Soul Hackers 2

Soul Hackers 2 is a smart, evocative, and classically dark game from the Shin Megami Tensei tradition. It’s not going to turn heads like Persona 5 and SMT V did, but the developers seem to have realised this and taken the opportunity to deliver a harder-hitting and more thought-provoking narrative. To me, that’s Atlus getting back to its core vision for the broad and extended SMT property. That’s what I want from this series.

Soul Hackers 2 is yet another stellar JRPG from Atlus. It may take many of its themes and gameplay elements from other JRPGs within the company’s umbrella, but it somehow still manages to feel unique thanks to its fresh setting and characters. Whether or not you’re familiar with its predecessor or the Shin Megami Tensei games in general, this is a must-have if you want to conquer dungeons while exploring an intriguing vision of our future.

Regardless of potential differences in taste, I can confidently assert that Soul Hackers 2 weaves a magnificent tale of sincere humane understanding where strife, love, and belief wondrously coalesce. It isn’t afraid to agonize its cast to produce respective, varying levels of catharsis, ultimately crafting a courageous title at the apex of Atlus’ catalog.

Soul Hackers 2 is a traditional Atlus JRPG with a super-stylish coat of paint and some welcome quality of life improvements. It has catchy music, great characters, an amazing protagonist, and a fun core loop. If you enjoyed Tokyo Mirage Sessions' gameplay, this is an essential JRPG and one of the best this year.

Soul Hackers 2 is a little and simple, but very good Shin Megami Tensei game. It is true that it's level design is pretty bland, but it's music, story, combat and characters, are pretty great.

ATLUS managed to surprise us again. Drawing on a hybrid system between Shin Megami Tensei and Persona, the studio has packaged an articulated and galvanizing role-playing experience, which has nothing to envy to the best JRPGs of recent years. If the Tregenda proved to be an excellent alternative to the now classic All-Out-Attack, embellishing and renewing an already articulated and profound combat system such as the "Press Turn" System, the Demonic Reconnaissance has instead been able to significantly streamline the exploratory component, as well as the collection of funds, materials and the recruitment of new Demons. On the flip side, the cross-gen nature and an inorganic artistic direction prevented the product from aiming for excellence, demonstrating once again how much ATLUS needs to improve in terms of graphics and performance. Ultimately Soul Hackers 2 may not be the new Persona 5, but that's just fine.

I wandered into Soul Hackers 2 expecting a general sense of quality from Atlus, and ended up getting sucked into its world. While dungeon design can feel samey at times, it’s not enough to distract from the flashiness of the game as a whole. As usual, Atlus really nails the details; it was fun to hang out with this crew and see where things went.

Soul Hackers 2 is a worthy successor of the 1997 game, modernizing the series and putting it closer to games like Persona 5 and SMTV.

Soul Hackers 2 is a different title than what is usually expected from Atlus, but it is also one of their best and most original games in recent years. It's a highly recommended title if you're already a fan of the company's games or turn-based RPGs in general.

It feels like a comfort food RPG for Shin Megami fans, one that you’ll likely enjoy while waiting for the next big thing, but not one that’s going to come close to dominating that #1 RPG spot on most lists for the year. It doesn’t take a lot of chances, and instead just tends to lean into the elements that people already enjoy from other Shin Megami games. As such, it’s not going to really bump the Devil Summoner subseries to new heights, and I suspect it’ll be a while before we see another entry in this particular series, but overall Soul Hackers 2 is a solid bit of fun, and easy to suggest to anyone that has any sort of affinity for these games.

An intriguing story, interesting battle system, and signature art style is usually a good combo, and Soul Hackers 2 is no exception. It is easy to get lost in the story or side-quests and enjoy battling a variety of demons. For anybody enjoying Atlus' other turn-based titles, this is definitely a must-have.

Soul Hackers 2 is a surprising sequel. But another surprising thing is its accessibility and openness to the new players of the whole Shin Megami Tensei franchise. If this is to be your first one, it’s an excellent step to take.

