Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 6
  2. Negative: 0 out of 6
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  1. Aug 18, 2022
    80
    Halfway between the first title and the new Persona titles, Soul Hackers 2 is a great RPG that lacks a bit in its dungeon mechanics. Although it is the main thing about this game, it allows itself to be played, absorbed and caught. Highly recommended even with its flaws.
  2. Aug 18, 2022
    80
    Soul Hackers 2, at its core, is enjoyable if you like rattling through dungeons, playing with demons, and building a kick-ass party. It ticks many boxes for fans with its familiar gameplay, while offering a great entry point for newcomers with its more laid back approach. It’s good, but it could have easily been great with the right touches. I adore Ringo and Figue, and I think the cyberpunk aesthetic with these two at the helm is one of the most vital selling points of the game that make it stand out from the Megami Tensei crowd, so it’s a shame it feels quite surface-level at times. I want to see more from the Soul Hackers series in the future, but it needs to build upon the ideas in this title and push the content further.
  3. Aug 18, 2022
    75
    A disservice to the original Soul Hackers mythology, Ringo and Figue's adventure to avert the end of the world feels all too predictable and lacks the risk-taking of other Shin Megami Tensei titles.
  4. Sep 15, 2022
    65
    Soul Hackers 2 turned out quite pleasant a game, yet I'm also fully aware it's one that will be completely forgotten once other, similar games appear.
  5. Sep 1, 2022
    60
    Soul Hackers 2 is a light journey into the vast Shin Megami world with vibrant characters and a new story, though it is a little transparent for long-time fans wanting a deep JRPG.
  6. Aug 18, 2022
    60
    Soul Hackers 2 innovates when it comes to RPG gameplay, but its story is a step down compared to Atlus' recent hits.
User Score
5.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 40 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 40
  2. Negative: 13 out of 40
  1. Sep 22, 2022
    3
    It is an interesting world with an interesting protagonist but the game just drops the ball on so many levels. For one thing, the gameIt is an interesting world with an interesting protagonist but the game just drops the ball on so many levels. For one thing, the game establishes that Aion is super intelligent and yet, Ringo and Figue lack so much information that you would think they have access to. It just doesn't make any sense. The dungeon design is really just extremely long hall ways with lots of dead ends. It made me wish they had a dash button from Persona 5; you don't get an actual run option until late in the game. With all of the shops/locales being placed all over the city, it feels like you have to go through a myriad of loading screens just to get to the places where you want to be. It doesn't help that the story climaxes also don't make any sort of logical sense either. Additionally, Shoji Meguro didn't do the music for this so the soundtrack is quite forgettable. Battle animations take so long that I wish there were ways to speed it up; even the auto battle feels slow in comparison to past Atlus games. Full Review »
  2. Aug 30, 2022
    7
    Pretty well developed RPG! There are some thing which could have been better, such as the dungeons and the repetition aspect of the “grind” ofPretty well developed RPG! There are some thing which could have been better, such as the dungeons and the repetition aspect of the “grind” of the game. The world seems quite alive and it’s a nice twist from other RPG’s I’ve played. Knowing later the team did not have a large budget unfortunately shows in some areas of the game. However, if you’re a fan of the “Mega-Ten” franchise or have played any of the “Persona” franchise, I suggest you give it a shot! Full Review »
  3. Sep 4, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. As I highly appreciate this title, I subscribed mainly to provide a counterbalance to the (legitimate) negative opinions.

    My comment will be brief: I loved almost everything about it, but especially the fact that I felt represented as a 30+ year-old guy.

    This is the first time in my experience that I encountered a game whose characters (in my opinion, excellently crafted) conveyed problems and feelings I can relate to at this stage in my life.

    I believe this game revolves around relationships, both friendly and romantic, from an adult perspective, without the emphasis on family that Western games tend to have. (I'm generally uninterested in Western games, but that's another point.) It's a game with a narrative centered on friends and lovers, well-written and mature. The only character lacking in this regard is Arrow, I fear. But aside from him, the story is about characters and their loved ones, especially evident in the world-building and all the texts that appear during "social links" interactions.

    The ending itself, with its significant lack of depth (probably rushed for budget reasons, as I can't think of another explanation for the criminally disregarded elements of the plot that don't receive resolution), tells a tender story of someone who wasn't emotionally ready to love.

    This review primarily focuses on the writing, so it's time to mention the other pros:

    + The game system is very polished. The team behind Tokyo Mirage Session seems to excel in this field.
    + The Sabbath system might seem dull, but I spent the entire game strategizing when and with which variant to activate it to optimize combat – meaning it is meaningful. In other Megaten games, "all-out attack" and "extra turn" are merely things I aimed for but seldom used. They are a goal rather than a means, and I appreciate means in game design. That said, I'm not disparaging all-out attacks or extra turn mechanics; quite the opposite, I love them.
    + I personally think the soundtrack is great, but I understand that many may not share that sentiment.
    + As previously mentioned, the overall writing and characters.

    Cons:

    - Some elements of the story remain unresolved in the finale.
    - Three dungeons are essentially the same, and while I didn't find it unbearable, I didn't appreciate it either.

    If you have the time and come across a good deal in the store, I recommend giving this title a chance.
    Full Review »