Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers

For the other games in this series known as "Devil Summoner", see: Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner and Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner 2.

Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers
Developer(s)	Atlus
Publisher(s)	Atlus
Composer(s)	Shōji Meguro
Series	Megami Tensei
Platform(s)	PlayStation, Sega Saturn
Release date(s)	Saturn JP November 13, 1997 PlayStation JP April 8, 1999
Genre(s)	Console role-playing
Mode(s)	Single-player
Rating(s)	All ages (Sega rating)
Media/distribution	CD-ROM (2 discs)

Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers (デビルサマナー ソウル ハッカーズ, Debiru Samanā Sōru Hakkāzu^?) is a Japanese console RPG that was originally released for the Sega Saturn in 1997, and later released in a slightly enhanced version for the PlayStation in 1999. It is the sequel to the 1995 game Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner, and both games are considered spin-offs of the Megami Tensei series of RPGs. As Megami Tensei spin-offs, both games feature a number of elements trademark to the franchise - such as in-depth gameplay systems, occult themes, and the ability to converse with your enemies instead of just fighting them.

The game has never seen any official English release. When the PlayStation version was released, Atlus USA was considering bringing Soul Hackers to North America, but they were denied by Sony Computer Entertainment America.^[1]

A fan translation for the PlayStation edition is currently being made by the same team that created the translation patch for Persona 2: Innocent Sin.^[2]

Summary

"Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers" was released in 1997, the tenth anniversary of "Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei", the first game in the Megami Tensei series. It is set at a lower degree of difficulty than previous games in the series, to make it easier for complete beginners to play.

Story

In Amami City, an environmental model city, everything is controlled by a network of computers. The protagonist belongs to a group of Amami-based hackers, known as the "Spookies". The group is based in a trailer hideout, owned by the leader, where they attempt to hack into the virtual city known as "Paradigm X" using a gun-like computer, also owned by the leader. No ordinary computer, however, it is called a "COMP", capable of utilizing the Demon Summoning Program (since it is shaped like a gun, it is called a "GUMP"). After removing the protection on the GUMP a strange incident occurs, and a demon calling herself "Nemissa" appears from inside it. Centring around Nemissa and the GUMP, the protagonist and other characters become embroiled in a struggle with others, called "summoners", that involves the entirety of Amami City.

Major Characters

Spookies members

• Protagonist (主人公, Shujinkō^?) (no default name)

The protagonist of the game. He is 18 years old, and his family consists of him, his mother and father and his sister. To heighten the player's experience he is not specifically depicted in-game; however, in illustrations he is pictured as a boy with short hair, wearing green clothes. Due to his shaven-headed appearance in the official strategy guide, he has been nicknamed "Katsuo" by some fans.

In the novel version, his name is given as Keiji Minegishi (峰岸 啓自^?, Minegishi Keiji).

• Hitomi Tono (遠野 瞳, Tōno Hitomi^?)

A childhood friend of the protagonist. 18 years old. Raised by her father, she has a serious nature. She is a relative of Professor Azuma, who appeared in Devil Summoner.

• Nemissa (ネミッサ^?)

A female devil that suffers from amnesia. She is characterised by her flashy silver hair, and is the protagonist's partner, key to the work the group is doing. Because she has no physical body herself, she inhabits Hitomi's body. The instant Nemissa's soul takes control Hitomi's hair turns silver, and returns to its natural black once Hitomi is back in control. Nemissa is selfish at first, but through getting to know others she begins to care for other people, and eventually learns to know pain and emotions.

Nemissa's attributes are decided by how the player answers Hitomi's questions at the beginning of the game.

• Masahiro Sakurai (桜井 雅宏, Sakurai Masahiro^?)

A resourceful hacker, and leader of Spookies. 25 years old. Known as "Leader" due to his position in the group. He always wears a wrinkled suit, and since he is such a heavy smoker he looks much older than he really is. He has a strong inferiority complex.

• Junnosuke Kitagawa (北川 潤之介, Kitagawa Junnosuke^?)