Soul Hackers 2 is a true full-blooded Atlus experience, there is no doubt about that, but it does not stand out in any way compared to other JRPG titles of this publisher, so it may be the most interesting to the new fans.

Soul Hackers 2 is a step forward for the series, one that respects your time and commitment to the JRPG genre. With streamlined gameplay, a visually impressive futuristic Tokyo, and a groovy soundtrack, this is a must for any Atlus fan.

Atlus' return to a non-Persona Megaten spin-off after all these years is really exciting and I can easily recommend if you've been waiting for it. But that doesn't change the fact that Soul Hackers 2 hasn't reached its full potential and could have been a much better game.

Soul Hackers 2 does its best to distance itself from its sister series Persona but with more simplified mechanics. We have more freedom when carrying out activities and it has a good battle system. It may seem very simple or have no substance, but it's still a good JRPG game.

Soul Hackers 2 mixes great elements of both Shin Megami Tensei and Persona to come out with a satisfying result overall. Story is well done and exciting, anime-style aesthetics are beautiful, and music by Monaca is engaging. This could be your next RPG sleeper hit.

There’s nothing abhorrently wrong with Soul Hackers 2, it’s a solid JRPG with plenty to like, but nothing here feels as unique or creative as it could be given the source material. Fans will no doubt still enjoy it, but it’s a missed opportunity to push the boundaries further.

Soul Hackers 2 is a good — but not great — entry into the franchise. I had quite a lot of fun with it, and I think the cast is one of my favorites in the SMT games, but it has a "low-budget" feel that is difficult to escape, and the Soul Matrix concept feels lackluster. It has a good combat system, fun character customization, and everything I'd expect from a SMT spin-off. For some fans, I'd imagine that the change from the franchise norm will feel refreshing.

There's a lot to like about Soul Hackers 2, and just one major problem: how quickly it disposes of its world and the undercurrents of the narrative there to arrive at its end goal. The characters involved and the systems at play range from rock solid to great, however, and if Soul Hackers 2 is the first in a long line of games with the same world-building and aesthetic, I'd be willing to bet it's going to be looked back on as the start of something special. For now, Soul Hackers 2 is a good JRPG, one that's well worth your time - but it could be, and hopefully will result in, so much more.

Soul Hackers 2 is a great spin-off. It isn’t as long or ambitious as other Shin Megami Tensei titles, but it’s clearly made with the same quality. While the reduced number of demons and the simpler mechanics can be a negative for veterans, Soul Hackers 2 proves to be a much friendlier starting point for newcomers. Fans of the franchise will likely enjoy this installment, even if it lacks the complexity of other titles in the series.

Soul Hackers 2 is a great new entry to the SMT franchise, offering enough differences from its comrades that it doesn't feel like the exact same game. With its wonderful cast of characters, Soul Hackers 2 delivers a story that shows plenty of heart as well as heartbreak, with a theme that resonates with today’s world. Despite the bland dungeons, the combat is more than satisfying enough to make up for it, and the music is just a bonus to an already stylish game. If there’s an itch to play an SMT game, Soul Hackers 2 is sure to scratch it.

While it does have its stumbles, Soul Hackers 2 is a stylish JRPG with an intriguing premise and a compelling cast, and a fantastic battle system that more than makes up for the flaws it does have.

Soul Hackers 2 feels like a budget title whose developers did the best with what they had. It's still a solid game with plenty to love that fans of the genre will certainly enjoy. A strong addition to the Shin Megami Tensei franchise with great combat and art direction only held back by uninspired dungeons and exploration.

Soul Hackers 2 made some interesting decisions—some of which I don’t totally agree with. But, even with whatever grievances I might have, I can’t deny that the game was ultimately both incredibly fun and well put-together. Devil Summoner might not carry the same weight as other spinoff series within the MegaTen universe, but Soul Hackers 2 is one heck of a ride from start to finish.

