Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is lastly right here! Branded by developer ATLUS because the “definitive” model of the sport, it guarantees to increase on the unique with iterated mechanics, new characters, and a brand new storyline that revolves across the Qadištu faction; which consists of demonic ladies who, relying on who you ask, are both evil or are wrongfully scorned by society. This recreation appears to be an growth in any respect prices, although, as ATLUS is delisting the unique Shin Megami Tensei V from the Nintendo eShop on June thirteenth. This has left many questioning ATLUS’s penchant for releasing enhanced variations of their video games and in the event that they’re at all times adequate to benefit the comfortable erasure of the unique model of the sport.
That’s why this text goes to dig into each enhanced model of a recreation in ATLUS’s discography, and kind them from worst to finest for some added enjoyable. ATLUS has an extended historical past of releasing video games this manner, and there have been each missteps and again steps in crafting rereleases that really enhance upon the bottom recreation. By taking a look at what’s labored and what hasn’t, it’ll turn out to be simpler to guage Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance as a brand new tackle the unique, moderately than assume it’s the brand new and improved model of the unique title.
As a clerical notice earlier than kicking this listing off, ports from one platform to a different don’t depend as an enhanced version and won’t be included on this listing. There needs to be a big materials change past the machine the sport runs on for a recreation to satisfy the “enhanced” standards. So the likes of the Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection won’t be included right here, however the reimaginings of the primary two Etrian Odyssey video games for the Nintendo 3DS will probably be mentioned.
19. Growlanser (remake)
The Growlanser collection of video games are a consequence of the Career Soft division of Mayasa Games break up away from the Mayasa model, and partnered with ATLUS to create a religious successor to the nonetheless ongoing Langrisser franchise. They’re tactical RPGs with a distinctly shojo visible type, and the complete franchise is considered as a little bit of a cult basic by people who find themselves, each, manner into anime and techniques video games.
The Growlanser enhanced remake for the PSP is on the backside of this listing, although, as a result of it BIZARRELY was by no means launched outdoors of Japan. Growlanser 2, 3, and 4 have been all localized however, regardless of their combined to favorable reception, the Growlanswer enhanced remake remained a Japan-only title. As there’s no reputable option to play this title outdoors of Japan, it may possibly’t be mentioned additional or evaluated increased.
18. Persona 2: Innocent Sin and Eternal Punishment for the PSP
The Persona 2 duology (handled right here as a single entry as that is already a fairly lengthy listing) has at all times been a little bit of a black sheep within the Persona collection. While segments of the older fanbase find it irresistible for its queer themes, catching artwork course, and distinct setting; the video games by no means actually received
a good shake outdoors of Japan.
The authentic model of the primary recreation, Innocent Sin, was by no means launched outdoors of Japan; making the second recreation, Eternal Punishment, the worldwide entry level. This was flipped for the PSP enhanced remakes, although, the place the upgraded model of Innocent Sin was out there globally however not Eternal Punishment. Honestly, these video games are in determined want of Persona 3: Reload type remakes, and hopefully this decrease rating will encourage that form of up to date launch.
17. Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold: The Fafnir Knight
The Etrian Odyssey collection is made up of a number of the finest video games round for dungeon crawling sickos. In the same vein to Square Enix’s Dungeon Encounters, the Etrian Odyssey video games closely prioritize gameplay loops like exploring and mapping dungeons, flip based mostly fight, and managing the economic system of operating a guild over any form of narrative. Which is why it’s unusual that the improved version of Etrian Odyssey 2 tacks on story mode that detracts from the main focus of the unique title.
There’s a cause that ATLUS determined to make use of the bottom variations of the primary two Etrian Odyssey video games for the current Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection, and it is as a result of the “enhanced” a part of Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold: The Fafnir Knight feels extra like an ancillary add-on than one thing that builds upon the sport’s sturdy factors.
16. Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl
Everything in regards to the enhanced model of Etrian Odyssey 2 is relevant for the improved model of Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl, which additionally focuses on story content material. So, go re-read that first paragraph and a half if you’d like a fast rundown of why this title can also be pretty low on this listing.
