Rumors have recently circulated that Atlus may plan to remaster a classic game in the Shin Megami Tensei series. Similarly to the widely popular Persona series, Devil Summoner is one of the many spin-off series that descends from Shin Megami Tensei. If recent rumors are to be believed, the return of Devil Summoner could be great news for fans of classic Persona games.
Most fans of the Persona series are only familiar with its modern era. That is to say that Persona 3, Persona 4, and Persona 5 all have much more pull with general audiences compared to their predecessors. However, the prior games in the series certainly have their fans, with a growing number of fans in support of potential Persona 1 and Persona 2 remakes. If a Devil Summoner remaster gets off the ground after all, fans of Revelations: Persona and the Persona 2 duology can finally rest easy.
Rumor: Classic Devil Summoner Games Could Be Making a Comeback
Some recent updates from Atlus suggest that two classic Devil Summoner titles in the Shin Megami Tensei franchise are coming back.
Potential Devil Summoner Remasters Make the Case for Classic Persona Remakes
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner is as Classic as it Gets
Shin Megami Tensei was first released in Japan in 1992. The Devil Summoner series began only three years later, in 1995, and predated Revelations: Persona by a year. In simpler terms, Devil Summoner is foundational to the Shin Megami Tensei series, even more so than other spin-offs.
In contrast to its peers, Devil Summoner is heavily inspired by detective fiction first and foremost. These roots would be very apparent to fans of the sci-fi Soul Hackers series, which itself falls under the Devil Summoner umbrella. Likewise, it's possible that the recent release of Soul Hackers 2 is partially responsible for renewed interest in a potential Devil Summoner remaster.
Atlus hasn't given much attention to the spin-off series besides this. Likewise, Persona 1 and 2 are obscure enough to be relatively absent from the series' public image. Atlus has focused most resources on the upcoming release of Metaphor: ReFantazio, with this and other factors taking the spotlight away from more classic games.
Rumors of a Devil Summoner Remaster Could Signal Atlus' Interest in Classic Games
Not all Shin Megami Tensei spin-offs were created equal, with many titles that may never get the remaster treatment. However, among its rich history, Devil Summoner and Persona certainly occupy the top spots. Of course, Persona is currently much more relevant in popular culture, but this doesn't discount Devil Summoner's importance to the Shin Megami Tensei series at large.
Regardless, if rumors around a Devil Summoner remake turn out to be true, this could have stunning implications for Atlus' other series. Despite its importance as a Shin Megami Tensei spin-off, Devil Summoner is most certainly deep in the pockets as far as Atlus games are concerned. However, this isn't necessarily bad news for fans of the series. In fact, this relative obscurity only makes rumors of a remaster that much more exciting.
Recent Persona games have been consistent smash hits, with the critical and commercial success of Persona 3 Reload proving this point more than ever. Persona 2 has a sizable cult following, but it is still dwarfed by many of its successors. If developers release a remaster of Devil Summoner, it would show a clear interest in the older titles in Atlus' library. If Atlus considers Devil Summoner viable for the market, there should be nothing stopping Persona 2.
Devil Summoner has its loyal fans, as do classic Persona games, but both hardly compare to more recent releases. Atlus has always made re-releases, remasters, and remakes a core part of its strategy. Persona 1 and 2 remakes occasionally feel well out of reach, despite popular rumors. However, a potential Devil Summoner remaster could change everything. While the prevailing rumor is yet to be confirmed, a potential announcement at Tokyo Game Show 2024 would make all the difference in the world.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 89 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
- Released
- June 14, 2024
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Atlus
- Publisher(s)
- Atlus, SEGA
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Franchise
- Shin Megami Tensei
WHERE TO PLAY
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance consists of two complete story paths: experience a brand-new route, the "Canon of Vengeance" – a dramatic tale of revenge by the fallen, centered around new characters and an enigmatic cohort of demons, the Qadištu, who plot their own dark designs apart from the war of those who fight to maintain order and those who seek to defy it. Or explore the original story told in Shin Megami Tensei V, the "Canon of Creation" – an eternal conflict between angels and demons, in which the protagonist fights for the world’s fate.
When a grisly murder scene in modern-day Tokyo blocks our protagonist’s walk home, an unplanned detour leaves him buried and unconscious. He awakens in a new Tokyo, a wasteland ravaged by apocalypse now called Da’at… but before bloodthirsty demons can claim his life, a savior emerges, and the two of them unite to become a mighty being, neither human nor demon: a Nahobino.
With newfound power, the protagonist ventures through Da'at, an enigmatic realm filled with mythical deities and demonic tyrants in constant conflict for survival. Searching for answers, the protagonist must forge his own path in a battle between angels and demons to dictate the fate of the world.
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- How Long To Beat
- 45 Hours
- How Long To Beat (Completionist Runs)
- 90 Hours