Even with its bland dungeon design and lack of new ideas, Soul Hackers 2 is still an enjoyable and recommendable turn based JRPG, not on par with Atlus' best works but still better than many similar products. Just don't go in expecting a new masterpiece such as Persona 5 or SMT V.

Soul Hackers 2 it's a good game with some annoying issues. At it's core, Atlus new sci-fi JRPG it's an high-stakes 35/40 hours adventure with a charismatic and well written cast of characters, a protagonist - Ringo - which is both fun and interesting, and an enjoyable combat system. However, as a dungeon crawler, the game gets repetitive fairly quickly, and doesn't do enough to keep the player's attention high throught it's entire duration. Nonetheless, Soul Hackers 2 it's enjoyable experience, easy to recommend to all the fans of the Megami Tensei franchise, and a great starting point for a new series.

Soul Hackers 2 is a JRPG for fans of the Devil Summoner games and Persona 5, but unfortunately struggles with boring dungeons and a story that could have been made a lot more.

Soul Hackers 2 does not revolutionize the JRPG genre and probably can't even compete with the top tier JRPG games, but it gets all the basics of the genre right and thanks to its solid combat system and appealing story and characters, can actually be very entertaining.

Atlus bring their expertise to this sequel, a great dungeon crawler with a combat system that really shines.

My opinion of Soul Hackers 2 was in constant flux during my playthrough. I never especially disliked the game, but I often flipped between enjoyment and disappointment within mere minutes. That feeling of disappointment is what remains in the end. I am not sure if Soul Hackers 2 is exciting enough to hold new fans through to the end, and it isn’t mechanically competent enough to fully grab the attention of a series veteran like myself. But there is still the visual flair, musical swagger, plethora of rad demons, and bonds of friendship you forge along the way to make it an enticing package.

Soul Hacker 2 is a traditional JRPG that you can easily spend hours on, but also mediocre in every aspect. Although the classic training system has enough depth, and the turn-based system also involved some minor changes, the interest of the combat system is still limited. A lot of looting content improves the playability of the game, however the looting experience is monotonous and boring.

If not for the interesting cast of characters and beautiful cyberpunk world, Soul Hackers 2 would truly be just a poor man’s Persona game. If you hate grinding in JRPGs, stay away from this one, but if you absolutely love fusing Personas … uh Demons until you find the perfect party, Soul Hackers 2 is quite serviceable in that aspect.

A stylish sequel that strikes out on its own and wobbles along in its fashionable shoes. 7 Approachable for devil summoners new to Shin Megami Tensei. [Issue#19, p.84]

Soul Hackers 2 can offer a good experience to those who want to follow an interesting story that deviates from the teenage-school life style. But it is advised to arm yourself with patience, because the dungeons of the main characters are quite tiring due to their identical level design.

Behind its colorful neon lights, Soul Hackers 2 remains an "old-school" role-playing game that strays from more recent titles in its franchise like Persona 5 Royal or Shin Megami Tensei V. Beyond its cyberpunk anime aesthetic, the Atlus' game relies on an ever-effective and proven SMT-like combat system, but also on its friendly cast of characters who stand out for their original designs. Unfortunately, the experience is served by a story that is ultimately quite simple, with some technical shortcomings, but above all by its far too basic and repetitive dungeons which struggle to stimulate the player. A title that has something to please experienced role-playing game enthusiasts.

Soul Hackers 2 is an enjoyable JRPG which will feel familiar to fans of the Shin Megami Tensei series. It does do its own thing in many areas which is fine, but the dungeons are very simple and repetitive and the side content feels like padding although the rewards are worth it. It's not the next Atlus classic but it's a fun game nonetheless that may be a more forgiving entry point to the series.

Soul Hackers 2 is an ambitious game at war with its past, never quite daring enough to summon its full potential.

Soul Hackers 2 is good news for fans of Persona and Shin Megami Tensei, a JRPG that, despite not reaching the excellence of its more direct predecessors, delivers a remarkable experience that knows how to find its own space within the demonic universe of Atlus .

