One Obscure Atlus Game Deserves the Same Treatment as SMT, Persona

The Japanese developer Atlus has an extensive library of games dating all the way back to its inception in 1986. Though the company got its start making niche RPGs and movie tie-in games for platforms like the NES and the Game Boy, it eventually branched out into the publishing business and released many titles in a wide variety of genres over the years, including turn-based strategy titles, racing games, 2D fighters, visual novels, and even sports games. Unfortunately, though, the majority of the Atlus back catalog has remained trapped on retro consoles.

In recent years, however, the Japanese game giant has been bringing some of its classics to modern platforms, specifically those in the Shin Megami Tensei and Persona franchises. This trend began with the release of Shin Megami Tensei 3:Nocturne's HD remaster in 2021. This was followed up by a number of other games being ported to current-gen consoles throughout 2022-2023, including Persona 3Portable, Persona 4 Golden, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, and Persona 5 Royal. While it's great that Atlus has brought back these beloved titles, the company should also consider reaching even further back into its catalog and making some of its more obscure games, like Maken X, available on modern platforms.

Atlus Has Recently Brought Some of Its Older Games to Modern Platforms

For those unfamiliar with it, Maken X was a first-person hack-and-slash that shared some gameplay DNA with fighting games and RPGs. It was released exclusively for the SEGA Dreamcast in 1999 in Japan and later received a worldwide launch in 2000. Maken X was one of only two games that Atlus developed for the short-lived console, with the other title being an equally-obscure, Japan-only horror game named deSPIRIA.

Though Maken X was initially only available on the Dreamcast, it received an enhanced edition for the PS2, dubbed Maken Shao: Demon Sword. Similar to other Atlus re-releases like Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance and Persona 5 Royal, this updated version of the hack-and-slash made some significant changes to the original title, most notable of all being a switch from a first-person perspective to a third-person one. Maken Shao: Demon Sword was released in Japan in 2001 and was subsequently launched in Europe in 2003, but the game never made its way to North America.

Maken X Was a Noteworthy Release for Atlus

Its interesting launch history aside, the original Maken X was a notable release for Atlus for a variety of reasons. For one, the game was the Japanese developer's first fully-3D title ever, and the first one to get the complete voice acting treatment. Additionally, the title served as the directorial debut of Persona and Metaphor: ReFantazio lead developer Katsura Hashino, who's served a pivotal role at Atlus ever since he joined the company.

Maken X Was One of Atlus's Strangest Video Games

For such a noteworthy title in Atlus's history, it's quite surprising that Maken X is a very strange game, arguably more so than some of the company's other eclectic releases. The unique nature of this first-person hack-and-slash isn't solely reflected in its gameplay; the premise of its plot is just as bizarre, as well. After all, the game chronicles the adventures of a sentient sword, simply known as the Maken, that has the ability to possess the minds of those who wield it. As such, even though players do control humans in the game, they're technically playing as a living sword.

The set-up behind Maken X's wild plot doesn't stop there, though, as the game takes place on a near-future Earth that's been plunged into complete disarray following a high rate of natural disasters, increased political tension between the United States and China, and the collapse of the European Union. At the center of all these chaotic events are two warring factions: the Blademasters and the Sangokai.

While the former of the two wants to protect world peace at all costs, the latter strives to reduce the human population no matter what it takes. The leader of the Sangokai organization, a worm-like being residing inside a black sword named Mr. Meteor, serves as the main antagonist of the game and as Maken's main enemy. To put it in simpler terms, the entire plot of this Atlus-developed game essentially revolves around the conflict between two sentient swords, as crazy as that sounds.

Maken X Shares Some Things in Common With Shin Megami Tensei

Maken X is certainly a unique game, but it does share a fair number of similarities with Atlus' Megami Tensei franchise, from its soundtrack and art style all the way to its nonlinear plot and use of multiple endings. Considering the fact that many SMT and Persona developers worked on this project, it's no wonder that this Dreamcast game contains some of the DNA of Atlus' flagship franchises. For instance, Shoji Meguro, the composer best known for his work on the recent mainline Persona games, made some music for Maken X. The artist Kazuma Kaneko, who worked on the demon and character designs in titles like Shin Megami Tensei 4, Persona 5, and Devil Survivor, was involved with the development of this Atlus game as well.

Atlus Should Let More People Experience Maken X on Modern Platforms

Sadly, despite finding modest success in Japan, Maken X and its enhanced PS2 re-release didn't sell particularly well worldwide. Since many people did not get a chance to experience it, Atlus should consider bringing Maken X to modern platforms. The game may not appeal to a broad audience, but it would fill an interesting niche in the company's current portfolio of titles. After all, Atlus doesn't typically branch out from the JRPG genre these days, so a first/third-person game with hack-and-slash combat would be a refreshing addition to its catalog.

Overall, if Atlus were to remaster Maken X and bundle its enhanced PS2 re-release alongside it, fans of the cult classic video game would likely be ecstatic, especially if the title were to receive some graphical enhancements and quality-of-life improvements. The only thing potentially better than that would be a Persona 3 Reload-style remake, though it's unfortunately unlikely that Atlus would invest so much money in such a project.