Shin Megami Tensei series, help me out here.

[The Adventurer]

Okay, a couple things. A) I just bought a 3DS today. B) I've got a strange urge to play a JRPG franchise I've never played before. C) Shin Megami Tensei looks like a series a bit different then the norm.

What I know is that the Megami Tensei is a pretty long running series that only a small part has ever made its way to North America. The Persona series is a spin-off of it, a series I've never played or had any particular interest in playing.

I recall when Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey came out for the DS I was sort of interested in its themes, but I wasn't really playing games at the time so I sort of forgot about it. Now that I'm rummaging through the DS back catalog I'm wondering if I might have let it slip by. But here's the thing, there's a 3DS title coming out in the near future? Maybe several? Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers appears to be a remake of an earlier game coming out in the near future. Also there seems to be a couple of other DS games, Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor, that might have a 3DS update with Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked?

I think Devil Summoner and Devil Survivor might be spin-offs of the the main series.


So I guess my question is, should I go back and give Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey a try? Or try this upcoming Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers game? Apparently there might be a 4th main Shin Megami Tensei title coming out for 3DS latter this year? Should I wait for that one?

Any advice, suggestions, or otherwise would be much appreciated.

[IHatedSega]

Theyre really cool games. The overclocked version though isnt worth it if you have the normal game that its barely an update of. Definitely give Strange Journey a try. The Persona games are becoming more and more popular, but these other games dont deal with teen drama like those do. Theyre for the hardcore types of RPG players since they all can be really long and complex. I like to think of them as Pokemon for older people who like creepy weird themes. They even tried to cash in on the Pokemon craze with Devil Children.

[The Adventurer]

The overclocked version though isnt worth it if you have the normal game that its barely an update of.
So if I'm reading this right... if I don't have the DS version, is the 3DS one worth getting.


Definitely give Strange Journey a try. The Persona games are becoming more and more popular, but these other games dont deal with teen drama like those do. Theyre for the hardcore types of RPG players since they all can be really long and complex.

I've definitely gotten that impression based on what I've been reading. So that's good. I can dig it.

[IHatedSega]

The DS version is cheaper by now so Id get that one.

[Graham Mitchell]

Strange journey is awesome. Definitely check that out.

[kupomogli]

I'd say get Strange Journey and wait for Soul Hackers and SMT4 if you're interested in playing the series.

Also, Devil Summoner is a set of sub series of the SMT series, although they're not SMT. Just like SMT was slapped onto the Persona series until it became popular when rereleasing the series, the same thing happened with Devil Summoner Raidou Kuzunoha and Soul Hackers. Persona dropped the SMT name since it's now more popular than the base SMT series. Persona might be more popular, but I don't think it's better.

Atlus has SMT Nocturne on the printing press. Printing copies of this game like candy. I'd recommend playing this. It's not for the DS or 3DS, but get out your PS2 and play it. Best game in the series by far. One of the best games, period. http://www.amazon.com/Shin-Megami-Tensei-Nocturne-Playstation-2/dp/B00024W1U6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359931457&sr=8-1&keywords=shin+megami+tensei+nocturne

[The Adventurer]

So are the plots connected in any of these games? Or are the spin-offs just thematically linked to the original series? Are core Shin Megami Tensei games direct sequels (plot wise) to each other?

[IHatedSega]

The biggest connection is through the demons you encounter and try to have join you and you use them to make stronger demons. Each series is different, but if you learned how to play one game you will be familiar with themes. I havent played all the way through them since theyre pretty daunting to me, but the remade versions on the Super Famicom are worth playing if you can find a very easy to find english patched version online. The music is amazing.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFFDZSI0-ek


Theres some videos about the series, but not like with Final Fantasy. Its not as well know so Im still trying to find good videos about the series.

[IHatedSega]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0r1ZpT-nQw

[The Adventurer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0r1ZpT-nQw

Useful.

Also brought to my attention how expensive some of these games are. Adding most of them to my 'keep an eye out for' list for general Flea Market diving.

[IHatedSega]

If you find any of these games at a flea market please tell me.

Oh yeah, Persona 4Arean is my favorite fighting game now, it has spoilers in it since it takes place 2 months after the ending of the game.

[kupomogli]

Also brought to my attention how expensive some of these games are. Adding most of them to my 'keep an eye out for' list for general Flea Market diving.

They're not really expensive. Except for the first Devil Survivor and Raidou Kuzunoha, the ones post PS2 can be found less than $20 new.

