Within the Shin Megami Tensei franchise, such direct chronological sequels are few and far between. SMT II was divided from I by thirty years, and III from II by an aeon or more. Within the greater Megaten mythos any examples of direct sequels are usually cases where the sequel was already conceived of when the first game was made, as a "second half" to an intentionally incomplete work--the Persona 2 and Digital Devil Saga duologies. The only test cases for a direct sequel in Megaten are Soul Hackers to Devil Summoner, and the Raidou Kuzunoha games to each other.
Yet here we are staring down Apocalypse, a veritable Shin Megami Tensei IV-2.
I loved Shin Megami Tensei IV. It is unironically one of my favorite 3DS games. And while not my favorite Megaten game, it's a title I respect in spite of its flaws for (among other things) finally taking the passivity out of the Neutral alignment. It is also a game to which I never foresaw getting a direct sequel, and so Apocalypse became a source of cautious anticipation for me. This is one more thing remaining at the bottom of IV's Pandora's Box; is Apocalypse Elpis, or simply another viper? This is the question I want to answer.
Those familiar with my Shin Megami Tensei LP are probably expecting a comparable level of literary comparison. Just by the nature of how I'm doing this, that isn't possible right now. This is a semi-blind playthrough. While there are certain influences in my life that have ensured I will likely never go into an SMT game fully blind again, and I have been exposed to several critical issues with Apocalypse already, the simple fact that I don't know everything that's about to happen is an obstacle to serious literary comparison. I'm instead interrogating Apocalypse directly as I come upon it.
Note that this playthrough and analysis will contain unmarked spoilers for the previous game. Apocalypse is written from a point of view where it assumes the player experienced IV back in 2013, and I am writing from the same point of view. I am not here to talk about Apocalypse as a standalone game, but as another volume in IV.
Chapter 1: A Law of Nature
>The save data has been initialized.
If you wish to receive the save data bonuses, please have ready a Shin Megami Tensei IV Game Card or a downloadable version of the game installed on your SD card.
>Begin receiving save data bonuses?
>Yes
Save data is imported by inserting a Shin Megami Tensei IV game card when prompted, Monster Rancher-style, then switching Final back in afterwards. Unfortunately the home button is disabled during the sequence, and screenshots with it.
>Save data bonus importing successful. The bonuses that were loaded will be unlocked early in the game. You can receive them by going to Inbox in the menu. The game will now restart.
>Please choose a difficulty.
*Story and quest rewards won't change.
>Be sure the gods and demons toying with you don't cause you to lose your way...
"Akira...
I want to protect them all...no matter the cost."
"Akira..."
Like with Flynn's character, the name Akira is loaded by its attachment to the previous game. Akira in the context of IV was the leader of the SDF forces five hundreds years ago (Mikado time) or twenty
Note that Flynn is wearing a Demonica in this sequence, one of IV's few acknowledgments of Strange Journey, and that this scene ends on a full transition to the New Moon. This particular phase is the on the original Shin Megami Tensei's introduction began on, only visible in the Super Famicom/SNES and PSX releases.
"Hurry!"
"They're coming!"
"Get ready!"
Newscaster: In Tokyo...war between Merkabah and Lucifer...
Newscaster: ...very same samurai that...a stranger did what we could not, putting an end to the...
Girl's voice: Wake up!
>Your friend looks away and sighs.
Girl: How long's it been since Nikkari and Manabu went outside? This is boring...
>>Talk to your friend
Girl: Ugh! I wanna hurry and get my own smartphone so I can be a legit Hunter...Right, Nanashi? Can't stay cadets forever. Think of all the good we could do! People would see us as heroes, just like Flynn. ...Though, at this rate, that's not gonna happen anytime soon.
>>Find a way to kill time
>A news broadcast is playing on the television.
What do you want to do?
Watch the news
>>Talk to your friend
Girl: Oh, I can barely stay awake...
>Your friend stifles another yawn.
>>Watch the news
>The newscaster concludes his report on Flynn, talk of the town.
Asahi: It's not like we have a choice...Give us smartphones and we'll--
Flashy young man: Hey, cut it! Listen. Calling Tokyo 'dangerous' is an understatement. Every street corner, from Tabata to Tennozu, is teeming with demons. But the cold fact is, there's no way we can keep living without the food and resources that are out there. That's why we Hunters risk our lives scrounging the essentials for the people of Tokyo.
Asahi: ...Uh-huh, and?
Likewise, this scene introduces the player to the concept of Hunters for those that didn't play IV.
