

The real-time combat system is simple but effective, and it is enhanced by a robust selection of playable characters who all present convincing cases to justify their inclusion.Ī considerable improvement over its predecessor, Blue Reflection: Second Light is a magical girl-themed JRPG developed by Gust, the company behind the Atelier series. Eventually, the game opens up and allows players to tackle a few areas in any order, and things improve significantly at this point.Įven if it feels retro in places, Trials of Mana is nevertheless a fun time, which is hardly a surprise since the SNES original holds up reasonably well. Consequently, the JRPG can feel antiquated at times, especially during the campaign's linear and restrictive opening half. While not completely devoid of gameplay tweaks or improvements, 2020's Trials of Mana sticks close to its predecessor in level design and plot progression. Xeen's Trials of Mana remake gives the 1995 Super Famicom classic a fresh coat of 3D paint, and this modern aesthetic is by far the project's most significant change. Newcomers to the developer's work should start elsewhere, although they will likely find something to enjoy in this release. Soul Hackers 2 is for Atlus completionists who enjoy the company's trademark turn-based combat and demon-catching mechanics.

RELATED: Soul Hackers 2: The Best Demon Fusions Early On That said, it is not quite as deep as either subseries' most recent releases, resulting in an enjoyable but not particularly amazing experience. The 2022 project strikes something out of a middle-ground between SMT and Persona, reflecting the former's prioritization of battles while also incorporating social elements from the latter.

Soul Hackers 2 is, ultimately, a minor entry in the publisher's resume, and the sequel came out of nowhere since the original title debuted in 1997. Anything released under the Megami Tensei banner is destined to be decent at the bare minimum, even if not every project can reach the same heights as Persona 5 or Shin Megami Tensei 4: Apocalypse.
