Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army – A Definitive Atlus Revival for Nintendo Switch

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Published on: July 01, 2025

Description

Twenty years can bring dramatic change both in the gaming industry and in the way we appreciate classic titles.

Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army, now available for Nintendo Switch, offers a fresh take on Atlus' 2006 PlayStation 2 classic, Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs.

the Soulless Army.

Back when it first launched, Atlus was best known for its niche, experimental titles, and the original Raidou game married a distinct setting with gameplay that, while ambitious, didn't quite hit the mark for everyone.

With this comprehensive remake, Atlus aims to fulfill the untapped potential of the source material by updating both visuals and gameplay, while preserving the retro flavor that made the original memorable. At the core of Raidou Remastered is the story of Raidou Kuzunoha XIV, a newly appointed Devil Summoner in the secretive Yatagarasu organization.

Set in a richly reimagined Taisho-era Tokyo, the narrative blends supernatural intrigue and detective work as Raidou teams up with his mentor Narumi, a detective specializing in the occult, and Gouto, his witty feline assistant.

The opening hours introduce Kaya Daidouji, a high school student whose kidnapping by mysterious, red-clad figures kicks off a plot filled with demon encounters and period-specific challenges. A central aspect of gameplay revolves around forging pacts with demons—familiar territory for fans of Shin Megami Tensei titles.

Demons not only join Raidou in real-time battles but also follow him outside combat to solve puzzles and unlock new paths.

Modernized controls now allow players to seamlessly send demons out on field tasks, emphasizing their expanded role in both battles and exploration. The remake is structured into episodic chapters, each advancing the central mystery while infusing playful period dialogue that captures the spirit of early 20th-century Tokyo.

While the storyline may lean toward melodrama, its engaging script and localization keep it light and enjoyable.

Atlus' signature touch is apparent, with characters and world-building that stand alongside the best in their portfolio. Significantly, Raidou Remastered offers a suite of quality of life improvements that streamline and modernize the player experience.

Notable features include enhanced 3D visuals, fully overhauled character models, voice acting consistent with Atlus’ high standards, and a remastered version of Shoji Meguro’s evocative soundtrack.

Navigation is easier than ever, with sprinting, fast travel, autosave functionality, quicksaves, a mini-map, clear objective markers, and consolidated quest tracking via the new Detective Journal.

Demons now earn experience whether they’re actively in battle or not, and usability tweaks like visible enemy encounters replacing random battles keep gameplay flowing smoothly. The combat system, formerly a pain point, has been significantly retooled.

Drawing inspiration from the improved mechanics of the sequel, players can now summon two demons at once, utilize a greater range of moves and skills, and recover vital MAG energy through direct action.

As a result, battles offer strategic depth and a sense of dynamism missing from the original.

Boss encounters, in particular, require careful planning and take full advantage of the tactile new combat. In a statement reminiscent of Atlus’ development philosophy, developers emphasized that the remake strives to balance preserving the original’s distinctive atmosphere with modern accessibility.

Many changes directly address longstanding fan feedback while others, such as the visually rich rendering of Kazuma Kaneko’s art and the seamless integration of quality of life features, mark a clear evolution for the title. Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army ultimately emerges as a stronger, more accessible game while retaining the distinct visual and narrative personality of its PlayStation 2 predecessor.

Whether you are a longtime Atlus enthusiast or a newcomer curious about Devil Summoner's unique blend of action and adventure, this Nintendo Switch release is a standout example of thoughtful game preservation and modernization.

While some rough edges inherent to the original have been smoothed over, what remains is a brisk, charismatic journey through one of Atlus’ most stylish universes—a must-see for fans eager to experience a new era of Megaten storytelling. Version tested: Nintendo Switch.

Review copy provided by Atlus.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Atlus Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army Switch Raidou Remastered The Mystery of the Soulless Army Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army Shin Megami Tensei Kazuma Kaneko Shoji Meguro Taisho-era Tokyo Gouto Narumi

Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army Review | Nintendo Insider