Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Shin Megami Tensei If… builds on the classic Megami Tensei formula with a focus on demon summoning, demon fusion, and strategic turn-based combat. Players begin by navigating the twisted halls of Karukozaka High School, where every encounter with a demon offers a choice: fight, flee, or negotiate. The negotiation system is particularly engaging, as demons respond to bribes, threats, and flattery in different ways—forcing you to think on your feet and learn each creature’s personality.

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A standout mechanic in this installment is the Guardian Spirit system. Whenever the protagonist falls in battle, a benevolent spirit intervenes, reviving the party and influencing stat growth. This safety net softens the blow of sudden game overs while adding another layer of strategy: choosing which Guardian Spirit best complements your play style. Between battles, demon fusion remains a core activity, allowing you to combine two or more creatures into a more powerful ally with inherited skills.

Exploration through the demon-infested dimensions tied to humanity’s seven deadly sins encourages thorough map reading and resource management. Healing items are limited, and random encounters can be brutal, so success often relies on careful planning. Enemy weaknesses and resistances play a key role, rewarding players who exploit elemental affinities and status ailments. Overall, the gameplay strikes a balance between rewarding risk-taking and punishing overconfidence.

Graphics

For a Super Famicom-era title, Shin Megami Tensei If… presents surprisingly crisp and atmospheric 16-bit visuals. The character and demon sprites are detailed, each design reflecting the twisted nature of the game’s universe. Demon portraits that accompany negotiation screens are particularly striking, providing personality and flair during conversations.

The environments alternate between the familiar corridors of Karukozaka High and the surreal, color-shifting realms of sin. Each realm adopts a distinct palette—lust’s domain drenched in purples and reds, envy’s in sickly greens—reinforcing the thematic core of the narrative. Tile-based layouts may feel repetitive by modern standards, but the moody shading and occasional animated effects (like flickering lights or drips of blood) enhance the unsettling atmosphere.

Menus and UI elements adhere to the minimalist SMT aesthetic: clean text windows, simple icons for items and abilities, and demarcated portrait boxes for conversations. While there’s little in the way of flashy transitions, the straightforward interface ensures that managing demons, equipment, and Guardian Spirit settings remains intuitive. The overall visual package may appear dated, but it continues to charm with its stark, gothic sensibility.

Story

Shin Megami Tensei If… begins with a shocking twist on teenage life. Karukozaka High School, once an ordinary institution, becomes a doorway to a demon world when the disturbed student Hazama taps into a parallel universe. This event unleashes seven distinct realms, each embodying one of the seven deadly sins, onto the campus town. Your protagonist—an otherwise average student—teams up with classmates to unravel Hazama’s mad design and restore reality.

The narrative excels at blending supernatural horror with high school drama. Conversations with fellow students reveal personal motivations, fears, and alliances. Side characters, such as the studious Kinoko and rebellious Mizuki, not only offer combat support but also evolve through optional quests that shed light on their backstories. Multiple endings encourage replay, driven by choices made during demon negotiations and crucial story junctures.

Tonal shifts between claustrophobic dread and moments of camaraderie are handled with surprising finesse. Late-game encounters with realms of wrath and gluttony can feel genuinely harrowing, thanks to sharp writing and well-timed revelations about Hazama’s twisted ambitions. Despite its age, the story’s core premise—a dark mirror of teenage angst—remains compelling and resonant.

Overall Experience

Shin Megami Tensei If… offers a challenging yet rewarding journey for players who appreciate strategic RPGs with a dark twist. The depth of the demon fusion system and the risk-reward dynamic of Guardian Spirits set it apart from many contemporaries. Casual gamers may find the steep difficulty curve and sparse save opportunities daunting, but perseverance yields a deeply satisfying sense of mastery.

The game’s length is respectable, with main story routes clocking in around 30–40 hours, plus additional time for side quests and alternative endings. Replay value is high: experimenting with different Guardian Spirit pairings, party compositions, and moral alignments dramatically alters both gameplay and narrative outcomes. While modern JRPGs boast higher production values, few match this title’s blend of unsettling atmosphere and mechanical rigor.

For fans of the broader Megami Tensei series or those seeking a retro RPG experience steeped in horror and strategy, Shin Megami Tensei If… remains a hidden gem. Its dated presentation is balanced by strong world-building, memorable demons, and an engaging fusion of daily school life with otherworldly peril. Whether you’re a veteran demon tamer or new to the series, this side story provides an indelible taste of SMT’s signature blend of challenge and dark storytelling.

Retro Replay Score

null/10