Asahi's name originates from the identically-pronounced words 朝日 "morning sun" and 旭日 "rising sun." In light of the two flags Japan's used over the years, both words have vaguely patriotic/nationalistic associations. (Compare the phrase "stars and stripes.") Asahi is also the namesake of the Asahi Shimbun, one of Japan's oldest and most widely-circulated newspapers, first published in 1897. Contrary to what you might expect from the name, Asahi Shimbun is generally more left-wing.
I would venture that, like so many elements in the Shin Megami Tensei IV timeline, Asahi is intended as a deliberate reflection on past titles. Specifically, her character design and color palette harkens back to Beth of Shin Megami Tensei II.
Manabu calls back his Doctor Bird.
Nikkari: We've cleared out Downtown Ginza. Should be safe out there, for now. Manabu and I will work on skinning and cleaning the demons we hunted. Nanashi, Asahi--you two scour the area for salvageable relics in the meanwhile.
In IV, the term "mystic relics" was the result of the Eastern Kingdom of Mikado venerating what to them were artifacts from antiquity--handguns, combat knives, smartphones, computer parts, and so on. Apocalypse awkwardly appropriates the term for Hunter use, but that I've seen the reasoning is only provided in the game's datalog. It's now an ironic term rather than a serious one.
Asahi: Yes, sir! Finally, time for some action! Think we'll find some cool stuff today?
Asahi: What's up? Those relics aren't going to find themselves.
>>Talk to Nikkari
Nikkari: The vicinity is safe, for now. Go see if you can find any relics.
>>Talk to Manabu
Manabu: Recovering relics is an important part of being a Hunter, you know.
>>Look for relics
Asahi: Ready? Let's go!
IVA starts where IV ended. Ginza is a hugely significant lategame area locked behind dozens of quests and with its own in-game microeconomy of incredible expense. In IV it was one of the last areas you'd ever enter, in IVA it's guaranteed to be the first.
Asahi: Awesome! Found one! Let's see if we can find some more.
>Collecting relics is one way people in Tokyo eke out a living. You can take relics to shops and sell them for Macca.
I'm getting war flashbacks to DemiKids here.
Asahi: I'd better get Nikkari...Wait right here. And don't. Touch it. While I'm gone.
This is the first bit of characterization we get for Asahi beyond being a youthful cadet. How are we intended to read that last part? The voice direction can go either way, as a jealous character wanting to summon the demon for herself, or as a maternal figure looking out for Nanashi and trying to keep him out of trouble.
>Asahi hurries off to find Nikkari.
The music goes silent on this line.
>Test out the smartphone?
Totes!
>>But...Asahi said wait!
I swear, if this decision counts as points towards Law alignment...
Manabu: "Settled," huh? Thanks...Anyway, Asahi says you found a phone? Looks busted to hell...Why don'tcha try turning it on?
Manbu: Whoa, is that thing actually on? Give it here.
>Manabu tries to navigate the menu of the smartphone.
Manabu: Yup, it's a goner...Screen's cracked, and it looks like the data's all corrupt, too.
Asahi: You mean we can't use it?
Manbu: Well, the map app still works, but the Demon Summoning Program won't load. Better than nothing, I s'pose. Might as well hold onto it until you get a working one/
>You obtain Broken Smartphone. You slot the Broken Smartphone into your armband.
Asahi: Bummer...But hey, you get to keep it! Wish I had one, even if it was broken.
>Asahi grabs your arm and eyes the smartphone.
Asahi: Did it ask for a username? What did you put in? An alias, like Nikkari goes by? Or did you use your real name?
>You tell Asahi and the others what name you went with.
Asahi: Touya? Doesn't sound right to me at all. Hey, um...Is it okay if I keep calling you "Nanashi"? Kinda like our own special thing, you know...?
Manabu: Touya? "Nanashi" was a half-assed name in the first place, calling an orphan "No-name." I'll make sure everyone respects your decision and calls you that from here on out.
So already we have the beginnings of relational plot elements between IV and IVA. SMTIV casts the player in the role of themselves; but as the player progresses they're given the opportunity to slide increasingly into the role of "Flynn," the reincarnation of the Counter-Demon Force member that put up the barrier around Tokyo. The ultimate culmination of this is in the Neutral ending, in which the player is totally subsumed by Flynn, and Apocalypse opens by defining this new Flynn as someone separate from the player. At the same time Nanashi is seemingly introduced as a tongue-in-cheek "blank slate" for the player to write their name on, yet Asahi wants to hold onto Nanashi as an independent character and not as the name the player identifies by.
Nikkari: Good, you're back. I'm not quite done yet...Give me a few.
>Nikkari continues slicing apart demon meat with expert technique.
Manabu: Whoa...That's one vintage knife you got there, Nikkari. Have you been using that since you rolled with the JSDF or whatever?
Nikkari: This blade's been my companion for over 20 years now, yes. Speaking of, how old are you cadets now?
Asahi: We're both 15.
