, and one that only has some very minor issues.
Really, all this means is that SMT: 4A is a fine game with a major problem – it is a sequel. If SMT: IV didn’t exist, SMT: 4A would feel like a fresher game. It does bring some major improvements to the previous game but balances them out with some major regressions. In the end what’s left is a game that does enough to be enjoyable but not enough to be great. The story is more engaging, the gameplay on the whole is better, but the loss of atmosphere and overall addition of monotony makes this a game mostly for those who were a fan of the first. Since it’s a sequel, I suppose it succeeds in what it set out to do by finishing up the story, but in some cases, it does not really feel like a necessary continuation. There is not enough new content for a standalone game, making this feel more like “disc two” than an actual new title. A tricky business, indeed.
Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse took everything the best from the series and corrected mistakes of SMTIV, making the game relatively beginners-friendly and generally more engrossing. This is an excellent present for all Nintendo 3DS owners and fans of the Japanese role playing games genre, which is definitely must not be skipped. Especially because it is still several month left before a release of the long awaited Persona 5, and Tokyo Mirage Sessions has long been completed.
Review in Russian | Read full review
A notable improvement on the original, although most of the changes are still just doodling in the margins – as the series waits for a more substantial overhaul.
A fantastic game that stands amongst the greatest on the system’s expansive library.
The gameplay itself is vintage Shin Megami Tensei and doesn’t really need to be anything else.
Apocalypse marks an improvement in every way over Shin Megami Tensei IV, that already was one of the best JPRG available on the 3DS family of consoles. The user interface, the map, the companion system, the demon alignment are all welcome changes especially because they come on top of a fascinating setting and a gritty storyline.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The story is twisting and had me dreading what was going to happen at each twist and turn. The atmosphere was heavy and on many of occasions left my stomach churning.
Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse is somewhere between an expansion pack and a sequel. There's a lot of familiar content bolstered by some fresh content and strong mechanical changes. It's more Shin Megami Tensei IV, so if you enjoyed the previous game, you'll find a lot to like here, even though it can sometimes feel too familiar and repetitive for its own good. The story makes it rather inaccessible to newcomers. Despite the myriad mechanical improvements, it's recommended you play SMT4 first to fully appreciate Apocalypse. If enough time has passed since you played SMT4 and you're hankering to return to postapocalyptic Tokyo, Apocalypse is the game for you.
Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse is an excellent RPG full of mysticism and unconventional theological ideas, the game has a great story to tell, good dubbing and excellent soundtrack, is very entertaining and if you have a mind enough adult to challenge your Beliefs, do not hesitate to try it, little by little this series has become my favorite.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Don’t think of Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse as just some throwaway cash-in title. This spin-off game builds on the solid foundation of its predecessor and even outshines it in some aspects. Admittedly, it reuses several assets from the previous game and mapping, while improved, could still be better. A likable cast of characters combined with an intriguing story and compelling combat, however, makes Apocalypse a worthy addition to anyone’s JRPG collection.
One of the best RPGs in recent years nearly ruined by an awfully placed and paced epilogue.
While Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse could easily have been a lazy reuse of content from its predecessor slapped together to make a quick buck, a different perspective on the story, a host of improvements, and the return of Shin Megami Tensei IV’s quality gameplay come together for a pseudo-sequel that’s a worthy experience.
Another Shin Megami Tensei game joins the ranks of awesome must-have JRPGs for 3DS.
Shin Megami Tensei 4: Apocalypse is a familiar, yet enjoyable journey
As an RPG sequel, Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse is just about perfect. It lets players revisit a familiar world from a new perspective, keeps what made the original so special, and adds in several small but significant mechanical improvements that make for a smoother, better game throughout. We recommend playing through SMTIV first if possible, both to get the most out of Apocalypse and to experience one of the 3DS' finest JRPGs, but however you arrive at it, this is a game that begs to be played. It's a delightfully dark adventure that's dripping with dystopian charm, and between the personable demons, deeply satisfying combat and killer aesthetic, we couldn't get enough — the end times have never been so good.
One of the best pure RPGs available for the 3DS. Any fan of turn-based battles and creating the ultimate combination of evolutions will have a blast
Though more of an expansion than a standalone release in spirit, Apocalypse's narrative superfluity is made up for by the considerable refinements it contains over its direct predecessor. Whether or not you'll enjoy its plot and its emphasis on partner characters comes down to personal taste, but on the whole it's an engrossing and addictive role-playing experience... even if it can feel a little familiar at times.
While the issues I had do hold the game back from a perfect score, Apocalypse is a game that JRPG fans, and even just 3DS owners, should not pass up. The depth in story and gameplay is incredible, and the accessability options can let anyone dive in, newbie or veteran.
Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse provides more of the series' addictive combination of exploring, demon-collecting and fast-paced battling, all while continuing the delightfully warped narrative of its predecessor. This is pure JRPG bliss.