Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers Comparison (Saturn VS 3DS)

cj_iwakura · Nov 12, 2017

I had my Saturn fired up, and I love Soul Hackers, so I decided to do this for kicks.

All screenshots are mine, original hardware.

This is a 1996 Sega Saturn hooked up to an Insignia HDTV through composite if it matters.

So originally I figured that since the Saturn version has larger portraits, the backgrounds would have more detail on the original version.

Boy was I wrong.

Opening

Introduction:

Hitomi & Hardcore Hackin:

This is where I realized something.

The 3DS version uses larger resolution backgrounds, so you actually see MORE of the picture in the re-release.

Presumably they had access to the original assets, meaning this is way more of a definitive version than I thought.

Name Entry:

Paradigm Open Beta/Meeting the Parents:

Did you notice a change there?...

They changed the protagonist's phone. Hardcore hacker upgrade!

Meeting the family:

Last but not least, Spooky Mail & the world map comparison:

It's especially clear with the world map, this is the definitive version of Soul Hackers. (Garbage 3DS audio quality aside)

Aeana · Nov 12, 2017

This was pretty well-covered in the magazine coverage leading up to the Japanese release. The 3DS version is fantastic.

Augemitbutter · Nov 12, 2017

did they soften the portraits? they look redrawn.

Fart Master · Nov 12, 2017

Tried this ages back and couldn't really get into it, still super cool that they remade this game especially since even in japan I imagine not many smt fans played it.

cj_iwakura · Nov 12, 2017

Augemitbutter said:
did they soften the portraits? they look redrawn.

Pretty sure they did, but this isn't a Strange Journey hackjob. it's VERY faithful.

Lopez said:
Tried this ages back and couldn't really get into it, still super cool that they remade this game especially since even japan I'd imagine not many smt fans played it.

It's regarded as a classic, I'm pretty sure.

brinstar · Nov 12, 2017

you guys are really making me want to replay this dang it

HylianSeven · Nov 12, 2017

Aeana said:
This was pretty well-covered in the magazine coverage leading up to the Japanese release. The 3DS version is fantastic.

Yeah, based on watching videos of the original, the only gripe I have about the 3DS version is that the battles are TOO fast. Faster than the painfully slow ones in the original, but too fast to really see the animations.

cj_iwakura · Nov 12, 2017

HylianSeven said:
Yeah, based on watching videos of the original, the only gripe I have about the 3DS version is that the battles are TOO fast. Faster than the painfully slow ones in the original, but too fast to really see the animations.

They should have made it optional, but they made the dungeon movement super fast(which is a godsend), so it's forgivable.

Augemitbutter · Nov 12, 2017

cj_iwakura said:
Pretty sure they did, but this isn't a Strange Journey hackjob. it's VERY faithful.

yea, it' fine. the newsreader looks a bit plain or boring now though.

Aeana · Nov 12, 2017

Soul Hackers enjoyed a time in my #1 space for the series for a little while. Long ago. It's found a home at a more permanent #3 over the years. SMT3, SMT2, Soul Hackers. My favorites. All of them are so wonderful.

Deleted member 11008 · Nov 12, 2017

I'm proud Soul Hackers was my first 3DS game. It would be nice if Atlus port other obscure Megaten titles, too

Vamphuntr · Nov 12, 2017

Yeah with the screens in the OP it really seems like the 3DS is the definitive edition. Pretty sure the battle UI is better in the 3DS version too.

brinstar said:
you guys are really making me want to replay this dang it

Yeah, this. If my backlog wasn't so big and with Xenoblade 2 coming I don't have time for it right now but it's really a good game. Played it for the first time at launch on 3DS and loved it.

They've never made a port of the original devil summoner because they've lost the source code, right? I know it's supposed to be not very good but they could make a remake and improve on it. I really want to play it but Japanese Megaten games are a bit daunting for me.

cj_iwakura · Nov 12, 2017

Vamphuntr said:
Yeah with the screens in the OP it really seems like the 3DS is the definitive edition. Pretty sure the battle UI is better in the 3DS version too.

Yeah, this. If my backlog wasn't so big and with Xenoblade 2 coming I don't have time for it right now but it's really a good game. Played it for the first time at launch on 3DS and loved it.

They've never made a port of the original devil summoner because they've lost the source code, right? I know it's supposed to be not very good but they could make a remake and improve on it. I really want to play it but Japanese Megaten games are a bit daunting for me.

I have the Saturn version of the original too.

Daunting doesn't even begin to describe that game. It's savage.

RoyaleDuke · Nov 12, 2017

Soulhackers and Strange Journey are both my favorite SMT titles.

Fantastic games, the 3DS version really is the definitive one, new translation and better assets.

AcademicSaucer · Nov 12, 2017

Im so glad they kept the art intact unlike other ports

aerie · Nov 12, 2017

I sold my copy of this on the 3DS, huge regret. I'd really love to play it again.

