Shin Megami Tensei: Where to start
Shin Megami Tensei has always been my favorite obsession. I first started my foray into the series with Persona 3, progressing onwards to Persona 4, until I finally delved into the mainline series with Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne. I became enraptured with the series, and shortly after, I made a video attempting to briefly describe every title in ATLUS’ massive flagship franchise. While it was well received, it mostly served as trivia or a refresher for fans already in the know. With the recent trailer regarding the newest mainline title, and the success of Persona 5, I wanted to do my best to introduce new blood to these games.
What is Shin Megami Tensei?
The Shin Megami Tensei (Megaten) games consist of the mainline series, and various spinoffs; it was originally conceived as a light novel called Digital Devil Monogatari, which evolved into the very first ‘Megami Tensei’ game, followed by a sequel, and finally, Shin Megami Tensei on the Super Famicom. All mainline Megaten games normally focus on a post-apocalyptic plotline, a focus on mythological lore (either directly or in reference), a unique type of battle system, and fantastic soundtracks. Most games also feature a massive catalog of demons, which can be negotiated with, leveled, or fused together to create new, stronger demons. From a narrative standpoint, most Megaten titles have a dichotomy between the alignments of Law and Chaos, with the Neutral option located in the middle. Some games allow you to choose from multiple endings, and some games lock you into a certain ending, and there are even some games that have endings that don’t line up with any one alignment. Persona originally got its start as a spinoff of Shin Megami Tensei, but became so popular that it has nearly separated entirely from its origin by the time the fifth game launched. As Persona is already the most popular series in the Megaten franchise, this article will mainly focus on the other entries in the Megami Tensei catalog of games.
Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne (PS2, available on PS3 eShop)
Nocturne, in terms of aesthetics, is one of the most well-aged SMT titles. The game features the Press Turn System, a departure from traditional JRPGS such as Final Fantasy that use a regular Turn Based System. The dungeons in Nocturne, as well as the bizarre, nonsensical environments, are what truly make it special. Nocturne embodies all of the elements that work in traditional Megami Tensei games, and is a great jumping on point for the series. The story itself isn’t particularly deep, and the characters are shallow and one-dimensional, but Nocturne makes up for it with its stunning composition and beautiful soundtrack.
Selling Point: Becoming a half-demon, you will crush Gods, Demons, and Angels alike with your bare hands, destroying all in your path as you explore a bizarre new world crafted by the demise of our own.
Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner (PS2, available on PS3 eShop)
Digital Devil Saga is actually a duology of two games, each telling half of a complete story. This is by far the most plot-driven entry as far as the PS2 games go, with a battle system very similar to Nocturne. The game lacks the demon recruitment and fusion systems found in most other Megaten games, but makes up for it with drama and intrigue. It also features a unique Mantra system, in which the player can spend money to level up certain skill trees, in order to have their characters learn new abilities and resistances. Unlike Nocturne, where the player controls the main character with empty slots for summonable demons, Avatar Tuner allows the player to swap out any three main characters to allow for various strategic combinations.
Selling Point: You and your friends undergo monstrous transformations and must consume and devour your enemies in order to survive, even as you awaken to your previously unknown emotions and hidden memories.
Raidou Kuzunoha vs The Soulless Army (PS2, available on PS3 eShop)
The Raidou games are the oddball of the Megaten franchise, as combat takes place not in a traditional menu-based manner, but as a real time, third-person action game. The fusing of demons, recruitment, and such still apply, but the player is able to equip various elemental-aspected bullets and katanas to exploit the weaknesses of their enemies. While Nocturne focuses on aesthetics, and Avatar Tuner pays more attention to character-driven drama, Raidou blends the two into an experience that can be best described as quaint, charming, and memorable. The game has a sequel, Raidou Kuzunoha vs King Abbadon, available on the PS2 as well.
Selling Point: As Raidou Kuzunoha, 14th in the line of a clan of Devil Summoners, you are tasked to protect a 1930s-styled Japan from the supernatural. Working with a bumbling detective, you and your talking cat will discover cults and conspiracies alike in your pursuit of occult criminals.
Shin Megami Tensei IV/Apocalypse (3DS)
The 3DS was host to a massive library of games, kicked off by the launch of Shin Megami Tensei IV, the fourth entry in the mainline Megaten series. The game later had a sequel, known as Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse. Both games are fine, and offer the standard Megaten experience, but 4 on its own falls slightly flat in terms of narrative compared to Nocturne. Apocalypse fixes these problems and presents a much more interesting storyline with some improved gameplay mechanics, new demons, and alternate endings to the original 4’s ending. These games, while best played together, can be played separately.
Selling Point: In Apocalypse, you play as a dead boy brought back to life by a Celtic god who uses you as his Godslayer in the midst of a battle between Demons, Angels, and a plethora of polytheistic gods with their own agenda.
Strange Journey/Redux (DS/3DS)
Strange Journey is the most sci-fi oriented of the games listed here, and was actually originally developed as Shin Megami Tensei IV. That plan was scrapped, but it became part of the mainline continuity regardless. Strange Journey is known for its sadistic, complex level design and beautiful orchestral-styled soundtrack. This is a fantastic game in terms of atmosphere, but should be tackled only by people who are seasoned veterans of JRPG-style pacing and length. Strange Journey originally launched on the Nintendo DS, but a remastered version with new content is launching next year as Strange Journey Redux on the Nintendo 3DS.
Selling Point: You and a handful of other researchers are sent to investigate a mysterious phenomenon called the Schwartzwelt, a force that may annihilate the entire world. As you investigate, your crew begins to be ripped apart by deadly, unseen beings. Armed only with your Demonica suit, you must investigate the mysteries of the Schwartzwelt, even as your squadmembers succumb to the supernatural temptations of forces beyond this world.
Devil Survivor (DS/3DS)
Devil Survivor is a strategy RPG that plays similarly to the modern Fire Emblem games, but with traditional Megaten elements (demon fusion, elemental weaknesses), added in. It’s a very story driven game, and features multiple endings and outcomes for your party members. Devil Survivor features a wider cast of characters than your average Megaten, but they tend to based on various tropes and exaggerations. Devil Survivor was originally launched on the DS, and has a sequel on the same system. These games have fantastic replay value, and have actually been remastered on the 3DS with added content, known as Devil Survivor: Overclocked, and Devil Survivor 2: Record Breaker. Record Breaker had an anime made a few years ago, which is fitting as this spinoff series frequently draws its inspiration from modern anime.
Selling Point: Demons have began to attack Japan, and the nation of Tokyo is in lockdown. Nobody goes in or out, and to make things worse, you’ve started receiving mysterious messages. The Demon Summoning Program has found its way onto your phone, and even worse, you’ve started getting eerie notes about where and when you’ll die…in seven days.
What now?
These are just the games I believe are best suited for newcomers to the series. If you’ve played all these, I recommend possibly trying the Persona series if you haven’t already, or checking out some of the fan-translations of the older games. The original Shin Megami Tensei has an official iOS port, but most older games, such as SMT II, SMT …if, and the original Megami Tensei (which predates Shin Megami Tensei) can only be played either in the original Japanese text, or with a fan translation. Above all else, look forward to Shin Megami Tensei V, the first mainline MegaTen on a home system since Nocturne, which will be coming to the Switch in (hopefully) 2018!
