DESCRIPTION

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner details the life of Raidou Kuzunoha, a crime scene investigator during Japan's Taishou period in the early part of the 20th century. Besides his government-bestowed powers, Raidou can capture and summon demons, a nifty trick he didn't learn at the Police Academy. Raidou calls on his undead allies to fight the evils of the world. The game is broken up into 12 episodes, in which Raidou must uncover the secrets of the Soulless Army while battling enemies using swords, guns, and combo attacks. Although Raidou can conjure up demons at will, they have emotions and personalities, and will not fight for him if their relationship is bad. The hellish henchmen must be called for battle on a regular basis until a strong bond is formed, but after Raidou and his companions connect, they are granted the use of magical and physical duo combos.

When a collection of loyal demons has been gathered, Raidou can visit the Demon Unification Facility and fuse two allies to create more powerful creatures. Fusing a friend with a weapon increases the demon's strength and grants the ability to switch between elemental properties. Skirmishes can break out without warning, even while strolling about town, and demons have free will while on the battlefield, but Raidou can assign simple commands such as attack and heal. While the hellions roam about fighting where they are needed, Raidou is always in the center of combat. He can execute normal attacks and blocks, as well as special moves including a three-hit sword combo and a three-shot gun combo. This third installment of the Devil Summoner series features real-time combat and character design by illustrator Kazuma Kaneko. ~ Gracie Leach, All Game Guide