Shin Megami Tensei Devil Children - Aka no Sho (Japan)
Shin Megami Tensei Devil Children - Aka no Sho (Japan) - RPG Classic
Shin Megami Tensei Devil Children - Aka no Sho (Red Book) is a monster-collecting RPG released exclusively in Japan for the Game Boy Color in 2000. Developed and published by Atlus, it's part of the Devil Children subseries, which itself is a spin-off of the main Shin Megami Tensei franchise aimed at a younger audience. The game adapts the demon negotiation and fusion mechanics of its parent series into a portable, kid-friendly format.
You take on the role of a protagonist who can be a boy or girl, exploring dungeons and engaging in turn-based battles. The core loop involves recruiting demons by talking to them, then fusing them to create stronger allies. Your party consists of up to three demons, each with their own stats and skills. The world is viewed from a top-down perspective on the Game Boy Color screen, with random encounters driving the combat forward.
For fans of monster-taming games like Pokémon, Devil Children offers a darker, more mature-themed alternative within the same handheld generation. It's a fascinating snapshot of Atlus experimenting with the formula before the later success of the Persona series. The game remains fully in Japanese, so non-Japanese speakers will need a guide, but the core gameplay loop is intuitive enough to enjoy with some patience.
How to Play Shin Megami Tensei Devil Children - Aka no Sho (Japan) Online
Getting Started
When you start the game, you are greeted with a title screen. Press Start (Enter) to proceed. You will then be asked to choose a male or female protagonist via a simple menu - the top option is likely the male choice, and the bottom is female. Confirm with the A button (X key). After that, the game begins in a town where you can talk to NPCs, buy items, and save your progress at a terminal. Your first goal is to exit the town to the wilderness to encounter wild demons.
The core loop is straightforward: walk in tall grass or dungeons to trigger random battles. In battle, you can attack, use skills, or attempt to talk to demons. Talking is crucial - you can negotiate to recruit demons by answering their questions or giving them items. Recruited demons join your party. You can fuse two demons at a fusion center to create a stronger one. Managing your demon team and fusing wisely is the key to progress. Since the game is entirely in Japanese, menu navigation can be tricky; the attack command is usually the first option, and talk is often the second. Experiment carefully.
Shin Megami Tensei Devil Children - Aka no Sho (Japan) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: A button (jump / confirm)
- S: B button (run / attack / cancel)
- Enter: Start / Pause
- V: Select
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