The Millennium Girl beatus out The Fafnir Knight, although, as a result of this 3DS enhanced version really scored a number of Metacritic factors increased than its authentic model. Whether it is a statistical quirk or a sign of real enchancment is unclear, however that’s sufficient of a cause to rank The Millennium Girl one slot increased than its sequel.
15. Catherine: Full Body
The Catherine collection is a little bit of a minefield. On the one hand, it’s action-puzzler gameplay, grownup forged of characters, and supernatural homicide thriller plot make it really feel prefer it was tailor made for older Persona 4 followers. On the opposite hand, many objected to the informal bigotry levied in direction of trans characters within the authentic launch, and trans and gender nonconforming characters within the Full Body enhanced version.
In equity, loads of folks did discover the gender expression of the marginalized characters in each variations of Catherine to be inspiring too. However, this recreation can also be a major instance of ATLUS’s on-again, off-again, “extra is healthier” enhanced version philosophy; the place over-encumbering a recreation with extra story and ranges is handled as a superior expertise. Bigger, in fact, doesn’t at all times equate to raised and this added materials detracts from the tighter expertise of the unique Catherine.
14. Tokyo Mirage Sessions ♯FE Encore
As a crossover between Fire Emblem and Shin Megami Tensei video games with a deal with idol tradition, Tokyo Mirage Sessions ♯FE is a recreation made for very particular section of the gaming viewers. Tokyo Mirage Sessions ♯FE Encore does a strong job constructing upon the unique, even when piled on characters and story content material can really feel prefer it’s placing a hat on prime of a hat.
The US and Japanese launch of this recreation have been mired in a little bit of controversy, although, which knocks it down a number of ranks on this listing. Tokyo Mirage Sessions is the supply of the notorious “vagina bones” meme, which is each hilarious out of context and nonetheless potent shorthand for localization modifications across the sexualization of characters. Additionally, all variations of Encore have been based mostly on the Western model of the unique recreation, which means that the extra risque content material of the Japanese model of the unique didn’t seem in any model of the improved version.
While that content material is certainly a bizarre factor to be left on the chopping room flooring, eradicating materials entire material undoubtedly works towards the concept of an “enhanced” version of a recreation.
13. Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor is a techniques based mostly spin-off of the Shin Megami Tensei franchise for the Nintendo DS. Think Persona 5 Tactica, however with an authentic forged of characters. Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked is an enhanced port for the Nintendo 3DS, that provides the compendium mechanic featured in most mainline video games, and even provides voice performing!
While these extra deliberate and mechanically centered add ons are within the spirit of what make enhanced variations of video games worthwhile, they don’t fairly work cohesively in Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked. In reality, the improved model of this title really has an mixture evaluate rating that’s a number of factors decrease than the unique model of the sport, so it falls to the underside half of this listing.
12. Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker
The sequel to Devil Survivor, aptly named Devil Survivor 2, additionally received an enhanced version within the type of Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker. While this 3DS enhanced version did largely boil right down to extra content material after the unique recreation’s ending, this enhanced version was reviewed extra favorably than its base model. Between this increased important reception, and the truth that characters from the Durarara!! anime inexplicably appeared as DLC characters within the enhanced version, Record Breaker narrowly beats out Overclocked on this listing.
11. Persona 5: Royal
For as a lot as Persona 5: Royal is seen because the definitive model of the sport that introduced mainstream acclaim to the lengthy operating collection, it really exacerbates a number of the authentic’s largest points. While it’s nice to spend extra time with Akechi after he outs himself as a lil freak, and Sumire’s storyline is actually shifting; Royal tacks on no less than fifteen hours of gameplay to a title that already bridged right into a triple digit runtime.
While each Persona 5 and Royal are nice video games, the pacing and repetitive writing are low factors and Royal’s tacked on third semester could make the sport really feel like much more of a slog. While extra of an amazing online game sounds ideally suited on paper, it’s not as interesting when many of the extra content material doesn’t tackle underlying points. I’ve mentioned it earlier than, however on the subject of Shin Megami Tensei video games, there’s a distinction between “extra” and “enhanced” and that’s why Royal is in the midst of the pack on this rating.
10. Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux is a fairly normal enhanced version so far as ATLUS video games go. There are some new demons, high quality of life modifications, a further dungeon, and a brand new character that additionally brings some new endings. What makes Redux a greater than common ATLUS enhanced version is the timing of its launch greater than its content material, although.
SMT: Strange Journey Redux got here to the 3DS a bit of over a 12 months after the unique model of Persona 5, and about seven months after the discharge of the Nintendo Switch. So not solely did it capitalize on the rising curiosity within the broader SMT franchise, but it surely additionally breathed a final little bit of life right into a sunsetting console. It’s vital to keep in mind that “enhanced editions” of video games are, on some stage, advertising and marketing techniques; and Redux deserves props for releasing as curiosity was peaking and on a ubiquitous piece of {hardware} about to fall into irrelevancy.
9. Maken Shao: Demon Sword
Maken X is a hack and slash recreation for the Dreamcast and was additionally the directorial debut of Katsura Hashino, who would go on to direct Persona 3, 4, and 5. The recreation additionally acquired a manga adaptation by Q Hayashida, the famed mangaka behind collection like Dorohedoro and Dai Dark.
While Maken X acquired a combined at finest reception, the Maken Shao: Demon Sword enhanced version earns the next spot on this listing by reworking the primary individual motion recreation into a 3rd individual motion recreation. While the improved version doesn’t fairly come collectively cohesively, this transformation needed to be an enormous enterprise and provides the form of refreshed expertise that makes enhanced editions worthwhile.
8. Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne Maniax
Did you understand that the model of Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne that most individuals outdoors of Japan are aware of is definitely an enhanced model of the sport? Dubbed the Maniax version and sometimes called a Director’s Cut, and included the famed cameo of Dante from the Devil May Cry collection. This model of the sport additionally featured the improved problem that the title, and future SMT video games, would turn out to be identified for.
Is it a bit of bizarre to incorporate an enhanced version that most individuals know because the default model of the sport so excessive up on this listing? Yes, but additionally Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne Maniax received the ball rolling for the slowing rising recognition of the SMT and Persona franchises, so Maniax deserves this recognition and reward.
7. Persona 3: FES
Persona 3: FES is the primary enhanced version of Persona 3, and is the primary time a Persona title received this type of improve. Today it may possibly kind of be considered because the template from which later enhanced editions of their video games would draw upon. FES provides story content material past the ending of the unique recreation, and cleans up lots of backend technical points.
While FES is a rock strong basis from which ATLUS has developed their enhanced recreation identification, there are higher variations of Persona 3 that you would be able to play proper now and due to this fact this recreation falls a bit wanting the highest 5 on this listing.
6. Persona 3: Reload
Persona 3: Reload has sufficient graphical modifications and high quality of life enhancements to make it as a lot of an enhanced version as it’s a remake of the unique recreation. Also, with ‘The Answer’ content material from FES on the horizon as DLC, it’s beginning to really feel extra like a refresh of the improved version than only a remake of the unique recreation. This model of Persona 3 is way and away the best manner for followers to expertise the title that will affect the franchise for greater than a decade to come back.
That being mentioned, a number of the modifications in Reload work towards the intent of the unique recreation. Reload debtors the peppier visuals of Persona 5, which undermine the melancholic tone and themes of the unique recreation. This enhanced model makes the sport extra approachable, however much less distinct, and an enhanced model of a recreation ought to construct a title up moderately than squeeze it into a well-liked mildew.
5. Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology
Radiant Historia was a rock strong flip based mostly function taking part in recreation that had the misfortune of releasing internationally in 2011, when world curiosity in these sorts of video games was at an all time low. This implies that, regardless of resoundingly optimistic critiques, not many performed the title; making it a major candidate for an enhanced version that might give it one other probability to shine.
Perfect Chronology for the 3DS does simply that whereas additionally including animation from the famed A-1 Pictures studio, voice performing, and high quality of life modifications that sped up gameplay. Sure, the brand new story content material felt a bit tacked on, but it surely’s tough to select up on that when you aren’t aware of the unique launch. Ultimately, Perfect Chronology does precisely what an enhanced model of a recreation ought to; which is to additional polish what labored within the authentic and construct upon the momentum of the earlier launch to take a title to even larger heights.