The average age of a JRPG protagonist as a whole seems to have been getting comically lower over time. But speaking seriously to its narrative purpose, having a younger protagonist tends to cultivate a contrasting viewpoint over a predecessor; Flynn was 18 in IV and to some degree had a more defined worldview in-universe because of his Mikado upbringing, while Nanashi has more room to be radical and still forming his identity over Flynn.
Nikkari: I see. In ancient times, that's when children would undergo the Genpuku coming-of-age ceremony.
Genpuku is a practice dating back to the eighth century with as many variations as there were years it was held in. In light of IV's obsession with the Samurai, the version Nikkari's probably referring to is the shogunate practice of samurai children embracing their warrior heritage by being crowned with a helmet.
Asahi: Are you saying we're old enough to be full-fledged Hunters?
Nikkari: Almost. Neither of you are quite ready, just yet.
Asahi: Whaaaaat...
Nikkari: There's still much for you two to learn. Like history. In fact, I think a lesson is in order. A refresher on how Tokyo came to be imprisoned under the shadow of the Firmament seems appropriate.
There's an obvious parallel here to the gauntlet ceremony of the Samurai. This is the first of several conversations used to frame Apocalypse's introduction around a coming-of-age sequence, which ties thematically with the passing of the torch from Flynn to Nanashi.
Nikkari: It all happened 25 years ago...The world was hardly perfect before it all went to hell. Global recession, civil wars, terrorism...
I missed a shot of the Diet Building by seconds. (Or perhaps it was the American Embassy? Note the visual parallel between the PC Engine version of Shin Megami Tensei's ICBM strike and this explosion.)
Manabu: Yep. The Ashura-kai, the Ring of Gaea...and, of course, the Hunter Association. Though, Flynn took out the leaders of the other two. Ya got that? Yeah?
The Ashura-kai is literally the Asura Society/Association. (The full formal name originally was 八部連合阿修羅会 the Union of Eight Legions, Asura Association. "Eight Legions" referring to a collective of the Devas, Nagas, Yaksas, Gandharvas, Asuras, Garudas, Kimnaras, and Mahoragas, who together were nonhuman defenders of Buddhism.) I'm curious as to what thought process lead to it being kept in its original Japanese--perhaps to maintain the duality of indigenous versus foreign influence, which was a recurring theme in IV. As a yakuza group, the Ashura-kai formed a kind of indigenous equivalent to Mikado's western version of Law.
Asahi: Geez...Stop treating us like little kids. We're Hunters, too, you know.
Manabu: Hunter cadets.
Asahi: Okay, okay--so we can't use demons on our own yet. I get it.
Manabu: Good. Always keep that in mind, cadets.
Asahi: Oh, for the love of--
Nikkari: Cadets may be limited in the types of jobs assigned, but they're expected to perform as regular Hunters. Having said that, both of you have been a tremendous help today.
Asahi: Really? Thank you! We did it, Nanashi!
Manabu: Such a softie under all that armor, Nikkari.
Nikkari: Ha. Think so?
>Nikkari finishes cutting up the demon and sheathes his knife.
Manbu: A stranger from the strange land of Mikado, now the Liberator of Tokyo. Ain't a place in Tokyo not abuzz about that boy. And for good reason.
>>Yeah it would!
Eh, he ain't all that.
Asahi: Right!? It'd be a once-in-a-lifetime deal!
>Asahi smiles dreamily.
>Nikkari checks his watch.
Nikkari: Time to go.
Manabu: 3:30 in the afternoon...So that "sun" thing should be out right now?
Nikkari: On the other side of the Firmament, I'm sure it is.
Nikkari: Yes, it was a good day.
>Nikkari draws his word and slices the demon in two, lightning fast.
Nikkari: Hmph. No rest for the wicked. Demons won't hesitate to attack. Always be on your guard outside. Never forget.
Manabu: Goddamn, Nikkari. That was fierce!
>The guard salutes Nikkari.
Gentle-looking guard: Th-thank you, sir! You have my word--no demons will breach the underground, sir. Not on my watch.
Nikkari: Good. We're counting on you.
Asahi: Phew, what a day!
Nikkari: Here, turn in the relics you found. Keep the Macca as allowance. A live association is airing at the Hunter Association tomorrow morning. Don't be late. Until then. Dismissed!
>Nikkari and Manabu depart.
Asahi: Hey, Nanashi, wanna sell off these relics before we turn in for the night?
Our starting equipment is a full set of Hunter clothes, which give +0 bonus stats and no effects--functionally naked. For weapons we have the Hunter Dagger (one-hit 54 base Power, Physical element, single target) and SOCOM Pistol (one-hit 38 Power, single target) with FMJ rounds. (17 Power, Gun element) From this we have a couple important gameplay points. Sword elements are determined by the weapon themselves, while gun elements are determined by the equipped bullet, which makes guns a little more flexible since you can change the element without having to give up as much power. (Presuming you have a better gun than this.)
