Raidou Returns: Unraveling the Enigma of the Soulless Legion

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A Hidden PS2 Gem

Since the mid-1980s, Atlus has breathed life into the Megami Tensei universe. Originally adapted from Aya Nishitani’s novels, this demon-centric journey has evolved to become a major player in the JRPG genre, a testament to its impressive legacy. Beyond the well-known Shin Megami Tensei and Persona series, numerous spin-offs have unfortunately been forgotten or remain confined to older consoles. However, Atlus is revisiting its archives to give these games a second chance, starting with Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army.

Back in 2006, just before the PlayStation 3 debuted, Atlus offered PlayStation 2 users an action-packed spin-off of the Megami Tensei series. Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army departed from the turn-based combat of its contemporaries like Shin Megami Tensei III and Persona 3, delivering instead a real-time action game while retaining the demon-collecting aspect beloved by fans. Although it received a sequel, the title was quickly overshadowed. Fortunately, Atlus has addressed this with a remastered version for modern consoles.

Now titled Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army, this hidden PlayStation 2 gem shines anew with improved visuals and enhanced quality-of-life features. Atlus aims for this remaster to resonate with contemporary audiences. But what makes this version special? Is this the definitive edition of the game? Find out in our Atomix Review.

The Legendary Raidou Kuzunoha XIV

As a spin-off, Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army diverges from the worlds of Shin Megami Tensei and Persona. It crafts a unique experience using familiar demon-centric themes while exploring new settings distinct from its predecessors. Set in 1932 Japan during the Taisho era, our hero, Raidou Kuzunoha XIV, a young detective and demon summoner, must solve the mystery of a kidnapped girl at the hands of a mechanical soldier army, amidst a series of intertwining intrigues.

The game’s episodic format allows for a balance between standalone stories and the overarching plot. The narrative smartly melds comedy with its darker aspects, echoing a midpoint between Shin Megami Tensei and Persona’s tones. The world is filled with morally ambiguous characters, hinting at impending doom yet allowing for hope.

Secondary characters provide much of the narrative’s energy. Raidou serves more as a player conduit, while characters like the charismatic Grigori Rasputin leave a lasting impression due to their vivid personas.

Notably, the remaster adds voice acting to dialogues, enhancing its entertainment value. The original structure and story remain intact to please purists, while improvements like guided navigation aid player immersion.

Remaster or Remake?

Labelled as a remaster, Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army maintains its core structure and character designs akin to the 2006 version but involves updates characteristic of a remake. Utilizing the Unity engine instead of Unreal, the game perfectly captures the essence of early 20th-century Japan.

Running smoothly on PS5 at 4K and 60fps, the game delivers an updated visual landscape that refreshes its decades-old world. While keeping some original elements like fixed camera angles, the visual revamp breathes new life into the title.

The game artistically portrays Japan’s generational clash with modernity beautifully through character attire and environmental details, emphasizing the cultural transition period before World War II. These design choices add a unique identity to the remaster.

Raidou’s iconic design fuses traditional Japanese authority with a modern twist. The game’s demons, some familiar and others unique to this title, maintain a consistent quality, aligning with contemporary franchise standards.

While some pre-rendered cinematics may seem compressed, they enhance storytelling. The remaster revitalizes character portrayals through well-executed animations and voice work.

A New Lease on Life

The dichotomy of Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army as a midpoint between Shin Megami Tensei and Persona extends to its auditory landscape, featuring a unique jazz-rock soundtrack that complements its narrative. New voice acting, available in both English and Japanese, enriches the game further, setting a new standard since past remasters like Shin Megami Tensei III HD.

Atlus’ superb localization skills shine through, with standout performances from actors like Ray Chase (Gouto-Douji) and Chris Okawa (Grigori Rasputin), bringing scenes to life.

Overall, the remaster preserves the original’s audio-visual essence while refreshing the listening experience with robust voice acting.

Simplifying the Complex

Breaking from JRPG norms, Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army introduces a real-time action-focused gameplay. While maintaining dungeon elements and demon utilization, the detective-investigator mechanics bring extra depth. Key quality-of-life upgrades significantly transform this remaster.

Exploration involves character interactions, information gathering, and leveraging demons for tasks beyond battle. Despite being simplified, these mechanics enhance team-building, motivating players to maintain diverse demon rosters for solving missions.

Dungeons emphasize action-oriented combat with an intuitive, albeit simple, system, where enemy weaknesses play a pivotal role.

Though straightforward, the battles offer flexibility with demon support, and adjustments inherited from its sequel streamline combat further. The absence of random encounters and a helpful map ensure a smooth-paced adventure.

Quality-of-life changes in this remaster, such as quick-save options and clear directional guides, prioritize player accessibility, making this version approachable for newcomers.

Though it may seem an experimental entry in the Megami Tensei series, the game’s distinctive style and engaging modifications offer a fresh yet familiar journey for both old fans and newcomers.

More Classics, Please

Though often overlooked, Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army gains a new lease on life through this remaster. Its captivating narrative, coupled with quirky characters and improved presentation, revives an underrated PlayStation 2 classic.

Whether classified as a remaster or a remake, Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army delivers a visually stunning, timeless experience. The game retains its unique style and draws from the enriched audiovisual elements to modernize the original.

Though some gameplay changes simplify challenges at the cost of some beloved features, many modifications enhance accessibility for today’s audience. With Atlus hinting at future projects like Persona 4: Revival, it’s exciting to anticipate more revived classics. Whether bringing back lesser-known titles or enhancing iconic favorites, the possibilities remain exciting for fans!

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