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Shin Megami Tensei (including Persona, Devil Summoner, Devil Survivor, and all that good stuff)

Nap1400

Nap1400

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General MegaTen thread, since it comes up as a topic around here a lot.

Most recent news that everyone cares about is Persona 4 Arena: Junpei and Yukari Edition, so let's talk about that.
 
I wonder if ASW will do any drastic changes to the movesets of the Shadow-type characters.
 
Shadow Junpei is under your bed!

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shoryusatsu999 said:
I wonder if ASW will do any drastic changes to the movesets of the Shadow-type characters.

Yes there are quite some drastic change.

The ones I know on top of my head are

- Shadow characters will use the original Auto Combos while the normal characters have new ones.
- They have no awakening mode.
- Their meter will carry over between rounds.
- Have a special mode where they can use Ex moves or Super moves all in quick succession for a limited time.
- Have no bursts as a tradeoff.
- Different move properties, Naoto gun and Shadow Naoto gun is an example.
 
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I mean their moves actually being different other than autocombos and burst/fury. Also, nobody really knows what the deal is with the Naoto gauges.
 
I'm assuming its more of a cool-down effect gimmick (think Orgia mode) instead of the fixed number of bullets for regular Naoto on reloads. Which means Shadow Naoto could potentially shoot more bullets without reloading but the tradeoff is if it gets overheated then your briefly locked out on using gun. This is speculation of course.
 
I wonder if they are just going to put in more characters or just have it be just Junpei and Mitsuro + shadow forms. Tbh I would not be disappointed at all if it was just these two due to Junpei being my favorite character from P3; but I am curious on w/e happened to Ken and Koromaru (who I really cant picture to be in this game but w/e).
Pic Semi- Related
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Love SMT as a whole, I haven't played too much, but it's such a fascinating franchise.
I plan to get SMT IV at some point, and to finish Persona 3 and 4, then get Arena.
ONE DAY!

Though Persona 4 Arena's update looks hype, anything with shadows I think is awesome.
Them golden eyes man
 
Never played any of them Persona/SMT games. Which ones would you recommend to start off with? Persona 3? What about Persona 1+2?
 
Vladislav_Paizis said:
Never played any of them Persona/SMT games. Which ones would you recommend to start off with? Persona 3? What about Persona 1+2?
Persona 3 is very dark, even by SMT standards, I believe.
It's got an air of despair and hopelessness, and the ending is supposedly extremely depressing.
Plus you can't command your allies (Unless you're playing Persona 3 Portable), so it's hard.

Persona 4 on the other hand is far more upbeat, charming, and has a bright look (Yellow as opposed to Persona 3's dark blue), everyone in America prefers Persona 4, so I would start there, I think?
Both games are hard, though. Especially Persona 3. You can't control your companions, they're AI controlled and I've heard they can ruin fights by doing the wrong move.
 
Persona 3 is closer to what SMT is all about, though. Also most people agree that the AI in FES isn't as bad as the AI in Vanilla (Marin Karin and SP Drain D=<). And some will tell you that it's better to deal with the auto-controlled members in Persona 3 first so you end up less frustrated by the improvements in Persona 4. It comes down to personal preference though.

Persona 1 and 2 are kind of black sheep in a sense. Persona 1 really only got a "true" localization when the PSP came around because the original localization was nothing like the original. Atlus didn't really know how to translate back then and tried to force the game into America somehow. It failed. Even then, it's still the least liked in the series because its gameplay didn't stand the test of time and unlike Persona 2, the story wasn't as engaging. Persona 2 Eternal Punishment is where the series really took off, though its gameplay isn't the best either. That game and Innocent Sin for the PSP are both games you should check out though since the story is still considered one of the best, if darkest, in the series.

For vanilla SMT games, SMTIV I heard is probably the easiest game in the series (though this is Atlus which means there's still going to be a challenge) so I'd start there.
 
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Yes, yes yes yes yes yes.
I love SMT, eagerly awaiting IV.