Lightning Lord · Nov 12, 2017

Funny this topic should come up, I just started playing Soul Hackers again late last night. I agree that the game looks fantastic on 3DS but I had no idea how well it stacked up against the Saturn version. I also think the game's use of stereoscopic 3D, while simple, is very effective for the 1st person exploration.

It is a shame about the audio quality, though. The voices tend to be so quiet that I end up feeling compelled to play it with headphones.

Encephalon · Nov 12, 2017

cj_iwakura said:
I have the Saturn version of the original too.

Daunting doesn't even begin to describe that game. It's savage.

The loyalty system is the worst.

okayfrog · Nov 12, 2017

cj_iwakura said:
this isn't a Strange Journey hackjob.

I'm guessing this is in regards to Deep Strange Journey. Always been interested in the game, but never got around to playing it. Is the remaster that bad?

Aeana · Nov 12, 2017

The moment I saw Zelenin blush in Deep Strange Journey, I cried.

IrishNinja · Nov 12, 2017

OP is my dude, and i support this cause

i slept on soul hackers on saturn for years, was super hyped for the 3DS one but wasnt ready to sink time into it...i really gotta correct that soon!
is it as tough (time wise) as some of the other SMT spinoffs?

cj_iwakura · Nov 12, 2017

okayfrog said:
I'm guessing this is in regards to Deep Strange Journey. Always been interested in the game, but never got around to playing it. Is the remaster that bad?

Just play the original. It's that bad.

IrishNinja said:
OP is my dude, and i support this cause

i slept on soul hackers on saturn for years, was super hyped for the 3DS one but wasnt ready to sink time into it...i really gotta correct that soon!
is it as tough (time wise) as some of the other SMT spinoffs?

Nope. SH is one of the easier games in the series.

EndingE · Nov 12, 2017

This is interesting as someone who never owned a Saturn.

(And I need to get back into SH. I reached somewhere right in the middle of it before I got sidetracked by other games YEARS ago.)

SatelliteOfLove · Nov 12, 2017

The REAL DEAL nostalgia trip of 2013!

KarmaCow · Nov 12, 2017

Lopez said:
Tried this ages back and couldn't really get into it, still super cool that they remade this game especially since even japan I'd imagine not many smt fans played it.

Yea same here. I loved the setting, 90s era cyberpunk aesthetic resonated deeply with me but unfortunately it felt like that's all the game had. A dungeon crawler that isn't demanding is like a hamburger without the meat for me.

Aeana said:
The moment I saw Zelenin blush in Deep Strange Journey, I cried.

cj_iwakura said:
Just play the original. It's that bad.

Welp, that's a shame. :(

IrishNinja · Nov 12, 2017

EndingE said:
This is interesting as someone who never owned a Saturn.

i was gonna say to correct this post-haste! but really, saturn games in 2k17 can be really pricey.

dreamlongdead · Nov 13, 2017

Cool comparison.

Sadly, I was never compelled to pick this up on 3DS and will likely just skip it at this point.

decoyplatypus · Nov 13, 2017

I loved 3DS Soul Hackers. I guess I'm glad to know it's the definitive version? (I will not be obtaining a Saturn any time soon)

Cantaim · Nov 13, 2017

Man this thread is making me want to bust out the 3ds copy I have and finish it.

Also how bad is Deep Strange Journey? is it like completely undermines characters bad or nothing is sacred we changed everything bad?

Fart Master · Nov 13, 2017

Wait are they making Strange Journey more anime? Like waifu shit?

'3y Kingdom · Nov 13, 2017

It's a fantastic remake in every respect. I have no confidence that Deep Strange Journey will be the same.

Luckily, the original Strange Journey is already fantastic and hardly in need of an update (though I'm sure many would appreciate a nerf to the final boss).

Augemitbutter · Nov 13, 2017

could be better on some parts, but i always thought the demons were rather tiny which impacted my enjoyment. game wasn't made for a tiny screen after all. that's what stood out to me from the beginning. i haven't played the saturn version.

Man God · Nov 13, 2017

This is the real comparison

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quwZQSEStRI

Old and Busted

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leEsBsJHjiM

New Hotness.

Hailinel · Nov 13, 2017

Lopez said:
Wait are they making Strange Journey more anime? Like waifu shit?

No. Doi took over as lead character artist and redrew all of the human character portraits in the game in addition to the creation of a new character exclusive to the remake. The change in style is very noticeable, but your tolerance for it will vary depending on your taste, I guess.

Fart Master · Nov 13, 2017

Hailinel said:
No. Doi took over as lead character artist and redrew all of the human character portraits in the game in addition to the creation of a new character exclusive to the remake. The change in style is very noticeable, but your tolerance for it will vary depending on your taste, I guess.

meh, why couldn't they just keep the old art? I'll still buy it but I have noticed a quality drop in atlus character art recently, smt 4 final in particular was a massive drop in quality compared to smt 4.