Hunter: Did you hear about the assembly tomorrow? I wonder what they're going to talk about...? Must be about Flynn, based on the timing.
New bartender: I-it's you guys. Boss isn't here right now. He seemed busy, so i-if it's not an emergency, c-come back tomorrow.
One of the features of IVwas that every Hunter Association had its own unique cuisine that acted as a heal spot, which generally reflected the culture of the area it was in. This continues in Apocalypse; Kinshicho's specialty is imitation ningyo-yaki, a batter fried inside a mold to give it a particular shape, often filled with sweetbean paste.
Faces shaped like the Seven Lucky Gods are one of the more common forms of ningyo-yaki, though they can really come in any shape. I've yet to come across a Jack Frost mold.
New bartender: I-if you ever need anything, j-just say the word. I h-hope we see each other alive again.
Precocious girl: I like Flynn. He's strong and handsome and a total gentleman! I want to marry Flynn one day.
Fashionable woman: Thanks to my boyfriend's hard work as a Hunter, we've got some money to spend on the finer things in life. It's fashionable to be, well, fashionable again! I wonder if Flynn had anything to do with this...
In order to divorce the player from their former identity as Flynn, act one of Apocalypse cements him as a messianic figure for the world of IV. In doing so it also puts the player in the shoes of an outsider looking in at Flynn's effects on the world, while continuing from the previous game's Neutral branch in which all of humanity are rallied to his cause.
>You decide to go back.
This guard prevents us from leaving Kinshicho via the Underground Pass. The entrance we followed Nikkari through is likewise blocked off, as is the Kinshi Park exit, fencing us into the starting town.
Undependable man: My boss is impossible to deal with. He freaks out every time he has to deal with a customer. Are all craftsmen like this? It can't be true...
Shopkeeper: Come again!
Enslaved demon: That human has me turning spare metal into bullets and other items...Damn, how the hell did I wind up enslaved to a human like this?
Saint Germain is a recurring character in Shin Megami Tensei, in this game replacing the more traditional Rag the gem-collector. (IV lacked a gem-exchange merchant.) Currently he has a Bead Chain, Great Chakra, and Complete Restoration Gem, and we need Diamonds, Emeralds, and/or Garnets to exchange for them. These function all as they did in IV; Bead Chain restores the entire allied party's HP, Great Chakra recovers everyone's MP, and the Complete Restoration Gem heals every demon in your party and stock.
Saint Germain: I will be looking forward to the next time we meet.
Hunter-worshipping boy: Flynn's so cool. Don't you think? I'm going to be just like Flynn and do great things.
Heavily made-up woman: We need power to survive in this world. The power of hope, that Flynn gave us...That's why I always look pretty. This is the way I fight.
I think it's no mistake that this particular line could easily be twisted into a Chaotic viewpoint.
Impudent woman: I'm glad that we have water underground, but the food is terrible. I wish Flynn could fix problems like that too.
High-strung woman: I don't actually want to eat demon meat...But it's the only food we have...Flynn will change the world...Flynn will...
Chatty woman: What...? You're both already fifteen!? Time passes by so quickly...I still remember the day Asahi's father took you in as an orphan...You have to be grateful. It's tough taking a child in these days!
Intelligent Hunter: I was in Shinjuku for a quest the other day, but I couldn't get any good relics. It's the same everywhere...Maybe Tokyo's just tapped out. I hope that Flynn can do something about this.
Go to bed
>>Stay up a bit
Asahi: Guess I'll join you. But we should call it a night when you're done.
>>Go to bed
Asahi: Hm? Going to bed? Guess I'll head to my room then. Good night, Nanashi.>Asahi waves goodbye and heads back to her room.
>You crawl into bed. Within moments, the day's exhaustion pulls you under.
This highlights something strange about the player's relationship to Asahi. The chatty woman established that Nanashi is Asahi's adoptive brother, yet the player-as-character is also a distinct person from Nanashi. Given the extreme circumstances Tokyo's in, it's probably unrealistic that they would have separate rooms--it would be more likely for three or four people to be sharing space
Journalist: What about you, Skins?
Man called "Skins": Nothing. I asked the boys to check the security footage, but no luck so far. I don't like it, Fujiwara.
Fujiwara: This really isn't the time, with all those nuclear missiles about to hit.
JSDF soldier: ICBM detonation confirmed in China and Russia.
JSDF soldier: We're unable to establish communications with either of them.
JSDF soldier: What about the U.S.?
JSDF soldier: No good. They're not responding.