Yes, awaiting IV. Sadly I live in the mystical, far away land of Europe, so a new SMT game over here is like a diamond falling from the sky.
 
Jutsei said:
Nap forgot to mention how the final boss of Persona 2 is Hitler.
bionic commando did it first Kappa

also i kinda want to play the older SMTs but i have too much stuff to play already
 
Jutsei said:
everyone in America prefers Persona 4, so I would start there, I think?
I'm from Eastern Europe. I only played P4A, found Akihiko and Mitsuru cool and I'm addicted to "Heartful Cry" track.
 
Vladislav_Paizis said:
I'm from Eastern Europe. I only played P4A, found Akihiko and Mitsuru cool and I'm addicted to "Heartful Cry" track.
Persona 4 Arena I'm not sure is a very good place to start.
It's a direct sequel to Persona 4, and ALSO continues Persona 3, so you're basically spoiling yourself for two whole games.
It is a pretty good game though
 
Jutsei said:
Persona 4 Arena I'm not sure is a very good place to start.
It's a direct sequel to Persona 4, and ALSO continues Persona 3, so you're basically spoiling yourself for two whole games.
It is a pretty good game though
I only bought it because it was developed by ArcSys. I seriously never even heard of Persona nor SMT when P4A was announced. Speaking of which, I don't remember when was the last time I played P4A. Went back to SG Steam Beta, TTT2, UMvC3, Divekick and was trying out some other characters besides Baiken when the +R Patch was released for GGXX AC+.
 
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I started playing the Shin Megami Tensei series with Persona 3 and 4. Those two games are my most favorite games of all time. I've never had more fun with a video game than when I was playing those two. I eat up absolutely anything Persona-related.

I tried playing Shin Megami Tensei 4, and I disliked it so strongly that I dropped it after a few hours. It was too hard for me. I kept dying over and over in the tutorial dungeon, and I kept failing to recruit demons. I got frustrated and upset, and I quit playing it.

Am I considered the lowest of bottom-dwelling scum by SMT fans?
 
In order of the games I've played: III >IV > II > DS2-SH
 
EvaXephon said:
I started playing the Shin Megami Tensei series with Persona 3 and 4. Those two games are my most favorite games of all time. I've never had more fun with a video game than when I was playing those two. I eat up absolutely anything Persona-related.

I tried playing Shin Megami Tensei 4, and I disliked it so strongly that I dropped it after a few hours. It was too hard for me. I kept dying over and over in the tutorial dungeon, and I kept failing to recruit demons. I got frustrated and upset, and I quit playing it.

Am I considered the lowest of bottom-dwelling scum by SMT fans?
Nah, I can see why. SMT is hard and the fact SMT IV is hard isn't surprising
 
EvaXephon said:
I started playing the Shin Megami Tensei series with Persona 3 and 4. Those two games are my most favorite games of all time. I've never had more fun with a video game than when I was playing those two. I eat up absolutely anything Persona-related.

I tried playing Shin Megami Tensei 4, and I disliked it so strongly that I dropped it after a few hours. It was too hard for me. I kept dying over and over in the tutorial dungeon, and I kept failing to recruit demons. I got frustrated and upset, and I quit playing it.

Am I considered the lowest of bottom-dwelling scum by SMT fans?


First: it IS hard, but manageable. Unfortunately, due to the "collectible" nature of the game, you're bound to do some grinding to get better demons sooner AND later. Requires patience and tactical thinking. you can cut hours of grinding just by using every aspect of the system to your advantage (no brute-forcing your way in this game)

Second: if you want to sell it for a cheap price and ship it outside your country, maybe i'd take it off your hands...
 
Vladislav_Paizis said:
Never played any of them Persona/SMT games. Which ones would you recommend to start off with? Persona 3? What about Persona 1+2?

