The world of Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse is one of darkness and destruction. Twenty-five years after a devastating war between the gods, Tokyo lies in ruins, with humans ruled by both angelic and demonic forces. The player takes on the role of Nanashi, who is brought back to life by the demon Dagda in exchange for becoming his "Godslayer".
The game's story unfolds as the player navigates the familiar alignment system that defines the series. Each choice made will lead to one of three paths: Law, Chaos, or Neutral, resulting in multiple possible endings.
Gameplay has seen several key improvements over its predecessor:
The partner system has been expanded, allowing Nanashi to team up with up to seven allies during battle, including four support characters with their own gauge systems;
The negotiation system has been revamped, so failed negotiations will pick up where they left off if attempted again.
Demons have become more efficient in their use of magic, with specialized demons able to cast spells with increased potency.
A change in the way magic is used, removing the instant-kill effects of certain spells and replacing them with damage dealt instead;
The user interface has been overhauled for a more intuitive and visually appealing experience.
New sound effects have been added, including the roar of demons.
Character designs have also seen some refinements, with the main character receiving a makeover to better fit the game's themes. The updated look is more fitting for the game's atmosphere.