Latest Reviews of Atlus Games
Review Metaphor: ReFantazio (PS5) - Brilliant, Memorable RPG Is One of Atlus' Finest Works
More than meets the eye
Spearheaded by a trio of veteran developers best known for their outstanding work on the Persona series, Metaphor: ReFantazio is the dawn of a brand new IP from Atlus. In its structure and mechanics, it feels comfortingly familiar, but in its fantastical setting and bold style — both in terms of visuals and audio — it...
Mini Review Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis (PS5) - Expensive Expansion Is a Flawed Affair
SEES the day
Episode Aigis is an epilogue to Persona 3 Reload — a remake of the additional scenario that first appeared in Persona 3 FES on the PS2. Much like Reload itself, this expansion is pretty much a one-to-one recreation in terms of core narrative and structure, but it's bolstered by all of the remake's quality of life and combat system...
Review Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance (PS5) - Combat-Heavy RPG Gets a Major Overhaul
Fiendishly tough
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is an enhanced re-release of Atlus' 2021 dungeon-crawling RPG, originally exclusive to Nintendo Switch, and makes its long-awaited debut on PS5 and PS4. It takes a great game and makes it even better with a slew of essential quality-of-life improvements, a glossy graphical upgrade, and a new...
Review Unicorn Overlord (PS5) - An Utterly Brilliant Strategy RPG
Follow the white horse
Vanillaware doesn't miss. We've been spouting that line for ages, but with the arrival of Unicorn Overlord, it rings truer than ever before. Following up on the superb 13 Sentinels was never going to be easy, but the Japanese studio has somehow manged to produce an equally excellent game three years later — and it's not even...
Review Persona 3 Reload (PS5) - A Stunning Remake of a Classic RPG, Polished to Near Perfection
Brilliant in blue
It's difficult to replay older Persona games after Persona 5. They still tell engrossing character-driven stories, but with Persona 5 — and Persona 5 Royal in particular — Atlus evolved the series' core gameplay loop to such an extent that previous titles can feel clunky and monotonous by comparison. And so we have Persona 3...
Review Persona 5 Tactica (PS5) - Quality Combat Sends the Phantom Thieves Out in Style... Hopefully
One last hurrah
From turn-based to Musou to tactical, Atlus isn't at all interested in resting on its laurels when crafting the gameplay systems fuelling the Persona 5 series. It's impressive how the developer is able to reinvent those familiar mechanics and character abilities in a new light, making them fresh once more for a different take on...
Review Persona 4 Golden (PS4) - An Utterly Engrossing RPG, and That's the Truth
A golden oldie
Persona 4 Golden was one of the PS Vita's defining games. An expanded version of the PS2's Persona 4, which first released in 2008, Golden is widely regarded as one of the best JRPGs out there — and it's still easy to see why. Many would argue that Atlus' series truly came into its own with Persona 4. It took the blueprint behind...
Review Persona 3 Portable (PS4) - Brooding JRPG Is Still Superb
Oh baby baby baby baby
In its potent mix of dungeon crawling and daily life management, Persona 3 established the formula that Atlus' series is now so well known for. Originally a PS2 title from 2006, the role-playing game was re-released not once, but twice. Its first reincarnation was Persona 3 FES in 2007 — an expanded version with gameplay...
Mini Review Persona 5 Royal (PS5) - Still One of the Best JRPGs Ever Made, Despite PS4 Disrespect
Persona 5 Royalties
Let's get right into it: Persona 5 would not be the success story that it is without the PS4. And with that in mind, the complete lack of an upgrade path for existing PS4 players is a slap in the face. It doesn't matter if you've already paid full price for Persona 5 and Persona 5 Royal on Sony's last-gen system — SEGA and...