In my previous post I didn't even think of mentioning Digital Devil Saga, which is another completely different series than SMT as well, but it's almost as good as SMT3 because it uses the press turn system and still has good gameplay. This one has no monster taming and whenever you learn your skills you keep them indefinitely but can only use eight at a time, so you can switch them out when not in combat whenever you want.

So checking on Amazon, SMT Nocturne, Digital Devil Saga 1 and 2, Devil Survivor 2, Strange Journey, Persona 3 FES and Portable, Persona 4, Persona PSP, and Persona Innocent Sin PSP are all less than $20.

Would you rather find them at the Flea Market for $10 or so with scratches on the disc based games or would you rather have them in brand new condition? There's no reason not to buy new because the games have never hit greatest hits status.

[LordsOfSkulls]

Some people said you shouldnt get 3DS version of Devil Survior , cause DS game is cheaper.... dont listen to them.


Get the 3DS Overclocked version for couple reasons, 1 the game is longer by having extra chapter then original DS game ended with sort of a cliff hanger, voice acting also the game will play better.


The SMT: Soul Hackers that coming out in april is a SMT game that was only released in Japan. So seeing this game finally coming to USA makes me look really forward of picking it up.

Strange Journey is worth picking it up, but Devil Survior 1 and 2 are alot better also find their story little bit more interesting.


Their only few games were the plot is connected.

For example Persona 2 Innocent and Eternal are connected. Devil Summoner 1 and 2. Digital Saga 1 and 2. Persona 3 and FES is connected, in Persona 4 u see some familer characters from Persona 3.

[The Adventurer]

Since Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers is a month away from North American release, and Shin Megami Tensei IV is a few months out from its Japan release, I figured I'd take a moment to post a bunch of gameplay trailers that have been released recently. Because... I'm getting seriously hyped.

Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers Gameplay Trailer (English)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=M_pvbmw5oJI

Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers Story Trailer (English)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zs4kbYs9s4c

[The Adventurer]

Shin Megami Tensei IV 'FORCE' Gameplay Trailer


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=DfkwasBfV-E
(wtf Demonica Armor at 3:32?!)

Shin Megami Tensei IV Field Gameplay Video


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=jj_Z97yWU_M
(Enemy Encounters appear to be non-random. HUZZAH!)

Shin Megami Tensei IV Field Character Dialog Gameplay Video


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Pp0aSLRyasc

[The Adventurer]

And because I'm being generous, here are some teasers for the Devil Survivor 2 anime adaption, that is also coming soon (to Japan).


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bxKQmqes_1k


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MIC20KJ9LaQ

[Dashopepper]

Today I was at a local thrift store and bought DemiKids Dark Version for the GBA. I had no idea what it was but new the name Atlas from snowboard kids 2 Which I had purchased from the same thrift store about a month ago ($4). I had no idea it was a SMT spin off until I got home and was looking it up on the Internet. So is it worth a play? Or what else is a better game to introduce me to the various series?

[SOL BADGUY]

I started several games, they really interest me, but I cant stick with them long, because of how long they are. I need cheat coeds, if thats even possible with these games.

[Aussie2B]

Today I was at a local thrift store and bought DemiKids Dark Version for the GBA. I had no idea what it was but new the name Atlas from snowboard kids 2 Which I had purchased from the same thrift store about a month ago ($4). I had no idea it was a SMT spin off until I got home and was looking it up on the Internet. So is it worth a play? Or what else is a better game to introduce me to the various series?

If you want a true MegaTen experience, go with Nocturne. It's still the only game in the main series to receive an official English release (well, Strange Journey is kind of in the main series, but it isn't numbered), and it's an amazing game. If you'd prefer something a little more modern and mainstream (Nocturne can be pretty brutal and it's rather old school), just about everybody loves Persona 3 and 4.

[kainemaxwell]

So here's a question, of the PS2 releases, what's one i should definitely try to play (including the Perona series)?

[SOL BADGUY]

So here's a question, of the PS2 releases, what's one i should definitely try to play (including the Perona series)?

Nocturne, Persona 3&4 are the definite ones. The Devil Summoner and Digital Devil games still look really good to me though.

[Press_Start]

Nocturne, Persona 3&4 are the definite ones. The Devil Summoner and Digital Devil games still look really good to me though.

Persona 4 got me addicted to SMT series in the first place. Definitely the first game you should play without a doubt. It has a pitch-perfect learning curve that is very helpful n' an easy grasp of understanding even for "noobs" to RPGs in general and its sparkly light-minded colorfully-upbeat persona hooked me into the game a lot better compared to P3's deep dark depressing overtone. Fair warning: the game does take a full hour or so before you reach your first fight, so there's alot of text but once the story quickly picks up after that, you'll be hooked on a 100-hour ride that I guarantee.

