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 - Whoa...Part Final Fantasy X and Part Phantasy Star II.This is a straight up, turn based RPG. The mechanics of the game are simple: Control up to three characters at a time (out of 5), and teach them extra skills via a sphere grid system (ala FFX). So if we've played FFX and PS2...why bother right? Here is the thing, I've never been one to care at all about story in an RPG. I could care less, but the story in this game is dark...way dark and religious and philosophical. It really darn cool. Also, leveling up is quick and easy. You're constantly learning new skills and finding out new secrets about the game. It has that mysterious quality about it that used to make games so compelling (like PS2 and the original Zelda). It uses the player's imagination to keep them playing the game...not flashy graphics and cg scenes. If you want a fun, 50+ hour rpg that will keep you enthralled and never gets boring or pointless, then this is the game for you. It does have a tendancy to kick you in the tail once in a while, bu that only makes it more fun! Rating: - Suprisingly Great Game, Better than NocturneBefore I played this game I played SMT: Nocturne. I was impressed with the game mechanics, as well as delighted with the difficulty of the game (unlike FF games, it was possible to be wiped out by even low level monsters if you weren't careful). So, when I saw another game sporting the SMT engine was coming to the PS2 I reserved it immediately. Frankly I found this game to be better than SMT:N in most respects. True you don't get to create an "army" of monsters as in SMT:N (probably one of the better features of SMT:N), but you do have a greater control of the growth of your characters than you did in SMT:N (you no longer loose forever the skills that you replace). So here is a breakdown of the game: Plot: 4/5 Very good plot, somewhat confusing, but most of us who play Japanese games and read Mangas are used to being kept in the dark about what is really going on (as well as spending much of the earlier moments confused as hell... Big-O is a great example of this). Much like Xenosaga, there is a lot of information available that can be used to help figure things out, but you have to pay attention and be ready to think a little outside the box. The only thing I disliked was the use of the "silent protagonist". I hate this technique with a passion, where the main character is only given choices every once and a while, and in the meantime doesn't say a single word. Some of you may be familiar with this technique, as it's been used in a lot of games, such as Chrono trigger (and cross as well), SMT:N, the Breath of Fire games, and a couple of the Suikoden games (the first one for sure). The reason I dislike this technique? It causes the main character to be flat, shallow, and pretty much iconic. Basically, it prevents a lot of possible character development for who should be the focus of the plot. But with the Silent Protagonist character, you can only learn about the main character through others, and the others are of course allowed to reach a depth the main character cannot obtain. In SMT:DDS the main character "Serph" is the allowed only to reach a state that I would call "Robotic." There are a couple of moments where he is portrayed as having more depth, but those are fleeing and overall you are left with a character who seems to lack a personality. This aside, the other characters are developed fairly well, with enough left unknown to merit the sequel. Graphics: 3/5 Good. This was made stright up using the SMT engine from nocturne. They even kept most of the demons from nocturne. The backgrounds and dungeons are somewhat drab, but that is done intentionally because of the setting in which the game takes place. The only negative side to the graphics is that sometimes the resolution is somewhat low, which can lead to problems with positioning. Sound: 5/5 Excellent. This is one of the few successes in voice acting I've seen in a dubbed video game recently. While the voice acting isn't the best in the world, it at least portrays the characters well, and the lines aren't given with a constant tone of wooden indifference. There are a couple of voices that don't quite hit the mark, but the core cast is very well done. The music is excellent, many of the tunes fit the atmosphere, and the introduction reel by Etero Anime fits the intro scene. Control: 5/5 Great. The controls are almost exactly as they were in SMT:N. The battle system uses the same attack number determination as well. Most controls are straight forward, although the battle system is more complex for those used to FF turn based style combat. But if you pay attention and read up on the combat, it becomes second nature after a while. Novelty: 2/5 Below average. This is the one low point of the game. It is unfortunate that they chose to keep so many of the monsters from SMT:N. It made the game feel more like a mod than an actual self enclosed game. By keeping so much of the SMT:N system they pretty much lost all ability to consider the game a novel creation. Although DDS is a great game, if you've played nocturne, you'll find yourself saying "hey wait a minute I've seen this