Shin Megami Tensei – The Roleplaying Game: Tokyo Conception (shortened to Tokyo Conception) is designed for three to five players and one Game Master. Based on Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne, it aims to capture the essence of the game series, featuring familiar spells, characters, demons, and even the Vortex World. Players can use spells like Agi and Megido against well-known foes such as Jack Frost and the Moirae Sisters. Tokyo Conception blends key elements from the video game series with popular TTRPG mechanics, including demon negotiation, the Affinity system, and challenging status effects like Poison and Stun, alongside critical hits, fumbles, and exploding dice.
Newcomers to both tabletop RPGs and the Shin Megami Tensei series can easily jump into Tokyo Conception, making it an ideal starting point for either. Experienced TTRPG players will find familiar gameplay features, pre-made scenarios, engaging mechanics, and in-depth character progression. The game's duration is flexible, ranging from days to seasons. The gamebook includes nearly 100 pages of demon stats, including bosses, and ideas for new adventures.
Players begin by selecting one of three character classes: Human, Fiend, or Demon, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Beyond battling and negotiating with demons, faction dynamics play a crucial role. Kagutsuchi continues to burn in the Vortex World, awaiting those who choose to present their Reason for the new world. There are three existing factions. Will players support one of these? Will the manikins develop their own Reason? Or will players use faction rules to create their own?
"We're honored to work with ATLUS on such a renowned franchise," said Bradly Halestorm, CEO and President of localization company and game publisher LionWing, in a press release. "Tokyo Conception was first released in Japan in 2004, receiving positive reviews and strong sales. However, it remained out of reach for Western audiences for almost two decades. This has been a 20-year journey for the game, and we're excited to finally share it with the rest of the world."
