Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance Demo Available Today on Steam and PlayStation

Today ATLUS announced that a free demo for the demon-collecting RPG Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is now available on Steam, and will also be available for PlayStation today at 9pm PT.

In the demo, players can choose between two story paths, the brand-new story “Canon of Vengeance” or the original story from SMTV “Canon of Creation”. Explore a post-apocalyptic Tokyo, now reduced to an expansive wasteland called Da’at that is torn apart by a conflict between angels and demons. Progression from the demo will carry over to the full game, so players can continue their journey right from where they left off. Both story paths can be experienced for those interested in exploring each.

The free demo release follows the patch released earlier this month on all available platforms that includes the following.

  • New Demon Kishin Marici

  • Addition of Fan-selected Demon Navigators (Hell Biker, Idun, Fionn mac Cumhaill, Mothman, Mara, and Cleopatra)

  • The New Elite Difficulty for the Virtual Trainer

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is the definitive version of the critically acclaimed RPG, which introduces a new storyline, brand-new characters, a new area to explore, a new dungeon, more accessible gameplay, an improved battle system, new demon experiences and currently has a metascore of 90 (PC) and 87 (PS5) on Metacritic as of today.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is available now for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Steam, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Windows.

Metaphor: ReFantazio’s Next Showcase Will Air on July 29, 2024

Today, ATLUS announced that the next livestream showcase for their upcoming fantasy RPG Metaphor: ReFantazio will take place on July 29, 2024 at 6pm PT/9pm ET on the ATLUS West YouTube channel. The showcase titled, Metaphor: ReFantazio “ATLUS Exclusive” Showcase – Characters will reveal more details about Metaphor: ReFantazio’s dynamic cast of characters, social systems and the fight to be crowned king. The livestream will be led by Studio Zero director Katsura Hashino with English subtitles and dubbed audio.

Metaphor: ReFantazio is a full-scale fantasy RPG from the creative minds of the Persona series. Players will write their destiny and rise above fear as they step into a fantasy world unlike any other. Metaphor: ReFantazio launches October 11, 2024 for Xbox Series X|S, Windows, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and Steam. Physical and digital pre-orders are available now.

Atlus N64 classic Snowboard Kids gets an all new, official vinyl soundtrack

You thought there was snow way we’d talk about a Nintendo 64 game here on SegaBits, but being a part of Atlus history means this is now Sega history too. You shred that right.

Cult classic N64 racer Snowboard Kids (1998) has just come out with a new soundtrack on vinyl courtesy of Fangamer. Atlus West have revealed this new vinyl soundtrack on Twitter today, which is now on sale for $29 USD and has already begun shipping. This comes with 17 tracks from the original game on one record, all by original composers Tomohiko Sato and Isao Kawai, from original developer Racjin, formally known as Racdym.

There is also a special limited edition blue vinyl set being sold by Channel 3 Records, which is limited to only 300 copies, so act fast if you want that. That is, otherwise, the same soundtrack and is also available for $29 USD and already shipping.

Catch the ski lift to take you past the break for photos and links to order both versions of this vinyl soundtrack.

Metaphor: ReFantazio live stream showcase set for April 22

Gear up, RPG fans! Atlus just dropped a bomb – they’re hosting a special livestream for their brand new fantasy RPG, Metaphor: ReFantazio, on April 22nd! Mark your calendars for 3:00 PM PT / 6:00 PM ET to catch a 30-minute deep dive with director Katsura Hashino himself. Expect fresh info, never-before-seen gameplay, and all the juicy details about this epic adventure.

The best part? You can watch it on YouTube in English, Japanese, or Traditional Chinese! Bonus points if you can decipher the Japanese follow-up stream on April 23rd, which dives even deeper into the reveal with special guests.

For everyone else, Metaphor: ReFantazio is slated to hit PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, and PC later this fall. Get ready to explore a whole new world!

[Via Gematsu]

Persona 6 Leak Hints at Green Color Theme, Fans Rejoice

Persona Fans Rejoice: Paint Bucket Theory Was True!

Eagle-eyed Persona fans can celebrate – their wild theory about the next game’s color scheme seems to be spot-on. Long time Persona leaker Midori spilled the beans on X/Twitter, confirming Persona 6 will rock a green theme.

This lines up perfectly with the series’ tradition of each game having a distinct color palette. Remember the blue hues of Persona 3, the sunshine vibes of Persona 4, and the fiery reds of Persona 5? Green’s the next logical step.

But wait, there’s more! This leak validates a crazy fan theory bouncing around since 2022. Back then, anniversary artwork featured all the Persona heroes against a graffiti wall. Notably, a bucket of mysterious green paint sat there, sparking speculation about a green-themed Persona 6 (despite the wall itself lacking much green). See that photo:

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance announced from Atlus, available June 21st, 2024

Good ol’ Atlus with their expanded SMT/Persona re-releases. Seriously though, props for the clever logo design here.

