Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation Dx2

Dx2 follows the player, that becomes a member of the secret Liberators organisation, a group with members gaining the ability to control demon-like beings; based in Akihabara, Japan.[3] Anyone with this power, is known as a Devil Downloader (Dx2).

Dx2's and are split into two warring factions, the Liberators and Acolytes.[4][5] The Liberators are tasked with stopping the Acolytes, who are targeting civilian members of the public who have high empathy.[6] Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation Dx2 follows several members of the Liberators, including schoolgirl Rika Ryuzouhi, professional media streamer "Megakin" Taro Fuse, Boxer Jeng Yun Tsai, computing student Shiang Sun, light novelist Ririn Ueda, idol Shiori Koden, retired soldier Gakuto Inoue and fung shui master Seiran Saikawa.

Dx2 was released in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau in January 2018, following a short private beta. The game was eventually released worldwide after a public beta in July 2018.[7] In an interview with producer Yamada Riichiro of Sega, Riichiro commented that he immediately wanted to work with Atlus within the SMT series, and presented a plan to the company for a new release.[8] Riichiro commented that he saw the mobile platforms as a way to expand the audience for SMT, and also to "take advantage of the F2P (Free to play) model".[8]

The final release of Dx2 saw 3-Dimensional models of over 180 demons in the game at launch.[8] Whilst some of these models were reused from other games in the series, over 40 were developed by Sega for the release.[8]

On October 3, 2018, the game was discontinued for Belgian-based players from October 18, 2018 due to anti-gambling laws preventing the F2P from being implemented.[9]

Dx2 is a role playing game, featuring game mechanics found in gacha games, as well as the Shin Megami Tensei series. Battles are turn based, and follows the "press turn" battle system founded in Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne.[10] Under the press turn battle system party members can gain additional moves from exploiting enemy weaknesses.[8] Dx2 is a free to play game, with microtransactions, featuring a single-player, and a combative player verses player mode.[11]

Dx2 features over 160 demons that can all be recruited through normal play, without microtransactions, and have a player rating system in place.[12]

Dx2 received "generally favorable reviews" according to media review aggregator website Metacritic.[13] The game received high praise for its high graphical content, and its adaptation of the Shin Megami Tensei gameplay. The Verge commented that Dx2 did an "admirable job" of retaining the "soul of SMT", and praised the game for it retaining the same battle mechanics found in other SMT games.[4] Ethan Gatch of Kotaku commented that the game succeeded in being a "console gameplay experience on smartphones".[16]

Dave Aubrey of Pocket Gamer was positive about the game, but felt that it didn't reach the same levels as those of the mainline series of SMT. Aubrey commented that despite the cast being "beautifully designed", the characters were "not as interactive or likeable" as those in other SMT games.[15] Matthew Sholtz of Android Police compared the game to Pokémon, with similar experiences to the series, such as a strength/weakness system, and the ability to catch and evolve monsters.[17] Zack Reese of website RPG Site commented on the poor story, in comparison to regular SMT games, but also stated that Dx2 is "worth playing especially if you’re a series fan."[18]

• Official website
• Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation Dx2 at MobyGames