Rumors have recently circulated that Atlus may plan to remaster a classic game in theShin Megami Tenseiseries. Similarly to the widely popularPersonaseries,Devil Summoneris one of the many spin-off series that descends fromShin Megami Tensei. If recent rumors are to be believed, the return ofDevil Summonercould be great news for fans of classicPersonagames.
Most fans of thePersonaseries are only familiar with its modern era. That is to say thatPersona 3,Persona 4, andPersona 5all 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 potentialPersona 1andPersona 2remakes. If aDevil Summonerremaster gets off the ground after all, fans ofRevelations: Personaand thePersona 2duology can finally rest easy.
Potential Devil Summoner Remasters Make the Case for Classic Persona Remakes
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner is as Classic as it Gets
Shin Megami Tenseiwas first released in Japan in 1992. TheDevil Summonerseries began only three years later, in 1995, and predatedRevelations: Personaby a year. In simpler terms,Devil Summonerisfoundational to theShin Megami Tenseiseries, even more so than other spin-offs.
In contrast to its peers,Devil Summoneris heavily inspired by detective fiction first and foremost. These roots would be very apparent to fans of the sci-fiSoul Hackersseries, which itself falls under theDevil Summonerumbrella. Likewise, it’s possible that therecent release ofSoul Hackers 2is partially responsible for renewed interest in a potentialDevil Summonerremaster.
Atlus hasn’t given much attention to the spin-off series besides this. Likewise,Persona 1and2are obscure enough to be relatively absent from the series' public image. Atlus has focused most resources on theupcoming release ofMetaphor: 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 allShin Megami Tenseispin-offs were created equal, with many titles that may never get the remaster treatment. However, among its rich history,Devil SummonerandPersonacertainly occupy the top spots. Of course,Personais currently much more relevant in popular culture, but this doesn’t discountDevil Summoner’s importance to theShin Megami Tenseiseriesat large.
Regardless, if rumors around aDevil Summonerremake turn out to be true, this could have stunning implications for Atlus' other series. Despite its importance as aShin Megami Tenseispin-off,Devil Summoneris 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.
RecentPersonagames have been consistent smash hits, with the critical and commercialsuccess ofPersona 3 Reloadproving this point more than ever.Persona 2has a sizable cult following, but it is still dwarfed by many of its successors. If developers release a remaster ofDevil Summoner, it would show a clear interest in the older titles in Atlus' library. If Atlus considersDevil Summonerviable for the market, there should be nothing stoppingPersona 2.
Devil Summonerhas its loyal fans, as do classicPersonagames, but both hardly compare to more recent releases. Atlus has always made re-releases, remasters, and remakes a core part of its strategy.Persona 1and2remakes occasionally feel well out of reach, despite popular rumors. However, a potentialDevil Summonerremaster could change everything. While the prevailing rumor is yet to be confirmed, apotential announcement at Tokyo Game Show 2024would make all the difference in the world.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance
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.