[LaughingMAN.S9]

They're not really expensive. Except for the first Devil Survivor and Raidou Kuzunoha, the ones post PS2 can be found less than $20 new.

In my previous post I didn't even think of mentioning Digital Devil Saga, which is another completely different series than SMT as well, but it's almost as good as SMT3 because it uses the press turn system and still has good gameplay. This one has no monster taming and whenever you learn your skills you keep them indefinitely but can only use eight at a time, so you can switch them out when not in combat whenever you want.

So checking on Amazon, SMT Nocturne, Digital Devil Saga 1 and 2, Devil Survivor 2, Strange Journey, Persona 3 FES and Portable, Persona 4, Persona PSP, and Persona Innocent Sin PSP are all less than $20.

Would you rather find them at the Flea Market for $10 or so with scratches on the disc based games or would you rather have them in brand new condition? There's no reason not to buy new because the games have never hit greatest hits status.


Since when was devil summoner expensive? I forgot I even had this, this was the first and only gutted "new" game i ever bought from gamestop

[LaughingMAN.S9]

Persona 4 got me addicted to SMT series in the first place. Definitely the first game you should play without a doubt. It has a pitch-perfect learning curve that is very helpful n' an easy grasp of understanding even for "noobs" to RPGs in general and its sparkly light-minded colorfully-upbeat persona hooked me into the game a lot better compared to P3's deep dark depressing overtone. Fair warning: the game does take a full hour or so before you reach your first fight, so there's alot of text but once the story quickly picks up after that, you'll be hooked on a 100-hour ride that I guarantee.


It seems like im the only one on the entire Internet that preferred persona 3 to 4 lol


I still haven't beaten 4 tho, in fact im still mad early, about 2 bosses deep i think, or 3 maybe? And while I really like p4, p3 being so dark and depressing is precisely why I loved it lol, soon as I finish p4, im going right back to play p3 fes version, still got that in plastic :)

[Xander]

Nah you are not alone, I preferred P3 to P4 too, and mostly for the same reasons. P3 just has a better overall atmosphere of impending doom to it.

P4 was still amazing tho. Definitely two of the best rpg we've seen in the last 10 years.

[The Adventurer]

Just 'completed' Shin Megami Tensei: Demon Summoners: Soul Hackers for 3DS. Game completion time: 35 Hours on the dot. The final boss was a bit of a nail biter, having two forms and no time in between to heal/save. I was down to my last sliver of health, and was sure to die the very next turn. Good times. Was actually surprised it only took 35 hours, for some reason I thought the game was much longer. Like 50 or 60 hours.


Beating this game was a bit of an interesting experience for me, for two reasons...

The main one being, less then 3 months ago I had never really heard of the Shin Megami Tensei franchise. Like, at all. I didn't know anything about it. I'd heard of the Persona games, but had no idea they were a spin-off of a larger franchise. As a rule, I am not a JRPG fan. The 'Final Fantasy' style of JRPG has always been a hard sell for me. But when I decided to buy a 3DS back in March, I decided two things at the time. First, I would actually use the damn thing, and not let it languish unused like my DS and Wii have ended up doing. And Second, I was going to play a JRPG to completion. Fulfilling the second bit should have been really easy, since the whole reason I bought the system was to play the new Fire Emblem. But... I've got this thing where I really hate going for the easy first choice when I choose to do something. So, saving Fire Emblem for a rainy day happened. And so the hunt for a suitable replacement was on.

I recalled seeing a thread on another forum about a really strange looking DS RPG ages ago. I remembered it because one of the character designs looked a bit like a Cyberman from Doctor Who. So I did a little digging and found the thread (http://forumopolis.com/showthread.php?t=91891&highlight=tensei). The game that was being talked about was Shin Magami Tensei: Strange Journey. And I was intrigued by it. It seemed quirky, and different from the norm. It was a first person 3D dungeon crawler (of all things) with a collectible monster theme. So I did my homework (discovering the sprawling franchise that is 'MegTen' in the process. Thanks Wikipedia!) and tracked down a copy of Strange Journey. And, god help me, I liked it! But there was a problem. It was a DS game. I'd bought a $200 piece of new hardware to play a last generation game on? Uh...?

So anyway, long story short, I heard about the Soul Hackers enhanced port coming to 3DS. About how it was a Sega Saturn/PS1 era game coming to North America for the first time. Sort of exciting, yes? So I ended up putting Strange Journey aside, to tackle Soul Hackers. Which sort of gave me an interesting perspective while playing the game. Since I'd been able to play a bit of the most recent title in the franchise, before going back to play one of its late 90s efforts.

