Atlus has delivered an excellent remaster of Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army, one of the best examples of reviving lost titles. RAIDOU Remastered retains the classic Shin Megami Tensei influence, with a level of mystery and intrigue amplified by its detective story and film noir aesthetic.
The gameplay has been transformed into an action RPG with real-time elements, eliminating random encounters. This change adds a new layer of satisfaction to battles, particularly with the ability to have two demons on the field and jump attacks. Demon interaction also plays a crucial role in investigation skills, revealing secrets, and accessing off-limits areas.
However, the core game has not aged well, and some rough edges remain. The story structure is predictable, with fetch quests that kill momentum. Pacing issues arise from repetitive travel between the same maps, making Raidou feel like an errand boy rather than a detective.
Despite these concerns, RAIDOU Remastered succeeds in preserving the unique atmosphere and charm of the original while offering new content to enhance the experience. The addition of voice acting is particularly notable, adding depth to nearly the entire story. With its polished yet faithful retelling, RAIDOU Remastered is a must-buy for hardcore Shin Megami Tensei fans, but may be less appealing for newcomers due to retained rough edges.
Atlus has demonstrated an ability to balance preservation and innovation, making RAIDOU Remastered a shining example of remastering done right.
Source: https://www.rpgfan.com/review/raidou-remastered