Yesterday, this appeared:
http://megamisj.atlusnet.jp/arthur/index.html
It's a Creator's Corner where Kaneko (Lord Emperor) and Ishida (director) talk about the various aspects of Strange Journey. I didn't want to post at first because it's all Japanese and but..... I decided to anyway just to make some people SADDER! :lol
Kaneko says that originally, this was indeed SMT4. It is SMT4 for all intents and purposes as a SMT game. Except, SMT1-3 all took place in Tokyo, and because this takes on a different location and setting, he felt it would be more fitting to just give it a different title. He also mentions why it does not take place in Tokyo. For someone living in Tokyo, the original games will have a strong impact geographically because it's their home city and this is a "what if" situation revolving around that. But for people who live in other countries, far away from Tokyo, it would not have the same impact and they might feel left out. So he decided to create a scenario and setting where everyone can appreciate and feel connected in a more similar way.
So suck it down haters.
This is.
Shin Megami Tensei IV.
FOR THE WORLD!
:lol :lol :lol :lol