before" quite a bit. The plot is quite original, as is many of the items and some new skills. But for the most part, it feels like you are playing a game with 40% new material and 60% recycled material. Overall: 5/5 It's a great game despite a few flaws. If you liked SMT:N then you'll love this game. If you hated SMT:N or found it frustratingly difficult, then you'll find this game much the same. Rating:  - SInfully funI have been looking for the RPG that will take my mind off of Final Fantasy, i think i have found it. So far this game ranks right under final fantasy X, and X-2. The story line is a 4 out of 5, graphics 4 out of 5, music 5 out of 5, and replay value is definetly a 5 out 5. Its a dark tale about different tribes trying to reach nirvana, which can only be achieved by defeating all the other tribes. The battle system and leveling up system somewhat mirrors Final Fantasy X-2. The only thing i regret about the game is that it is short, but part 2 will be out by the end of this year. I highly recommend this game. Its much funner than star ocean, or shadow hearts. I personally rank it in the 6th spot for PS2 RPG's as of 09/2005. Rating: - Great SMT spin-offDigital Devil Saga takes the gamer through a story that ends on a very open, but extremely promising note. On the way to the end though, the gamer will encounter a plethoria of all the right things to make one become immersed in an inovative yet slightly old fashioned experience. Borrowing a lot from it's "father" game Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne, the game utilizes a similar combat engine, variety of monsters, and graphics engine. The similarities do not stop there though, and one can imeediatily realize how unmistakable this is as a SMT spin-off. In fact, the game even includes some utilities that can be drawn to other RPG series such as Final Fantasy (the mantra system that the game employes to help the characters learn new skills has a slight similarity to FF6's esper system). Taking these already used mechanics, Atlus has intertwined them togother in such a fashion (and mixed in a puzzling but very good storyline)that makes the gamer wanting even more as the credits come to a close. And that is just where it begins, because this game also takes an interesting step by having a direct follow up sequil! Digital Devil Saga's storyline kicks off in the middle of a war that is taking place in a strange post apopcalyptic version of earth called "The Junkyard". Tribes duke it out in order for one to conquor all the other ones to appease the ruling "Karma Temple", which promises to deliver the victorious tribe to a place called Nirvana. Things take a turn for the weirder though, and questions begin to arise all over the place when two tribes (one of which is the tribe lead by the character you will be playing as) discover a bizzare object that sets off an explosion, releasing a virus that causes everyone in the Junkyard to have the ability to transform into a demon... as well as have an insatiable hunger that must be kept in check. Yes, the game employes canibalism as a pivitol mechanism, you could say, but it does it in such a fashion that you won't even think twice when it's time to devour a helpless enemy who you've slaved away at. The music of SMT:DDS is really good. Just as it's "father game" SMT: N, DDS merges forms of fast paced hard rock with techno, creating a wonderful gaming soundtrack. And it is not limited to only that, as there are also well composed soft pieces for the dramatic moments, and a couple vocal tracks to seal the deal. The sound effects are also very well managed, as they all capture the feel of battle, and help with the addictive manner of slicing an enemy in half and reaping the exp/ap awards. And let's not forget about the voice acting, which is a triumph for SMT here, as it helps add much depth to the game. Another great feature that DDS has is the plethoria of optional bosses you have to conquor, adding more hours to your gameplay. True, these optional bosses probably will not boost it by much (supposidly the average time for covering the whole game is only about 40-50 hours), but it will leave the gamer satisfied much more, especaly after they duke it out with the ultra difficult boss that they can only encounter on their second play through! In the end, DDS has it all, despite being a little short on game length. It does have enough loose ends though and potential though that allows the gamer to look immensly towards it's sequil, which is shaping up rather well as of this writing (8/9/05). Rating: - Digital Devil Saga-A very strange RPG, but overall very appealingI have played Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne game as well as some of this game. They are very well made games in graphics, sound and gameplay, but one of the main things about these games is that they make me feel wierd playing them. I am not sure if it is the acid trip like story lines or the lack of a story line that makes me feel this way. I hope you will give these games a try though, they are very differant than anything you have ever played, guaranteed. Very similar to the older Atlas games like the Persona series.
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