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Since I have gotten more into the series, I am kind of sadden that I do not see Dakka talking more about it outside of Persona 3/4. So what I wanted to do make an introduction thread using videos from RasenReview, a notable Shin Megami Tensei fans and reviewer. There is some dialogue of mine, since most games in the series have no official or unofficial translation and have not been releases overseas.

"So what is Shin Megami Tensei?":




The first intro video covers this question quite well, and covers most of the games not translated and not officially released, as well as the History of the series. As well, it kind of provides a good alternatives to JRPG series with its themes in contrast to Final Fantasy and others.


"Alright, so I watched that. What is the game that might be a good first game?"




Also a good video by Rasen, as he covers most of the games one might encounter on the internet when discussion come up about games SMT fans recommend to beginners. But I will add that ones with some sort of localization are hard and expensive to come by (no seriously, look up Revelations: Persona, the bastardization of the first game, on eBay and see the price it commands).


"Now, I am playing my first game and my ass is getting kicked. How do I overcome this?"




This is a great boon of a video, and I kind of wish I watched this first when I started with SMT I. (Yes, I know it is not the best game to start out with, but it does help notheless).

"Now, since I got more into the series, what is the main story overall and the connection between them and/or lack of thereof?"





Now, with this introduction and that, I hope you enjoy the wonderful story and themes that the world of Shin Megami Tensei has to offer. Well, happy demon hunting and such!

Really outside of P3/4 and the DDS games I've generally found SMT to be terribly, terribly dry. That isn't bad thing, it just isn't my cup of tea.

 Chongara wrote:
Really outside of P3/4 and the DDS games I've generally found SMT to be terribly, terribly dry. That isn't bad thing, it just isn't my cup of tea.

How so?

Story-wise, I kind of disagree. Yes, the story and themes are cut and dry than the Persona 3/4, but I think it is more well done (my opinion), but I think the gameplay has a bit more depth and interesting than P3/P4. (Persona 3 I do kind of like for its story, but I am not a big fan of the Social Link, since it slows down the pace of the game for me. Not to say that it is bad, and most of it is well done, but I think it is not really my cup of tea. 4 I do not like as much since it was too much a step away from the main themes of the SMT series and almost too happy).

 Tanakosyke22 wrote:

 Chongara wrote:
Really outside of P3/4 and the DDS games I've generally found SMT to be terribly, terribly dry. That isn't bad thing, it just isn't my cup of tea.

How so?

Story-wise, I kind of disagree. Yes, the story and themes are cut and dry than the Persona 3/4, but I think it is more well done (my opinion), but I think the gameplay has a bit more depth and interesting than P3/P4. (Persona 3 I do kind of like for its story, but I am not a big fan of the Social Link, since it slows down the pace of the game for me. Not to say that it is bad, and most of it is well done, but I think it is not really my cup of tea. 4 I do not like as much since it was too much a step away from the main themes of the SMT series and almost too happy).

Even the SMT games I like are basically dungeon crawlers with a world map at their core, and that's pretty much as dry as you can get. I like P3/P4 because they threw in a bunch of interesting likable characters you could get to know, and an engaging plot in a bit of an unorthodox setting, for a video game at least.

I liked DDS1/2 because they had cool concept and were just oozing with style and over-dramatic delivery. I love that this cutscene:




actually makes sense in context. (also spoiler warning for an old PS2 game, I guess).

 Chongara wrote:

 Tanakosyke22 wrote:

 Chongara wrote:
Really outside of P3/4 and the DDS games I've generally found SMT to be terribly, terribly dry. That isn't bad thing, it just isn't my cup of tea.

How so?

Story-wise, I kind of disagree. Yes, the story and themes are cut and dry than the Persona 3/4, but I think it is more well done (my opinion), but I think the gameplay has a bit more depth and interesting than P3/P4. (Persona 3 I do kind of like for its story, but I am not a big fan of the Social Link, since it slows down the pace of the game for me. Not to say that it is bad, and most of it is well done, but I think it is not really my cup of tea. 4 I do not like as much since it was too much a step away from the main themes of the SMT series and almost too happy).

Even the SMT games I like are basically dungeon crawlers with a world map at their core, and that's pretty much as dry as you can get. I like P3/P4 because they threw in a bunch of interesting likable characters you could get to know, and an engaging plot in a bit of an unorthodox setting, for a video game at least.

I liked DDS1/2 because they had cool concept and were just oozing with style and over-dramatic delivery. I love that this cutscene:

Spoiler:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVVMP3h2DDk

actually makes sense in context. (also spoiler warning for an old PS2 game, I guess).

I guess I can understand where you are coming from. I do feel that Persona 3/4 (I do debate if 4 is kind of a poor man's version of 2, but that is has more of the likable characters and the psychology aspect is cool. I am more personally a fan of the morality and dystropic aspect from the other games and how your choices has some sort of consequence and that the path you choose is more than likely bittersweet. DDS 1/2 I feel is had a cool concept as well, but 2 made it really knock out of the park.


Have you tired Devil Survivor yet? I feel you might like that since it does have interesting characters as well as a good feel with the rest of the SMT series.

 Tanakosyke22 wrote:
Have you tired Devil Survivor yet? I feel you might like that since it does have interesting characters as well as a good feel with the rest of the SMT series.

I played it a little and it wasn't bad. However, It didn't' hold my attention against other games I had at the time namely DQ9. Never actually got far enough in to form any real opinion. I might try it again sometime.