Although some players may compare Soul Hackers 2 to the Shin Megami Tensei or Persona series, it does have some pretty stark differences. For one, the "social mechanics" are very simplistic, with players only having to spend time with their party members through Hangout Events or cutscene choices in order to increase their Soul Level. This level is really only relevant for unlocking specific gates in the Soul Matrix, allowing players to dive deeper into the past of each character and unlock additional aspects of their story (while also gaining access to certain items and skills).
But players do have the option of hanging out with their group via one other mechanic. Players will be able to purchase and consume food in a "family style" setting, where all the party members will gather together to dig in. This isn't simply for fun either, as these food items have powerful buffs tied to them, giving players an edge in battle. Here's all players need to know about how food buffs work in Soul Hackers 2, as well as a look at some of the best buffs available.
How To Activate Food Buffs In Soul Hackers 2
In order to unlock the eating mechanic, players will need to progress through the "tutorial" sections, until they come across a boss fight against an enemy named R.S. After beating him and returning to the safe house, players will obtain the ability to consume food in the safe house menu. Once unlocked, players can consume whatever they have on hand. Consuming food will activate an appropriate buff, which will begin to take effect the next time that players are in an area in which combat takes place. Players should note, however, that the moment they leave the area and return to the Overworld (or another area) the buff will vanish. This means, that if players eat something and enter a "dungeon," but forget something and go back to the safe house or Overworld, they will need to eat again before returning to the dungeon.
Players will also want to take note of the face icons that appear at the top of the screen when choosing a food item in the Meals menu at the safe house. These faces indicate how much a character will enjoy the chosen food. The "happier" the icon, the better the buff will be when it's applied. Players should try their best to activate foods that apply best to specific characters (or even choose foods that are beloved by all).
The Best Food Buffs
New foods can be purchased at a variety of places in the Overwold, and players will have tons of choices when it comes to food items and buffs. Here's a look at some of the best buffs that players can snag, and where to get them from:
Food Item |
Buff Effect |
Where To Get It |
Negoti-ale |
Makes demon negotiation easier |
Vending Machine - Karakucho |
Chakra Flan |
Allies' MP recovers as you explore Dungeon |
Breaking Mart - Karakucho |
Philanthropic Shoyu Ramen |
Increases healing effects in battle |
Food Cart - Karakucho |
Chewy Taiyaki |
Extend effects of Map Skills |
Breaking Mart - Karakucho |
Admiration City Plate |
Increases party's MAX MP |
Bar Heidrun - Shinsado |
Critical Boscaiola |
Increases critical rate for party's attacks |
Pizza Shop - Karakucho |
Humble Mushroom Rice Porridge |
Allies' HP recovers as you explore Dungeon |
Bar Heidrun - Shinsado |