Hailinel · Nov 13, 2017

Lopez said:
meh, why couldn't they just keep the old art? I'll still buy it but I have noticed a quality drop in atlus character art recently, smt 4 final in particular was a massive drop in quality compared to smt 4.

Again, they created a new character, and Doi's style would have clashed wildly against Kaneko's character art, so that's one reason. As for any technical reason why they'd do it, I'm not sure.

Fart Master · Nov 13, 2017

Hailinel said:
Again, they created a new character, and Doi's style would have clashed wildly against Kaneko's character art, so that's one reason. As for any technical reason why they'd do it, I'm not sure.

huh I haven't been following the game at all so this news to me.

Tizoc · Nov 13, 2017

Soul Hackers was too tough for me to figure out :S
I might give it another replay in the future though and aim to finish it.

Man God · Nov 13, 2017

I...actually prefer Doi's art nine times out of ten. Kaneko has never done it for me.

Aeana · Nov 13, 2017

I like Doi's art in other instances. But not this. Please take blushing Zelenin and go

Menx64 · Nov 13, 2017

RoyaleDuke said:
Soulhackers and Strange Journey are both my favorite SMT titles.

Fantastic games, the 3DS version really is the definitive one, new translation and better assets.

Ditto. Unfortunately I havent really played other megaten games, but SH, SJ, SMTIV and SMTIV Apo (Not counting spin offs.) I hope Atlus remakes the old games with the same quality as SH.

Aeana said:
The moment I saw Zelenin blush in Deep Strange Journey, I cried.

Is DSJ as good as a remake as SH 3DS to the Saturn Game? I preordered the game, since I loved SJ when it came out, so I hope it retains all good things and same sentimient.

ShinkuTachi · Nov 13, 2017

cj_iwakura said:
I had my Saturn fired up, and I love Soul Hackers, so I decided to do this for kicks.

All screenshots are mine, original hardware.

This is a 1996 Sega Saturn hooked up to an Insignia HDTV through composite if it matters.

So originally I figured that since the Saturn version has larger portraits, the backgrounds would have more detail on the original version.

Boy was I wrong.

Opening

Introduction:

Hitomi & Hardcore Hackin:

This is where I realized something.

The 3DS version uses larger resolution backgrounds, so you actually see MORE of the picture in the re-release.

Presumably they had access to the original assets, meaning this is way more of a definitive version than I thought.

Name Entry:

Paradigm Open Beta/Meeting the Parents:

Did you notice a change there?...

They changed the protagonist's phone. Hardcore hacker upgrade!

Meeting the family:

Last but not least, Spooky Mail & the world map comparison:

It's especially clear with the world map, this is the definitive version of Soul Hackers. (Garbage 3DS audio quality aside)

Awesome job taking the time to put all this together! Seriously, this is great!
One console that I really regret missing out on was the Saturn, but I made sure to pick up the 3DS version of Soul Hackers when it came out.

Out of curiosity, do you think there is a chance we will ever see a rerelease of the first Devil Summoner or is my best option to grab the PSP version?

gigaslash · Nov 13, 2017

Jesus Christ, I forgot how ugly SH is back on Saturn/PSone. 3DS version is great.
Together with SMT2 easily the best game Atlus has ever made.

Dragon1893 · Nov 13, 2017

I'm doing my best to fight the urge to replay this and you're not helping.
Thanks for the pics, sometimes I look at the game sitting on my shelf and find it hard to believe it was actually localized.

Gestalt · Nov 13, 2017

Great game, cool to see that the remake is actually pretty good. Why didn't Strange Journey get the same treatment?

cj_iwakura · Nov 13, 2017

Hailinel said:
No. Doi took over as lead character artist and redrew all of the human character portraits in the game in addition to the creation of a new character exclusive to the remake. The change in style is very noticeable, but your tolerance for it will vary depending on your taste, I guess.

It wasn't just Doi. Someone else did most of the cast and the style difference is jarring. Soejima did SH's original portraits, I believe, so it wasn't as drastic a change.

StereoVSN · Nov 13, 2017

Soul Hackers is one of my favorite 3DS games. Love the 90s cyberpunk vibes, characters and story are good and it's a fun romp. I have never played the Saturn version but it would have been interesting to compare. Details do look better on 3DSs.

Tailzo · Nov 13, 2017

Awesome comparison :) I'm in the mood for a smt game. I look forward to the Switch game :)

Egida · Nov 13, 2017

Loved it on 3DS. I have this SMT itch because I wrongly thought that Strange Journey Redux was coming this month to the west (why, oh why?!), and replaying Soul Hackers could be a good fix.

Strings · Nov 13, 2017

The 3ds version is a great version of a great game. I'd love some more SMT cyberpunk.

Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers Comparison (Saturn VS 3DS)

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