Video games turning into board games is hardly anything new, but you love to see it when it’s one of your favorite franchises. Shin Megami Tensei is next to get a board game adaptation, and it’s available on Kickstarter. Currently, it stands at over double its original asking goal of around $200,000, and it only started today.
The board game isn’t modeled after any one particular SMT game, but rather the general idea. If you’re unfamiliar with the series, each game is a stand-alone story. They always center around a war between the forces of Law and Chaos, represented by various deities from across the world. Players travel to a devastated Tokyo recruiting demons to fight for the future of humanity. The latest title, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, was released earlier this year.
The board game focuses on claiming various sections of Tokyo in order to recruit demons and build an army capable of winning one of many final battles. Like the video game counterparts, there’s a large focus on making choices. Players can converse with demons and decide on an allegiance to Law, Neutral, or Chaos. Everything is played on a board of Tokyo with cards and tokens. The centerpiece of this game is easily the 72 miniatures of various demons from across the series. Fans will recognize favorites like Jack Frost, Alice, and Metatron, among others.
The Shin Megami Tensei Board Game is being developed by a new company called ICREA. This is their first Kickstarter, and first board game. Atlus does not appear to be involved in the creation of this outside of licensing.
There are only two tiers for purchase on Kickstarter, and one of them is an early-adopter discount. That’s long since gone, unfortunately. If you’re interested in picking up the game, you’re going to have to cough up some serious macca. The asking price is 60,000 yen, which roughly translates to a staggering $391 in the US. That doesn’t include shipping, either.
It appears to be a premium product, but as with any Kickstarter, it’s hard to tell if the money will be worth it right now. The game is expected to finish production and begin shipping in May of next year.