Atlus West has shared an official English overview, character introductions, and keywords for Soul Hackers 2, alongside several new screenshots.
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Many of these details were shared in the original unveiling of the game last month, but now we have official English descriptions of the characters, setting, and more.
The information can be found below, with new screenshots and some new character/demon artwork in the gallery. Soul Hackers 2 is set to release on August 26 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC.
Editors Note: This article was originally based on a Game Informer exclusive early look and Japanese media releases, and has since been updated official descriptions from Atlus West.
Game Overview
25 years have passed since the release of Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers, which amassed a cult following by meshing a distinct sci-fi style into the universe of Shin Megami Tensei.
Inheriting the essence of the Devil Summoner series and Soul Hackers, the title returns after remaining dormant for a quarter-century with an elevated, evolved concept, chronicling a new tale of humans and technology.
The Protagonist, Ringo, an agent of Aion, must join forces with Devil Summoners to stop the world’s end. Utilize COMPs ― special gadgets for devil summoners― to summon demons and wipe out enemies!
The secret city districts known as Realms also feature facilities where you can fuse demons and modify COMPs.
Deepen your bond with your friends through interactions at the bar or in the hideout, and at times by retracing the past memories of summoners through vision quests.
Will this group of outlaws living in the shadows of humanity be able to stop the world’s destruction? Find out in this latest hard-boiled RPG brought to you by ATLUS, the makers of the critically acclaimed Persona and Shin Megami Tensei series!
Story
Mid - 21 st century, a story set in a not-so-distant future.
Devil Summoners are those who live in the shadows of society, harnessing the otherworldly powers of “ Demons.”
Another entity, Aion, quietly watches over the world of humanity. A sentient data collective born beyond the periphery of technology as an entity transcending human intelligence, Aion one day detects and observes that the end of the world is approaching.
Ringo and Figue agents of Aion and individually autonomous splinters of its mind, are brought into the human world to stop this inevitable destruction. Their objective is to locate and protect two individuals necessary to stop the world’s end. However, they soon discover both individuals have already been killed.
Ringo executes Aion’s special ability “Soul Hack” to bring one of them back from the dead, and then other Devil Summoners killed for reasons unknown. Joining forces with these Devil Summoners given a second chance at life ― with their own motives pertaining to their own deaths ― Ringo and Figue must uncover the truth behind world’s end.
Will they be able to stop the impending apocalypse ―― ？
Characters
Ringo (CV. Tomoyo Kurosawa)
One of the agents of Aion, a futuristic digital sentient being. As an entity that was just created, she displays a keen interest in human society, culture, and emotions. Her choices and efforts, along with those of Arrow and her other fellow Devil Summoners, will be instrumental in deciding the fate of the human world.
“I'm here to bring you back. You're gonna help me prevent the end of the world.“
Figue (CV. Nanako Mori)
Another of Aion’s agents, like Ringo. Cool and thoughtful, she acts like an older sister to Ringo and keeps her in check, as Ringo tends to be more stubborn. She, too, displays interest and admiration for humans, and is friendly to them. She specializes in analyzing information, and supports the team from behind the scenes.
“You‘ll need an operator of sorts to appraise the situation, so allow me to play that role from the backend.”
Arrow (CV.Kaito Ishikawa)
An agent of Yatagarasu , one of the Devil Summoner factions. He is one of the individuals whose death supposedly plays a part in triggering the apocalypse. He was seemingly murdered during an undercover investigation, and is resurrected with Ringo’s soul hacking. Normally gentle and quiet, but deep inside he is passionate and follows a strict moral code. Because of this, he often clashes with Milady.
"Listen, we don’t have to fight! Open your eyes!"
Milady (CV. Ami Koshimizu)
An agent of the Phantom Society, another of the Devil Summoner factions. She’s killed by her own allies for reasons unknown. She is resurrected by Ringo’s soul hacking, and decides to work with her to find out why she was killed. Calm and collected, she operates with logical thinking and efficiency, sometimes leading her to make decisions that others may deem heartless. It seems this may have something to do with her past.
"Every word out of his mouth, every breath he takes is another reason he needs to die."
Saizo (CV. Masaya Matsukaze)
A freelance Devil Summoner. Although he’s murdered by a Phantom Society agent, he is resurrected with Ringo’s soul hacking. He decides to accompany Ringo and her team with a certain objective of his own in mind. A romantic at heart, he plays it cool in his own endearing way. Able to read the room, he often mediates and steps in whenever Arrow and Milady clash with one another.
“Man, this is what I get for having Summoner friends. You make ME look well - adjusted .”
Keywords
Devil Summoners
With a long history, they have lived alongside normal humans, adapting themselves into the societies and time periods they occupied. Forging contracts with demons , they wield powerful abilities to solve paranormal incidents incomprehensible to regular humans. On the other hand, there are also summoners who take part in more illicit activities, like violence and assassinations. There are factions of devil summoners, and in the process of trying to avert the world’s end, Ringo becomes involved with two opposing ones in particular: the Phantom Society and Yatagarasu.
COMP
A special gadget that assists devil summoners with their ability to summon demons. The shape of COMPs depends on each person, and some may choose to use and modify them with accessories and items they’re emotionally attached to. Ringo’s COMP has been altered with Aion’s technology, and it can be directly equipped with demons.
Agents of Aion
After detecting the world’s destruction, Aion deploys entities downscaled to take human form to stage an intervention. These are Ringo and Figue. With their own consciousness and mental autonomy, they are biologically near - identical to humans. They can also utilize Aion’s powers, though in more limited forms.
Soul Hack
One of Aion’s features, this ability allows one to intervene with and restore a human’s soul and heart. By soul hacking those who have just died, Ringo is able to tap into their memories right as they died. By triggering their regret in death, she is able to resurrect them. It’s a feature that is still shrouded in mystery, and even Ringo and Figue do not fully grasp everything about it.
Demons
Spiritual entities that have lived alongside humans since time immemorial. Not always malevolent, as deities and fairies are also collectively referred to as demons. Devil Summoners are able to form contracts with them, and tap into their powers through COMPS. At a certain location, it's said there are rituals to combine demons to create new ones.
Sabbath
When attacking demons, by unleashing precise moves like striking their weaknesses, you’re able to summon a mob of demon allies. The summoned allies will attack the enemies all at once. This attack is called a Sabbath, and utilizing this smartly will allow you to wipe out your foes.
The City and Realms
The story of Ringo and her team unfolds in a glitzy Japanese metropolis. Within this city of regular citizens, to whom demons are only myths and stories, there are cities that only Devil Summoners can enter called the Realms. Realms are said to be veiled from the world by a barrier imperceptible by regular humans. In this city, demons freely mingle with Devil Summoners, with facilities for summoners that allow demon fusions, COMP enhancements, and information gathering.
Covenant
At the murder scene of the target Figue was searching for, there was a dying message left in code beyond any human cryptography. Figue analyzes this undecipherable message, revealing only the word “Covenant”. What does this mean...?
