Japanese game developer Atlus may
be well-known in the RPG community nowadays for their “Persona” games, but they
have also been hard at work reminding these gamers that “Persona” was
originally a spinoff of their darker, more mature-themed series “Shin Megami
Tensei.” The latest main installment of that franchise has recently attracted
the attention of the company’s fans in the Philippines and the global Filipino
diaspora. That is because “SMT V” is apparently the first entry to include a
Filipino supernatural creature, the Manananggal. While introduced two weeks ago
as game art, the Manananggal finally made its debut this week as a featured
“SMT V” demon in an introductory video.
IGN reports that Atlus has released a new video feature on YouTube
showcasing the Philippine Manananggal as a new addition to the in-game Demon
bestiary of “Shin Megami Tensei V.” Said video has a short narration with a
basic description of the Manananggal according to lore consulted by Atlus,
along with game footage of the creature, designed by Atlus artist Masayuki Doi,
in action. The sight of the originally-stationary art for the Manananggal being
in motion has captured the imagination of commenters online, including plenty
of very impressed Filipino gamers.
The Atlus brief on the
Manananggal as it appears on “SMT V” is as follows: It is described as a witch,
living in the island province of Siquijor in the Philippines, which arguably
fits the profile. The narration also describes its ability to detach its upper
body from the lower at the waist, to then sprout wings and fly through the
night, attacking humans by sucking up their blood and internal organs through
her long tongue. Accompanying gameplay shows the Manananggal as a Demon roaming
the game world and encountering the player character “Nahobino,” then depicted
as a recruited character using her tongue in the “Sanguine Drain,” damaging an
enemy Demon while healing her HP.
Also shown is a gameplay segment
where Nahobino is verbally interacting with the Manananggal in traditional
“SMT” Demon negotiation mechanic. The female Demon teases Nahobino by offering
to let him touch her, with Nahobino selecting (from three given options) to
refuse her entreaty. In response, the Manananggal assures him that she just wants
to give him pointers in kissing, but her planned demonstration, which involves
tearing Nahobino’s head off, is a grim reminder that she is still a
flesh-eating Demon.
Manananggal as interpreted by Atlus
for “Shin Megami Tensei V” has again piqued the interest of Pinoy gamers due to
this video, which is ironic considering few dedicated video-gamers in the
country could probably afford or avail of a Nintendo Switch, the only system
the game will be released on, this coming November 12 worldwide.
Image courtesy of Reddit
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