Shin Megami Tensei – Strange Journey Redux

Shin Megami Tensei – Strange Journey Redux is an expanded port from 2017 of the 2009 DS game Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey for the 3DS using Shin Megami Tensei IV engine as a part of the Shin Megami Tensei’s 25th anniversary. Strange Journey is set in a world threatened by the expansion of a phenomenon called the Schwarzwelt, which threatens to envelop the Earth. The United Nations send in multiple teams, led by a man named Gore, to investigate and eradicate the phenomenon.

During their attempt to enter the Schwarzwelt, all ships but the Red Sprite are destroyed. During their missions, the crew is helped by Arthur, who gradually accumulates knowledge of the Schwarzwelt and develops a personality. During an early mission within the Schwarzwelt, Gore is killed, leaving Arthur in charge. As the protagonist and members of the Red Sprite’s crew explore the regions of the Schwarzwelt, they slowly uncover the truth behind its existence. In ancient times, humans were controlled by the forces of God.

His rule over them was broken when the Mother Goddess Mem Aleph destroyed him, breaking his hold on Earth. Residing within the Schwarzwelt, Mem Aleph saw humans abusing Earth’s environment and consequently corrupting her dimension. Determined to remove those humans responsible for the corruption and return the world to its ancient state, Mem Aleph unleashed the Schwarzwelt. The remaining forces of God, mainly represented by Mastema, intend to use the Schwarzwelt to spread their influence across the world, removing free will to create a united utopia.

Key items are the Cosmic Eggs, objects created by Mem Aleph that can reshape the world when combined with the core of the Schwarzwelt. Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey is a role-playing game in which players control the player-named protagonist. The environments within the Schwarzwelt are seen and navigated from a first-person perspective: the 3D environment is displayed on the top screen of the Nintendo DS, while a 2D map is displayed on the bottom screen. Explored environments are automatically mapped out, with highlights being placed for unopened containers and doorways.

These environments contain traps including pits, shifting floors, and floor tiles which damage the protagonist if stepped on. Alongside the main story quests, human non-playable characters and demons within the Schwarzwelt unlock side quests which yielded rewards upon completion. During the game, the protagonist’s Demonica suit can be upgraded to open new pathways, enabling entry into new areas for story progression, as well as new parts of previously explored areas.