Soul Hackers 2 took all of the best features of the Persona series and adapted them for a brand-new spin-off. It’s funky, fun, and frantic all at the same time. From its excellent character designs to its engaging turn-based combat, there’s a lot to love in Soul Hackers 2.
However, for those who’ve completed it and are craving more turn-based JRPG goodness, you’re likely wondering what to pick up next. Fortunately, we’ve got you covered. From the obligatory Persona mention to some jaw-droppingly good indies, here are some of the best games you can play if you love Soul Hackers 2.
5 Dusk Diver
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Dusk Diver can often feel like Persona-lite. Its lower budget, smaller environments, and shorter length definitely betray its gorgeous visual style and frantic combat. Nevertheless, in its best moments, Dusk Diver can be really fun. Its depiction of Ximending in Taipei is phenomenal and can often rival Persona 5’s jazz-filled streets. While there isn’t as much to interact with, wandering around is still an absolute delight.
While Dusk Diver’s combat isn’t turn-based, it still retains a lot of the flashy animations and style that makes Soul Hackers 2’s combat so engaging. You’ll explore bizarre and ethereal locations, not unlike Soul Hackers 2, all while beating up an assortment of enemies. If you’re into stylish beat ‘em ups with an anime aesthetic, then Dusk Diver is definitely for you. Oh, and if you love it so much, there’s a sequel too!
4 Shin Megami Tensei 5
The Shin Megami Tensei series has been going strong since 1987. Each game in the series has tried to offer something new to players, whether it's the setting, tone, or gameplay style. The original Soul Hackers was even titled Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers – what a mouthful. It’s no surprise that Atlus changed the name to just Soul Hackers 2 for the sequel.
Shin Megami Tensei 5 is the latest game in the mainline Shin Megami Tensei series, and also one of the first to come to modern consoles. While the third game is also available on the Nintendo Switch, it’s a little outdated in terms of gameplay, and a tough entry point for newcomers. However, Shin Megami Tensei 5 does a decent job of introducing its weird and wonderful world to newcomers to the series. As they don’t really follow on from one another, you can jump into the fifth game in the series without any issues.
3 Persona Series
Frankly, we feel that any entry from the Persona series could interest anyone who enjoyed Soul Hackers 2. Not only are they developed by the same people, but they also share a lot of the same mechanics, enemies, and stylistic flairs. Of course, Persona 5 is the closest in both visual style and turn-based combat excellence due to it having been released more recently. However, that doesn’t discredit the other masterfully crafted JRPGs in the Persona series.
Each game offers players something a little different. For example, the further away the games were released, the darker they tend to get. Nevertheless, you can always expect brilliant writing, engaging combat, and characters so fantastic you’ll wish they were your mates. However, you can probably skip the Persona Q games, as they rely quite heavily on a broad knowledge of the Persona series and its cast of characters. There’s also Persona 5 Strikers, which took the style, characters, and world of Persona 5 and set it in a Musou-style game, akin to the Dynasty Warriors games. Basically, skip it if you just liked Soul Hackers 2 for its turn-based combat - otherwise, it's absolutely worth giving a go.
2 The Caligula Effect
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We may seem like a bit of a broken record here, but The Caligula Effect is basically like Persona. Shock! Horror! It’s set in a school and revolves around an afterschool club that’s hellbent on taking down their idol overlords... or something. Honestly, the plot of The Caligula Effect isn’t its strongest aspect, and you won’t be investing much of your time into its occasionally interesting but somewhat lackluster story.
However, before you scroll down to the next entry, there is a lot to love about The Caligula Effect, especially if you’re a fan of Soul Hackers 2. Its anime-aesthetic and high-school setting are perfectly matched and allow for some fantastic character interactions. The various dungeons you’ll explore and well-themed and the combat encounters are a fascinating strategic affair thanks to the game’s unique time-based mechanics. While there are some downsides to The Caligula Effect – which are somewhat improved in its sequel – its overall themes, tone, and style are perfect if you loved Soul Hackers 2.
1 Monark
If you’re looking for a game like Souls Hackers 2 but with a tone so dark it would make Alan Wake quake in his boots, then you should try Monark. Set in a school surrounded by a mist that turns people mad, Monark is a pretty bleak affair. But don’t let that put you off, as, despite a few wrinkles here and there, this is a pretty unique JRPG.
There’s a lot to love in Monark if you enjoyed Soul Hackers 2. It utilizes a lot of the same mechanics and gameplay ideas that have made the Shin Megami Tensei series and its many spin-offs the popular series it is today. However, despite the many similarities, Monark has a few original ideas of its own. While it does do a good job of explaining these unique mechanics, you may want to go in prepared. Nevertheless, if you’re looking for a bizarre, anime-infused JRPG set in a high school and based around a group of too-cool-for-school dudes and dudettes, then Monark is the game for you.