Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga Review

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(More customer reviews)Having played most of the RPGs out on all three console systems, I had been looking into another time waster RPG that I could play that would not only keep me entertained gameplay-wise but also story-wise.There was a series I kept hearing about, Shin Megami Tensei.Two games have been released not even 8 months apart from each other, Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne and now Digital Devil Saga.I quickly bought both.One I loved, the other not so much.

As it turns out, I tried playing Nocturne first and was completely and utterly frustrated at some design choices in the game.Not only that, but the story didn't seem to be going anywhere, so I quit playing it.I decided to give the Shin Megami series a second chance and tried Digital Devil Saga.All of my complaints of the first game were completely addressed in this game.

Let's start with the story.Digital Devil Saga incorporates a very dark story involving demons and human nature and computers into a wonderful package.The strengths of its story not only lie in the huge events that propel it along but also in some subtle areas.Character reactions that seem a bit over the top in the beginning make perfect sense the more you think about it.SPOILER: it's like the characters are experiencing feelings for the first time and therefore all of their actions and reactions may seem over the top because they are experiencing this heightened feeling for the first time.The story continues up to a climax that leaves the game hanging.Good thing the sequel comes out in August.

Another positive is that you are playing with static characters, humans who can transform into demons.These characters allow more a story format to follow since you have a full party that talks and acts on their own.It's also nice not to have to worry about screwing the characters up (like you could in the fusion system of Nocturne).

And this is a good thing because the combat system in DDS is exactly like in Nocturne.It's based on strength and weaknesses.Every character in the game (save for some bosses) have strengths and weaknesses and it is through manipulating these weaknesses that you can win battles.For instance, if a monster is weak against fire, you want to use fire on him not only to do more damage but to also give you an extra turn to attack.Each character gets one action but by using a weakness, the character only uses 1/2 of their action points.Conversely, enemies can use your weaknesses against you.It's here that you want to combat that.If they use an ability a character is strong against, it takes away their turns.By manipulating strengths and weaknesses, you can control the tide of battle.

I also like what they did with the abilities.Whereas in Nocturne, if you took a new ability you had to effectively forget another ability and it was lost forever, DDS fixes this by allowing you to learn abilities then giving you slots to choose which ones to equip.That way you never fret over having to "forget" an ability which might be the only key to your success later on.It seems like such a small thing, but the ability to customize your characters to battles really helps the game move along.

Speaking of abilities, DDS uses a system much like the sphere grid in FFX.Each character starts with certain abilities already learned from Mantras, and by learning beginning Mantras, you open up paths to bigger and better Mantras.You download Mantras from Terminals for Macha (the monetary system) and by winning battles you gain AP used to learn each Mantra.Afterwards, you can equip learned abilities how you see fit.This gives you a much more rewarding customization option than seen in Nocturne.

The graphic style is also like Nocturne and is real interesting to me.And the art style is also intriguing, the demon designs are inspired, especially the demon you and your friends can turn into.The music is pretty decent (you get the soundtrack album with the purchase) and the voice acting is decent.Once I realized why the characters were over-emphasizing every little emotion they have I appreciated it much more.In the beginning, it is a little jarring because they are talking about emotions in such a heightened, over the top, roll your eyes way.But it's all for a point.

I know that in my review I kept referencing Nocturne.I can't help it.The two games are so intertwined on so many levels that comparisons are impossible to miss.I also bring it up because there might be other players out there like me who couldn't really get into Nocturne and are on the fence with this game because of it.I think if you are new to the Shin Megami Tensei series and want to get your feet wet, try this game before you try (if you even want to try) Nocturne.It is more in line with a traditional RPG format.I will say that DDS is a truly exceptional RPG game with a dark and mature story that brings to life questions about humanity.And it solves all of the problems I had with Nocturne (you can see my review on Nocturne to see what I mean).Not only does it fix problems in Nocturne, but it stands in line with what are considered the pillars of the console RPG community.An excellent adventure with fun gameplay.If you like RPGs you should definitely give this one a try.

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Product Description:
Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga collects the Digital Devil games that redefined role-playing in Japan, and updates them for an all-new experience and a new audience. You are seeking the path to Nirvana when you develop the power to change into a demon. Use this power to defeat your enemies and build up enough to storm Nirvana and earn a place in paradise.Discover special link attacks to unleash the power of your party

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Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha versus King Abaddon Review

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(More customer reviews)Many of you may ask me in my opinion what justifies giving a game 5 stars. As a reviewer I care about a few key factors. Originality, good game play, decent atmosphere/plot, and a seamless non broken experience rate the highest on my list. Things such as "glitches or bugs" can knock down a grade on my end.

