Devil Summoner Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Soulless Armyis a 2006 game that many consider criminally overlooked, and withRAIDOU Remastered: Mystery of the Soulless Army, Atlus and Sega are attempting to jettison this cult classic action-RPG into more mainstream waters. Based on what Game Rant observed during a recent hands-on preview,RAIDOU Remasteredappears to be on-trackto meet that level of popularity.
Perhaps the most striking part ofRAIDOU Remastered: Mystery of the Soulless Armyis how it pivots away from the traditional Megaten formula: fans ofPersonaandShin Megami Tenseiwill recognize more than a few familiar faces, as the protagonist can bend demons like Jack Frost and Goblin to his will. That’s about all thatRAIDOU Remasteredhas in common with other Megaten games, though, as it takes a markedly different approach to gameplay via its real-time combat, and is set in early-20th-century Japan rather than in modern-day or the post-apocalypse. But make no mistake,RAIDOU Remastered, like its 2006 progenitor, is brimming with the unmistakable charm, panache, and creativity that Atlus has become so well-known for.
RAIDOU Remastered: Mystery of the Soulless Army Polishes the PS2 Classic to a Brilliant Shine
Rather than the turn-based combat offranchises likePersona,Soul Hackers, andMetaphor: ReFantazio,RAIDOU Remasteredthrusts players into a surprisingly refreshing real-time gameplay loop. Players can still negotiate with, capture, and manipulate various demons, each with their own unique attributes and skills; but instead of careful strategy and forethought,RAIDOU Remasteredrewards quick thinking and high-speed aggression, fostering a gameplay environment with much more momentum and unpredictability than those of its spiritual siblings.
It’s certainly not a character-action game, nor does it have the comprehensive, multifaceted mechanics of somethinglike a FromSoftware RPG, but it’s a good deal of fun nonetheless. Players can unleash heavy or light strikes, with the latter primarily used to generate MAG, the resource that the player-character and his summoned demons use to activate spells. Like in other Atlus RPGs, enemies will be either resistant or weak to specific elements, and leveraging such weaknesses will give players an immeasurable advantage in battle. Thus, it’s important to keep MAG levels topped up to unleash special abilities, while keeping DPS steady via consistent sword and gun attacks. Combining this basic combat framework with some light party-control mechanics makesRAIDOU Remastered’s gameplay a satisfying blend of improvisation and short-term planning.
It’s withinRAIDOU Remastered’s combat sectionsthat the differences between it and the 2006 original are most apparent. The new version tweaks the stiff and unwieldy controls of the original, making for a more intuitive experience courtesy of better enemy tracking, a controllable camera, and miscellaneous quality of life features, like unlimited ammo and options for changing ally activity on the fly. Put plainly,RAIDOU Remasteredfeels good to play, though the simplicity of its mechanics might be tested over so many hours—only a full playthrough will determine the gameplay loop’s longevity.
A Mystical-Noir Story and World-Class Aesthetic Make RAIDOU Remastered Special
Players won’t be spending all their time hacking and slashing:RAIDOURemasteredis a detective story, after all. Players assume the role of an older teenager whom they name themselves (Raidou Kuzunoha is just a title). After being initiated into the Kuzunoha clan of Devil Summoners, this protagonist is assigned to work at a fledgling detective agency in Tokyo known for taking on unusual cases. The story doesn’t waste time getting started, as players will promptly be introduced to the titular Soulless Army, who capture a young girl from an affluent family.
It’s as a detective searching for this girl that players engage withRAIDOU’s non-combat elements, which have the lighthearted, slice-of-life charm typical of Atlus games. The abundance of dialog makes it feel a bit more like a visual novel than an action game at times, but just likePersonaorMetaphor,RAIDOU’s charming, memorable characters make this a pleasant experience rather than a dull one. And since the stakes are high from the jump, there’s a consistent undercurrent of tension that keeps the story compelling. Enhanced graphics that retain the art style of the 2006 original make the experience pleasing on another level:RAIDOU Remasteredis just as stylish as one would expect from a modern Atlus RPG.
RAIDOU Remasteredshares something else in common withother Atlus games: a killer soundtrack. The game’s music is an evocative mix of jazz, funk, and hard rock, coming across as simultaneously nostalgic and futuristic.
Players can also leverage their captured demons outside of combat encounters. Each demon belongs to a different elemental order, and these orders inform how they function beyond the field of battle as well as within it. For example, demons of the Pyro Order can cast fire spells in combat, but they can also use an ability called Ignite to set someone’s soul ablaze, imbuing them with passion and conviction. Players have to use these skills to progress through the main campaign and complete side objectives, and it’s a treat to discover how newly acquired demons function in more peaceful contexts.
These skills, alongsidethe Side Investigation ability, which lets players take control of demons directly to explore otherwise inaccessible areas, are a clever way to deepen the utility of allied demons, as they feel like more integral parts of the entire gameplay loop, not just its combat half.
ThoughRAIDOU Remastered: Mystery of the SoullessArmyis certainly different from other Megaten games, it still bottles Atlus' singular charm and flair, giving it an aura that few modern action-RPGs can match. Taken at face value, its mechanics are unlikely to blow anyone away, but looking at the game holistically, it’s uniquely impactful and lovable. For those who have enjoyed recent Atlus releases likeMetaphor: ReFantazioandPersona 3 Reload,RAIDOU Remasteredis shaping up to be a can’t-miss title.