4. Persona 4: Golden
Persona 4: Golden is without doubt one of the finest enhanced editions of a recreation ATLUS has ever made as a result of I can’t consider a single cause why somebody ought to play the bottom model over this version. Does the added story content material pad out the runtime? Yes, however the recreation can nonetheless be overwhelmed in round 80 hours, which is the candy spot for these sorts of sprawling RPGs. Golden additionally provides new cutscenes and character interactions, which is greater than welcome for a recreation that thrives on the standard of its character writing.
Chances are, although, that you simply already knew that Persona 4: Golden was among the best enhanced video games in ATLUS’s catalog. Even because the Persona 5 video games have turn out to be the brand new hotness and many individuals’s gateway into the franchise, Golden stays the gold normal wherein all different ATLUS video games are measured.
3. Shin Megami Tensei: Persona for the PSP
The PSP remake of the unique Persona recreation, titled Revelations: Persona on the PS1, is certainly a wierd choose for one in every of ATLUS’s finest enhanced editions, but it surely’s right here for good cause. Did you understand that solely half of the unique Persona recreation was ever launched within the US? No, this isn’t a Persona 2 scenario the place a sequel/prequel was left unlocalized; half of the story within the first Persona recreation was eliminated within the Western launch!
Dubbed the Snow Queen route, this storyline leans into the city legends parts that will go on to make the Persona franchise so endearing. With this content material restored within the PSP enhanced version of Persona, the sport is made full and turns into much more of a gem that new followers ought to try. The recreation’s extra grounded, biblical apocalypse setting nonetheless feels novel right now and this model of the sport enhances the bottom recreation greater than another title on this listing.
2. Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir
What occurs when among the best video games made by ATLUS and Vanillawear will get an enhanced version? It turns into arguably the perfect recreation to come back out of both studio. Odin Sphere was a cult basic that was deeply influential to all who performed it, as evident by American folks band sensation The Mountain Goat’s hidden observe, “Enoch 18:14” on The Life of the World to Come album. Leifthrasir introduced the motion RPG to a broader viewers as the perfect model of itself.
In a departure from most different enhanced editions on this listing, Leifthrasir makes no story modifications to the bottom recreation and as a substitute focuses on graphical enhancements and refining gameplay methods. In completely recognizing what labored and the bottom recreation and what may very well be refined, Leifthrasir is the best of what an enhanced version of a recreation ought to be, and is simply by an enhanced version that goes nicely above and past what is cheap for this type of launch.
1. Persona 3: Portable
Persona 3: Portable allows you to play as a woman and date the male forged characters current within the recreation. While that may sound like a small change, it’s really a pretty big enterprise from a writing and coding perspective and might be the explanation enhanced editions of later Persona video games haven’t had that characteristic. However, this transformation signifies that the workforce behind it knew precisely what was interesting in regards to the authentic Persona 3, and enhances that have with none type of detraction.
The primary attraction of Persona 3, or any of the trendy Persona titles, are the characters. In taking part in the sport you get to expertise a number of the finest character writing within the video games medium, and also you’re left wanting extra time and new experiences with these characters by the top of it. P3P does simply that, as giving the participant the choice to play the sport with a personality of a unique gender identification, allows you to see new sides of established characters and hook up with them in several methods.
Between this good recontextualization of the sport and a few battle mechanic updates to make it play extra equally to Person 4, Persona 3 Portable is the perfect enhanced version that ATLUS has ever put out. While it will be an exceptional enterprise for ATLUS to iterate upon different video games to this diploma for future enhanced editions, no recreation higher encapsulates all the things related to that form of launch than Persona 3 Portable.
Be positive to take a look at IGN’s evaluate of Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance for our tackle the newest Atlus expanded re-release. We’ll embody it on this listing as soon as we determine the place it belongs in Atlus’ pantheon of re-releases.
Lucas DeRuyter is a contract author for IGN.
Image Credits: Atlus, Sega, Nintendo.
