Shin Megami Tensei if...

Shin Megami Tensei if... is a Japanese role-playing game developed and published by Atlus, originally released for the Super Famicom in 1994. It stands as a distinct entry in the series, exploring a different facet of its world.

The game begins as a normal school day turns into chaos when a mysterious force opens a portal to a demon-filled dimension, trapping students in their school. You play as a student who wakes up in this altered reality, tasked with surviving and finding a way to restore order. Exploration involves moving through dungeon-like environments, conversing with other characters, and engaging in turn-based combat against demons. A key mechanic is the ability to talk to demons during battles; you can attempt to persuade them to join your party instead of fighting, or extort money and items from them. Successfully recruited demons can be sent out to fight alongside you, with their own strengths and weaknesses dictating combat strategy.

Beyond recruitment, demon fusion is central to progression in Shin Megami Tensei if.... By combining two or more demons at specific locations, you can create new, more powerful demons, inheriting some of their abilities. This system allows for extensive customization and strategic planning as you build your ideal demon team. The game also features a branching narrative; certain choices you make, particularly in how you interact with characters and demons, can lead to different paths and outcomes, affecting the story and the challenges you face.

The player character uses a device called a COMP to cast spells, with new spells becoming available as they acquire specific cartridges. Navigating the corrupted school requires careful management of resources and understanding the relationships between different demon factions.