Review Soul Hackers 2 (PS5) - SMT on a Budget
Ringo star
Soul Hackers 2 is a lot like Shin Megami Tensei and its increasingly popular spin-off series Persona. It has the enjoyable turn-based combat, demons we've all come to know and love, and vast dungeons to explore. It also tells a fairly entertaining story complete with a spin on social links, character interactions, and hangout spots. The...
Latest Atlus Articles
News Soul Hackers 2 Technical Issues Taken to Task in Digital Foundry Analysis
Persona-lite, indeed
Soul Hackers 2 is the latest JRPG from developer Atlus, and takes many of its queues from the publisher/developer's other recent titles, like Persona 5 and Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster. While we enjoyed our time with the title, we too found the experience was held back by the title's aggressively bland dungeon...
News Soul Hackers 2 Combat System Expands Upon the Rock Solid SMT, Persona Formula
If it ain't broke...
Today we got a new gameplay trailer for JRPG Soul Hackers 2, which details the different aspects of devil summoning, and the particulars of combat. Soul Hackers 2 launches next week, on PS5 and PS4, on 26th August. Veterans of previous Atlus games will feel right at home with the combat mechanics of Soul Hackers 2. Exploiting...
News Soul Hackers 2 Launch Day DLC Detailed, Includes Bonus Story Arc, Costumes & More
You'll never see it coming
Soul Hackers 2 release is right around the corner, with Atlus' latest JRPG launching on PS5 and PS4 on 25th August. Today we got a new trailer detailing the various DLC which will be available from launch, determined by which version of the game you pick up. The DLC ranges from a bonus story arc, music and costumes from...
News Soul Hackers 2 Soul Matrix System Is a Fusion of Persona-Style Social Links and Mementos
Take your digital heart
A new trailer for the eagerly-anticipated JRPG Soul Hackers 2 has been released, this time focusing on the allies that will join you on your mission to avert the apocalypse. Soul Hackers 2 is coming to PS5 and PS4 on 25th August. You play as Ringo, a digital construct of the sentient supercomputer known as Aion. You will be...
News Untangle the Twisted Threads of Fate in Soul Hackers 2
The end of the world is just the beginning
Soul Hackers 2's 26th August release date is fast approaching, and today we got a new trailer showing just a snippet of the story that awaits JRPG fans later this month. Soul Hackers 2 follows the exploits of a futuristic digital being named Ringo, as she works to avert an apocalypse detected by Aion, an...
News Soul Hackers 2 Pre-Orders Live Now on PS Store
Hack the planet
Shown off during Summer Game Fest was a new trailer for Soul Hackers 2 in which we got to hear the English voice cast for the first time. In addition, it was announced that both physical and digital pre-orders are now live for PS5 and PS4. Here's what you can expect from each version: Digital Pre-orders – Standard Edition...
Feature The 10 Best PlayStation Soundtracks of 2017
Reelin’ in the year
2017 was an absolute banner year for games: AAA games were firing on all cylinders, indies knocked it out of the park again and again, and there were more Game of the Year contenders than we care to count. Alongside many of these stellar games were absolutely phenomenal soundtracks, too. This year more than any other was the...
News Dragon's Crown Pulled From European PlayStation Store
Atlus takes the crown back
Japanese fantasy brawler Dragon's Crown has been pulled the European PlayStation Store less than 24 hours after it was announced that the game would be part of the 'Big in Japan' discount sale. According to NIS America's Twitter account, the PlayStation 3 and Vita game was removed due to the expiration of the publishing...
By the Gods
Earlier this week, Atlus and Vanillaware revealed that they were working on an enhanced remake of PlayStation 2 action role-playing game Odin Sphere. Subtitled Leifdrasir, the game will feature spruced up, high definition visuals and tweaked mechanics. There's no concrete release date just yet, but Sony has announced on Twitter tha
News Hatsune Miku Is Bringing Her Moves to Persona 4 Dancing All Night
We should have seen this coming
In case you missed the news, Persona developer Atlus is now part of SEGA - the Japanese publisher that owns the rights to Hatsune Miku, everyone's favourite fictional songstress. With that in mind, it's perhaps no surprise that groove-'em-up Persona 4 Dancing All Night is getting downloadable content featuring the...
