Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner - Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army

 PlayStation 2
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 38 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 38
  3. Negative: 0 out of 38
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  1. AceGamez
    70
    The insistence on maintaining the frequent random encounters as an integral part of the gameplay drags the experience right down, and the fact that you can't save whenever you like is not good either.
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  2. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    72
    I admit it's no blockbuster, but Summoner, like Ms. Hilton's opus, still makes for a fine guilty-pleasure rental. [Nov. 2006, p.124]
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  3. Eurogamer
    70
    It's a brilliantly pitched game that, while will inevitably turn many players off either by its reliance on random battles or by the generally low technical standard, is far more accessible than it sounds in synopsis.
  5. Game Revolution
    50
    It’s probably not the opus of the series, but it’s a good enough case to warrant further investigation.
  6. games(TM)
    60
    Somewhere in Devil Summoner is a brilliant game obscured by a multitude of minor flaws and bizarre design decisions. [May 2007, p.122]
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  7. GameSpot
    73
    The newest installment in the Shin Megami Tensei series suffers from repetitive battles and a slow-rolling narrative, but its fascinating premise makes it worth a look.
  8. GameSpy
    60
    It offers a unique setting and design, but it's severely hampered by a mediocre combat engine.
  9. GamesRadar+
    60
    It's worth checking out, if only because there's nothing else out there quite like it, but it probably won't be enshrined in the hallowed halls of RPG classics anytime soon.
  10. Gamestyle
    50
    The persisting feeling is that this is a rushed oddity, attempting to attract new recruits to the series while offering a challenge before it returns to its RPG roots. For Gamestyle the return cannot come quickly enough.
  11. GamingExcellence
    72
    It’s easy to get frustrated in this game, and there’s a lot of leveling-up work involved. In general, despite a somewhat enjoyable battle system, the game feels a little generic in many ways, and gets old quickly.
  12. Jolt Online Gaming UK
    73
    It’s just too hardcore for the light-weights and too light-weight for the hardcore.
  13. Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
    70
    A fairly average RPG, rescued from mediocrity by some unique mechanics, an oddball plot and the dozens of demons at youru disposal. [Apr 2007, p.81]
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  14. PALGN
    70
    Devil Summoner starts out with a bunch of fresh ideas, but still retains many of the problems that plague modern day RPGs.
  15. Play UK
    54
    A dull premise and recycled dynamics. [Issue#153, p.87]
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  16. Play.tm
    68
    A game that fails to truly engage on any level, producing an underwhelming mix of the RPG, action and adventure genres all wrapped up in adequate if slightly retro visuals.

Awards & Rankings

53
#53 Best PS2 Game of 2006
29
#29 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2006

User Reviews

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User Score
4.4

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 215 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 78 out of 215
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 215
  3. Negative: 124 out of 215
  1. PN8000
    Aug 11, 2021
    10
    This game is based and poggers y'all just mean
    Story is greato, gameplay is solid, characters are likeable, OST slaps, idk what people want lol
  2. Louidri
    May 12, 2023
    10
    Un juego perfecto

    Gameplay totalmente único hecho para los fans de la saga Megaten, también una perfecta experiencia para los nuevos en el    Un juego perfecto

    Gameplay totalmente único hecho para los fans de la saga Megaten, también una perfecta experiencia para los nuevos en el mundo de Megaten, siendo un Rpg bastante carismático, con un personaje principal único, inolvidable e icónico en la saga, más otros secundarios bastante carismáticos y divertidos, para su época uno de los mejores en cuanto a historia y jugabilidad

    Una experiencia única siendo posiblemente el mejor Spin Off de Shin Megami Tensei

    Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs The Souless Army es un juego que merece la pena ser jugado por todo amante del Rpg    … Full Review »
  3. guiletheguiles
    Nov 5, 2021
    6
    SMT: Devil Summoner came as fine change of pace from what I've experienced in the Shin Megami Tensei franchise, but despite its nice ideas andSMT: Devil Summoner came as fine change of pace from what I've experienced in the Shin Megami Tensei franchise, but despite its nice ideas and simplistic enjoyable mechanics, it didn't quite stick the landing for me.

    The beginning of the game hyped me up. It starts very well and during the first very entertaining three chapters, Devil Summoner showcases its strenghts back to back. The combat system is fun and accessible for anyone, characters and demon designs are great, the story sparks an interesting mystery, the demon investigative mechanics are creative and the cutscenes are nicely done.
    Raidou Kuzunoka himself, albeit a silent protagonist, makes quite an impression and is definitely the most memorable character in the entire game. Add that to Shoji Meguro's fine soundtrack, the right amount of challenge and incredible boss fights, and you have yourself a strong start.

    From chapter 4 onwards, though, the game's cracks become visible.

    The pacing is dull and the story is simply tedious. The writing just does not hold up. I found myself wanting to go back to grinding and boss fighting everytime the story became the focus.
    Fusion, something essential for SMT's fun factor is almost useless here. Demons take too long to level up, there's plenty of tiresome backtracking, map designs are unvaried and uninteresting and the soundtrack, no matter how good it is, repeats its 15 songs over and over again.
    It's by no means a broken or an unpleasant game but it is, throughout its lenghty 30 hours campaign, quite a bore. I mean, come on, the final dungeon even packs a BOSS GAUNTLET! And I say this while praising the boss fights, which are probably the game's spotlights.

    To me, SMT: Devil Summoner felt like a breath of fresh air for the series. Honestly. The first 3 chapters and the final 4 were great, containing everything right that this game carries. The problem is that the game has another 5 VERY tedious chapters that just threw the story and my interest through the window for a big chunk of the playthrough.

    It's not bad. It's a fine action JRPG. But for a series with so many highlights, this is lusterless one.    … Full Review »
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