I'd feel free to start with 3 or 4. I'm a much bigger fan of P3 than P4, personally. I really prefer the darker, slightly more desperate tone, and find the characters more interesting. So much so that I was willing to play P3 a second time.

tldr; Play Persona 3.

Tonal example. Warning, spoilers from the first hour of play.
 
At first, my friends showed me some gameplay clips of Persona 3 and Persona 4. I really enjoyed them and the music (Mass Destruction sounds awesome!); sadly, I did not have the system(s) to play on them. When Persona 4 Arena was announced, it caught my attention because I liked fighting and want to give it a shot. I really enjoyed the game!

Another SMT game I owned is Devil Summoner: Soul Hacker. I like the concept of having demons join you and fusing them to gain new demons. I also like to fuse some of them with my Zoma to make him stronger. There are so many possibilities in this game and others and I love it.

These are the games that helped me appreciate the series. That and the mythology within.
 
My Babies first SMT was SMTIII: Nocturne, which is a hell of a place to start. IV is actually harder in some places but is way easier to exploit in the mid to late game. It is however, the first game I broke 100 hours of play on my 3DS (Also largely the reason I bought one).

Also played, pretttttty much everything else, baring the NES/SNES releases of SMT1/2/If... and Devil Kids, because I ain't about that life. Persona 3/4 isn't a "Good Place to Start"(tm) with SMT, if only because they're practically a different series, and you're not really gonna prepare yourself for one with the other, y'dig? Still good times, though.
 
my first SMT was Persona 4.... and it is my absolute favorite.

I dont care what anyone says, its my favorite JRPG and I am sticking to it.

I have played SMT Strange Journey and Persona 3, but for some reason I kept going back to Persona 4....
 
I love Strange Journey so hard.
I'm also one of those weird people that prefers 3 to 4, but that could just be order of exposure.
 
Got a good chunk of the games that have been released here in the US, I just need to hurry up and finish most of them. I think the only ones I've beaten at least once were the two Devil Survivor games and Soul Hackers. Everything else has either been started (Persona 1, Persona 3 Portable, Persona 4, Nocturne, SMT4, and Strange Journey) or not even opened (P2: Innocent Sin, both Digital Devil Sagas, the Raidou games). What's really sad is that I'm at the very end of SJ and just need to beat the final boss. I need better end game demons :/

I'll probably finish SMT4 within the next week if I don't get too side tracked with filling up the compendium. The beginning was rough but once I got past the second boss it wasn't too tough though there's been the occasional battle I needed to restart.

My favorites so far are the Devil Survivor games. I like the strategy elements and characters. Setting too since they generally capture how f'ed the world is like the main games.
 
Jutsei said:
Persona 3 is very dark, even by SMT standards, I believe.
It's got an air of despair and hopelessness, and the ending is supposedly extremely depressing.
Plus you can't command your allies (Unless you're playing Persona 3 Portable), so it's hard.

Persona 4 on the other hand is far more upbeat, charming, and has a bright look (Yellow as opposed to Persona 3's dark blue), everyone in America prefers Persona 4, so I would start there, I think?
Both games are hard, though. Especially Persona 3. You can't control your companions, they're AI controlled and I've heard they can ruin fights by doing the wrong move.

I wouldn't quite say that! Persona 3 is very dark but in comparison to the main titles, it quite lighter in comparison and the ending is, although bittersweet, much happier than SMTI/II and Nocturne. And with the revelations in P4A, there's still a chance of the cast earning a full blown happy ending as well.

I agree with everything else, however. For a game about a murder mystery, Persona 4 is as upbeat as you can get. It's still a rich plot though, that focuses more on the character's inner struggles and the issues within society.

And if you enjoy that lighter tone, I'd recommend Devil Survivor 2 as well. It feels more of a spiritual successor to Persona 4'smood/theme than the first Devil Survivor itself.
 
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Sanoblaze said:
my first SMT was Persona 4.... and it is my absolute favorite.

I dont care what anyone says, its my favorite JRPG and I am sticking to it.

