Summary
Before achieving major success with thePersonaseries,Atluswas already recognized in the JRPG community for its unique games, many featuring mature stories, darker themes, and distinct art styles. The games set in theShin Megami Tenseiuniverse are challenging but fair games that require strategic thinking and exploiting enemy weaknesses.
The studio has an impressive catalog of games extending beyondthePersonaseriesandMetaphor: ReFantaziowith other great games worth exploring for enthusiasts. Atlus games are celebrated for their unique gameplay and artistic design, showcasing imaginatively dark storytelling and turn-based mechanics that feel innovative and old-school. The following list highlights some of the best games from the developer that are a must-play for fans.
While the studio has published many acclaimed games under the Atlus banner, this list specifically highlights select titles developed by the studio.
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclockedis an expanded 3DS version of the original that launched on the Nintendo DS. The story remains consistent, featuring an easy difficulty setting, new demons, and an additional scenario. WhileOverclockedis the preferred option, both versions ofDevil Survivorare outstanding, showcasing excellent writing and pacing.Devil Survivorwas created by Atlus, incorporating key members from Career Soft, the developers behind theGrowlanserseries.
The gameplay is classicturn-based strategy RPGs, but to win the player’s characters must exploit their enemy’s weaknesses and complete mission objectives. Players can bid on and recruit demons via their COMP system to help them in battle and sway the odds in their favor. The player takes on the role of a young protagonist trapped with his friends by demons in modern-day Tokyo. The player must make allegiances and decisions that change the direction of the story offering lots of replay value.
4Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 1 & 2
Dark Fantasy Sci-Fi Story
Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Sagareleased as two games that are only available on the PlayStation 2. They are two of the developer’s most atmospheric, gruesome, and compelling JRPGs that deserve another chance on modern consoles. As mentioned above,Digital Devil Sagais a two-part story that needs to be experienced together to appreciate its narrative fully, and the characters are far more engaging than the mainlineShin Megami Tenseiseries.
Digital Devil Sagais a post-apocalyptic adventure where the characters must battle it out with rival tribes in what is known as the Junkyard, with the remaining tribe able to enter a place called Nirvana. The player takes control of the leader of the Embryon tribe, a silent protagonist named Serph. The core gameplay will be familiar to fans ofShin Megami Tensei’sPress Turn battle system where the team must exploit their enemy’s weaknesses to gain an extra turn in combat. and a combo mechanic where the player’s team attacks their enemies at once.
Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturnewas originally launched on the PS2 and remastered in HD for modern systems with a higher resolution, improved framerate, additional voice acting sequences, and the original Japanese voice work. Unlike Atlus’Personaseries, The narrative is complex, featuring subtle butcomplex storytellingin a world that unfolds as players explore.
The combat is engaging with its introduction of the Press Turn battle system, becoming a hallmark of SMT’s combat mechanics, requiring players to identify and exploit their enemies' weaknesses. The protagonist, known as the Demi-Fiend must recruit demons in a system reminiscent of the ‘catch ‘em all’ approach popularized byPokemon. Like that series, the Demons evolve to become more powerful versions, offering more help on the battlefield.
All the modernPersonagames fromPersona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Golden, andPersona 5are worth the time of any JRPG fan. However, the most accessible and polished may bePersona 5 Royal. The Royal version features an extended narrative with extra scenes and two new characters.
Despite its age,Persona 5 Royalis a stunning title, featuring timeless artwork, character designs, and, most importantly, a well-developed story and characters. The combat will be familiar to fans ofShin Megami Tenseiwith its Press Turn system, exposing an enemy’s elemental weaknesses.
Atlus is best known for its popularPersonaseries, butMetaphor: ReFantaziomay be their finest work to date. This game combinesthe strengths ofPersonawhile introducing a distinct and beautifully crafted medieval fantasy world, the United Kingdom of Euchronia.Metaphoravoids the typical Tolkienesque elements commonly found in the fantasy genre. The world fuses Medieval, 1960s, and 1970s fashion with Victorian-era architecture. In place ofPersona’sschool year is an upcoming election that follows the events of the opening cutscene. It limits the time players have to complete tasks and build friendships.
There is a social-link relationship-building mechanic butMetaphoravoids the romantic aspects typically found in thePersonaseries. Side quests are also meaningful in helping build the protagonist’s Royal Virtues, Courage, Eloquence, Imagination, Tolerance, and Wisdom. The virtues influence, the election and how the NPCs react to the lead character.