News Behold the Beauty: PS2 RPG Odin Sphere Is Getting an HD Remake on PS4, PS3, and Vita
Phwoar
In an announcement that we're sure has many of you jumping with joy, Odin Sphere is getting remade on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and Vita. Originally a much loved and visually stunning PlayStation 2 action role-playing game, it's due out in its native Japan in January next year. Entitled Odin Sphere: Leifdrasir, the game won't be a simple...
News Muramasa and Dragon's Crown Creator Vanillaware Is Teasing a New HD Project
It's bound to be gorgeous
It looks as though talented Japanese outfit Vanillaware is gearing up to announce a new project in the next few days, if this teaser website is anything to go by. Whatever the game is, it'll be revealed live in Boston on the 20th July. There's already some speculation that it may be a high definition re-release of the...
News Yu and Rise Step It Up In Persona 4 Dancing All Night's English Trailers
Dance for the truth
Persona 4 Dancing All Night is coming West later this year, and to be totally honest, we can't wait to give it a go. Sure, the idea of dancing to save your high school buddies is just a few steps away from being overly ridiculous, but when the game looks as fun as this, it's hard to care. With the title's launch creeping ever...
E3 2015 Persona 5 Gets an English Trailer, and It's Still Slated For a 2015 Western Release
Now it's personal
Atlus has begun its Western push of Persona 5 courtesy of the role-playing game's first English trailer, published alongside the title's official English website. Disappointingly, the clip contains the same footage that we've seen before, but it's still well worth watching again for its glorious sense of style. Perhaps the big...
News Margaret Takes a Break from Fusing Personas to Boogie in Persona 4 Dancing All Night
Velvet bloom
Margaret may be known as the mysterious, golden-eyed woman who sits in an ethereal limo and fuses personas for you on a regular basis, but hey, she likes to let her hair down as much as anyone else. As evidenced by Persona 4 Dancing All Night's newest trailer, Margaret's actually quite the elegant dancer. Apparently, she's an...
News Teddie's Somehow More Ridiculous Than Ever in Persona 4 Dancing All Night
Sensei-tive material
Teddie's always been a bit of a strange one, even before his human form popped out of the cuddly bear suit. However, if you thought that you'd already seen the extremities of his madness, you need only watch the embedded trailer to realise that there's yet more to behold. We're not entirely sure whether it's his weirdly...
News Of Course Persona 4: Dancing All Night's Getting Cross-Dressing DLC
Gear up, guys
There's a point in Persona 4 where Yasogami High School hosts a sort of beauty pageant. The title's female characters show up on stage in bikinis, but in a last minute twist, the main male members of the cast are signed up for the event's cross-dressing competition. The whole thing results in a rather humorous scene in which the...
News Sci-Fi JRPG Lost Dimension Entrusts Us with a Western Release Date and Free DLC
No betrayal here
If you'll recall, we wrote about PlayStation 3 and Vita title Lost Dimension a little while back, and exclaimed that it seemed to have the makings of an interesting role-playing game. Atlus' creation sees you team up with a bunch of stylish teens, and as the plot progresses, you'll need to decide who's an enemy, and who isn't...
News PlayStation Exclusive Persona 5's Nabbed a Release Window, and It's Looking Promising
Pray for Europe
It's arguably not a point that's being made as much as it should be, but Persona 5 is a big deal for PlayStation. The Japanese role-playing game series is on the very cusp of becoming a smash hit, with Persona 4 being a critical and commercial success not just in Japan, but over here in the West, too. If you still haven't seen...
News Persona 5 Is Looking Super Stylish in New Screenshots
A little more personal
Persona 5 is going to be one heck of a stylish Japanese role-playing game - that much has been certain since it was initially revealed. And, as if we needed any proof, Atlus has released several new screenshots of the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 title in action. Showcasing environments, battles, menus, and general art,...
