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[MollyMillions]

I've been waiting for a proper cyberpunk SMT with gorgeous new Kaneko art for SO long, it feels a little surreal that its actually arrived.

The good so far:

+ Character designs are, of course, amazing. Strange and simple and haunting just like all of Kaneko's best stuff. Characters look like Cameron's space marines designed by David Lynch.

+ A return to a more unusual, less mundane setting. Loved where the Persona series has taken the teen adventure RPG template, but am SO glad that we're back in a more dystopian environment.

+ Presumably this means a return of Law/Chaos/Neutral character paths, as these are IMO the most overlooked innovation of the original games. Seriously, Bioware, Bethesda, even Obsidian should look to SMT II to see how to make these "morality" choices less dull and predictable.

+ 300 demons, looks like a refinement of the already brilliant SMT combat system, etc.

The Bad:

Nothing so far.

Undecided:

~ I hate to say this, despite the warning...part of me wishes that combat (not necessarily exploration) at least could be in 3rd person. As much as I love and appreciate the speed and simplicity of the 80s first person dungeon crawler model, I'd like to see Kaneko's amazing designs fully animated and present in the game as more than just static art.

~ I hate to go here too, but I am slightly worried that this is the next mainline SMT and that this means that all development of the series for PS3/360/Wii will be focused on the newly popular Persona series. I want to see Kaneko's designs on something more impressive than my PS2. Superficial, I know, but still...

 

[justchris]

I really don't know if I dig it or not. But I guess something new for me can't be bad. So be nice to try one of these for the first time :lol

For a bit of an idea, and if you have some time and don't feel like waiting on SMT:SJ, you can try out Etrian Odyssey 2, which is a similar game with a fantasy vein, although considerably simplified over the SMT formula. Id' suggest trying it anyway, as it's a good game.

 

[duckroll]

+ Presumably this means a return of Law/Chaos/Neutral character paths, as these are IMO the most overlooked innovation of the original games. Seriously, Bioware, Bethesda, even Obsidian should look to SMT II to see how to make these "morality" choices less dull and predictable.

Well, it's really just Persona which doesn't have the paths. Raidou 2 did from what I heard, and I think Devil Survivor does too. The difference between SMT "morality" and western CRPG morality is that they're very different games. In SMT, the morality choices are very personal and affect your journey and your quest. It also affects the entire world because your actions will influence that. But it doesn't really have any "immediate" effect in the game. For CRPGs, the choices don't always affect the overall picture, but affect stuff in smaller ways. Very different sort of choice design, and they shouldn't really be compared imo.

 

[RevenantKioku]

Now comes the sad part, waiting.

Spoiler

Shut up RK

What, I have to wait 78 days just like everyone else!

 

[AgentOtaku]

Fuck ...seeing this news makes me so damn happy and reminded me I need to buy Devil Survivor ASAP

*heads to Amazon*

 

[Shadowlink]

Never played a SMT game before. I'm going to watch videos and stuff and if I like what I'm seeing, then I might buy it

 

[zoku88]

The only thing i don't like about this is first person dungeons. I was never really a big fan of them. I'm not really sure why. 1st person battle screens don't bother me at all (although, they did as a kid, which is why I never really played the first four Phantasy Stars, a shame.)

 

[Teknoman]

The demons could be animated when fighting against them, either idle or when they use an attack.

 

[Forkball]

+ Presumably this means a return of Law/Chaos/Neutral character paths, as these are IMO the most overlooked innovation of the original games. Seriously, Bioware, Bethesda, even Obsidian should look to SMT II to see how to make these "morality" choices less dull and predictable.

I read the Siloconera article and it seems interesting. Personally I love the setting and concepts of the SMT games, but the gameplay sometimes stops being old-school and instead becomes outdated and frustrating. I'd be willing to give this game a chance though once I learn more about it and if reviews are good.

 

[mollipen]

REEEEEALLY not liking the character designs, which I think is a first for me when it comes to a MegaTen title. (At least, off the top of my head.) Instantly thought of Dead Space, and compared to what has come before, just seems utterly dull.

I mean, I'm still excited, and it was kind of inevitable that a more old-school SMT game would hit the DS, but hmm... those characters.

 

[Teknoman]

Never played a SMT game before. I'm going to watch videos and stuff and if I like what I'm seeing, then I might buy it

Watch these and you should be good:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvUWvebNvlI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlLFSLGAPrI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmMiP93xMp4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPdmQWICtTE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grXHKSIQ3ys&feature=related

EDIT: I really hope Strange Journey has as threatening sounding a boss battle as Nocturne, but it'll probably end up being more like Digital Devil Saga's style (not like thats a bad thing).

 

[duckroll]

The demons could be animated when fighting against them, either idle or when they use an attack.

Don't count on it. They don't move in Devil Survivor, and some of the sprites look exactly the same.

 

[Teknoman]

Don't count on it. They don't move in Devil Survivor, and some of the sprites look exactly the same.

