The game that kicked off the Megami Tensei series Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei turns 30 on September 11. Atlus has already mentioned Shin Megami Tensei's 25th anniversary, which takes place this year as well, but I also feel it's important to acknowledge the games from the original series (which were also the first video games they worked on) that led them to make Shin Megami Tensei in the first place.
Based on the novel series by Aya Nishitani, Megami Tensei introduces many of the series staples like demon recruiting and fusing, ability points, and first person dungeon crawling.
Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei - September - 1987
The sequel, Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei II has much of the same gameplay elements as the first but adds an overworld map and a top down view of the protagonist. It also introduces multiple endings that would later also be a staple of the series.
Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei II - April 1990
Megami Tensei II ability point system
Megami Tensei II top down viewpoint
After Megami Tensei II, Atlus wanted to tie the brand more closely with their own company instead of Namco. They also wanted to sort of do a remake of the previous games without being tied to the novels, hence Shin Megami Tensei. This might also explain why Atlus is celebrating Shin Megami Tensei's 25th and not Megami Tensei's 30th as well.
Shin Megami Tensei - October 1992
Shin Megami Tensei 25th anniversary logo
There, got that off my chest. Just wanted to bring some recognition to the original series that set SMT in motion since Atlus themselves don't seem to be doing that.
Based on the novel series by Aya Nishitani, Megami Tensei introduces many of the series staples like demon recruiting and fusing, ability points, and first person dungeon crawling.
Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei - September - 1987
Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei first-person dungeon crawling
The sequel, Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei II has much of the same gameplay elements as the first but adds an overworld map and a top down view of the protagonist. It also introduces multiple endings that would later also be a staple of the series.
Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei II - April 1990
Megami Tensei II ability point system
Megami Tensei II top down viewpoint
After Megami Tensei II, Atlus wanted to tie the brand more closely with their own company instead of Namco. They also wanted to sort of do a remake of the previous games without being tied to the novels, hence Shin Megami Tensei. This might also explain why Atlus is celebrating Shin Megami Tensei's 25th and not Megami Tensei's 30th as well.
Shin Megami Tensei - October 1992
Shin Megami Tensei 25th anniversary logo
There, got that off my chest. Just wanted to bring some recognition to the original series that set SMT in motion since Atlus themselves don't seem to be doing that.