Soul Hackers 2 ‘Summoners Guide Vol. 5’ video – Soul Matrix
A space where dungeons associated with your party members sprawl.
ATLUS has released the fifth volume in its series of “Summoners Guide” information videos for Soul Hackers 2.
The “System: Soul Matrix” page of the official Japanese website was also updated.
Soul Hackers 2 is due out for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam and Microsoft Store on August 25 in Japan and August 26 worldwide. Read more about the game here.
Get the video and full English transcript below.
■ Introduction
Hello there, Devil Summoners. I’m Ringo of Aion.
This the fifth installment Summoner’s Guide, a program to teach you how to prevent the end of the world. Listen carefully and take it all in, alright?
Let’s start by by going over a crucial element necessary to save the world, and learn about the “Soul Matrix.”
■ The Soul Matrix
Far beneath the capitol city where humans live, is an area that functions as Aion’s main base, called the “Axis.” Here, you can talk to its representative, Flamma. Within the Axis is an expansive space called the Soul Matrix, where dungeons associated with your party members Arrow, Milady, and Saizo sprawl.
This space represents your party members’ mental states. Through personal events at Bar Heidrun, Ringo can increase her soul level with others. In other words: the more you deepen your understanding of your party members, the deeper you can explore their respective dungeons. Enemies also appear within the Soul Matrix, so you can train your party here, too.
Diving deeper into your teammates’ Soul Matrixes will also give you glimpses into their past, unlocking “Vision Quests.” Gaining a deeper understanding of your teammates will strengthen Ringo’s party, so be sure to work your way through the Soul Matrix.
Quests that can be received in the Axis and performed in the Soul Matrix are called “Aion Order.” There are many requirements, such as defeating enemies under specific conditions, or collecting and submitting items, to name a few. Completing them will earn you different types of rewards, so be sure to accept them when you can.
—Connection with Teammates
When your Soul Level reaches a certain amount, you can obtain a Summoner Skill. They have various effects such as strengthening your stats, or increasing the number of Sabbath stacks. Be sure to periodically visit the Soul Matrix whenever your Soul Level increases.
Also lurking within the dungeons are dangerous enemies, different from your typical foes. They’re called “Risky Enemies.” Their strength is off the charts, so avoiding them altogether is recommended. You also can’t immobilize these enemies with your sword, so keep this in mind whenever you encounter them, and prepare accordingly if confrontation is unavoidable.
Again, be absolutely careful of Risky Enemies, and utilize your Summoner Skills to progress inside the Soul Matrix.
The Soul Matrix… It’s a place you’d can’t avoid, if you want to stop the end of the world. Now, let’s review everything we learned today, and try playing through the Soul Matrix together.
■ Playthrough Guide to the Soul Matrix
Enter the Soul Matrix through the Axis, the home base of Aion. Talk to this semi-transparent version of me, to receive an “order” from Aion. Accept tasks from the list that you think you can complete. You can get a reward later! You can also learn new Summoner Skills here, too.
The Soul Matrix is a space that replicates your teammates’ mental state. By increasing your Soul Level through your interactions with them, you’ll be able to unlock a wider breadth of skills. Now, let’s get started with the exploration!
Let’s try entering the “Arrow Area” for today. Demons run amuck inside the Soul Matrix. Can you believe these guys bear demons even within their souls? Devil Summoners are really something else. Keep striking their weaknesses! Oh, and if you’ve already established an enemy’s weakness, you can utilize the assist function for single-button attacks. Make good use of it!
—Let’s finish them off with a Sabbath attack. Alright, the Order is complete!
—I guess I can fuse a Fortuna now. We gotta go see Victor.
Now that the Order is complete, let’s avoid unnecessary battles while returning.
—Hmm? That enemy feels a little different…
—Eh, take this!… Wait, huh?
—T-They’re strong…?
—T-Trafuri! Saizo!
—Woah!
—Welp, we just lost…
As you just saw, there are powerful enemies lurking around, too. Make sure you’re well-prepared whenever you fight them.
Using “Portals” is a viable tactic, too. They allow you to travel to areas you’ve been to already. Isn’t that nice? Oh, there’s a roadblock. It appears my connection with my teammate isn’t strong enough… yet.
In key areas, powerful bosses await you. Defeating them will unlock a new skill for the teammate the area is associated with.
—Alright then… let’s show ’em what we got!
—See that! That’s me at my best.
It appears the bosses might be connected to our teammates’ memories, and defeating them exposes us to powerful recollections. These are past memories, regrets… In other words, recollections of past experiences that can’t be changed anymore. This is a “Vision Quest.”
Reflecting and overcoming the past… I guess that’s how humans grow stronger, huh? It looks like Arrow can learn a new Summoner Skill now. Choose skills that you want prioritize. Skills you don’t choose here can always be learned later, so don’t worry too much if you have to skip one. That’s the gist, but you gotta try exploring the Soul Matrix for yourself. I’m sure it’ll help with stopping the end of the world.
How was that? After seeing that, do you have a better idea about the Soul Matrix?
Here’s an announcement for all humans.
■ Premiere Hands-on Event Round Two
- Date: Saturday, July 23 and Sunday, July 24
- Location: TBD
- Invited Guests only
■ Downloadable Content
Selected downloadable content info, revealed! Includes downloadable content that adds costumes and background music sets from previous ATLUS titles, downloadable content that unlocks powerful demons such as Mara and Masakado, and downloadable content that boosts your in-game currency and EXP earnings.
- “Lost Numbers” – Adds a bonus story arc featuring a new character.
- Costume and BGM Pack
- Bonus Demon Pack
- Booster Item Pack
Additional downloadable content info to be revealed soon! A “Soul Hackers 2 DLC Bundle” containing all downloadable content will also be available.
Digital editions are now available for preorder! The Digital Standard Edition & Digital “25th Anniversary Edition” comes with Preorder Bonus: “Persona 5 Costume & BGM Set 2.”
The Steam version also now available for preorder! Available in Digital Premium Edition, Digital Deluxe Edition, and Standard Edition,
■ Conclusion
That’s it for today’s “Summoner’s Guide.” Do look forward to the next one! Bye for now!