SMT4 is the game that keeps on giving. I obliterated Shinjuku, I waltzed through a dungeon full of stop-grabbing-me-by-the-feet traps littered across the floor, the bright neon bright lights in Kabuki-cho district, the blood stained concrete complimenting the atmosphere; it was a rose hued prison. I struggled through the wave after wave of enemies, Blight after Blight, home menu reset after home menu reset, with a Medicine in my pocket and a high damage rifle in my hand.
I owned that shit.
It was oppressive, it was punishing me for bad mistakes, it was a monstrosity of exploration - Shinjuku is HUGE, with three different districts scattered side by side with the main portion of this story section of the game.
Then I got back to town and I found that was only half the story, as the game slapped me across the face revealing another half of Shinjuku: Shinjuku West. I sighed, I was exhausted, both in game and out. I did quick save, and recharged my batteries with a dog walk, a bit of the new JK Rowling book, catching up with friends, and anime to mentally prepare myself for the next step.
Now I'm donning my goggles and strapping it on. It's time to go back in cold turkey.
If there's one thing I can compliment SMT4, it's the overwhelming pressure and complete lack of ease. Unlike SMT3, SMT4 has safety zones and towns where you don't encounter any battles whatsoever, and yet, I don't feel any safer. I even feel more surrounded and oppressed than ever before.
I never got this feeling of unease and mental exhaustion with SMT3. Ever. Despite its challenge, and its constant invitations to kick your ass in all the times I've played it (two and a half times, maybe more).
SMT4, you're beautiful honey; you're beautiful.
