any games similar to SMT in terms of themes ?

Irman

New Challenger
Level 0
12%
Joined
May 21, 2025
Messages
3
Level up in
22 posts
Reaction score
7
Points
52
Location
Iran
Hi, hope you guys are having a nice day !

the first time I played SMT it made my jaw drop I was so fascinated with the idea of summoning all types of real life mythical creatures taken from real life religions and beliefs, and thankfully so far I only have finished IV and Soul Hackers (and am playing Strange Journey at the moment ::biggrin) so there are still a lot of titles to experience but this questions keeps on popping up in my mind, are there any other games that actually take use of real life mythical creatures as a main property in it's theme ? I tried searching a little on google and sadly couldn't find any interesting things that catches my eye. so please do share if you guys know any, I really appreciate it. 🌞
 
The OP literally said they googled the question but couldn't find anything that interested them. Can't you read?
can't help it, he was born with no literacy 😩

To try and answer, maybe Age of Mythology? They use mythos as units. Game is pretty fun with a great OST.
 
They're technically spin-offs of the Shin Megami Tensei series, but you can check out the Last Bible games. You'll be able to find them in the Repo.
 
Digimon perhaps? I feel cyber sleuth fits the bell perfectly (narrative and gameplay wise I mean, but you do also summon Digimon named after the seven deadly sins and there’s really heavy mythology inspired Digimon)
 
Plenty of games - especially JRPGs - have at least a selection of enemies based on mythology of course, but it's actually kind of shocking how rare this whole theme of utilizing real world mythological beasts in your games seems to be.
Maybe I'm just blanking really hard right now, but I never thought about it like that.

Maybe devs or publishers are worried about the risk of offending various cultural groups with whatever depiction they'd end up with?
But then again, given how freely and creatively Atlus has been slinging things like Shiva or the Archangels and whatnot around, you'd really assume there would be more attempts at this kind of thing... Odd.

I can really only think of a couple mythologically themed Soulslikes or Action games - Muramasa, Nioh 1/2 or the God of War series would broadly fit the bill, I suppose. Oh and Labyrinth of the Demon King!
 
Last edited:
Chaos Rings III (PS Vita) lets you use the power of mythical / legendary beings and historical figures called genes. There's 138 of them.
 

Attachments

  • galileo.webp
    galileo.webp
    178.4 KB · Views: 2
  • hitchock.webp
    hitchock.webp
    142.1 KB · Views: 4
  • titania.webp
    titania.webp
    148.4 KB · Views: 4
  • tom-sawyer.webp
    tom-sawyer.webp
    193.5 KB · Views: 4
Yes, the deal of SMT is being a Pokemon-like game by using mythical creatures against mythical creatures therefore it's the only game series regarding topic. Other related games more about being a mythical being yourself or just a human in mythical fiction and stuff, however they are limited to certain mythologies that are not international as the SMT series.

In that regard your options are very limited to these games: God of War series, Witcher series, Okami, Ghostwire: Tokyo, Folklore (PS3 game), League of Legends, Dota 2 and whatnot games.

FYI it would worth to mention just in case that Persona series are part of SMT series as a spin off series that has the core SMT stuff regarding mythical creature collection and fighting with these creatures using your creatures, but these games are more about having a high school setting. Sometimes people ask this very same question regarding "I enjoyed playing Persona games so I wanna play something like this" but sometimes they are not aware of SMT series so I kinda having an opposite deja vu moment here lol.
 
Last edited:
Heyo thanks everyone for the recommendations I'll definitely try to give em' all a shot at least. ::agree

maybe Age of Mythology? They use mythos as units. Game is pretty fun with a great OST.
yeah that game does take a good use of mythologies even though they say it's not as diverse and more focused on Greek, Egyptian, and Norse but still that's impressive thanks I'll try it out!

the Last Bible games.
OH YES, You're right I've only once saw the Last Bible Spin-offs on a YouTube Video briefly but it really does look interesting specially that it has a lighter atmosphere compared to most of the SMT franchise, I think I'll love em' thanks a lot !

Digimon perhaps? I feel cyber sleuth fits the bell perfectly (narrative and gameplay wise I mean, but you do also summon Digimon named after the seven deadly sins and there’s really heavy mythology inspired Digimon)
I had no idea about this one. it's art style is also very tempting, got to read more about it ! thanks.

Maybe devs or publishers are worried about the risk of offending various cultural groups with whatever depiction they'd end up with?
Yes, I thought there would be more games in these themes too, but unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case. As for the fear of people getting offended, I totally agree it's possible. Still, it's worth noting that only some religions are strongly concerned with depictions. Indo-European religions as an example (mostly polytheistic and rich in mythology) are a very good source to be inspired by for devs.
So yeah, I also feel like this is a theme that sadly hasn't been and can still be explored and still had lots of potential.
I can really only think of a couple mythologically themed Soulslikes or Action games - Muramasa, Nioh 1/2 or the God of War series would broadly fit the bill, I suppose. Oh and Labyrinth of the Demon King!
I didn't know anything about Muramasa and Labyrinth of the Demon King, thanks a lot they look interesting and I'll go after them.

Chaos Rings III (PS Vita)
the game looks really fun and the aesthetic low key remind me of ps2 era final fantasies, thanks !

Yes, the deal of SMT is being a Pokemon-like game by using mythical creatures against mythical creatures therefore it's the only game series regarding topic.
yes that too might be the reason, thinking about it a game about fighting mythical creatures against each other isn't the most ordinary thing so it makes sense if there's less of it.
In that regard your options are very limited to these games: God of War series, Witcher series, Okami, Ghostwire: Tokyo, Folklore (PS3 game), League of Legends, Dota 2 and whatnot games.

