Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey

Overview

 Logo.

Plot

 Inside the Schwarzverse.

 Mansemat.

Gameplay

 Though it looks like an Etrian Odyssey map, you will not have to draw it yourself.

Basics

The build of the main character is determined by a series of questions before the game starts proper. It will determine if you start as a physical, magic, etc. type of character. The Demonica Suit will allow for a variety of main and sub applications that will impact gameplay, similar to how they worked in Soul Hackers. These applications will be customizable and swappable at terminals within the first-person dungeons that also serve as save points.

 Parvati's Devil Source.

Resources

Macca returns as the currency within the Schwarzverse, but new is the resource called Forma. Forma can be refined at a specialized workshop in the Red Sprite to create usable items at the cost of Macca. There are three types of Forma: Base, Assist, and Rare. Base Forma allows for the creation of weapons, equipment, and items; Assist Forma can affect the properties of the items the Base Forma creates; while Rare Forma can be used to create Demonica Suit applications. 

 Chatting with Bifrons.

Stance System

The Stance System (stance as in ‘philosophy’, not ‘body orientation’) essentially works as Strange Journey’s alignment system. With the choices the player makes during the game, the main character’s ‘stance’ will change, which brings along with it a number of gameplay changes.

In traditional Shin Megami Tensei fashion, Stance affects the outcome of the story and also the flow of demon negotiation. Demons all have their own stances and they will be displayed by color. Some Stances seem to be more effective than others at demon negotiation.

 An activated Devil Co-Op.

Stance will also affect a new mechanic known as the Devil Co-Op System. When an enemy’s weakness is exploited in battle, demons in your party who share your stance will have a chance with following up your attack with one of their own. They can be activated up to four times per turn, as long as the members of your party all share the same stance and can exploit the same weaknesses. 
 
Another new gameplay element is in EX Missions, where a variety of demons will challenge you to complete tasks for varying rewards. Finding him is part of the challenge, as these individual demons are found in out-of-the-way areas in the dungeon floors. There are 150 of these EX Missions to undertake and they can be completed at any point and are not missable. Some, however, may be locked or vary based on the alignment your Stance takes during the game.

 Fusing with a Devil Source.

Demons

Strange Journey features over 300 demons and acquiring them can be achieved in multiple ways. In dungeons when you first encounter demons yet unknown, they cannot be negotiated with. Each demon will have an ‘analyze bar’ that will fill up as you kill numbers of that demon, fusing it, or by agreeing to a contract with it. It is not known if contracts are separate from normal negotiations. More analysis info will be displayed on the DS’s bottom screen during battle the more the demon’s analyze bar is filled up.

 Nekomata's status.

Fusion of course returns, with double fusion and special fusion types. Special fusion types use pre-set combinations of demons that produce otherwise unavailable demons. Also new are the Devil Source items that your party demons can give you. Devil Sources let you pass on specific skills of that demon’s during fusion. You gain Devil Sources by first maxing out a demon's analysis bar (which can be attained by fighting a demon type or using it in battle) and then by leveling your demon up, though you are limited to having only one Source from each demon at a time. It is possible for demons to give you a second source as long as you've used the previous one, though the odds of getting another are very low. The compendium also returns, and you can purchase back registered demons with Macca. Players can also trade demons with each other via a new password system, along with special demons that can be activated with special passwords from the developers.
 

 Frost Ace.

While most of the demon cast seems to be taken from the 32-bit era mostly unseen outside of Japan, demons like Asura have been given a facelift, in addition to some fresh designs. These new demons appearing in Strange Journey include Morax, the bison-headed demon from the Ars Goetia; Bugaboo, a red-skinned, masked creature who takes a liking to Jimenez and befriends him; and a new Jack Frost design by the name of Frost Ace. It is unknown what type of role he will play outside of being another demon to fuse. There is also rumors of another Frost that seems to have taken a liking to the exploration of the Schwarzverse.
 

The new Roman version of Orcus.

Another new demon was also revealed by the name of Orcus, with the appearance of a large arched gate with a face at the top. This design reinforces his identity as Orcus, the god of the underworld in Roman myth. Another Orcus has been prominently displayed since the game's announcement, the more porcine, lizard-like design that has been seen in other Shin Megami Tensei titles. Like other demons in the game such as Morax and Moloch, these two Orcuses do share a connection that will be revealed as the story progresses.

Areas

The areas in the Schwarzverse are named after constellations. Most of the initial areas also highlight faults of humanity, such as war and greed.  MINOR SPOILERS do follow here. 

 Gore leading in Antlia.

Antlia

The first area in the game is home to an ice cavern that leads to a burned out cityscape. The demon Morax oversees things here and is the boss of the area.

Boötes

Boötes is a cathedral-type environment that is also the site of a palace devoted to the god Mithras.

Carina

Inside Carina is an area that resembles a shopping mall. All around it is plastered propaganda commanding to BUY, CONSUME, and EAT. The cult of Orcus is also in Carina. 

Delphinus

Delphinus is a demonic junk heap, replete with barrels of nuclear waste. There are also dreadful oil slicks that act as conveyor belts to make portions mazelike. 

Eridanus

The serene, park-like nature of Eridanus surrounds a large, white-tiled tower and hides the ugly truth behind a series of teleportation mazes.  

 Black Rider in Fornax.

Fornax

Fornax is a hive-like area, golden-colored and with strange spinning shapes. 

Grus

Grus at first appears like a war-torn city, similar to the second area of Antlia, but most of the area is comprised of a huge teleportation maze that is made up of environments from many of the previous sectors. 

Horologium

The final area is a hellish, dark area reminiscent of the Labyrinth of Amala from Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne.

Music

 Album cover.

Shoji Meguro composed the game's soundtrack, but with orchestral and choral overtones that differ from his usual rock style. A single-CD soundtrack to the game will be released in Japan on November 18 and features 31 tracks.