Member of Spookies. 19 years old, he is nicknamed "Ranchi" (ランチ^?). He has dreadlocks, and specializes in hacking and modifying hardware. He is calm and takes things one step at a time. He doesn't speak much of his family, lacking composure when he reflects on them, and feels animosity towards his mother's death. While most people think his nickname means "lunch" (due to phonetic similarities), it is actually derived from "launcher", as in an application launcher. In the novel, he is said to have formed a duo with another hacker named Yukihiro Kira (吉良 章弘, Kira Yukihiro^?), whose nickname is "Dinner".

• Shingo Sako (迫 真悟, Sako Shingo^?)

Spookies member, nicknamed "Six". A gun maniac, his nickname is derived from "six shooter". At 17 years old, he is the youngest member of Spookies. Can take equipment from the collection early on in the game. As a child, he pushed his older sister Erika down the stairs as a prank, which killed her. He still carries deep emotional wounds from this incident. He enjoys watching horror films.

• Yūichi Haga (芳賀 佑一, Haga Yūichi^?)

18 years old, known simply as "Yūichi". Because he grew up in a wealthy family, he has a childlike and innocent nature. Even though he is a year younger than Yūichi, Six still treats him like a child most of the time. As the only one in the group without a codename, he is quick to point that his name is "cooler" than any nickname.

Phantom Society

An organization set up to collect human souls. Only the upper-classes know of their true purpose. They have watched history from the shadows, monitoring human evolution.

• Nishi (西^?)

Vice-president of the government. General manager of urban development in Amami City. Executive of the Phantom Society. His true identity is High-Demon Azazel.

• Kadokura (門倉^?)

Young president of the Argon Software company. General manager of "Paradigm X" development. Apparently had an argument with Masahiro Sakurai, but the details are unknown. Modelled on Bill Gates.

• Finnegan (フィネガン^?)

Proud to serve as a summoner to the mysterious Phantom Society. A former boxer, his COMP uses brass knuckles-type weapons. One of the organization's top summoners, he has frequent encounters with the protagonist. Self-confident and skilled, he is popular but has many enemies.

• Yuda Singh (ユダ・シング^?)

Summoner of the Phantom Society. Uses a saxophone-type COMP. A highly proud Gurkha, he works as a summoner to send money home to his family. Questions the significance of his own existence, so he follows the organization's instructions and fights.

• Naomi (ナオミ^?)

A free woman employed by the Phantom Society. An orphan, she was born in Hong Kong. She can use unique summoning magic without the use of a COMP. Because of this, it is not completely guaranteed that a summon will understand and obey her.

• Carol J (キャロルJ^?)

Summoner of the Phantom Society. To summon demons, he "plays" a guitar-like COMP. Since he is a low-level summoner, high-level demons he summons will sometimes take over his body completely. Often has confrontations with the protagonist. In the PlayStation version, after he quits as a summoner he appears throughout the city.

• Mayōne (マヨーネ^?)

Female summoner of the Phantom Society. Summons demons using a parasol-like COMP. Very proud. All of her clothes are made in Italy.

Background

Amami City: A city specified as an environmental model for urban redevelopment in the government's urban policy. Originally nothing more than a small town, it was transformed into a high-tech, information-oriented city by the redevelopment. PCs are freely available to all citizens, with incredibly high-speed connections; ID cards are issued to all residents of the city and the government has started to introduce electronic money. The city's design and geography bears a close resemblance to the commercial and residential districts of Kaihin-Makurai, Chiba City.

Paradigm X: A virtual 3-D city, operated for the citizens of Amami City. The main server is inside the Argon Company building, and users can access Paradigm X through the network. While inside Paradigm X it is possible to communicate with other users, and actually shop at realistic stores as though they were really there. The first time a user logs in, the operation is explained to them by a messenger of "Captain Paradigm". The city is still in testing phase, however, and the only way in is to be selected by lottery.

"Spookies": A group of hackers, formed in Amami City by Masahiro Sakurai. Its six members are "Leader", "Ranchi", the protagonist, "Hitomi", "Yūichi" and "Six". The group's hideout is a trailer owned by Sakurai. PCs were loaded onto the trailer so that they could be moved to a safe location in case of an emergency. The Spookies logo, a ghost wearing sunglasses, is painted onto one side of the trailer. Sakurai purchased the trailer using a loan, but has still not finished paying it off.

Argon Company: An IT company that plays a large role in the urban policy. The company simultaneously supplies both Argon Software and Argon Spirit Manufacture.

