cj_iwakura
Member
Somewhere in Japan, a heavily populated region known as Amami City
has been founded with the notion of guiding its population into the 21st Century.
As of recent, its citizens have been left far behind the times of the cybernetic revolution.
Until now.
Thanks to the revolutionary software known as the Krypto Chip, Algon Software is proud to bring Amami City into an unprecedented level of network integration.
Welcome to the future.
Welcome to Paradigm X.
Welcome to the world of...
Before entering Amami City, those of us at Algon Software wish all of its citizens to have extensive knowledge of this region's historical significance.
To that end, we have constructed the following data readouts, to be made readily accessible to any and all denizens, new and old alike.
JP: 08/30/2012
US Release Date: 04/16/2013
EU: [TBA]
Availability: Cartridge & E-Shop
Nintendolife - 9/10
IGN - 7.8/10
Cub3d - 7/10
RPGFan - 79%
Destructoid - 8.5/10
Soul Hackers was originally released for the Sega Saturn in 1997.
A year afterward, it received a port/upgrade to the Sony Playstation, which included some extra quests and a few nasty optional bosses.
This is the version that was rumored to be up for localization, as even advertised in select publications at the time.
Sadly, that never came to be.
15 years later... we have our chance.
Soul Hackers' gameplay is a mixture of first-person dungeon crawling and turn-based RPG combat, mixed with a healthy dose of demon summoning and negotiation.
Demons thrive on Magnetite, which is gotten after each battle. Magnetite can either be traded in for currency(at a wicked 1/10 ratio), or used to keep your demons going.
When you have your demons summoned and you walk around with them, they cost Mag to keep active.
This isn't as bad as it sounds. As demons' levels and loyalty increase, the cost decreases, and certain demons cost nothing to keep around.
Besides, you'll find the Main and Nemissa can be enough to keep the wolves at bay, more often than not.
Negotiation is also fairly simplified, though determining what can and can't make a demon happy can be a tricky affair...
On the bright side, if they like you(conveyed via a happy face icon), it makes it a lot more likely that they'll befriend you.
As a bonus, demons that have already joined you will automatically leave if you talk with them, and sometimes hook you up!
Weapons and spells all have unique visual effects, and the enemies even get differently rendered deaths based on how you killed them.
Fusion is made especially simple. Similarly as in Strange Journey, it's done on the fly through a handheld device; the GUMP(GUn CoMPuter) Application.
What follows are the dossiers of Amami City's most recognizable figures.
Whether they are to be your best friend or your worst enemy is all up to you.
A rag-tag group of freelance hackers, who delve into the archives of
Algon Software and soon find they are in way over their collective heads...
A society of occultists dating back so far into the past that their existence has gone from rumor to legend. If they truly are operating in Amami City, it does not bode well.
And there are others still...
The taciturn mad scientist known as Victor, and his obedient maid, Mary.
No one can truly say what they are planning in their secretive lair... not even a Kuzunoha.
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner
Devil Summoner began as a side-story game to Atlus' core Shin Megami Tensei franchise.
An investigator known as Kyouji Kuzunoha and his wayward partner Rei Reiho are hot on the trail of a madman serial killer known only as Sid.
What is he after? Why does he want Kyouji dead?
And most importantly, how is Kyouji alive when Sid already killed him?
Sadly, Devil Summoner has yet to be localized, even after receiving a direct port to the PSP. The gameplay is quite dated, but the story absolutely has its charms.
Although tangential, there are certainly some references to the original game in SH, so knowing this history will prove useful.
Devil Summoner [3 & 4]: Raidou Kuzunoha VS The Soulless Army / The Abaddon King
This was the first game in the Devil Summoner series to receive localization, meaning it's the one with which most US players are likely familiar.
Turning a turn-based first-person RPG into a real-time action RPG, the Raidou Kuzunoha titles follow the adventures of early 1900s-era Kuzunoha Detective, Raidou, and his quests to keep his city safe from demons, summoners, suspicious blonde gentlemen, and crazed Russian monks.
The gameplay of the first isn't for everyone, but it has quite a good story, and the sequel has significantly improved mechanics to boot.
It is a time of celebration for Amami City's population. Algon Software's technological advances promise free wi-fi terminals accessible throughout the city, allowing the height of technology to become open to any citizen. Regardless of location, know-how, or even standing in society, anyone in Amami is now fully connected.
The height of this monumental achievement? Paradigm X, a fully interactive 3D world accessible from any terminal in the city.
Interact with an entire community in full sensory 3D without ever leaving the keyboard.
We'll be unveiling more about Paradigm X at its grand debut, so please be excited.
Original Opening
3DS Opening
Story Trailer
Gameplay Trailer
Moonspeak Trailer
And, for something completely different...
Music
Tenkai Airport (Reality)
2D Field / City Map
Spookies
Avatars
Fire up those COMPs, hackers.
Welcome to the new reality.
Special thanks to: we.are.the.armada for graphics, Gemini & Tom for trying, and Atlus USA; it was worth the wait.
