Megami Tensei

[Kaoru Hitachiin]

I hope I'm not becoming the voice for games that are somewhat out of left field, but, these games DESERVE attention... I'm talking 'Megami Tesei' which is roughly translated in english to 'Resurrection of the Goddess'. As a rule of thumb, the MegaTen games are typically post-apocalyptic or apocalyptic in nature and ALWAYS have mature themes, pose questions on morality, and include religious overtones. Even in the U.S., where barely any of the main games have been released, this series wins awards. So who's played them? And if you haven't, who's interested?

[MidgarFanatic]

Well I might be interested in playing some of these games, the concepts sound intriguing... but I don't know what platforms they have been released on.

[Kaoru Hitachiin]

Oi, lots of platforms. xD Lemme list 'em for you...

Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Monotogari - Famicom/PC88/MSX

Digital Devil Monogatari: Megami Tensei 2 - Famicom

Kyuuyaku Megami Tensei - Super Famicom

Shin Megami Tensei - Super Famicom/PC Engine Super CD/Mega CD/Playstation/Gameboy Advance

Shin Megami Tensei 2 - Super Famicom//Playstation/Gameboy Advance

Shin Megami Tensei: If... - Super Famicom/Playstation

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner - Sega Saturn / PSP

Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers - Sega Saturn/Sony Playstation

Revelations: Persona / Megami Ibunroku Persona: Be Your True Mind - Playstation (First English Title of the Series, Rare)

Persona 2: Innocent Sin - Playstation (Planned for English Release, but canceled due to a 'Hitler's Resurrection' Scenario)

Persona 2: Eternal Punishment - Playstation (The Second Half of Persona 2, thankfully available in English, though rare still.)

Persona 3 - Playstation 2 (Released in English, less rare than the previous titles.)

Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne/Lucifer's Call - Sony Playstation 2 (English Release, is uncommon, but should be easy to find.)

Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga/Avatar Tuner - Sony Playstation 2 (Released in English. I've seen several copies, but they never seem to be around when I have money to pay for one of 'em. >-<)

Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 2/Avatar Tuner 2 - Sony Playstation 2 (English Release, I've most commonly seen it in a box set with DDS 1.)

Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs The Soulless Army - Sony Playstation 2 (I think an English Release is in the works.)

Giten Megami Tensei: Mokushiroku - PC98 / Windows 98

Shin Megami Tensei NINE - Xbox

Majin Tensei - Super Famicom (Japanese Only, Seems to be ATLUS's answer to Fire Emblem)

Majin Tensei 2: Spiral Nemesis - Super Famicom (See Majin Tensei above.)

Ronde - Saturn (Ditto, I think... o.o)

Revelations: Demon Slayers/Megami Tensei Gaiden:Last Bible - Gameboy/Game Gear/Gameboy Color (There is an English Release named Revelations: Demon Slayers)

Last Bible 2 - Gameboy/Gameboy Color

Another Bible - Gameboy

Last Bible Special - Game Gear

Last Bible 3 - Super Famicom

Devil Children: Red Blook/Black Book/White Book Gameboy Color/PSOne

Devil Children: Card Summoner - Gameboy Color

Devil Children/Demikids: Book of Light/Book of Darkness - Gameboy Advance

Devil Children: Puzzle de Call - Gameboy Advance

Devil Children: Messiah Riser - Gameboy Advance



Boom! A list of all the MegaTen games... Just because I'm OCD, I also added a few notes to some. xD To be fair, I've only played Shin Megami Tensei and Shin Megami Tensei 2 as translated roms for SNES9x emulator.

[MidgarFanatic]

Pfft, information overload. Brain… slowly… not… working. :P

Okay, so then I suppose my questions would be… what is the nature of the series’ storylines? And what I mean is, is there a continuity theme amongst these games? Or does each one stand alone as it’s own game with an individual and separate storyline, like the Final Fantasy series does?

Second question: are there any being developed for the PS3?