Hmm well i'm ok with that. I really dont like static monster images, but as long as they have battle effects when attacking you, i'm good.

 

[Shadowlink]

Watch these and you should be good:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvUWvebNvlI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlLFSLGAPrI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmMiP93xMp4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPdmQWICtTE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grXHKSIQ3ys&feature=related

EDIT: I really hope Strange Journey has as threatening sounding a boss battle as Nocturne, but it'll probably end up being more like Digital Devil Saga's style (not like thats a bad thing).

Watching the last video right now but from what I've seen from the other 4 videos you linked me, it seems like a fun RPG game. This is the PS2 version right? I might get it.

 

[Dreweyes]

This is going to be so good.

Hopefully Atlus bundles some cool stuff like an art book with this!

...And decent marketing!

 

[Teknoman]

Watching the last video right now but from what I've seen from the other 4 videos you linked me, it seems like a fun RPG game. This is the PS2 version right? I might get it.

Yeah, all PS2 games. Shin Megami Tensei III:Nocturne, SMT Digital Devil Saga 1, and DDS 2.

 

[RevenantKioku]

I'm kind of with you. The more I see about this game, the less interested I'm becoming. It's shocking, really.

One of the Gamestops near me has a gutted and maybe even boxless new EO2 for mad cheap, though, so maybe I should jump into that to see if this is something I can get into.

Spoiler

Now if it was first-person dungeon crawling with social links, THEN we'd be talking!

Wait, did you go from interest to disinterest in a few hours?

 

[Shadowlink]

Yeah, all PS2 games. Shin Megami Tensei III:Nocturne, SMT Digital Devil Saga 1, and DDS 2.

Alright, I'm not understanding what's happening in the last video. Like what kind of moves are they doing? Also I read that SMT 2 never came out in America.

 

[AgentOtaku]

Beaten DDS1 and 2 ....still can't believe I haven't gotten around to play through Nocturne properly

 

[RevenantKioku]

Alright, I'm not understanding what's happening in the last video. Like what kind of moves are they doing? Also I read that SMT 2 never came out in America.

Nor did SMT, that is correct.

 

[Kagari]

Never played a SMT game before. I'm going to watch videos and stuff and if I like what I'm seeing, then I might buy it

You should!

 

[MollyMillions]

Well, it's really just Persona which doesn't have the paths. Raidou 2 did from what I heard, and I think Devil Survivor does too. The difference between SMT "morality" and western CRPG morality is that they're very different games. In SMT, the morality choices are very personal and affect your journey and your quest. It also affects the entire world because your actions will influence that. But it doesn't really have any "immediate" effect in the game. For CRPGs, the choices don't always affect the overall picture, but affect stuff in smaller ways. Very different sort of choice design, and they shouldn't really be compared imo.

That's good to hear. Both Raidou 2 and Devil Survivor are on my to-do list. I think your point about WRPGs featuring more moment-to-moment character-based changes vs. SMT's sweeping end-game decisions is a good one.

I think what I meant is more that the SMT view of what the three moralities represent is more nuanced and interesting than the standard WRPG selfless do-gooder vs. selfish psychopath dichotomy. Basically in SMT I you can support Law which leads to a divine dictatorship, Chaos which leads to a hedonist wasteland, or Balance which pits you against both as a humanist who kills both God and the Devil. That sounds so much less boring than Save the Princess/Rule the World.

 

[Teknoman]

Alright, I'm not understanding what's happening in the last video. Like what kind of moves are they doing? Also I read that SMT 2 never came out in America.

Agi = fire
Bufu = ice
Zio = electricity

Or did you mean something else?

And yeah, most of the Megaten series games never released stateside. I think Persona 1 for PS1 was the first? Or maybe it was one of those GBC games.

 

[Error]

I wasn't a big fan of Raidou 1, but Raidou 2 is really good. The combat still isn't anything special, but it's a lot better than Raidou 1.

The best part is definitely the story.

 

[Shadowlink]

Nor did SMT, that is correct.

Was there a reason for this?

You should!

Haha Yea I know. Watching videos and it looks interesting

Agi = fire
Bufu = ice
Zio = electricity

Or did you mean something else?

Oh thanks! The video was kind of blury I guess but you answered the thing that looked weird.

 

[Teknoman]

Wonder if Mara will make an appearance :lol

 

[Error]

REEEEEALLY not liking the character designs, which I think is a first for me when it comes to a MegaTen title. (At least, off the top of my head.) Instantly thought of Dead Space, and compared to what has come before, just seems utterly dull.

I mean, I'm still excited, and it was kind of inevitable that a more old-school SMT game would hit the DS, but hmm... those characters.

Really? I think the human art is really good... The MC doesn't look like a wuss for once. The other characters are nicely designed, too.

 

[RevenantKioku]

Was there a reason for this?

Titties and Satanism, maybe?

 

[MollyMillions]

Was there a reason for this?