If you liked Atlus’s recent hit JRPG Shin Megami Tensei V, then you’re gonna love Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance. Just announced within the same Nintendo Partner Showcase Direct from February 21st, 2024, which also revealed the new demo for Unicorn Overlord, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance was revealed as an all-new definitive version of the original and highly lauded Shin Megami Tensei V (2021). This all new version of SMT V will include extra locations, demons, and an all new additional story to experience. From a technical side, the game also includes an improved battle, exploration, and demon fusion system, new accessibility features, and all the previously available DLC from SMT V as standard content within the base game.

Journey past the break for links to the game’s official website.

Unicorn Overlord demo now available to download

If you’ve been waiting with baited breath to try the brand new strategy RPG from Vanillaware and Atlus, Unicorn Overlord, you now have your chance with an official demo being available on all consoles’ digital storefronts right now. News of this was revealed in Nintendo’s Partner Showcase Direct livestream from February 21st, 2024 via the above video clip, but the demo has also launched on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox at the same time. Give it a shot right away and see what you’re in for.

Take a look beyond the break for links to each demo.

Atlus & Vanillaware brings back old school SRPGs with the gorgeous Unicorn Overlord

The last time Atlus & Vinallaware teamed up, they brought us the amazing 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim and now they have announced Unicorn Overlord coming to Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series world wide on March 8th, 2024.

The game in the West will have a standard edition and a Collector’s Edition pictured below:

Check out the press release after the break:

Shin Megami Tensei V has sold over one million units

Atlus has announced that Shin Megami Tensei V for the Nintendo Switch has surpassed one million units sold. This is counting both digital and physical shipments.

If you didn’t already know, Shin Megami Tensei V has been the best selling entry into the franchise’s history, which launched way back in 1992 on the Super Famicom (later receiving a SEGA CD port, for SEGA fanboys). All I can say is, well deserved!

 

 

Atlus announces Soul Hackers 2 for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series/One, and PC

Atlus has announced Soul Hackers 2 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, Xbox One and PC (Steam). The first game, at the time titled Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers is actually already the ‘second game’ in the ‘Devil Summoner‘ series which itself is a side-series of the Shin Megami Tensei franchise which originally came out on SEGA Saturn and PlayStation, then getting a 3DS remake in 2012. Does all this confuse you? Probably why they decided a more simple, Soul Hackers 2 title instead of “Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers 2” 

The game is set to launch pretty soon, on August 25th in Japan and the next day world wide with Japanese voice overs and English, French, Italian, German, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese subtitles. In Japan they already announced a special Soul Hackers 2 25th Anniversary Edition for PS5 & PS4 that includes a three disc soundtrack, 100 page anniversary book with artwork & interviews, and more to be announced soon.

As for what special versions, day one editions or even pre-order DLC for those outside of Japan; its unknown as of right now. But don’t worry, we will keep you guys posted. Siliconera has a good breakdown on the Japanese content though.

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax drops new ‘Fight’ Trailer

Atlus has dropped a new trailer for their upcoming port of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax which was developed by acclaimed fighting developer Arc System Works (Dragon Ball FighterZ, Guilty Gear, Blazblue). This is a dub trailer titled ‘Fight’.

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is heading for Steam, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch on March 17!

SEGA plans to announce a new JRPG during TGS 2021


It seems that SEGA is continuing its trend of making more JRPG games, as its teased during its SEGA Atlus Channel presentation describing it as “Sega’s new RPG”. This new teased JRPG will be fully unveiled on the upcoming Sega Atlus TGS 2021 stream taking place on October 1, 2021 at 10pm JST.

SEGA actually has a pretty rich catalogue of JRPG franchises dating back to the 80s, but it seems that they are going to be adding a brand new franchise to the catalogue. What do you guys want to see from this title?

Atlus published Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception and Mask of Truth delisted from Western PSN Stores as license expires

If you haven’t bought the digital versions of Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception or Mask of Truth for either PlayStation 4 or Vita, you’re out luck. Atlus has delisted the games without warning because, according to a representative, the license ran out. The games still seem to be up on Steam, but those versions were published by DMM GAMES

While it does suck, it seems the physical versions are priced pretty fairly (Mask of Truth on Vita costs $25 bucks). To be honest both of these titles released in the West in 2017 and haven’t really heard too many people talking about them to the point of actually asking, do you think its worth it for a company like Atlus to update licenses for games that might not be selling so hot? Also shouldn’t these companies give us an advance noticed that these games will be delisted to see if any consumers want to add it to their library?

[Via Gematsu]

Atlus confirms 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim a success, teases Persona 25th Anniversary project coming 2021

Famitsu published their New Year card messages from 44 Japanese company, which many teased about what will be going on in 2021. One of these companies that let out some information on their 2021 plans was Atlus, which stated:

“13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim received high ratings and numerous awards, as well as surpassed 300,000 total sales in the year since its release.

“In addition to Shin Megami Tensei V and Project Re Fantasy (title tentative), which are in active development, in 2021 we’re also planning a ‘Persona 25th Anniversary’ commemoration project. Please look forward to it!”

I’ve been playing 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim and having a great time, good to see it succeed even though I think it deserves a lot more sales than 300,000. I’m also looking forward to finally getting a real title for Project Re Fantasy and maybe even have it release!

As far as what the ‘Persona 25th Anniversary’ project will be, it will most likely be a Japanese only affair but we shall see.

[Source: Gematsu]