Raidou Remastered Reveals Atlus’ Next Big Game After Metaphor Success

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Atlus’ history with the Shin Megami Tensei franchise is a rich tapestry that endures to this day. From its flagship games to the numerous spin-offs it has created, such as the Raidou series from the late 2000s, the variety of games under the SMT banner is extensive and captivating in concept. As Atlus has expanded its fanbase through series like Persona, revisiting the earlier titles in their collection has been somewhat difficult; however, this is evolving with the company’s recent strategy of remastering and remaking games, as shown by titles like Persona 3 Reload, SMT3: Nocturne HD Remaster, and now Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army, which paves the way for greater accessibility.

As a fervent admirer, I’m thrilled about the timely arrival of “Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army.” In a recent Atlus World Spotlight, director Kazuyuki Yamai shared his thoughts, expressing that although he had planned to revisit the series earlier, circumstances aligned perfectly for this 2025 release. With a renewed focus on Raidou’s themes of heroism in an alternate era, as Yamai puts it, the title’s fervor resonates powerfully in today’s context.

Additionally, the return of Raidou seems strategically planned, following close on the heels of “Metaphor: ReFantazio.” Despite likely overlapping development periods, the success of the former has opened doors for more Atlus fans to explore its other intellectual properties.

Metaphor: ReFantazio’s Success Sets the Stage for Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army

Raidou’s Real-Time Combat

As a gamer, I can say that Metaphor: ReFantazio, much like the 2016 release of Persona 5, earned widespread critical praise and served as a bridge connecting seasoned fans with newcomers. The grittier tone seen in SMT laid the foundation for Metaphor: ReFantazio’s intense narrative, making it a compelling choice for those who appreciate darker storylines like that of Metaphor. Consequently, if you enjoyed the original Metaphor, you’ll find yourself right at home with The Soulless Army’s remaster.

Despite the Raidou games being distinct for their emphasis on real-time combat within the SMT series, Metaphor introduced an action-based battle system in the field. Although it was simpler than traditional turn-based combat, the gameplay of Metaphor could serve as a small introduction to what one might encounter in the Raidou title, which is enhancing its initial experience in various ways.

Iterating on Atlus’ Past

The Raidou games are indeed much older than “ReFantazio: Metaphor”, but releasing the remaster of “The Soulless Army” after “Metaphor’s” debut allows it to benefit from the ongoing popularity of Atlus games. This is similar to how the remastered version will enhance the original gameplay, with a stronger emphasis on teamwork between demons (allowing two demons to fight alongside Raidou), as well as skills that exploit enemy vulnerabilities and opportunities, incorporating elements from more recent Atlus releases such as updated demon designs seen in “SMT5”.

Despite Raidou not having the freedom to switch between different characters like Will in Metaphor does, he still holds significant power through his capacity to exploit enemy vulnerabilities using new Devil Summoner skills. This aspect of gameplay is equally crucial. Similarly, the use of both light and heavy attacks in combat requires strategic thinking, particularly regarding MAG restoration, resulting in battles that are more than just mindless hack-and-slash.

In the context of a game like SMT, having the right demon in your arsenal is just as crucial as other titles, because Raidou’s demons’ abilities can exploit enemies’ weaknesses. To make this easier, demon fusion comes back, made even more convenient with The Soulless Army remaster’s expanded compendium, reverse fusion options, and improved search features.

Increased Accessibility in Raidou Remastered

For longtime enthusiasts, it won’t take much persuasion to acquire the remastered version of “The Soulless Army“, but fresh fans of Atlus might be equally drawn to Raidou’s combat style following the game “Metaphor: ReFantazio“.

Looking at the enhancements being made to The Soulless Army remaster, such as improved voice acting and quality-of-life upgrades, it’s clear that the game has plenty of advantages to build upon—from Kazuma Kaneko’s brilliant character designs, its 1930s detective atmosphere, and the intriguing demons, among other aspects—without being weighed down by its age. The remaster serves as evidence of Atlus’ commitment to making their older games more accessible, and it’s hoped that this trend will continue, demonstrating the strength of both their past and future endeavors.

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2025-04-07 19:36