Soul Hackers 2 is a by the books turn-based JRPG that doesn’t do anything particularly memorable nor offensive. The story is lacking in scope, dungeons are bland, and there’s questionable design choices to tried and true systems. It doesn’t help that there’s less-than-stellar load times on the current generation consoles, especially considering the amount of traveling that’s required. With that said, there’s decent character development, a fantastic combat system and of course all your favorite demons and creatures you’d expect, and then some. On top of that, the visual aesthetic (at least outside of dungeons) is tremendously vibrant, bringing your screen to life in the most enticing way possible. In the end, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the game, but it comes with numerous flaws. Soul Hackers 2 has all the trappings of a great Shin Megami Tensei game, including heart, but lacks the substance to make it special.

Soul Hackers 2 is a solid JRPG with much less character than it looks.

Soul Hackers 2 succeeds at fusing appealing character elements and story into a more traditional dungeon-crawling mode. In a lot of ways it does manage to travel that middle path between the extremes of its sibling series. But its bright spots don’t quite mask the moments where the moments where both its halves can fall short.

The story of Soul Hackers 2 is, by all means, the biggest highlight for the game. That’s not simply because the game is rather content light in every other area, either. Getting to experience Ringo discover the depths of humanity while navigating a strange new world was fun. Every character feels very well written with their own depth. The nicely strategic combat with having to judge risk and rewards and play with weaknesses truly made me never shy away from combat as I never got sick of fighting.

Taken as a whole, however, Soul Hackers 2 is a mostly satisfying experience. The character interactions and stylish art help it stand out from the pack, and the smooth-flowing, fast-paced combat makes even some of the more annoying dungeons (I don't want to see another abandoned subway for a very long time) feel like less of a drag. Soul Hackers, as a series, has a lot of potential to further grow into its own unique experience the way Persona has. Soul Hackers 2, despite its flaws, is a very promising start.

Soul Hackers 2 has great combat and a story worth checking out, but the repetitive environments and constant barrage of enemies make the experience less than stellar.

Soul Hackers 2 is a competent Atlus JRPG that will tick a lot of boxes for fans of the genre, but it falls well short of being that next breakout star from Japan. With awful dungeon design and little else to do outside of them, it falls upon the engaging combat system and interesting enough narrative to pick up the pieces. It's by no means the next must-play JRPG, but there's just enough to Soul Hackers 2 that warrants a playthrough.

Soul Hackers 2 is a game that tries to make everyone happy, keeping a classic soul but rejuvenating the genre with gameplay elements from Persona 5. Fans of the genre will probably appreciate it, but the lack of courage to create something iconic could doom Soul Hackers 2 to be remembered "only" as a good derivative game and little else. Only time will give us the answer.

Soul Hackers 2 offers a contrast of colourful and lively towns and characters with dull and dark dungeons that seem to go on forever. Optimizing your party can be quite enjoyable but the inconsistent demon recruiting system takes away from the fun of the grind. Overall, Soul Hackers 2 failed to keep my attention but it definitely has some noteworthy qualities.

I just wish I was rewarded with a bit more humanity and meaning to my struggles by seeing them create that memory for themselves.

Full of good intentions, Soul Hackers 2 never really convinces: its limited gameplay and redundant environments make it an experience that shows its limits very quickly, and it should take you a couple of hours before you get to the bottom of it. Lovers of Japanese turn-based games can still try their luck to fill a hollow tooth, but it doesn't offer anything substantial enough to quench their MegaTen thirst.

While its unclear whether Soul Hackers 2 was an attempt to make a more inviting Shin Megami Tensei game for newcomers, the end result is a disappointingly streamlined RPG that both newcomers and long-time fans will inevitably bounce off of. It's a perfectly fine RPG, but so much of what makes SMT special is sorely lacking here in a palpable way.

No hack job, then, but rather soulless. [Issue#376, p.114]