Right there with ya brother!
Let's see, first SMT game was P3:FES, then I got P4, when I got my 3DS my first game was Devil Survivor Overclocked, got DS2 but I never beat it,and finally I got SMT4 on release day.....also still haven't beaten it yet. >__>;
So far I have to say that I have greatly enjoyed all these games though the Persona games a little more so but overall a great series that has pretty much become my new favorite RPG series.
 
ChronoThanatos said:
Right there with ya brother!
Let's see, first SMT game was P3:FES, then I got P4, when I got my 3DS my first game was Devil Survivor Overclocked, got DS2 but I never beat it,and finally I got SMT4 on release day.....also still haven't beaten it yet. >__>;
So far I have to say that I have greatly enjoyed all these games though the Persona games a little more so but overall a great series that has pretty much become my new favorite RPG series.
Atlus is just the king of JRPGs..... no I am not counting that awful HBO themed game they made... or produced.
 
Jutsei said:
Atlus is very good at making hard games too
Their JRPGs are so..... Long.... and... and HARD!

ALL THE HARD LONG JRPGs!!!!!!
 
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Nap1400 said:
Them 20 hours of grinding to beat Beldr.

Quoth Atlus: "We get off on your tears."
I think the best admission of making hard games was around the time Megaman 9 came out.
They said something along the lines of
"Inafune-San has a drawer filled with the broken spirits of gamers that he uses to keep himself perpetually youthful"
 
Jutsei said:
Persona 3 is very dark, even by SMT standards, I believe.
It's got an air of despair and hopelessness, and the ending is supposedly extremely depressing.
Imo it's less dark then the mainline series.

Persona 3 = you're fighting a (maybe) hopeless battle to save the world, but you have your friends with you to cheer you up. (also the ending isn't that depressing, but that's up to how you interpret it).

Mainline Smt series = The world has already been destroyed, your parents and most of your friends are dead, you've just been revealed horrifying truths about the nature of god and the universe, and on top of it all you have to undertake your journey alone.

That being said, there's still a very subtle air of hope running throughout the whole series. One of the things I like about the series is that it manages to have a grim and dark atmosphere while still having hope and avoiding a "2edgy4u" style.

EvaXephon said:
I tried playing Shin Megami Tensei 4, and I disliked it so strongly that I dropped it after a few hours. It was too hard for me. I kept dying over and over in the tutorial dungeon, and I kept failing to recruit demons. I got frustrated and upset, and I quit playing it.?

I would advise giving it another shot. The game gets very interesting once you get out of medieval land. Which is like only a few hours away from the tutorial dungeons anyway.
 
Ok I stand corrected, but I think it's still pretty dark, what with the suicide guns and what not.

One game I'd LIKE To play but am scared by the difficulty is Nocturne.
I've heard SO many horror stories about that game's difficulty
 
I got into SMT with Persona 3 Portable, went on to P4... And then I went for the original Shin Megami Tensei. So I've played SMT1-4, Persona 2 (Only IS)-4, and Soul Hackers. And I guess Arena counts, too.

I keep meaning to go back to Nocturne. I can only seem to play it in spurts, despite it being so amazing. Also meaning to get Strange Journey, considering the sheer number of positive things I've heard about it.
 
Jutsei said:
Ok I stand corrected, but I think it's still pretty dark, what with the suicide guns and what not.

One game I'd LIKE To play but am scared by the difficulty is Nocturne.
I've heard SO many horror stories about that game's difficulty
Oh yes, Nocturne is pretty rough. Early game isn't too hard, until you get to your first major fiend battle and hear this song playing


That's about when things go to hell. Literally and figuratively.

The game is pretty fun though, one thing I might warn about though is that it's a lot less character based then the Persona games. There are several other humans who play a large role in the story, but they don't journey with you, and most of the time you spend alone with a sense of loneliness and isolation as you explore the desolate game world. It has fantastic atmosphere in that respect though.
 
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