Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Shin Megami Tensei II builds on the turn-based combat mechanics of its predecessor, offering a deep and challenging experience from start to finish. Players explore intricate, maze-like dungeons in a first-person view, carefully managing resources and positioning to survive against relentless waves of demons. Random enemy encounters are rife with strategic opportunity: you can choose to fight, flee, or engage in dialogue to recruit or extract information from foes.

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The demon fusion system remains the cornerstone of progression, allowing you to combine captured demons into ever more powerful allies. The new “magic succession” feature ensures that fused demons can inherit spells from their predecessors, opening up creative builds and party combinations. Additionally, casino mini-games scattered throughout Tokyo Millennium give you a chance to win rare items that can turn the tide in tough battles.

Alignment choices—Law, Chaos, or Neutral—play an integral role in shaping both your party composition and the evolving storyline. Key decisions lock you onto divergent paths, influencing which demons will ally with you and which endings you’ll unlock. Tough moral dilemmas arise at regular intervals, ensuring your playthrough feels unique and personal.

Graphics

For a Super Famicom title, Shin Megami Tensei II offers remarkably atmospheric visuals. Dungeon corridors are rendered with moody, pixel-art textures that evoke claustrophobic tension, making every corner feel unpredictable. Demon sprites are highly detailed for the era, each possessing a distinct silhouette and color palette that brings your summoned allies and antagonists to life.

Cityscapes of Tokyo Millennium feature contrasting districts—from the underfunded Valhalla slums to the gleaming Center—conveyed through thoughtfully designed background tiles. Though the overworld is compact, parallax scrolling and dynamic color shifts signal changes in the political and environmental climate. Occasional animated cutscenes punctuate major story beats, adding visual flair to dramatic revelations.

The user interface is clean and intuitive, with clear menus for demon fusion, inventory management, and alignment tracking. Sound effects and battle animations are crisp, underscoring key actions without overwhelming the screen. While modern gamers may find the resolution modest, the retro charm and consistent style create an immersive, cohesive presentation.

Story

Set fifty years after the original hero forged a neutral world, Shin Megami Tensei II thrusts you into the sealed environment of Tokyo Millennium. Here, the Messian faith rules with an iron fist, dividing society into privileged citizens in the Center and oppressed masses in the Valhalla slums. Tensions between rebellious Gaians and the Temple Knights of the Messian Center set the stage for political intrigue and ideological conflict.

Your journey begins when the retired arena fighter Okamoto rescues an orphaned youth named Hawk and trains him to compete in the Valhalla tournament. Victory grants them both entry into the Center, but acceptance comes at a price: Hawk learns that his destiny is tied to a grand cosmic design orchestrated by the very forces that govern Tokyo Millennium. The revelation forces him to question allegiance, faith, and free will.

From moral quandaries about divine authority to personal struggles with identity, the narrative weaves complex themes through its branching alignment system. Allies and enemies alike present different facets of Law and Chaos ideology, ensuring that your choices carry weight. Multiple endings await those who dare to explore every path, encouraging replayability and thoughtful decision-making.

Overall Experience

Shin Megami Tensei II delivers a demanding yet rewarding journey for fans of old-school RPGs and newcomers drawn to its philosophical depth. The blend of strategic combat, demon fusion, and alignment-based storytelling offers layers of engagement that few titles of its era can match. While the learning curve is steep, overcoming its challenges provides a strong sense of accomplishment.

The game’s atmospheric pixel art, haunting soundtrack, and morally complex narrative create a cohesive world that lingers in memory long after the credits roll. The casino mini-games and optional side dungeons add variety, preventing the experience from feeling overly linear. Whether negotiating with a formidable beast or forging an entirely new demon through fusion, there’s always a fresh puzzle to solve.

Ultimately, Shin Megami Tensei II stands as a high watermark for mature RPG design on the SNES. Its combination of deep mechanics, engaging story arcs, and meaningful choices forms an experience that remains compelling decades after its release. For players seeking a thought-provoking adventure where every decision matters, Tokyo Millennium beckons with peril and promise in equal measure.

Retro Replay Score

null/10