Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse

Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse, also known as Shin Megami Tensei IV Final in Japan, is a follow-up to the fourth numbered game of the Shin Megami Tensei series developed by Atlus for the Nintendo 3DS. This game takes place in an alternate timeline from the previous game.

Profile
Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse was first revealed by Atlus on October 5th, 2015 in the Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu as Shin Megami Tensei IV Final along with the main keyword of the game "Deicide." It is produced by Kazuyuki Yamai, with Masayuki Doi as character designer, Ryota Kozuka as composer and Kazuma Kaneko as the setting planner and demon designer. The reveal image shows Navarre as a ghost alongside the other main characters. In an interview with Famitsu, Yamai stated that "We’ve looked over a lot of player feedback from Shin Megami Tensei IV and we're making improvements everywhere we can, even to things like controls and demon conversations—there is a lot of reconsideration and reforming going on. We're aiming to make the number one RPG for 3DS, so we’re paying attention to every detail. We're making it so that even those who didn't play Shin Megami Tensei IV can enjoy this game." Further details on the game were revealed in a Niconico stream on October 11, 2015.

Title change of North American version
Atlus U.S.A. explained the reason behind the change of subtitle from "Final" to "Apocalypse" immediately after the official announcement of the North American localization. While the USA staffers are aware that "Final" was already known to the series fans, the new subtitle was chosen to attract audience beyond the established fan base while still keeping the letter "A" prominent to be placed over the anarchy symbol as in the original Japanese logo. Other rejected suggestions include "End War" and "Holy War." The opinion to drop "IV" has been discussed more than once due to the precedent of Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne dropping "III" from the North American localization.

Gameplay Changes

 * Nanashi is capable of choosing which seven different partners to join him in battle, with them each specializing in a different role. There is an assist gauge at the bottom of the screen which fills up one point at a time as the chosen partner acts. Certain responses to a boss's question will grant extra assist points, easily filling the gauge to maximum. When the gauge is full at eight bars, the enemy side's turn is interrupted, partners with healing or stat buff skills will act once and then a powerful joint attack on all enemies follows. Afterward, random party combatants are granted the Smirk status, and the gauge is depleted to be charged anew. Partners also use their own demons to help with combat.


 * Certain skills have additional effects when the user is under the Smirk status. For example, Light and Dark spells now primarily inflict damage which are effective against bosses as well, but their instant death effect only activates during Smirk; "King Bufula," an all-enemy moderate ice attack which is exclusive to King Frost, will debuff defense in addition during Smirk.


 * The negotiation system has been updated; A demon who has abandoned the previous negotiation will take up where the talk has left off if spoken to again, rather than merely starting the negotiation all over again.


 * Demons may have special Skill Affinity stats, that boost the properties of specific skill types; demons using skills they specialize in will result in the skill dealing more damage or costing fewer MP; conversely, demons with bad affinity for skills will do less damage and consume more MP on use. Resulting enhancements or disadvantages on skills are similarly proportional to ranking up individual skills of the previous protagonist or Nanashi via Whisper event.


 * Estoma now creates a barrier around Nanashi rather than being channeled into his blade. A shortcut to cast Estoma instantly was added to the bottom left of the lower screen.


 * User interface has been enhanced completely:
 * The ability to rearrange the skill order of both the protagonist and his demons was added to the Party menu.
 * An icon has been added to denote if the enemy demon has been registered in the Demonic Compendium.
 * A filter to define a range of result levels was added to the Fusion Search. (1~9, 10~19, etc.)
 * Utilizing the Mapper on the bottom screen to navigate the map pauses the overworld, allowing map investigation without being interrupted by encounters.
 * The next destination of the current main quest is denoted in the map with a red flag icon and can be centered on by the press of a button while using the Mapper.
 * Ability to zoom in or out in the overworld map was added.
 * Partners will recommend the player to persuade a demon who has not been registered yet, and comment on the overall party status occassionally (e.g. pointing out someone in the party is Sick or suffering from Poison).
 * When obtaining a relic, its expected selling price is displayed (except Relics gained as Quest rewards).
 * Demons making vocal noises while attacking or hurt (similar to Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne).

