Shin Megami Tensei 5is one of the most anticipated games of 2021, and along with a remaster ofShin Megami Tensei 3,fansseries have a lot to look forward to this year. After all, it’s no secret that Atlus had a phenomenal 2020 with the massive success ofPersona 5 Royaland the PC port ofPersona 4 Golden.
Looking to replicate last year’s successes, Atlus could make 2021 a definitive year for theShin Megami Tenseifranchise if it markets the series right. For the first time in publisher history,Shin Megami Tensei5will be a simultaneous global release meaning Western fans won’t have to wait for a localization. With this in mind, it’ll be exciting to see where Atlus decides to take theShin Megami Tenseiseries in 2021.
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The Shin Megami Tensei Series
AlthoughShin Megami Tenseihas been around for three decades, it wasn’t until recently that Atlus made an effort to translate and bring the games to the West. TheShin Megami Tenseigames used to form the core of the series, while games likePersonaandDevil Summonerwere considered spin-offs, at least untilPersonabegan making its own name for itself. Although theShin Megami Tenseigames share certain elements with its spinoffs such as recruiting, fusing, and summoning demons, the games usually have a heavier emphasis on dungeon crawling and combat mechanics.
Shin Megami Tenseiis very different from whatPersonafans might be accustomed to. Featuring a much darker, post-apocalyptic tone and higher difficulty, theShin Megami Tenseiseries has often drawn comparisons to theDark Soulsfranchise. While thePersonaseries is split between dungeons and character building via social links,Shin Megami Tenseiseriesopts for longer dungeons and a more robust combat system.
Though it isn’t as popular as the big JRPG franchises likeFinal FantasyorDragon Quest,Shin Megami Tenseimaintains a strong following in both Japan and the West, and has generated critical acclaim.Shin Megami Tensei 5will be the first mainline gamein five years,and 2021 is shaping up to be a fantastic year for fans of the series.
Marketing Shin Megami Tensei 5
At this point, it’s evident that thePersonaseries has far eclipsed the popularity ofShin Megami Tensei,particularly in the West. Despite original being a spinoff ofShin Megami Tensei, Personahas proven to be a lot more accessible with its lighter tone and lower difficulty. In order forShin Megami Tensei 5to reach thelevel of success thatPersona 5achieved, Atlus will need to find strategies to market the series properly.
Beyond just comparisons toPersona 5,Atlus should try to play offthe strengths of theShin Megami Tenseiseriesas well. Catering towards a demographic that enjoys retro-style difficulty and dungeon-crawling mechanics can go a long way in reaching a larger audience, and highlighting the difficulty of the series as a strength like theDark Soulsfranchise is also important. Over the years, theShin Megami Tenseiseries has also become known for its mature content and thought-provoking stories. Marketing the game around these strengths will likely helpShin Megami Tensei 5attract newcomers to the series.
Shin Megami Tensei 5 As A Nintendo Switch Exclusive
One important thing to note is thatShin Megami Tensei 5looks to be aNintendo Switch exclusive. This shouldn’t be surprising for fans of the series considering the dungeon-crawling mechanics are more suited for handheld consoles and the past few mainlineShin Megami Tenseigames have all appeared on the Nintendo 3DS. Although PC and PS5 owners might be disappointed, it’s important to note that Atlus’s stance on ports seem to have shifted in the past few years.
Following the massive success ofPersona 4 Goldenon Steam, Sega has stated that it wants to bring more Atlus games to the PC and is more receptive to the idea of ports as a whole. In fact, Atlus recently released a survey asking players about their interest in Nintendo Switch ports of series likePersona, Shin Megami Tensei, Etrian Odyssey, Catherine, Devil Summoner,and more. AlthoughShin Megami Tenseiwill likely not appear on other consoles at the time of its release, Atlus appears to be more open to the idea of ports and remakes.
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The Shin Megami Tensei 3 Remaster
Another big reason why 2021 may be a definitive year for theShin Megami Tenseiseries is because Atlus announced a full remake ofShin Megami Tensei 3.Known asShin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturnein the West, it was originally released 17 years ago for the PS2. The game was released to both critical and commercial success and, as a result, was the first mainlineShin Megami Tenseigame to be released in the West. It generated a cult following in the years after its release and is often considered a classic in the JRPG genre.
TheShin Megami Tensei 3remaster will be in full HD and has a release date of spring 2021 for the PS4 and Nintendo Switch. Given the recent success ofPersona 4 Golden,there have also beenrumors thatShin Megami Tensei 3will appear on PClater on. For players new to the game,Shin Megami Tensei 3tells the tale of Demi-fiend, a high school student in Tokyo who gets caught in the middle of the apocalypse. Demi-fiend soon runs into the devil, Lucifer, granting him the ability to control demons.
The Japanese version of theShin Megami Tensei 3remaster was released last year in October. Including a number of new features such as fully voiced cutscenes and additional difficulty settings, fans can expect the English release to have similar changes. The most interesting change is the new “Merciful” difficulty setting which makes the game easier for players who just want to experience the story and different endings. With this option available,Shin Megami Tensei 3will be a lot more accessibleto newcomers, and there’s a good chance thatShin Megami Tensei 5will feature a similar option.
Shin Megami Tensei’s Future
With the announcement of bothShin Megami Tensei 5and theShin Megami Tensei 3remaster, 2021 may be one of the most important years for theShin Megami Tenseifranchise. Looking to replicate the recent success of thePersonaseries, Atlus has madeShin Megami Tenseimore accessible and marketable leading up to both releases. If Atlus plays their cards right,Shin Megami Tensei 5has the potential to be massive, and the future of the franchise will depend on its success. Along with the announcement ofShin Megami Tensei 5as the first simultaneous worldwide releasefor Atlus, fans and newcomers to the series will have plenty to look forward to in 2021.
Shin Megami Tensei 5releases in 2021 for the Nintendo Switch