They are very primitive games. I say this as a huge fan of the first two, but without some kind of presentational overhaul which would really fundamentally change how the game plays, they both have next to zero commercial appeal in the western market.

Still, with the advent of the DS' popularity, cheap ports of the PSX/GBA remakes could have hit by now...Atlus is probably too busy with all of the the new SMT-brand games to bother at this point, though.

 

[magicalsoundshower]

The negotiation system is back? Hell yes! So I take it this is going to be like the "classic" series?

By the way, I must be stupid but where can I see screenshots/art of this?

Edit: never mind.

 

[madara]

Oh that is hot, me want. Keep ds rpgs rolling.

 

[PepsimanVsJoe]

As long as I don't have to go to a school and convince fellow students to fall in love with their teachers I'll be fine with this.

Course SMT DS will probably turn out to be way too hard for me and I'll quit after several hours.

Ohhh well I'll buy it anyway cause there's nothing else worth throwing money at these days.

 

[Vorador]

Well this looks like a classic SMT . And that's good.

 

[Acosta]

Great news. I'm a bit tired of playing so much with DS and ignoring my poor, nice TV, but I'll take it and say thanks.

The art... looks a bit weird isn't? Looks Kaneko is experimenting but I don't really know how to call it, more realistic and less stylized?

I love the screens by the way, what are they using? prerendered characters? Doesn't look polygons.

 

[DR2K]

People here not playing Devil Surviver are seriously missing out on the best RPG on the system.

 

[duckroll]

People here not playing Devil Surviver are seriously missing out on the best RPG on the system.

........... I disagree.

 

[zoku88]

........... I disagree.

About it being good or about it being the best?

I have done almost zero research on it and was wondering what you thought about it. (I wasn't really that aware of its existence before this thread.)

 

[DR2K]

........... I disagree.

I'm probably being a bit biased, I haven't fallen in love with an RPG in a long while.

 

[Dascu]

This is basically what I've hoped for. Great news.

 

[Xanathus]

I hope they keep the ability to choose which skills you want to inherit when fusing from Devil Survivor.

 

[ferricide]

wellllllllllll there goes me NOT buying devil survivor. glad i held out.

but this is suave and sexy and i am so there! when the inevitable US version is released, because, come on.

 

[Coxswain]

Persona 4's upgraded One More!! battle system is better than Press Turn.

That's crazy talk. One More is to Press Turn what Checkers is to Chess.

I'm glad that it seems like they're doing something different, though. I just hope that "Devil Co-op" has some actual depth to it, and it's not just the equivalent of an All Out Attack. Although as long as it doesn't end up like Devil Survivor's shittacular Extra Turn system I'll be able to live with it.

 

[remz]

Devil Survivor is a really good game, but best DS RPG is a big call, the system oozes RPG goodness.

 

[zoku88]

That's crazy talk. One More is to Press Turn what Checkers is to Chess.

I'm glad that it seems like they're doing something different, though. I just hope that "Devil Co-op" has some actual depth to it, and it's not just the equivalent of an All Out Attack. Although as long as it doesn't end up like Devil Survivor's shittacular Extra Turn system I'll be able to live with it.

I always thought Press Turn tipped the battle way too much into the Player's favor. I thought One More slightly helped with that.

 

[RevenantKioku]

That's crazy talk. One More is to Press Turn what Checkers is to Chess.

I'm glad that it seems like they're doing something different, though. I just hope that "Devil Co-op" has some actual depth to it, and it's not just the equivalent of an All Out Attack. Although as long as it doesn't end up like Devil Survivor's shittacular Extra Turn system I'll be able to live with it.

Wow, what? Not only is One More much better than Press Turn (simple evolution) the Extra Turn in Devil Survivor was great because it helped you to gain advantage but not dominate.

 

[slaughterking]

I am very pleased by this announcement.

 

[firex]

nice. this is what I wanted them to do with EO's engine after EO2 came out.

 

[Jangaroo]

I'm probably being a bit biased, I haven't fallen in love with an RPG in a long while.

I just opened my copy of Devil Survivor recently. I'm enjoying it so far, and I was utterly surprised to see that I could pick the skills that my fused demon could inherit. This deserves to be in EVERY future SMT game from here on out. No more wasting 20 min trying to get the right skills. I'm a bit curious though. I'm assuming you've beaten Devil Survivor already, so is there any consequences to the choices you choose regarding dialogue? I'm assuming there's some semblance of Law/Neutral/Chaos in this game regarding the options, but I just want some reassurance.

 

[Netto-kun]

Really digging Devil Survivor, so this game is a day 1 purchase for me.

 

[Augemitbutter]

the good:


new (full?) SMT

kaneko & meguro

lots of demons


the bad:


first person dungeons. never been a fan of those, very boring concept

sound quality might go down


the ugly:


glorious DS 3D graphics.



i'll have to wait for impressions before i consider a purchase.