It’s hard to get excited sometimes by game sequels, simply because most of the time they pale in comparison to the original versions. So when Epicsoft Asia and Sega invited Enduins to Singapore to try the preview version of the upcoming RPG Soul Hackers 2, we were a bit cautious with our expectations. Alas, we’re happy to report that we’re pleasantly surprised. For those who haven’t heard of the game before, Soul Hackers 2 is the sequel to Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers, which was originally developed by Atlus for the Sega Saturn in 1995 and then ported to the Playstation in 1999. Both are part of an even older and larger Megami Tensei series.
Like the original, Soul Hackers 2 is set in a futuristic, cyberpunk Japan. It’s been 23 years since the original though, so being scared of not knowing the plot is normal. But Epicsoft assured us that Soul Hackers 2 has its own standalone plot that can be played even without knowing the franchise’s backstory.
The plot revolves around two main characters, Ringo and Figue, which are digital constructs given human form by the all-knowing, omnipresent supercomputer named Aion. Aion saw the future wherein the world ended, so it sent Ringo and Figue to stop the series of events that would lead to the world’s destruction. Kind of like the butterfly effect in reverse.
But of course, messing with history has its consequences, and the two get caught up with various unforeseen situations, including the war between the two devil summoner groups Yatagarasu and the Phantom Society.
In our brief test of the preview version, the gameplay and graphics are top-notch, as expected from something developed specifically for new-gen consoles and game services. It’s a bit story-heavy, with lots of dialogues in between. While some who prefer an action-filled game might get a little impatient, the complex storylines actually add to the appeal of the game and set it apart from other hack-and-slash RPGs.
As for the overall screen layout, it will immediately feel familiar to RPG players, though the camera angle seems a bit weird considering the character is off-center. The maps and the controls are easy enough to understand, especially considering that you’d be exploring the cyberpunk world most of the time.
There’s still time for Atlus to iron the kinks out, but from what we’ve seen so far, Soul Hackers 2 seems to be fit to carry on the franchise to the modern era of gaming. It’s set to be launched on August 25, 2022 in Japan and August 26, 2022 in North America on the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Windows. It will have at least three editions: the Standard (pre-orders come with A4-size cleaning cloth) the Limited Edition (comes with Soul Hackers 25th Commemorative Music Collection, a Feature Special, Figurine, and two DLCs), and the Digital Edition, which also three more versions (Digital Standard, Digital Deluxe, and Digital Premium.)
Stay tuned for a full version review of Soul Hackers 2 only here at Enduins!