Main Party

 * Nanashi: The protagonist of the game. An apprentice for the Hunter Association, who died during a mission after being attacked by Adramelech and his minions, but returns to life after forming a contract with Dagda.
 * Dagda: A demon wandering the underworld. Forms a contract with the recently-deceased protagonist to give him a new life along and the ability to summon demons. He is a cruel and loudmouthed individual with almost no respect for humanity.
 * Asahi: A fellow apprentice hunter of the Hunter Association, she is 15 years old and Nanashi's childhood friend. Her Awakening boosts her healing spells.
 * Navarre: Returning character. Due to dying from something so minor, his soul is unable to rest. He quickly possesses Nanashi once their paths cross.
 * Isabeau: Returning character. A female Samurai who seeks assistance to liberate Flynn from the Divine Powers.
 * Nozomi: The newly appointed fairy queen protected by the goddess Danu. Her Awakening grants her High Gun Pleroma and Gun Pierce.
 * Gaston: A proud Samurai who fights with a spear. He is also Navarre's younger brother. His Awakening grants him High Phys Pleroma and Phys Pierce.
 * Hallelujah: A representative of the Ashura-kai whose favorite demon is Chironnupu. His Awakening grants him High Element Pleroma for all magic attacks.
 * Toki: A masked young female assassin with a mysterious goal. Her Awakening grants her Phys Pierce and Sneak Attack Up.

Samurai

 * Flynn: A powerful Samurai hailing from the Eastern Kingdom of Mikado.
 * Walter: Fused himself with Hikaru to become Lucifer.
 * Jonathan: Sacrificed himself to Merkabah to fight Lucifer.

Divine Powers

 * Krishna: The leader of the Divine Powers. He's soft-spoken and polite, but he's quite cruel like Dagda. Unlike the latter, however, he treats humans in a patronizing form.
 * Maitreya: Spokesman of Krishna.
 * Odin: Enforcer of Krishna.
 * Inanna: The other executive working for Krishna.
 * Shesha: Krishna's right hand and pet. While initially a mindless animal, he impersonates Flynn later on in the game.

Monotheism

 * Lucifer: The leader of the Chaos representatives. He is an eugenicist with an ideology of predatory anarchy.
 * Merkabah: The leader of the Law representatives. He is a fervent devotee of YHVH who looks down on his opposition as lowly filth.
 * Adramelech: One of Lucifer's generals. He is a flamboyant and smug demon who led the attack that caused Nanashi, Nikkari and Manabu's death at the start of the game.

Tokyo Residents

 * Skins: A high-rank Hunter who carries Masakado's katana.
 * Fujiwara: The owner of a Hunter's Tavern.
 * Boss: Asahi's father.
 * Nikkari: Nanashi's instructor, he died in an attack led by Adramalech.
 * Manabu: Another one of Nanashi's instructors. He died in the same incident as Nikkari.

Downloadable Content
Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse contains various DLC. Following March 27, 2023 all DLC will be unable to purchase. Additionally, retailer exclusive preorder bonuses cannot be accessed without the use of modding or emulation.

Armor

 * Earring Set: Free. Contains the head armors Cute Glasses, Secret Eye Power Seal, and Surgical Mask.
 * Earring Set: $0.49. Was available for free during the first week of release. Contains the accessories Peace Earring and Anarchy Earring.
 * Asahi/ Nozomi Set: $0.99. Contains the head armors Asahi Helm and Nozomi Helm.
 * Green Pompadour: $0.99. Contains the head armor Green Pompadour.
 * Chiro Mask: $0.99. Contains the head armor Chiro Mask.
 * Avatar's Hat: $0.99. Contains the head armor Avatar's Hat
 * Studs L: A preorder bonus body armor for Lawson customers (Japan exclusive).
 * Vivid T: A preorder bonus body armor for Tsutaya customers (Japan exclusive).
 * GSEB Power Suit: A preorder bonus body armor for GameStop/ EB Games Canada customers (North America exclusive).
 * Prime Suit: A preorder bonus body armor for Amazon customers.
 * Retail Hero: A preorder bonus body armor for Best Buy customers.

Movie

 * Fall of Tokyo Promo Video: Free. Contains the following promotional video: https://youtu.be/TrA7ojXrBg0