Second alarm.
JSDF soldier: Surveillance satellite detected on a course to Japan! ETA five minutes!
JSDF soldier: This is it...
Akira: Is that--!? Put Monitor 45's image on the main screen!
JSDF soldier: He's not responding...
Skins: Damn it! What the hell's he doing?
JSDF soldier: I-I don't know. But...it appears something has covered the entirety of Tokyo.
Skins: That's it, I'm going outside. Come on, Akira.
Asahi: FINALLY...Hurry, we're gonna be late! Don't tell me you forgot about the morning meeting...
>You wake to find Asahi standing over you. Seems you were dreaming...
>Tell Asahi about the weird dream?
>>Probably should...
No way
Asahi: What's up? You know you can talk to me about anything.
>You tell Asahi about the dream.
Asahi: Someone who looked like Flynn...killed himself? And then rock covered up the sky? Sounds like Nikkari's "history lesson" from yesterday, but what's this about a guy committing suicide? I can see why that'd rattle you. Maybe tell the others about it when we get to the Association?
Asahi's dad: Come on now...If my own daughter can't get it together, I'm really in trouble. A little help here, Nanashi?
Asahi's dad: Muahahaha...You've done well, my star pupil! Sadly, though, it seems one of my students has failed...
Asahi: ...Stupid Nanashi.
Asahi's dad: Nikkari's around here somewhere. Better not keep him waiting, cadets. Now scram. ANd be sure to give Nikkari your full attention!
>Asahi's dad--Boss--nudges you along.
Asahi's dad takes up residence behind the bar as an actual NPC sprite, which is a neat touch.
>>Talk
>>Nikkari
Nikkari: Morning. Hope you got enough rest. Today we'll be going on a food run. We'll head out after the meeting.
Manabu: Shouldn't be long now. Just kick back and relax in the meanwhile.
>You've got a little time before the assembly starts...
>Want to mention your dream to Nikkari and Manabu?
>>Spill
Keep a lid on it
>You tell Nikkari and Manabu about the unsettling dream.
>...
>After you've told them your dream, the two of them eye you suspiciously.
Manabu: So a dude who looked like Flynn killed himself, then Masakado transformed into the Firmament? No offense, but your dreams are suuuper boring. Try having cooler ones.
Nikkari: ...Don't mention this to anyone else. And forget the name "Akira."
Asahi: Why, what's the big deal?
Nikkari: Akira's not a name Hunters like to hear.
Manabu: Akira ran with Skins and Fujiwara, the founders of the Hunter Association. Fought alongside both of 'em, back in the day. I hear he was pretty well-trusted.
Nikkari: Until the day he betrayed the Hunters and abandoned Tokyo.
Asahi: What did he do, exactly?
>Nikkari sighs dramatically, as though exhausted.
Nikkari: Doesn't matter. Just don't speak his name.
>Asahi clearly isn't happy about Nikkari's evasion.
Nikkari: This conversation is over. Besides, the meeting's about to begin.
>Asahi reluctantly drops the issue and turns to watch the monitor.
Skins: This is all the intelligence we've got so far. Merkabah and his army have taken over the Sky Tower.
Hunters: Flynn's on our side!
Hunters: I know he can do it!
Hunters: Yahoooooo!
Skins: Our Hunters have just finished stockpiling supplies. Now it's our turn to back up Flynn. From now on, Flynn's mission is our top priority. Let's show those bastards what we're made of.
Fujiwara: We're putting all of our faith in Flynn. I'm sure he won't fail.
>Fujiwara clears his throat and composes himself.
Fujiwara: Once upon a time, we humans made it to the Ceiling. We made it, and they knocked us right back down to tear ourselves apart. Tokyo was left to fend for herself from the corrupt Ashura-kai and the anarchists in the Ring of Gaea. But now, the Hunter Association is the only faction left, and we're fighting for freedom. I think surviving this long has earned us the right to live above the Ceiling.
Skins: Our freedom depends on our victory, and our victory depends on Flynn.
Fujiwara: And one day we may just live in peace under the sun.
Consider the language here. You have the metaphor of Tokyo--the quintessential Japanese city--literally buried by the angels of Christianity, the dominant religion of the western world. The concept of living "under the sun," promulgated by former Counter-Demon Force (an implicit stand-in for the real Self-Defense Force) members. Political strife between authoritarian and anarchist parties have given way to a united front for independence from both. It's no small wonder that the Shin Megami Tensei IV subseries is seen as a politically charged fiction; IV itself comes off as an allegory for Japanese independence from American imperialism. I'm not exactly thrilled to see what Apocalypse might hold on this front, given that in the intervening years since IV Prime Minister Abe has put into motion some very unsubtle machinations to eliminate Article 9 entirely.