[Kaoru Hitachiin]

Answer to the first question... Yes, there's a theme continuity and a BIT of a series continuity. For one, Demons persist throughout all the series in the franchise. Demon is also a general term in all the games, referring to powerful spirits and creatures of different alignments. Also, most of the games intertwine religion with technology and apocalyptic themes.

Second Question: As far as I know, Shin Megami Tensei 4 is in the works for PS3 and the series may be PS3 exclusive... One of the VERY few titles I look forward to for PS3... However, I still don't plan on getting a PS3 until the prices are lowered, features restored, and more of a PS3 exclusive selection.

Still... The fact that SMT4 will be released for PS3 makes me think slightly more about the PS3.

[Revenant]

Well that all souds quite interesting but I wount find it anyway.

[Terminal Est]

Please have no worries about mentioning obscure and unconventional video game titles.

I certainly appreciate the diversity, and am a fan of the Shin Megami series myself.

To add further insight-consider it a Satanic version of Pokemon!

I will agree that the plots and concept which drive these games are very mature, and one must indeed pay attention. While I have not played every single title though, I must point out that I feel that the mature concepts these games present is all it really does with them though.
They may mention theology or morality within their themes, but I do not agree that they go much further then basing the plots and concepts around these. They do not really touch into them as much as all those black sheep who glamorize the game for its unconventional concepts would have those who have never played believe, especially when merely using this in an argument against all the FF fans.

Be that as it may, offering such subject matter points at the inevitable subjectivity it has, and I completely appreciate how it makes you ponder the matter itself, in and even out of the game.

But yes, the concept is new and different indeed, say especially in Persona 2 or Nocturne, where you are left to initially struggle in a devastated world or explore different facets of yourself. Kind of like a reverse Chrono Cross syndrome. XD Even though that came out after Persona 2...

Also, Baofu-I refuse to believe in gods and stuff. That's why I don't believe in prophecies. The only thing you can trust is yourself.

Wisest words ever spoken in a video game, should you ask me.

Also, the entire series truly is a treasure trove of mythological reference from the four cardinal points of the planet.
As well, the difficult gameplay may only be a question of not making any mistakes and really learning what goes where, but I appreciate that one must use their brain to proceed-this game is unforgivable should you forget that specific enemies are weak against a certain element, and speaking of which, this really is the only game series that actually introduces a natural element system (Fire, ice and lighting and all.) which you actually must heed and really works to the fullest.

And speaking of mistakes-save like, ALL THE TIME. Damn you, succubusses.

[Revenant]

Originally Posted by Terminal Est

Please have no worries about mentioning obscure and unconventional video game titles.

I certainly appreciate the diversity, and am a fan of the Shin Megami series myself.

To add further insight-consider it a Satanic version of Pokemon!

*wistles* Satanic version? That sounds exciting. I realy like Pokemon, but satanic Pokemon seems to me just super ^_^

[Terminal Est]

The highlight of the games have always been harnessing the assistance of demons to aid you in battle, and in certain games, out of battle. As they become your party members, it is then, evidently crucial. And there are a LOT of them.

From Celtic fairies to Mephistopheles, you really have it all. Although if I recall that last one never actually did join the party though...still, when you get mixed up, you know you have variety.

In some games you can merge them together to get some new demons, and so it makes the whole trek rather interesting. Not just that, but you have to be careful which demons you take with you, and when, and always make sure to have a stable party of them.

In Persona, your characters evoke the demons, so it gets a little more simple, but even then, out of all the demons you can get, you will never have enough room to have them all with you, so once again, considerate choice be the key.

Also, they evolve.

VERY hard games to find though.

[Kaoru Hitachiin]

Originally Posted by Revenant

*wistles* Satanic version? That sounds exciting. I realy like Pokemon, but satanic Pokemon seems to me just super ^_^

Especially the Devil Children games. They're like a kid-friendly satanic version of poke'mon! Yay! :3