News Yes, Persona 4 Dancing All Night Will Have Swimsuit DLC
Expected at this point
A reveal that's received a bit of a backlash from some fans, early Japanese editions of Persona 4 Dancing All Night will come with swimsuit DLC for the four female party members of Persona 4. This means that you can have Rise, Chie, Yukiko, and Naoto all pulling off their dance moves while wearing next to nothing. Of course,...
News Brighten Up Your Day With Persona 4: Dancing All Night's Brand New Trailer
Friday night disco
Persona 4: Dancing All Night looks ridiculous, to put it mildly. The mystery solving gang of the original role-playing game are back to solve yet more mysteries, but this time, they'll be strutting their stuff and dancing the night away to get the job done. Tying a somewhat serious storyline into gameplay that involves pulling...
News Persona 4 Dancing All Night's Japanese Box Art Gets Its Groove On
Yu got moves
Turn down the lights, crank up the tunes, and dress up in something ridiculous, because Persona 4 Dancing All Night's Japanese box art is here. Featuring the rhythm game's cast, which includes characters from Persona 4, it's a typically colourful piece of artwork, and, as always, it's practically bursting with style. The disco ball's...
News This Is How You Boogie in Persona 4: Dancing All Night
Get your groove on
Persona 4: Dancing All Night is probably just about the farthest that you can take Atlus' role-playing game series before it steps into the realm of utter ridiculousness, but that hasn't stopped the release from looking pretty darn fun. Featuring characters from the original Persona 4, the rhythm title's looking to test your...
News Atlus RPG Lost Dimension Brings Style and Tough Moral Choices to PS3 and Vita This Summer
Didn't see that one coming
Will Atlus ever stop pumping out stylish properties? We hope not, but in the meantime, it's bringing tactical role-playing game Lost Dimension to the PlayStation 3 and Vita this summer. Going against the grain for once, it looks like us Europeans won't have to wait several hundred years for Atlus to localise it either, as...
News Soul Hackers 2 Technical Issues Taken to Task in Digital Foundry Analysis
Persona-lite, indeed
Soul Hackers 2 is the latest JRPG from developer Atlus, and takes many of its queues from the publisher/developer's other recent titles, like Persona 5 and Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster. While we enjoyed our time with the title, we too found the experience was held back by the title's aggressively bland dungeon...
News Soul Hackers 2 Combat System Expands Upon the Rock Solid SMT, Persona Formula
If it ain't broke...
Today we got a new gameplay trailer for JRPG Soul Hackers 2, which details the different aspects of devil summoning, and the particulars of combat. Soul Hackers 2 launches next week, on PS5 and PS4, on 26th August. Veterans of previous Atlus games will feel right at home with the combat mechanics of Soul Hackers 2. Exploiting...
News Soul Hackers 2 Launch Day DLC Detailed, Includes Bonus Story Arc, Costumes & More
You'll never see it coming
Soul Hackers 2 release is right around the corner, with Atlus' latest JRPG launching on PS5 and PS4 on 25th August. Today we got a new trailer detailing the various DLC which will be available from launch, determined by which version of the game you pick up. The DLC ranges from a bonus story arc, music and costumes from...
News Soul Hackers 2 Soul Matrix System Is a Fusion of Persona-Style Social Links and Mementos
Take your digital heart
A new trailer for the eagerly-anticipated JRPG Soul Hackers 2 has been released, this time focusing on the allies that will join you on your mission to avert the apocalypse. Soul Hackers 2 is coming to PS5 and PS4 on 25th August. You play as Ringo, a digital construct of the sentient supercomputer known as Aion. You will be...