>The Hunters raise their weapons and cheer.
Fujiwara: Each member of the Hunter Association will receive a task suited to their skill level. Continue with your normal duties until you receive your orders. With that, I'd like to bring this broadcast to a close. Go out there and give it your all.
Manabu: Still got mouths to feed, no matter what's goin' on--even a big battle.
Nikkari: Report to me when you're ready.
>>Talk
New bartender: A-A full-on war between the angels and demons...I-I hope Kinshicho will be okay...We have Flynn. It'll be alright. I-I think.
Asahi's dad: Huh? Aren't you going on a foraging mission with Nikkari? Then stop your dawdling and go.
Some of the NPC dialogue changes following the broadcast.
Precocious girl: What does a fight between angels and demons have to do with us? Why do they always drag us into everything!?
Weak man: Demon meat for dinner again...Just once I want something else...Not saying I'm not grateful for the Hunters getting us food, but...
Impudent woman: You guys have to become great Hunters and make Tokyo a better place. Make my life worth living again.
Guard Hunter: What's up? Got somethin' you wan to ask? Akira, huh? Oh, you mean the traitor. He left a nasty demon in the Sky Tower to keep us from climbin' through the Ceiling. Though, I heard somewhere that Flynn took care of that demon, too.
This would be considered an allusion to Medusa, but she was never specifically identified with Akira in the original game, only the Minotaur. At the same time, most Hunters weren't aware of the Minotaur back inIVbecause of Medusa being their most immediate obstacle.
Asahi: Big surprise there...
Nikkari: We'll leave through Kinshi Park.
In spoken dialogue, the player's name is replaced by the phrase "you," though the name itself is still written in the script. Incidentally, while the Hunters we can talk to stay consistent every time we enter, the other background sprites constantly shift. Sometimes a woman takes the place where Nikkari was standing in the foreground, sometimes a man.
Grim-faced guard: Ah, Nikkari--headed out?
Nikkari: Off to forage, yes.
Grim-faced guard: Okay then. Be careful out there!
Nikkari: I suppose it's time you two learned some basics, at the very least.
>Nikkari motions for the group to hold up.
Nikkari: Out here's demon territory. As you know, they'll attack on sight. You might only be cadets, but I think it's time you learned to defend yourselves.
Manabu: Whoa, aren't you skipping a few steps? They don't even have their own phones...
Nikkari: Sure, you're only considered a Hunter when you can wield demons. And that means having a phone with the Demon Summoning Program installed. I'm not telling them to go look for trouble--not without smartphones. But they should be able to hold their own if shit hits the fan. Besides, with war about to erupt, we could use all the help we can get.
Manabu: Still, you can't just send 'em into the wild without phones.
Nikkari: If you're so worried, accompany them.
Manabu: Wh-Wh-Whoa, what now?
Nikkari: You're skilled enough to show them the ropes, plus you can keep an eye on them.
Manabu: ...Oh, brother...
>Nikkari turns to face you.
Nikkari: Consider this a broad overview on the basics of battle. Combat 101. The demons out here aren't that strong, so it's about as ideal as conditions can get for you.
They're not kidding. Katakirauwas are literally the weakest demons in Apocalypse.
Manabu: Alright, I'll teach you. Ya boy's got your backs, so feel free to go all out.
Nikkari: Come find me at the fountain the back of the park when you're done. Don't rush, though. Take your time and learn the ins and outs of combat.
Manabu: Uh-huh. Then show me what you got!
Like IV,Apocalypseuses the Press Turn system wherein you start with one turn for each party member and hitting elemental weaknesses adds half-turns (causes your current turns to glow instead of disappearing) while hitting elemental nulls takes them away. Glowing turns will always disappear after use, while nonglowing turns can be "kept" (i.e. you get a bonus turn) by making them glow.
Asahi: Think that's enough for now? Nikkari's waiting at the fountain, you know.
I'm 4 XP from a level-up, but at this point all of the Katakirauwas are forced to disappear.
Nikkari: That should do, for now. Let's be on our way.
>>Nah, no big deal.
Yeah, it really was...
Asahi: You really held your own out there.
Manabu: What the--
Manabu: Shit, we're surrounded!
Nikkari: Why're there so many?
>One of the demons emerges from the crowd and approaches the group.
>Adramelech looks over his shoulder at the other demons.
The demons rumble at us.
Adramelech: Besides, you don't expect us to wage war while famished, now do you?
Nikkari: Get ready, here they come!
Asahi: No!
Adramelech: Might've left that one in the oven too long. Hmhmhm...Boy, you should see the looks on your faces.
Nikkari: Hah!
>Nikkari slips close and slashes at Adramelech.
