Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga (Sony PlayStation 2, 2005)

Since there's already a great review about the game I'm going to go into more detail about how unforgiving this awesome game is. The game is outstanding, has a very mature storyline with a great script and the most character customization I've ever seen in a console RPG. FFX sphere grid included!

First I must say this game is probably the hardest RPG I've ever played since the days of NES and the original Zeldas. There was, at the bare minimum, 15 times I was so angry at the game I almost threw my controller. Thankfully I didn't though.

At one point, during my first playthrough (it's well worth it to play through the game multiple times to try different character builds out) my most physically powerful party member became charmed and one shotted my healer. My other character de-charmed him and the next turn both of my remaining characters became charmed. Again my most powerful character killed my other character and then killed himself the next turn. GAME OVER. The best part was that I died from a common monster, not a boss. I didn't just die either, I got wasted. This battle occurred after I was looking for a save point for over 40 minutes. To say I was a little frustrated would be a understatement.

The only gripe I have about the game is the spaced out save points in some dungeons. The scenario described above wasn't the only time I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off looking for a save point while fighting overpowered monsters. It happens a lot in the game.

This game is only for the hardest of the core. Be prepared to spend minimum of 3+ hours backtracking from points when you die (unless you like to cheat and use guides to beat games...). 'Powerleveling' is almost non-existent here, even if you're overleveled you can still die fairly easily if you don't have the right skills equipped. Again, the above scenario happened when I thought I was well overleveled.

Great game, great story, highly recommended for anyone who likes difficult games.

Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga (or Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner in Japan) is a great game. However, the run-of-the-mill RPG player should be warned: This isn't your average RPG. The difficulty level is high compared to most titles. The price the DDS1 Box Set can run you is well into the $90-$100 range at the time of writing this. The set includes the following: a soundtrack CD, a slipcover, the DDS1 game, and a box that holds both DDS1 and DDS2. You may see the very elusive Controller Sticker; that was a pre-order bonus only and isn't normally included in the set! That is because famous company ATLUS made this game in limited runs, though recently it has been reprinted without the extras or the memory card slot inside the case.
The battle system is turn based, but the system is very innovative. Everyone has a weakness, although sometimes bosses don't. Battles require planning and preparation and you have to work to memorize things like "Agi" means fire, or Agidyne means a large, single fire attack (similar to Final Fantasy's Fire and Firaga). The music is a pleasant change of pace with alot of unique tracks that make this title stand out. Accompanied by some of America's top voice actors including Crispin Freeman and Yuri Lowenthal, this is a must have game for the die hard fan of Megaten games or someone looking for that challenging title.

My favorite game ever. Best ever storyline and lovely cutscenes. Turn based role playing game. Each character levels up a number of magic/attack/buff skills by a mantra system. Beautiful set and character design. Yeah I cried when I beat it too 10/10

This review is about both DDS. There great games with a magnificent story and deep game play, cell shaded graphics work great with this dark and evil story. The only thing that players might dislike is its high difficulty and blank stages were everything feels hollow and hopeless (like it should feel). In other words dont expect Giant Bird riding and eternal friendship story-elements in this game....and series.

I am a relative newcomer to the Shin Megami Tensei series, or MegaTen as series fans affectionately call it. This series of "grown-up" RPGs is popular in Japan, but has been slow to find a foothold in the US market. Nocturne is the first proper title we got in North America - a port of Shin Megami Tensei III. DDS (together with its companion DDS2) is a side-story, also known as Avatar Tuner, which features the same battle system and style and requires no former familiarity with the series.

Despite the obscure-sounding name, Digital Devil Saga is extremely accessible. Anyone who has played Final Fantasy X should feel right at home. The tutorial system is a big reason why it is so easy to get into this game - it's simple, direct and to the point, in stark contrast to the volumes of text in many RPG tutorials (Romancing SaGa, I'm looking at you).

DDS is a turn-based role-playing game which features characters who transform into demons. Although you can fight in either human or demon form, the human form is basically useless. I won't spoil any of the story - half the fun is watching the characters' worlds turn upside down. Objectively, the voices are delivered superbly and the writing is first-rate. After years of disappointments, Atlus has finally gotten a real feel for localization, and while it doesn't stand up to the standard of Metal Gear Solid, it is superb nonetheless.

The basic gameplay usually boils down to dungeon crawls. You go through an area, randomly fight monsters, solve puzzles, and advance the story through cut-scenes and boss fights. There's nothing revolutionary here, and it can get kind of stark and tiresome at times. What IS impressive, and what kept me playing, is the sheer amount of strategy involved in battling. Power-leveling alone will not help you win a boss battle - indeed, you may not need to level up your characters at all, if you can devise an effective strategy using the excellent elemental system. If you figure out what makes your enemies tick, the battle will swing dramatically in your favor. On the flip side, if you leave a weak spot open, then even the best preparations won't prevent the dreaded Game Over screen.

The level of challenge, then, is high by RPG standards. It's the perfect learning curve that makes the tasks not only bearable, but enjoyable and fun. Fans of RPGs who have been disappointed by Square-Enix's recent releases should look no further than Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga.