Shin Megami Tensei IV has its ups and downs in the visual department. The setting is truly bizarre and inspired in places, but at no point does any of the onscreen action feel alive. Whether you're exploring towns or fighting monsters, there isn't much movement; the Dragon Quest-esque fighting animations (or more specifically, the lack thereof) have been out of style since the NES era, and though the mechanics of the gameplay remain intact, some actual fighting animation shouldn't be too much to ask. Instead, we're treated to static images of your character, your allies, and your foes. This makes the characters even more difficult to grow attached to than they already are. Perhaps the special kill effects are the coolest part of the visuals; lethal gun attacks perforate enemies with splatters of blood, cuts rend them in two, electric attacks vaporize them, fire burns them away, and ice shatters them. It looks neat, but it's no substitute for quality animation. On the plus side, demons are creatively illustrated, and boss monsters look incredible; an early encounter with a demonic horse gives you a macabre taste of what's to come.
Shin Megami Tensei IV sounds great, though few will come for anything but the gameplay. The music fluctuates between the nobility of Mikado and the run-down hell that is the "land of the unclean ones" (not spoiling anything). Battle calls are always cheesy fun, especially when the voice acting is otherwise good, and so it is with this game.