RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army – NSP & XCI ROM
This remastered edition leverages a rich demon collection system and leans heavily into pre-rendered backgrounds to capture the essence of historical Tokyo and its surrounding natural environments. Not only does this approach enrich the visual detail of the city, but it also smartly acknowledges the original game’s budgetary and hardware constraints. Unlike Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne, which was fully rendered in 3D, this game’s transition to HD is surprisingly smooth despite the challenge of updating pre-drawn visuals. Honestly, I didn’t expect the developers to invest the time and effort into completely rebuilding those environments from scratch.
When it launched on PSN, the game instantly brought back nostalgic memories of my college gaming days. The developers’ choice to retain the original visual style while presenting updated graphics is genuinely commendable. The 3D models boast clean lighting and natural shading, enhancing immersion. In the early chapters, the pacing is engaging, drawing you into the mystery of the Red Cape attacks across Tokyo. Clues and discoveries seamlessly lead into one another, driving the story forward. However, as the narrative unfolds, the tone gradually shifts from an eerie supernatural detective story to something a bit more whimsical and surreal.
Key Features
- Unlocked access to the most powerful abilities from the start
- Tactical use of skills is essential in battles
- Striking enemies with abilities to expose weaknesses is both rewarding and strategic
- Combat mechanics influence other gameplay elements, improving overall quality of life