Let me state right off the bat any title with "Shin Megami Tensei" stamped on it somewhere will be a Japanese rpg but not a "stereotypical" J-rpg. Devil Summoner 2 continues this proud tradition in style.

As someone living through a new recession the story line hit home. Devil Summoner 2 has a mystery novel vibe to it. You are Raidou, a young man who can negotiate with demons so they will join you but you are a detective during the 1920's in Japan as well that is struggling to hold onto traditions as it enters the modern era.

The Capital's people are hauntingly enough a reflection of us. For some unknown reason "luck" has become imbalanced in the universe. Those that are poor and unlucky are EXTREMLY destitute while the wealthy with good life circumstances go about charmed oblivious existences often not caring or even knowing about the suffering around them. The back drop of this "past Japan" is much akin to "Modern America". There are unemployed workers that are completely without hope. Those fortunate enough to have jobsare forced to labor in harsh conditions thus resort to alcohol and other vices to dull the pain. There are nice girls who turn tricks at the red-light district because they cannot make ends meet any other way. The only glimmer of optimism is as Raidou you can accept cases and help many of these people thus turning back the tides of misfortune.

SMT games are good for addressing issues that effect normal people. The Persona series is most renowned for that and Devil Summoner 2 is no exception to that rule. Sure, things may eventually lead up to an epic confrontation with a mad-man trying to plunge the world into Armageddon but the bigger focus is always "monsters" created by our own society more so than denizens rising from the depths of hell.

The game-play in Devil Summoner 2 is "improved" over the first game in many ways. Raidou can roll and cartwheel with the dodge button to avoid attacks and he no longer has limited ammunition. However after 6 shots he still must reload. In close quarters the hero brandishes a sword to dish out the justice. Normal attacks focus powerful slashes on one foe whereas "special attacks" can hit multiple foes but normally do less overall damage to each adversary.

Now comes the real treat for you traditional SMT fans. Demon negotiation is back. Any person who loved Persona 1-2 or Nocturne knows what demon negotiation is. At any time during combat you can talk to most demons. They all have quirky traits. Like real people demons will judge you based on a first impression and they all have likes and dislikes. Have a stimulating enough conversation and various cute, scary, and sexy beasties will ally with you, allowing you to have them as friends in combat and even during investigations. Negotiating has many layers. For example your friends can better your chances of impressing another demon and may add their voices to the peace-talk. If you have a certain demon type already in your party other demons from that species will almost always be friendly to you if you choose to interact with them kindly instead of slaying them outright. Demons have as much "personality" and "heart" as your back up class-mates in the Persona games so you will get attached even to the weakest ones. (As you raise in level you get more "tubes" which store more demons.)

Speaking of Persona you can fuse demons in much the same way. Instead of dropping by the velvet room you talk to Victor, a mad scientist who loves making new creations from meshing demons together. As with the velvet room you can make more powerful buddies and even call back demons in their separate forms by paying a fee. The more powerful a demon was, the more it costs to recruit them anew. A good thing to also remember is registering your demons often. As they increase in level and rank you'll want to be sure Victor records their improving stats.

By itself the system of "negotiating" and "fusing" is fun enough as it is. However what is really innovative is you can summon one demon from your list to help you in non-combat situations. Inugami can read minds when you question someone showing you their true thoughts. Petra is good at diving down wells to retrieve items for you. A skill caste demon such as Pixie can even let you take on the appearance of your suspects and enemies in order to get past guards or other obstacles. All this accumulates into an engrossing and entertaining romp whether you are fighting creatures or merely gathering clues.

However there are a few minor gripes. First and foremost if this is your first SMT game you may not know the weaknesses of every demon type. I suggest using the analyze skill whenever you can and attempting different things in battle. You can switch out demons in combat so never be hesitant to trade someone out if they don't seem to be doing well in the present situation. If a creature can do insane melee damage try distancing yourself and using your gun. Sometimes bullets can temporarily stun foes. Lastly remember you can "hide" your demons by pressing one of the left shoulder buttons. This reduces the punishmentyour party has to take.

