Best Atlus Games According To Metacritic

Key Takeaways

Atlus offers more than just the Persona series, with games like Devil Survivor Overclocked worth exploring for their unique gameplay and storytelling.
Digital Devil Saga 1 & 2 bring an atmospheric and engaging post-apocalyptic adventure for fans seeking a captivating narrative.
Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne, remastered for modern systems, presents a complex narrative and engaging combat with the iconic Press Turn system.

As a seasoned connoisseur of Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs), I have traversed countless worlds and battled countless demons, but none have quite captivated my heart like the enigmatic titles from Atlus. Having delved deep into the rich lore of the Shin Megami Tensei series and its spin-offs, I am more than qualified to share my thoughts on these extraordinary games.

Prior to attaining significant success with the Persona series, Atlus was already well-known within the JRPG community for its one-of-a-kind games, which often showcased mature narratives, dark themes, and distinctive art styles. The games based in the Shin Megami Tensei universe are demanding yet fair, encouraging strategic play and taking advantage of opponents’ weaknesses.

The studio boasts an extensive collection of games that surpass the ‘Persona’ series and ‘Metaphor: ReFantazio’, along with other engaging titles worthy of investigation by gaming enthusiasts. Atlus is renowned for its distinctive gameplay and artistic flair, offering darkly imaginative storytelling and turn-based mechanics that seem both innovative and nostalgic. Here’s a compilation of some standout games from the developer that avid players should definitely experience.

Although the studio has released numerous critically-acclaimed games using the Atlus label, this particular list emphasizes only a few games that were specifically produced in-house.

5 Devil Survivor Overclocked

Fantastic Handheld Tactical RPGs

The game you’re referring to, “Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked,” is an enhanced version for the 3DS, originally released on the Nintendo DS. Despite some changes, the narrative remains unaltered, offering an easier difficulty level, new demon characters, and a supplementary storyline. Many fans prefer “Overclocked,” but both versions of “Devil Survivor” are highly acclaimed due to their impressive writing quality and pacing. This game was developed by Atlus, with contributions from key personnel from Career Soft, the team behind the “Growlanser” series.

In this game, players engage in traditional turn-based strategy RPGs where victory comes from understanding and exploiting an opponent’s vulnerabilities while fulfilling mission objectives. To bolster their strength in battle, players can bid for and recruit demons through the COMP system. The player assumes the role of a young character trapped with his friends by demons in contemporary Tokyo. The story’s direction is influenced by the alliances and choices made by the player, providing numerous opportunities for replaying the game to explore alternate outcomes.

4 Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 1 & 2

Dark Fantasy Sci-Fi Story

Platform: PS2
Released: 2005
Developer: Atlus

The intriguing role-playing games, titled “Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga,” were initially launched as separate titles exclusively for the PlayStation 2. These games are among the developer’s most immersive, gory, and captivating Japanese RPGs that merit another go on contemporary gaming platforms. Notably, Digital Devil Saga constitutes a two-part narrative that should ideally be played consecutively to fully grasp its storyline, and the characters are more engaging than those in the main series of “Shin Megami Tensei.

In a post-apocalyptic setting, Digital Devil Saga follows the journey of characters who engage in combats against rival tribes within the Junkyard. The triumphant tribe then gains entry to Nirvana. As the player, you command Serph, the silent hero of the Embryon tribe. Gameplay is reminiscent of Shin Megami Tensei’s Press Turn battle system where exploiting enemies’ weaknesses grants an additional turn in battle and there’s a combo mechanic for simultaneous team attacks.

3 Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne

Regarded As One Of The Best Mainline SMT Entries

Originally released on the PlayStation 2, “Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne” has been upgraded to high-definition (HD) for contemporary platforms, boasting enhanced resolution, smoother frame rates, extra voice acting scenes, and the original Japanese voiceovers. Unlike Atlus’ “Persona” series, its narrative is intricate, offering nuanced yet complex storytelling that gradually unfolds as players delve deeper into the game world.

In this game, the battles are captivating due to the implementation of the Press Turn battle system, which has become a distinctive feature of SMT’s combat style. This system encourages players to discern and utilize their enemies’ vulnerabilities. The main character, referred to as the Demi-Fiend, needs to enlist demons in a way that mirrors the ‘catch ’em all’ concept made famous by Pokemon. Similar to that franchise, these demons progressively evolve into stronger variants, providing additional support during battles.

2 Persona 5 Royal

Highly Polished Story With Great Characters

Any dedicated JRPG enthusiast should find the contemporary “Persona” series games, including “Persona 3 Reload”, “Persona 4 Golden”, and “Persona 5”, well worth their time. Among these titles, the most user-friendly and refined might be “Persona 5 Royal”. This special edition offers an extended storyline with additional scenes, as well as introducing two new characters to the mix.

As a devoted fan, I must say that even though it’s an older game, Persona 5 Royal continues to captivate me with its breathtaking art, iconic character designs, and above all, a rich narrative and well-crafted characters. The combat system, reminiscent of Shin Megami Tensei, offers a fresh twist with the Press Turn system, allowing players to exploit an enemy’s elemental vulnerabilities.

1 Metaphor: ReFantazio

The Atlus Formula Set In A Unique Medieval Fantasy World

Atlus is predominantly recognized for its hit Persona series, but some argue that their masterpiece could be Metaphor: ReFantazio. This game skillfully merges the strengths of the Persona franchise while creating a unique and meticulously designed medieval fantasy setting, the United Kingdom of Euchronia. Unlike many fantasies that lean heavily on Tolkienesque themes, Metaphor offers a fresh take by blending Medieval, 60s, and 70s fashion with Victorian-era architecture. Instead of the school year found in Persona, this game features an approaching election that unfolds after the opening cutscene. This tight timeframe encourages players to hasten their task completion and friendship building.

In this game, there’s a mechanism that fosters social connections, but it steers clear of the romantic elements often seen in the Persona series. Side missions serve a purpose in enhancing the protagonist’s Royal Qualities, such as Courage, Eloquence, Imagination, Tolerance, and Wisdom. These qualities shape the lead character’s decisions and influence how non-player characters respond to them.

2024-10-20 15:53