Adramelech: What in the world? I bet that blunt butter knife couldn't even cut through paper.
>Adramelech looks down at the broken sword, then knocks Nikkari back.
>Nikkari managed to bury his knife into Adramelech just before getting knocked back.
>Adramelech casually yanks the knife out of his chest and spares it a curious look.
Adramelech: So old...This won't do. Nostalgic value is such a waste. One must constantly strive to embrace the new, the future. And chaos is what will bring it.
>Adramelech crushes Nikkari's knife in a surprising show of strength.
Nikkari: Damn it...You monster!
Adramelech: You must find this all so unfair. In truth, it's no different than you consuming the flesh of demons. It's merely...a law of nature.
Nikkari: You two--run! Forget about the food and get back to the Association!
Adramelech: No, no, that won't do either. I don't much care for giving chase...
>Adramelech unleashes his wicked fire at you.
>Nikkari pushes you out of the way just before the attack strikes.
>Nikkari dies.
Asahi: Nikkari! This can't be happening. We have to run, Nanashi. Run!
>You're surrounded by enemies.
Asahi: What're we going to do?
>The specter disappears.
>It seems you have little choice but to continue along the path.
>>Answer
Stay silent
>Accept Dagda's offer?
>>Tell him your name
Walk away
Note that this is another intersection of the player versus their character as a narrative element; Dagda is asking for the player's name in the sense of a "true name," the folklore-mythological component of every individual that gives another absolute power over them. There is Nanashi the character, and then the motive force behind Nanashi that Dagda seeks to control.
Dagda: Excellent. A little something for you...
>You feel a new strength surge through you.
We now need to assign our first batch of stats. Strength impacts normal attacks and Physical skills, Dexterity does the same for ranged attacks and Gun-element skills, Magic is a universal stat for magical skills, Agility for evasion and preemptive attacks, and Luck for critical hits as well as odds of ailments proccing, and drop ratios. Like in IV, there's no defensive stats whatsoever. We have 15 points to allocate, and stats cap at 999. (In IV diminishing returns started around 200; we'll see if this is still the case.) HP can't be modified at all by base stats, as it only increases with level, while MP can go up based on Ma increases. The overall level cap pre-DLC is 99.
Dagda: ...And a little something for me. You're now my own personal Godslayer. From this moment forward, you're nothing but a puppet. MY puppet. Just know, obedience isn't optional. Keep that in mind.
>Asahi snatches the phone from Nikkari's burnt husk and tries to use it.
Asahi: Shit, shit, shit...App's locked! I can't summon any demons!
Dagda's voice: This is how you humans summon demons? With this...machine?
>You hear Dagda's voice, but he's nowhere to be seen...
Dagda's voice: Down here, in your little demon-summoning device.
>The smartphone has been completely repaired.
Dagda: Good as new. As god of knowledge, fixing such a thing is but a simple task. Now you can summon demons, just your friend there tried--and failed--to do. Dukes up, kid. Didn't bring you back to keep dying at the hands of some scrub.
So there you have it. Dagda is our Burroughs for this game.
>You position yourself between Adramelech and Asahi.
Asahi: Nanashi...? You're alive!
>Asahi looks at you in disbelief.
Adramelech: Well that's odd. Could've sworn I'd left you corpse-like a moment ago...No bother. I'll just kill you again!
>Adramelech sends another demon at you.
Yoma CentaurA half-man, half-horse creature of Greek lore. The top half is human and the bottom half is a horse.The Lucifer's Minions Horde is weak to Centaur's Bufu, so we can score additional turns out of it. The optimal route is to use Next on the player character's turn to pass the baton over to Centaur (turning the current turn into a half-turn but not losing it) and having Centaur use Bufu to score a half-turn, letting us get in a total of one Physical attack and two Bufus rather than two Physicals and one Bufu.
They are often depicted as wise and noble mentors of heroes. A common theory about their origin is that a non-riding culture saw men from another civilization mounted on horses and thought them to be half-horse.
The Horde's Agi +6 and Agilao +6 can certainly wear Centaur down in about three phases on War, but we have enough Medicines and Life Stones to keep him topped off.
Dagda automatically revives us at full HP.
But that's dumb, so I restarted and resumed Bufu'ing. Regardless of whether you die or you wear Adramelech down by ~200 HP, the event proceeds as scripted.
We get 78 XP each and a Revival Bead.
I...I...
I was so scared, Nanashi...Oh, Nikkari...Manabu...
>Asahi starts sobbing uncontrollably.
>What will you do?
Comfort her
Ignore her and leave
It would be unreasonable to say that I haven't known Nikkari and Manabu for long. I've been with them for around four hours of game time, probably longer than most Apocalypse players would spend with the two. But I'm also already accustomed to the rules that IV's Tokyo operates by; deaths of this kind are casual experiences. I was much more moved by Kaga's death than Nikkari's, despite them being so similar in execution.
