Majin Tensei: Blind Thinker

Did You Know?

• The game is set twenty years after the Japanese energy company AGE constructed Neo Tokyo.
• Yuuji Kashiwagi's missing father left behind a demon summoning program.

Gameplay

The player controls a devil summoner in a game split into story and battle parts. In the story part, choices affect the direction of the narrative, such as which companion to support, leading to multiple routes and endings. Battle parts are turn-based, requiring the player to command units to meet victory conditions; defeat occurs if the protagonist or a friendly human character falls. Players can move units, attack adjacent enemies, and cast magic. Negotiation with enemy demons is possible, with success influenced by the moon phase—closer to a new moon improves odds. Recruited demons can be summoned in exchange for money and magnetite gained from defeating foes. Multiple allied demons can be fused into a single stronger demon, each combination yielding unique strengths and weaknesses.

Development and release

Bbmf developed and published Blind Thinker for feature phones in Japan starting July 11, 2007, with releases on various phones continuing through the year. As a spin-off of the 1994 Majin Tensei, it retains the demon-infested Tokyo setting and character designs by Kazuma Kaneko, though some gameplay mechanics are simplified. G-Mode re-released the game for Nintendo Switch and Windows on November 16, 2023, as part of their G-Mode Archives+ line, reproducing the original feature phone version. A sequel, Majin Tensei: Blind Thinker II, followed on March 24, 2008.

Reception

Blind Thinker was a success and well received by critics and players. Famitsu called it a fun and satisfying strategy game with challenging but rewarding combat, and praised the excitement of fusing demons. GA Graphic echoed this, while Den Fami Nico Gamer appreciated the strategic combat's depth. The story was also praised: Famitsu liked its multiple scenarios adapting to player choices; Inside Games found it fresh and nostalgic with high replay value; Den Fami Nico Gamer enjoyed its unique setting and rich story.