Shin Megami Tensei II refines the formula, denser and more political. A dark Japanese JRPG peak, essential for Atlus fans.
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Category
RPG1 player16+
Description
Sequel to Shin Megami Tensei set in a futuristic Tokyo controlled by a totalitarian theocracy. Published by Atlus, released in Japan in 1994. Dystopian megacity exploration, enriched demon recruitment, Law/Chaos/Neutral factions with complex political stakes and dense 16-bit visuals. Second SMT entry on Super Famicom, considered superior to the first by many.
Shin Megami Tensei II review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
MAX
Story
★★★★★
"Masterful"
Broader and darker, Tsukasa Masuko's sequel enriches its electronic rock with stronger themes and apocalyptic atmospheres. The music embraces the futuristic Tokyo with a striking intensity and darkness. This sonic maturity confirms the singular, radical identity of the Megami Tensei series.
In an ark-city built after the apocalypse, an amnesiac gladiator uncovers the lies of an all-powerful theocratic order. More ambitious still, the tale pushes its critique of faith and power toward a metaphysical vertigo. This thematic boldness confirms the radical singularity of the series.
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"Mild"
Addictiveness
"Obsessive"
Talking, bribing and then fusing demons to build a fearsome party extends the formula with heightened narrative ambition. Each pact, each fusion holds its surprise and rekindles the hunt for the perfect companion. The dungeon-crawling can weigh at times, but this demonic alchemy keeps a lasting hold on whoever dives in.
Difficulty
"Difficult"
Lifespan
"Massive"
Exploring this dystopian megacity eats up long hours, with a sprawling, branching map wrapped around dense political stakes. Demon recruitment, expanded over the first game, keeps you endlessly experimenting with fusions, and the Law, Chaos and Neutral factions multiply the endings to unlock. Widely seen as surpassing the original, it owes that reputation to its hefty content and twisted endgame.
Technical info
💾1,4 MB📅18/03/1994
Published by Atlus
Shin Megami Tensei II (SNES) price, value & rarity
Complete: box, manual and disc/cart very clean. Lightly handled.
Q1 damagedQ6 completeQ10 new
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Collector interest
An Atlus SMT Super Famicom sequel from 1994, Japan-exclusive on original cartridge. The Rev 1 fixes several scrutinised bugs. The cart is culturally important because it confirms the post-apocalyptic dark-fantasy identity of the SMT line and remains one of Atlus' most mature productions of the period. Intact boxed CIB with cardboard sleeve and illustrated manual has become a target for Atlus collectors, and the cote climbs hard, sustained by physical scarcity and by the modern global stature of Atlus.
A questionable morality
The whole flavor of the adventure springs from haggling with the beyond: you strike up conversation with demons, coax or bribe them into joining your cause, then run them through the fusion grinder the moment a better model comes into view. The game feels not the slightest qualm about treating its faithful companions as spare parts, and it's precisely that calm cynicism that fascinates.
Is Shin Megami Tensei II still worth playing in 2026?
Never released outside Japan, Shin Megami Tensei II extends the first with a rebuilt post apocalyptic Tokyo, a denser plot and a heavily expanded demon fusion system. The alignment structure stays central, and the first person combat gains fluidity. The cartridge has become a standard of 16 bit Japanese JRPG. A fan translation exists. Recommended to modern SMT fans wanting to trace back to the mature foundations of the saga, and to those curious about an Atlus sharper than usual.