System

Demon loyalty and relationship with characters: Demons possess some form of loyalty, which represents their trusting relationship with their summoner. Increasing demons' loyalty is easier in Soul Hackers than previous games. As loyalty increases, so does that demon's attack (or magic) power. However, if a summoner's relationship with a demon is low enough, that demon may disobey orders or even leave the party.

Selection of partner's magic type: Nemissa's magic type is determined early on in the game, depending on how the player answers Hitomi's questions. The three types of magic she can learn are fire magic, ice magic and lightning magic. It is possible to change the type of magic she knows later in the game.

Additional demon specices: Three new species of demon have been added to the game. Unlike "heroes", the lunar phase plays a part in their union conditions.

Software installation: By installing new software onto the COMP, various features can be added to it:

• Enemy Sonar: causes a coloured glow to appear around demons, indicating their difficulty - green demons are weak, while red demons are significantly stronger.
• Scanning Zero: the normally invisible "dark zone" appears on the map.
• Backup: allows the player to save while still inside a dungeon.
• Neo Clear: adds details of surrounding areas to the map.
• Adult Moon: allows the player to converse at any time with demons that can normally only be summoned during a full moon.
• Frost Panel: a Jack Frost skin appears on the party's status screen.

COMP fusion: Demons can now be fused using the protagonist's mobile COMP. Because of this, it is possible to fuse demons even inside dungeons. Unlike a normal fusion, however, only two demons can be fused at once, and there is a high chance of "accidents" occurring.

Differences between Sega Saturn and PlayStation versions

Pocket Station support: Demons can be downloaded to a "pocket station" to be grown and played with, similar to a Tamagotchi.

Casino: A casino has been added to the interior of Paradigm X. Prizes there are usually rare items, or equipment that is difficult to obtain.

Extra dungeon: In the Sega Saturn version, if the player sent off the postcard enclosed in the "Demon Compendium Vol. 2" and was not chosen in the draw, they could not unlock the extra dungeon, even once all other conditions to do so were cleared.

Additional scenario: In the Sega Saturn version the protagonist suffered a violent death; however, on a replay of the PlayStation version, his death can be prevented if certain conditions are met.

Added event: A new event has been added to the protagonist and other characters' hideout in the PlayStation version. In it, it is discovered that Ranchi is good at cooking, and Naomi hates Rei Reihō's TV shows.

Digest Mode: Story events can be viewed in this mode after loading saved data.

Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers Demon Compendium Vol. 2

"Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers Demon Compendium Vol. 2" was software released for the Sega Saturn on December 23, 1997. A version of the compendium was sold with "Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner", but this version contains the full Soul Hackers compendium. Information about each demon is relayed in both audio and visual format, like a "sound novel", in a CG library. Some of the game's soundtrack is also included. There is no PlayStation version in existence.

Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers Intruder

"Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers Intruder" was a mobile phone application released in 2007. It was released as supplementary material of the 1997 Sega RPG. Six months after the events of "Soul Hackers", the Spookies members are reunited after a new enemy appears.

Comic versions

Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers: A comic version of the game, released in shōjo manga magazine "Mystery DX" (ceased publication in 2003). It was converted into a book in March 1999. There were originally scheduled to be three volumes, but due to publication issues only two were ever released. The main character is Arata Tsukamoto (塚本 新, Tsukamoto Arata^?), a cousin of Hitomi. He lost his family in an accident when he was a child.

• Volume 1: ISBN 4-04-853054-2
• Volume 2: ISBN 4-04-853120-4

Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers - Decent on the City of Death: A novelization of the game, by author Osamu Makino. It was published in January 1998 by Aspect.

• ISBN 4-7572-0005-6

Devil Summoners: Nightmare of the Butterfly: A novelization of the game, by author Shinya Kasai. It was published in paperback in January 1999 by Famitsu.

• ISBN 4-7572-0407-8

References

1. ^ "Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers - Sega Saturn/Sony Playstation (1997)". http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/megaten/devilsummoner1.htm. Retrieved February 4, 2010. 
2. ^ "Soul Hackers translation page (WIP)". Devil Hackers. http://gemini.aerdan.org/?page_id=407. 

External links

• Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers (PlayStation) at GameFAQs
• Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers at MobyGames