Beyond battles occasionally spiking in difficulty level my only other qualm is a mild one. There is no voice acting. The main characters are so deep, artistically rendered, and expressive the lack of speech did not phase me much but if you got spoiled by the great localizations and voice talent from the digital devil and persona games this maybe a red mark on your scoring sheet.

Overall Devil Summoner 2 is a great rpg. I liked its' strategic yet live action battles as well as the various ways demons can offer their aid both on and off the combat field. I'd go so far to say I haven't seen as much charm and creativity woven into many next gen titles. Give Atlus a stone wheel and a crank and they'll make you a reliable yet flashy all terrain automobile! Atlus does so much with last gen hardware and software I cannot wait to see what heights they will soar to once they catch up with the pack!

Pros

+Great story

+I could relate to the desperate gritty semi industrial setting of 1920's Japan.

+Interesting and lovable antagonists and protagonists

+Combat physics improved upon since the first game

+Don't have to play DS 1 to appreciate DS 2.

+ Demons are valuable friends both during investigation and in the thick of battle.

+Touches on issues experienced by real people. Sure there is epic cheese too, but not too much of it.

+Talking black cat familiars are awesome.

+If you love pokemon (Aka collecting creatures, fusing them to make more powerful variants, and interacting with your adorable entourage of misfits) you will love Devil Summoner 2!

+No longer run out of ammo though you still must "reload" after 6 shots.

Cons

-Those new to SMT are not going to know the weaknesses of all the demons

-Battles can easily go from "reasonable" to "OMFG....it shanked me with one hit!"

- Status ailments which "mind-frag" your allies really suck. Stock up on appropriate items to keep your demons mentally and physically sound.

-The very term "demon". It encompasses all creatures you interact with even those whom are not truly classified as demons by mythology. For example "pixies" are fey. However modern religion does "demonize" all things of the old faiths so it makes sense if you look at it from a certain perspective. Aka "demon" is the term humans give to any creatures they fear and don't understand.

-If you enjoyed the turn based battles in Digital Devil saga, Nocturne, and Persona 3-4 the new "live action elements" may take awhile to get used to.

-No voice acting

-It's a shame certain gamers may get the wrong idea by the title "Devil Summoner". While there are adult themes it also is about doing the right thing, using negotiation instead of violence to make new friends, and impacting the lives of other people in a positive way. Kind of a chuckle-fest to consider how many yokels are going to assume this game encourages satanic worship and deflowering virgins to bring ol Horny back into the world.

Pro or con? +/-: Raidou is yet another silent protagonist. He's cool, chill, and fashionably verb but doesn't express much emotion. Compared to say Yuri from Shadow-Hearts he is a stick in the mud. However Raidou is supposed to represent the player and if he was given an opinionated and wacky personality would we be able to relate to him any better? That is debatable. Gouto, Raidou's familiar luckily has plenty of pazaaz as does the lovable cast which offer support. Perhaps even a quiet hero is a bit more impressionable with a black cat side kick pouncing around at his side. Either you like "silent protagonists" or you don't which is why I bring this up as a big neutral point.

Overall: Despite its' flaws DS 2 gets 5 stars from me. There are no game halting glitches, lag, or other nuisances which actually seem to pop up more in next gen titles. The 1920's era is portrayed perfectly, I love the artistic direction, and as with Persona it touches on the struggle and triumph of the human spirit. For the price you cannot beat this bargain. Also though it shames me to admit it I love my Raidou plushie. Apparently I'm not as macho as I thought. Oh well, back to playing!

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Product Description:
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha versus King Abaddon is the newest game in a popular Shin Megami Tensei subseries that delivers significant gameplay advancements over the original while maintaining its stylish design and unique setting. New features, like demon negotiation, combine with fully enhanced and retooled components of the previous game, like the battle system, weapon alchemy, and more. Possibly the PS2's RPG swansong, and sure to be one of the more popular games in the famed SMT series, Devil Summoner 2 is poised to make a big splash among genre fans upon its release.


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A new threat to Japan's Capital calls for the return of Raidou Kuzunoha the 14th, the case-solving, tube-slinging protector of the city. When a woman walks into the Narumi Detective Agency and asks to find a man, Raidou's boss is reluctant to accept, but soon it's clear there's more to the case than it seems on the surface. It isn't long before Raidou is on the trail of crooked gamblers, masked ninja, and strange insects... a trail leading him inexorably to the mysterious King Abaddon.