FYI it would worth to mention just in case that Persona series are part of SMT series as a spin off series that has the core SMT stuff regarding mythical creature collection and fighting with these creatures using your creatures, but these games are more about having a high school setting.
Folklore seems like a cool game never heard of it before but it does look beautiful thanks ! oh my bad I should've mentioned sorry, I know about Persona and played the third one for a little. yes even thought it has a specific focus on High-School Simulation (if we can call it that) Persona and most of other SMT Spin-offs all look pretty impressive.

Titan Quest.. maybe
thanks I'll check it out.
 
oh my bad I should've mentioned sorry, I know about Persona and played the third one for a little. yes even thought it has a specific focus on High-School Simulation (if we can call it that) Persona and most of other SMT Spin-offs all look pretty impressive.
Nah it's okay. I'm glad you knew about Persona games actually. So then what's left to mention is kinda every Persona games has their own themes therefore they are not so "similar games". It's a benefit for when you dislike a Persona game you may either way find the Persona game you may like.

For example Persona 1 is really close to be a SMT game, so it's serious despite it has the sense of humor and it really has all late 90s has to offer!!!! lol

Persona 2 is less serious, more like an anime.

Persona 3 is kinda like Persona 1 but has the 2000s emo theme.

Persona 4 is similar to Persona 2 but more about murder mystery in "peaceful" village that has heartwarming situations to experience!!!!

Persona 5 gets very different than SMT and Persona games, it's more like Kaitou Kid anime by doing its own thing + Persona stuff.

Oh also what to warn about Persona games is their "different versions". For example Persona 3, 4 and 5 have different versions that expands and add features. Persona 3 also has Persona FES, Persona 4 -> Persona 4 Golden and Persona 5 -> Persona 5 Royal. It means newer versions has new characters and story stuff but I prefer the original of these games due to the way newer versions ruins the game for me.
 
Last edited:
I know you've mentioned series separate to SMT, but I'd be remiss in rabid fandom if I failed to fervently promote SMT: Digital Devil Saga & Digital Devil Saga 2. The games are steeped in Buddhist and Hindu myth. Such a phenomenal duology.

Outside of SMT, God of War is based upon Greco-Roman religion.

From what I understand, Naruto (both the anime and the games) are heavily inspired by Japanese historical myth. Similarly, Black Myth: Wukong is supposedly based on either Chinese religious themes or one of the earliest Chinese legends (uncertain about this one, but apparently it's very good!)
 
Last edited:
Maybe La Mulana and its sequel? Especially its sequel, actually.

The main conceit is that you're exploring a set of ruins that is the cradle of civilization. You see lots and lots of references to different mythologies inside the ruins, both from enemies you encounter to items you pick up to your surroundings.

The sequel dials this aspect up infinitely.

Only caveat is that they're pretty indepth games. Like, it is ill-advised to take an extended break while playing them because you will absolutely forget what you were supposed to be doing. Note-taking type game.
 
All I can think of besides the SMT series is the Persona series.

There's also things like the Glory of Heracles, but if you're looking for something that has that whole 'recruit other mythological entities' thing, you might want to try something else.

Last Bible was mentioned, and I hear good things about that series.
 
Last edited:
From what I understand, Naruto (both the anime and the games) are heavily inspired by Japanese historical myth.
You are right. Naruto using the most popular Japanese mythology elements that's actually generic but understandable when you know Japanese culture. However what is not generic is how these popular ideas are used in "cool way".

For example chakra is what people get used to from India, yoga and whatever. Normally it's not about performing "magical stuff" lol. FYI Naruto was almost becoming Japanese version of Harry Potter-like fiction but it was decided to be about ninjas instead lol.

Multiple-tailed monsters are one of the most popular monster type in Japanese mythology but they were not actually inside of people or something.

One of the jutsus "izanagi" and "izanami" are actually name of gods that believed to have created Japan's islands and other gods. Japanese religion has many gods but these are very important ones.

The rest of the character dynamics and all are from very popular Japanese mythology situations but let's say they are twisted for the Naruto universe.
 
I learned about LaPlace's Demon thanks to SNES Drunk. Apparently, it started as a Japanese computer game. The video focuses on the Super Famicom version, which is a console RPG. There's a complete fan translation.
 
Well honestly I don’t think any game can capture what Megaten does but I can tell you what Megaten was influenced by.


Devilman

Everything from Demon Invasion to a highschool student was the inspiration for Megaten since the first book in the series.

Chainsaw Man is also heavily inspired by Devilman and that feels more like Megaten then most video games.
 
Monster Kingdom: Jewel Summoner on PSP. It's made by Atlus too.
Well okay the mythology is pretty light to almost non-existent, but it has the same occult vibe to it. just give it a try really.

And maybe Toukiden I guess? It's all Japanese themed though.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Connect with us

Support this Site

RGT relies on you to stay afloat. Help covering the site costs and get some pretty Level 7 perks too.

Featured Video

Latest Threads

Anyone have a link for downloading CriPakTools?

Specifically a link that isn't to github because I tried there and it doesn't a link that has...
Read more

Food For Thought

I figured we could use a thread like this one.

I already had something of the sort, but it was...
Read more

Game franchises that you don't intend to touch/give a chance regardless of how good people say they are?

The title speaks for itself, Mine are:
Yakuza Series
Elder Scrolls Series
Read more

Castlevania: The Mega Thread

Hello, Retro Game Talk! I've been a Castlevania fan for so many years, and I'm always...
Read more

Online statistics

Members online
170
Guests online
1,300
Total visitors
1,470

Forum statistics

Threads
11,038
Messages
271,655
Members
846,201
Latest member
Sheikalex

Advertisers

Back
Top