Shin Megami Tensei II tells the story of a new protagonist: a amnesiac gladiator named Aleph who fights under a pseudonym. The game is set decades after the first game ends, in a Tokyo where the forces of LAW have managed to get the upper hand. There are those who have high expectations for Aleph, but only you can decide what path he takes and what role he plays in mankind's future.

Like all good sequels, SMTII is better than the original in every aspect. The graphics have been improved, the story continues a logical arc from the first game, although given the mutiple-ending nature of SMT, it does assume that the hero in the first game took a certain path. The gameplay has been improved with the addition of many options, best of which in my opinion is the fact that you can now bring up the automap at any time - a necessity in a gameworld that is as large and complex as this one. Even the discos are cooler :)

Like the first game, SMTII offers a cool and unique blend of cyberpunk and Japanese/worldwide myths. You will fight countless creatures from legends, talk to them, and even recruit and later combine them into new, stronger minions. Also like the first game, SMTII lets you choose which path to take – good and evil are not as clear-cut, black-and-white choices as they first appear.

If you are interested in console-style RPGs but are put off by cute anime graphics and the simplistic nature of most console RPGs, Shin Megami Tensei II, like its predecessor, is another title with the power to change your mind. The game's first-person perspective, tough battles, and excellent play value (over 50 hours again) have more in common with Dungeon Master than a typical console RPG. Be warned, though: some scenes depict gruesome murders and other elements that you may find offensive. I also find the English translation even better and more atmospheric than the first game, so a big "thank you!" to Gideon Zhi and his translation team. Two thumbs up, even higher up than the first game! :)