13 Years Ago, One Dark JRPG Proved Atlus Could Still Be Hardcore
News Source
β’Sun, 27 Sep 2026 19:00:17 GMT
π° What Happened
Polygon looked back at Shin Megami Tensei 4, released on the 3DS in 2013. The game was the follow-up fans had waited about a decade for. Instead of beach trips, players explored a ruined Tokyo filled with demons.
Players could recruit demons to fight alongside them. The game was dark and famously hard. The article argues it proved publisher Atlus could still make tough games.
π The Backstory
Atlus has a long history in Japanese role-playing games. It brought Persona 3 to North America in 2006 under the Shin Megami Tensei name. Persona later became the company's biggest hit.
Some fans worried the harder, older series would be dropped. Shin Megami Tensei 4 showed the company still valued that darker style of game.
π― Why It Matters
Games like this keep harder, darker titles alive for players who want a challenge. It also shows a series can survive even when a spin-off becomes more popular.
Polygon looked back at Shin Megami Tensei 4, released on the 3DS in 2013. The game was the follow-up fans had waited about a decade for. Instead of beach trips, players explored a ruined Tokyo filled with demons.
Players could recruit demons to fight alongside them. The game was dark and famously hard. The article argues it proved publisher Atlus could still make tough games.
Atlus has a long history in Japanese role-playing games. It brought Persona 3 to North America in 2006 under the Shin Megami Tensei name. Persona later became the company's biggest hit.
Some fans worried the harder, older series would be dropped. Shin Megami Tensei 4 showed the company still valued that darker style of game.
Games like this keep harder, darker titles alive for players who want a challenge. It also shows a series can survive even when a spin-off becomes more popular.