Key Game Features:

Massively upgraded battle system--Advancements to the battle system include a MAG balancing system, dodge and hide abilities, and the ability to command two demons in combat. Use the retooled Weapon Alchemy system to create new swords with unique special attacks.80 hours of classic dungeon crawling.
Deeper demon integration--Demon negotiation returns with more than twice the number of demons to attempt to recruit to your side. Create more powerful demons through fusion and skill transfer. Control two demons in battle and choose from more tactical options.
Phenomenal creative team--The rich environment of this Taisho-era Japan comes to life with the character designs of Kazuma Kaneko and the musical score of Shoji Meguro.

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Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoner Review

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(More customer reviews)To avoid becoming stale, Devil Summoner, the fourth game with the Shin Megami Tensei name to be released on the PS2 in three years, had to change its focus. The other MegaTen games for the PS2, as well as the PS1 spin-off series Persona and the gameboy's Demi-Kids series, were all challenging turn-based, dungeon crawling RPGs. Devil Summoner, while retaining some of the characteristics of previous MegaTen games, has largely scrapped tradition by throwing out the strategy-heavy turn-based system for a more frantic action-oriented battle system. As the story uses a heavy 1920's detective motiff, it also incorporates elements of PC adventure games. Change is not always for the better, as Devil Summoner makes a mess of most of its attempts are innovation because the game has the absolute worst flaws of the console RPG and PC adventure game genres.

The battle system, while likely to please fans of action games, will most likely turn off MegaTen veterans as being too simplistic. Raidou, the main character's, set of skills is very limited. He can block, fire his pistol, and used 3 different sword techniques. As the screen is quite small and the game enjoys filling the screen with enemies until it overwhelms the PS2's processor,causing annoying slow-down and obstructing the player's view of what is happening on the field, most battles quickly devolve into into a mindless hackfest. The system of exploiting enemy weakpoints from previous MegaTen games is still there but the frantic nature of the battles and the fact that Raidou and its demonic allies are heavily outnumbered means that the player won't be exploiting the system so much as the enemies will be hammering away at your ally demons, who are controlled by a rather dim AI.

The best thing related to the battle system is, of course, the demon recruitment and fusion aspect. Raidou can stun and trap almost any demon he encounters in battle and make it fight along side him. Some enemies are too power to capture though, and to get the best allies, he must fuse two demons together to make a new more powerful ally. The new ally may pick up skills it normally wouldn't have from its "parents".

The story is highly entertaining. Raidou, a young devil summoner, is charged with protecting the capital of Japan by the gods of Yatagarasu. He moonlights as the detective solving all kinds of supernatural cases. One night, he encounters a school girl who claims to be possessed by a demon and begs him to kill her. Before he can react, she is kidnapped by the military. It's a very interesting tale, told in twelve chapters, that involves killer cyborgs, mutiny, and inter-dimensional travel. Easily the game's best aspect, because if the battle system doesn't put you off, the exploration system will.

This game plays out like a PC adventure game. As a detective you'll be traveling all over the city, talking to witnesses and gathering evidence. Unfortunately, most people want you do something for them before they tell you anything, so you will be going back and forth, back and forth between the various neighborhoods of Tokyo alot. These fetch quests can be utterly ridiculous at times, as the game will tell you go somewhere to talk to someone, then that person will tell you to go find something, but before you go looking for it you have to report in to Raidou's boss. It just fills like busy work. However, as Devil Summoner features very few actual dungeons, enemy encounters happen in town. And the encounter rate is high, sometimes with only a few steps between fights. That's right. Enemy attacks happen just about anywhere. Luckily, Devil Summoner is a short game. Even with all the nonsense it has to pad the play time, it should only take about 25 hours to complete.

There really isn't that much else to say about Devil Summoner. It's technical aspects are average or even a little below average. Sound and visuals aren't terrible or outstanding. It's interesting enough to play to completetion, but this is a game most people can safely live without.

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Product Description:
Raidou Kuzunoha is a private detective in Japan's Taishou Period of the 1910s and 1920s, but he's much more than just a well-dressed crime scene investigator; he also has the power to capture and conjure demons to do his bidding. Take control of Raidou and his otherworldly companions, guide them through thrilling episodes of action and intrigue, and learn the incredible secrets of the Soulless Army!

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