Common Sense Media Review
By David Chapman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dark, mature RPG is complex but a bit repetitive.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse
What's It About?
SHIN MEGAMI TENSEI IV: APOCALYPSE is a pseudo-sequel/spin-off, picking up and splitting off from Shin Megami Tensei IV near its finale. In Apocalypse, players take on the role of Nanashi, a teenage Hunter recruit whose job is to drive back demonic forces and recover technological relics from a postapocalyptic Tokyo that's been sealed off from the rest of the world. After a mission goes wrong and Nanashi is killed, it's not the end of his story but the beginning. When a powerful demon named Dagda offers to resurrect Nanashi in return for becoming his "Godslayer," Nanashi agrees. Now it's up to Nanashi and his friends to build an army of demons and take the fight for humanity's survival to gates of both heaven and hell. All the while, players will work to uncover the true motives of the Divine Powers, a group of various gods and goddesses seeking to overthrow the current rule and to free humanity.
Is It Any Good?
This dark and mature role-playing game is complex and deep, and while it has some repetitive moments, the strength of its story will keep you playing. Apocalypse picks up near the end of the events from Shin Megami Tensei IV, but its story diverges from that game's multiple endings and continues in a direction all its own. Continuing with that "end isn't quite the end theme," the player character dies and gets resurrected during the opening moments, setting up the epic plot. In fact, the entire story is filled with so many twists and turns, secrets and revelations, and other mind-boggling curveballs that you never quite know what's waiting around the next corner.
Still, it pretty much follows the same formula as the previous games. First off, the content is a bit more graphic and frightening, and the story's overall focus on demons, angels, and various deities is definitely too dark for kids. For older gamers, there's a fair amount of repetition as you battle against and negotiate with demonic creatures, trying to recruit them and add them to your collection. It's a bit of a grind but also a necessary evil, since you'll quickly get outmatched if you don't spend the time upgrading your forces. Still, it's fun to see what sorts of creatures you come across, and the story is worth putting up with a bit of repetition.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about mythology and religion. What are some of the ways that mythology and religion affect people's lives, and what are the best ways to respect the beliefs of others?
Talk about dealing with mature content in games. What are some examples of content in games that would not be appropriate for children? What are some of the effects this content can have on younger kids?
Game Details
- Platform : Nintendo 3DS
- Pricing structure : Paid
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : Atlus
- Release date : September 20, 2016
- Genre : Role-Playing
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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