Hunter morality dictates leaving Asahi to herself, rather than shame her with pity. Losing Nikkari and Manabu is to be expected when death is the norm underneath the Firmament. But she's also already reached out to us, and turning that down would be far worse.
>>Comfort her
Asahi: I'm okay...I'm okay...
>You help Asahi to her feet as she wipes away the last of her tears.
Asahi: Thank you, Nanashi... You...saved us. But...
>Asahi looks at the ravaged remains of Nikkari and Manabu.
>Both bodies are charred beyond recognition.
Asahi: I'll use Nikkari's phone to text the Association, let them know what happened. Let's get back to Kinshicho. We should tell Dad ourselves.
>Asahi clutches Nikkari's smartphone to her chest.
>>Talk to Boss
>You tell Asahi's dad about what happened in Kinshi Park.
Asahi's dad: Don't worry about a thing. I sent a team of Hunters to recover the bodies. You guys just take it easy.
Asahi: Dad...I mean, Boss. I need to talk to you about something.
Asahi's dad: What is it?
Asahi: Please, make us official Hunters!
Asahi's dad: ...
Asahi: Nanashi can summon demons. And now I have Nikkari's phone! I can fight! We need to become Hunters, if only to honor Nikkari and Manabu.
>Asahi's dad makes a pained face.
Asahi's dad: Come on now...I can't do that. You're still kids. That's no life for you.
Asahi: Angels and demons are about to turn Tokyo into a warzone! You're going to need as many Hunters as you can get.
Asahi's dad: That isn't something you should have to worry about. I never asked you to be Hunters, dammit.
Asahi: What is your problem!?
Asahi's dad: Enough, Asahi! Hand over Nikkari's phone.
Asahi: ...
>Asahi storms out.
Asahi's dad: ...Come on now...Could you talk some sense into her, Nanashi?
Nod
>>Say you'll give it some thought
Asahi's dad: I'm counting on you.
>You slowly head off after Asahi.
I'm baffled by this plot thread. We're having a Little Mermaid father-daughter conflict over what's essentially a paperwork issue when the same characters don't know where their next meal is coming from, and corpse-looting is a key aspect to daily survival. IV had goofy moments, but this is ABC Family drama in a game where I just came back from the dead by selling my soul over to a deity of druids.
Asahi: I've made up my mind. We need to prove ourselves. Show my dad we're not just kids anymore! Uh...Got any ideas?
>>"We could recruit our own demons."
"How 'bout you come up with one?"
Asahi: Knew I kept you around for a reason! Like Nikkari and Manabu said: Can't be real Hunters till we have our own demons.
>"Let's Get Some Demons" has been accepted.
We'll continue into real gameplay next time. Let's stop and consider some of the themes we've seen thus far;
- Veteran elders versus inexperienced youth. We have the immediate contrast of the lionized hero Flynn versus the literally no-name Nanashi, but also Asahi's father versus Asahi herself, Nikkari and Manabu to their two cadets, and the Hunter-worshipping children to the Hunter Association.
- Coming-of-age. The sheltered Nanashi and Asahi are transitioning through their metaphorical genpuku ceremony, donning armor and venturing out into the world of demons to become Hunters. (Mind that Hunters in IV were culturally interchangeable with Samurai; this game's datalog even calls out that lack of a difference.) Their actions are to varying degrees sanctioned by their elders, but as of now they're now deliberately pursuing aspects of adulthood that have been forbidden to them.
- The communal versus individual. Most of the dialogue and dialogue options we've seen are about how the player relates to their community. Do they hold contempt for those around them, or do they celebrate them? Does the player respect Asahi's father for taking them in? Will they comfort Asahi, or leave her to her own?
- The loss of the player's identity as Flynn. IV hammers it in both through storyline text and NPC dialogue that Flynn is his own person, and other dialogue options seem to focus on whether the player has been truly "playing a role" or inserting themselves into the world of IV. (And whether or not they'll continue to do either of those things in Apocalypse.)
- Changing ethics. Because of the player's inherently biased position as a Tokyoite, the Law-Chaos divide is irrelevant to them now. Lucifer and Merkabah are already the enemies of Hunters and will likely always be their enemies. For Nanashi, there can be no moral axis inside of these groups, which is cemented by Nikkari and Manabu's deaths. The heavily made-up woman's dialogue alludes to such an idea, with a comment that exists entirely outside the previous game's axis. It's Neutral in its core message (in-group Tokyo membership) yet Chaotic in phrasing (need of power) and Lawful in means. (Depending on an exterior source, Flynn.)
Next chapter: The Laws Laid Down
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