Overall, Soul Hackers is a solid game. It has a pretty cool cyberpunk feel, mixed with occult horror. Quite unique. And its gameplay, though a bit dated with static turn based battles, is largely comfortable with a good dash of strategy thrown in. Party management is critical, requiring a good team composition with a wide array of spells, attacks, and defensive buffs. Its actually kind of fun managing your demons. The story is pretty staightforward, and unfortunately doesn't really capitalize on a few interesting twists that come along. But the characters are interesting, and the stuff you do feels like it matters. And, as someone who's a bit dubious of English dubbings, this one is surprisingly tolerable.

If the game has one major flaw, its this. Its a game from 1998 that originally only utilized one screen.

Strange Journey had the benefit of being designed from the ground up for the Dual Screen DS. And it takes advantage of that at every opportunity to convey important information, not only during 3D dungeon crawling, but in the heat of battle. Soul Hackers unfortunately... doesn't. It uses its bottom screen for auto mapping, which is insanely useful, but when it comes to informing you about important demon information (weaknesses, health, spells, etc...) while fighting, it leaves a lot to be desired. On top of that, demons can have many spells, and 'extras'. But the menu gives you no way to easily browse what these spells and abilities actually DO. Unless you are already engaged in combat. MegTen has tons of uniquely named spells, who's purpose are not obvious without experiencing them. And there is simply no convent way to browse them all, outside of combat at least.

One place where this interface really falls down concerns something called 'Demon Fission'. See, Demons don't level like the hero characters do. So the only way to stay competitive in fights is to either recruit new, stronger, demons to your party by talking to them, or by taking two of your old demons and mashing them together to becoming a new one. Simple in theory, but the interface problems really makes it a chore. And since you can't easily read what your new demon's new spells do until after your fuse away your old ones... Lets just say make sure you make a soft save BEFORE you fuse anything.

So yes, the interface could have really used more of a facelift. But since Soul Hackers is an 'enhanced port' and NOT a remake... I suppose you just have to put yourself into the mindset of a JRPG gamer from 1998 and make do.

Anyway... I've been rambling. But what I wanted to say is, Demon Summoner: Soul Hackers is an excellent game, and I am now fancy myself a bit of a Shin Megami Tensei fanboy. I'm super hyped about Shin Megami Tensei IV coming out this summer. I'm stoked for a new MegTen game that will know how to take advantage of the dual screen properly. Everything I've seen about MegTen IV looks incredible. I'm also hoping to go back and check out Devil Survivor Overclocked, which is apparently a strategy game like Fire Emblem. And yes, I will be finishing Strange Journey one of these days. Oh and Soul Hackers actually has an 'Extra Mode' unlocked after finishing, which is a gauntlet of new dungeons. So I guess I haven't actually FINISHED it yet...

Oh... and that other interesting thing I mentioned at the start, but never found a good place to segue back into it... Soul Hackers is only my... 3rd? JRPG I've ever actually completed. I'm pretty sure the only other two I've ever actually finished to the end were Super Mario RPG and Paper Mario. That's right, I've never actually completed Earthbound. I'm a terrible person.

[The Adventurer]

48 hours until Shin Megami Tensei IV! Can you handle the hype?!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=uNd_NPHuf5Y

[kupomogli]

Nintendo has a thing going on if you register Fire Emblem and SMT4 at Club Nintendo you get a $30 voucher for the eshop.

http://i.imgur.com/54j0WBa.png

The Adventurer, since you mentioned you have Fire Emblem but haven't played it and you're getting SMT4, you can get the $30 ecard to soften the blow on Atlus' ridiculous pricing. If it's even close to being as good as SMT Nocturne it's going to be amazing, and I'm sure it'll atleast be good, but the price they're charging is complete bs. $49 for a 3DS game.

Anyways. I've already got it preordered so I'll sell a $30 eshop voucher for $20 if anyones interested.

[The Adventurer]

I actually don't have Fire Emblem yet, but I will soon thanks to that deal.

As to MegTenIV's pricing. Its only $10 more then most new release 3DS games. And you get a strategy guide and the Soundtrack.

It's probably worth it.

There will probably be a bare bones version for $40 soon enough.

[kupomogli]

There will probably be a bare bones version for $40 soon enough.

The digital version is as bare bones as you can get and it's $49.99. I paid the $50 because who knows how long you'll be able to purchase the game due to Index Holdings going into bankruptcy.