Review: Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoner Soul Hackers 3DS

Soul Hackers delivers a first-person, dungeon-crawling RPG experience set in a future where technology and otherworldly forces meet in a fusion of cyberpunk futurism and gothic horror.

Pros:

  • Graphics are nice from a distance and some of the maps are really good with some amazing artwork gone into them along with the backdrops.
  • FMV cutscenes bring the retro feel with an almost VHS quality to them.
  • First person dungeon crawler RPG where you summon demons.
  • Top screen is the game screen with the bottom screen used for menu management and showing off the map in the dungeons.
  • Turn based combat that is menu driven.
  • You can analyze enemies in battle which helps identify them along with any weaknesses.
  • The game has a real horror meets the 90s set in the future vibe about it all. By that I mean it has retro gameplay at its core but is set in a very futuristic town with ancient indian influenced horror thrown in like images of coyotes giving heeds of warning and sending messages of doom.
  • Random encounters through out.
  • Menus are detailed and within them when dungeon crawling, Allows you to do things like set up party formations, assign secial moves or movesets and do some basic item management.
  • Controls are really simple with full d pad support, Using the bumpers will do a side step in game and the menu is brought up via the Y button, Attacking/confirming and basically everything else is done with the B button.
  • Can state save at any point and triggering it will take you back to the main screen. You cannot use another save or start a new game with state save, Instead you are only allowed to continue your state save.
  • Earn xp, items and money from enemies.
  • When you level up you get given a set number of upgrade points for each character and you can oost their base stats.
  • You can unlock the ability to use play coins to buy better demons and is an extremely handy option for new players or people finding the game a bit hard.
  • 3D is implemented but is not compulsory to enjoy the game.
  • Use in game money to maintain and buy new demons for/in your party.
  • Multiple save slots, 3 to be precise.
  • You can talk to enemies and can even have the chance to recruit them to your party.
  • You can in game, Hack the computer as it were to make the game easier, harder.

Cons:

  • Slow start as it sets the story and introduces the characters.
  • No proper tutorial to explain everything you can do.
  • The game itself is a slow paced affair with a lot of text screen breaks in between fights.
  • It is a port and for that it does show in close ups on the graphics, The FMV while cool dooes show its age.
  • Game has a lot of difficulty spikes throughout.
  • Loads of menus to navigate and needless menu changing/hopping.
  • Huge gaps between actual proper save points.

In summary, The game is very much aimed at the hardcore crowd. New players will be able to get into it but you really need to attack this game with a huge 90s vibe going through your head. Back in the day this game was way ahead of its time in many ways and by this time it is a bit dated in places, clunky menus and slow paced combat, But the story is a well written one and has many twists and turns. RPG fans of yester year will relish the chance to replay one of the classics on a modern console but also love the familiarity of the old way of doing RPG games. It took me a fair few hours but I got there and I am enjoying it so stick to it and think about the 90s. Not too much though as I cannot be held responsible for any depression or the inability to find cans of Tab Clear or jolly ranchers.

Jim Smale

Gaming since the Atari 2600, I enjoy the weirdness in games counting Densha De Go and RC De Go as my favourite titles of all time. I prefer gaming of old where buying games from a shop was a thing, Being social in person was a thing. Join me as I attempt to adapt to this new digital age!