News Untangle the Twisted Threads of Fate in Soul Hackers 2
The end of the world is just the beginning
Soul Hackers 2's 26th August release date is fast approaching, and today we got a new trailer showing just a snippet of the story that awaits JRPG fans later this month. Soul Hackers 2 follows the exploits of a futuristic digital being named Ringo, as she works to avert an apocalypse detected by Aion, an...
News Soul Hackers 2 Pre-Orders Live Now on PS Store
Hack the planet
Shown off during Summer Game Fest was a new trailer for Soul Hackers 2 in which we got to hear the English voice cast for the first time. In addition, it was announced that both physical and digital pre-orders are now live for PS5 and PS4. Here's what you can expect from each version: Digital Pre-orders – Standard Edition...
Feature The 10 Best PlayStation Soundtracks of 2017
Reelin’ in the year
2017 was an absolute banner year for games: AAA games were firing on all cylinders, indies knocked it out of the park again and again, and there were more Game of the Year contenders than we care to count. Alongside many of these stellar games were absolutely phenomenal soundtracks, too. This year more than any other was the...
News Dragon's Crown Pulled From European PlayStation Store
Atlus takes the crown back
Japanese fantasy brawler Dragon's Crown has been pulled the European PlayStation Store less than 24 hours after it was announced that the game would be part of the 'Big in Japan' discount sale. According to NIS America's Twitter account, the PlayStation 3 and Vita game was removed due to the expiration of the publishing...
By the Gods
Earlier this week, Atlus and Vanillaware revealed that they were working on an enhanced remake of PlayStation 2 action role-playing game Odin Sphere. Subtitled Leifdrasir, the game will feature spruced up, high definition visuals and tweaked mechanics. There's no concrete release date just yet, but Sony has announced on Twitter tha
News Hatsune Miku Is Bringing Her Moves to Persona 4 Dancing All Night
We should have seen this coming
In case you missed the news, Persona developer Atlus is now part of SEGA - the Japanese publisher that owns the rights to Hatsune Miku, everyone's favourite fictional songstress. With that in mind, it's perhaps no surprise that groove-'em-up Persona 4 Dancing All Night is getting downloadable content featuring the...
News Behold the Beauty: PS2 RPG Odin Sphere Is Getting an HD Remake on PS4, PS3, and Vita
Phwoar
In an announcement that we're sure has many of you jumping with joy, Odin Sphere is getting remade on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and Vita. Originally a much loved and visually stunning PlayStation 2 action role-playing game, it's due out in its native Japan in January next year. Entitled Odin Sphere: Leifdrasir, the game won't be a simple...
News Muramasa and Dragon's Crown Creator Vanillaware Is Teasing a New HD Project
It's bound to be gorgeous
It looks as though talented Japanese outfit Vanillaware is gearing up to announce a new project in the next few days, if this teaser website is anything to go by. Whatever the game is, it'll be revealed live in Boston on the 20th July. There's already some speculation that it may be a high definition re-release of the...
News Yu and Rise Step It Up In Persona 4 Dancing All Night's English Trailers
Dance for the truth
Persona 4 Dancing All Night is coming West later this year, and to be totally honest, we can't wait to give it a go. Sure, the idea of dancing to save your high school buddies is just a few steps away from being overly ridiculous, but when the game looks as fun as this, it's hard to care. With the title's launch creeping ever...
E3 2015 Persona 5 Gets an English Trailer, and It's Still Slated For a 2015 Western Release
Now it's personal
Atlus has begun its Western push of Persona 5 courtesy of the role-playing game's first English trailer, published alongside the title's official English website. Disappointingly, the clip contains the same footage that we've seen before, but it's still well worth watching again for its glorious sense of style. Perhaps the big...
News Margaret Takes a Break from Fusing Personas to Boogie in Persona 4 Dancing All Night
Velvet bloom
Margaret may be known as the mysterious, golden-eyed woman who sits in an ethereal limo and fuses personas for you on a regular basis, but hey, she likes to let her hair down as much as anyone else. As evidenced by Persona 4 Dancing All Night's newest trailer, Margaret's actually quite the elegant dancer. Apparently, she's an...
