Classic Atlus RPG Returns After Nearly 20 Years With Announcement Trailer

A classic Atlus RPG in the larger Shin Megami Tensei franchise is returning very soon to the Nintendo Switch and other platforms after almost 20 years as RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army. The original game was titled Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army and was the third game in the Devil Summoner subseries of SMT, released in 2006 for PlayStation 2. There has been little to no mention of the game since, but after a long absence, it's on its way to Switch, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox Series/X/S, and Steam.

The announcement for RAIDOU Remastered came during the March 27 Nintendo Direct, revealing some gameplay details, the story hook, and a release date. According to Atlus, the game will have remastered gameplay enhancements and feature real-time combat and cooperation with demons that can be recruited as allies. The game will be released on June 19 and is available for pre-order.

Raidou Kuzunoha XIV Is Back With Remastered Visuals

Two Decades Made The Heart Grow Fonder

Being the third entry in the Devil Summoner series, the game is focused on apprentice detective protagonist Raidou Kuzunoha XIV recruiting demons, using their powers, and devoting himself to protecting the capital. Kuzunoha can use his detective skills to recruit demons for his mission and also use their powers outside of combat, like using Jack Frost's freezing powers to create a walkable path. Combat is real-time and is focused on exploiting weaknesses, a staple of the Shin Megami Tensei series.

As a remaster of an almost 20-year-old game, there are some modern enhancements. The game will have"an overhauled battle system, enhanced graphics, full voiceover added to the main story, and quality-of-life enhancements," according to an Atlus PR email. The new voiceovers are of note, asRaidou made a recent non-voiced appearance as a recruitable character in Shin Megami Tensei 3 Nocturne HD Remaster, replacing the iconic Dante from Devil May Cry, who would also end up playable and put back into the game as DLC.

An Underrepresented Shin Megami TenseiTitle Returns For Fans Old And New

The Franchise Is Bigger Than Ever

Fans appear to be quite happy with the game's announcement. A YouTube user named endlesspeace on YouTube celebrated: "AFTER ALL THIS YEARS, FINALLY!!" After seeing a franchise expansion in the West with the success of Persona, another subseries of Shin Megami Tensei, there appears to be renewed interest in more niche games under the giant Shin Megami Tensei umbrella.

The most recent Devil Summoner game, Soul Hackers 2, launched to mixed reception back in 2022, but a game that has been missing in action for over two decades and has a devoted fan base may be what some of the smaller Shin Megami Tensei franchises need.

Soul Hackers 2 Could Be The Start Of A Second SMT Renaissance

With the return of Soul Hackers 25 years after its initial release, Atlus has opened the door for both new spinoffs and dormant IPs to return.

Posts

With the main Shin Megami Tenseiseries being bigger than it ever has been, the return of Raidou Kuzunoha XIV in RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Armyis bound to make old fans happy and will possibly draw in a lot of newcomers to this legendary franchise.