News Teddie's Somehow More Ridiculous Than Ever in Persona 4 Dancing All Night
Sensei-tive material
Teddie's always been a bit of a strange one, even before his human form popped out of the cuddly bear suit. However, if you thought that you'd already seen the extremities of his madness, you need only watch the embedded trailer to realise that there's yet more to behold. We're not entirely sure whether it's his weirdly...
News Of Course Persona 4: Dancing All Night's Getting Cross-Dressing DLC
Gear up, guys
There's a point in Persona 4 where Yasogami High School hosts a sort of beauty pageant. The title's female characters show up on stage in bikinis, but in a last minute twist, the main male members of the cast are signed up for the event's cross-dressing competition. The whole thing results in a rather humorous scene in which the...
News Sci-Fi JRPG Lost Dimension Entrusts Us with a Western Release Date and Free DLC
No betrayal here
If you'll recall, we wrote about PlayStation 3 and Vita title Lost Dimension a little while back, and exclaimed that it seemed to have the makings of an interesting role-playing game. Atlus' creation sees you team up with a bunch of stylish teens, and as the plot progresses, you'll need to decide who's an enemy, and who isn't...
News PlayStation Exclusive Persona 5's Nabbed a Release Window, and It's Looking Promising
Pray for Europe
It's arguably not a point that's being made as much as it should be, but Persona 5 is a big deal for PlayStation. The Japanese role-playing game series is on the very cusp of becoming a smash hit, with Persona 4 being a critical and commercial success not just in Japan, but over here in the West, too. If you still haven't seen...
News Persona 5 Is Looking Super Stylish in New Screenshots
A little more personal
Persona 5 is going to be one heck of a stylish Japanese role-playing game - that much has been certain since it was initially revealed. And, as if we needed any proof, Atlus has released several new screenshots of the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 title in action. Showcasing environments, battles, menus, and general art,...
News Yes, Persona 4 Dancing All Night Will Have Swimsuit DLC
Expected at this point
A reveal that's received a bit of a backlash from some fans, early Japanese editions of Persona 4 Dancing All Night will come with swimsuit DLC for the four female party members of Persona 4. This means that you can have Rise, Chie, Yukiko, and Naoto all pulling off their dance moves while wearing next to nothing. Of course,...
News Brighten Up Your Day With Persona 4: Dancing All Night's Brand New Trailer
Friday night disco
Persona 4: Dancing All Night looks ridiculous, to put it mildly. The mystery solving gang of the original role-playing game are back to solve yet more mysteries, but this time, they'll be strutting their stuff and dancing the night away to get the job done. Tying a somewhat serious storyline into gameplay that involves pulling...
News Persona 4 Dancing All Night's Japanese Box Art Gets Its Groove On
Yu got moves
Turn down the lights, crank up the tunes, and dress up in something ridiculous, because Persona 4 Dancing All Night's Japanese box art is here. Featuring the rhythm game's cast, which includes characters from Persona 4, it's a typically colourful piece of artwork, and, as always, it's practically bursting with style. The disco ball's...
News This Is How You Boogie in Persona 4: Dancing All Night
Get your groove on
Persona 4: Dancing All Night is probably just about the farthest that you can take Atlus' role-playing game series before it steps into the realm of utter ridiculousness, but that hasn't stopped the release from looking pretty darn fun. Featuring characters from the original Persona 4, the rhythm title's looking to test your...
News Atlus RPG Lost Dimension Brings Style and Tough Moral Choices to PS3 and Vita This Summer
Didn't see that one coming
Will Atlus ever stop pumping out stylish properties? We hope not, but in the meantime, it's bringing tactical role-playing game Lost Dimension to the PlayStation 3 and Vita this summer. Going against the grain for once, it looks like us Europeans won't have to wait several hundred years for Atlus to localise it either, as...