Digital Devil Saga 2

Digital Devil Saga 2

Pros
- Storyline is almost as good as the first
- Half Human, Half Demon Form
- Hip Hop Bro is in it!
- Many Side Quests
- Good music
- Mantra System improved

Cons
- Should have changed more gameplay elements
- Seraph (Spoiler if I said why)
- Few things are unexplained
- Heat was hardly in it
- Mantra skills do not transfer from the first game, must be relearned.





Digital Devil Saga is a classic in my books, it may not have had the best battle system ever, but the story was incredible. The only question I had in my mind while playing the second game, is the story going to be as good as the first, and will the story end in a satisfying way? Unfortunately, the story was not as great as the first, but it is still a lot better than most games, and anime storylines. More than being a game, I felt this was mostly a way to end the game in a way that people would be happy. There were no pointless videos, all videos explained something that was left unexplained in the first game, and almost every video left you surprised when you learn new things as events transpire.

The story picks up right where the last one left off. We see Serph, Argilla, and Gale hiding in a building from soldiers. There are two kids who are helping them, there is no sign from Heat or Cielo. After they realize that this place is suppose to be Nirvana, the kids offer to take them to see Roland, which is their leader, as they are fighting against the Karma Society, who has their motives for doing things as well. In the end, what they all really need is Sera, the Cyber Shaman, to carry out their plans. As they meet with Roland, they find out that Cielo is being held captive as they were under the impression that he was a karma society soldier. We do not see him at this point though, and we start to wonder if they really have him or not. Roland shows them the project created by the Cyber Shaman, it is called the Asura Project, known to us as “The Junkyard”. After an argument between Roland and Gale, Gale decides to help them for Fred’s sake, Fred being one of the orphans. We then find out that the Karma Society Leader, Madame, is holding Sera in her care. We also find out that the person who is working with Madame closely is none other than Angel. Eventually, through events, you will receive Cielo in your party.



Later on, just as you think you think you are about to find Sera, she is not there, and who is standing at the door but none other than Heat. However, this time he’s not here as an ally, but rather, as an enemy. Just as they start to fight, Madame shows herself on the screen in the room and tells them her plan. In short, people cannot go in the sun anymore as they turn into stone, but as demons, this would not happen, so she wishes to make everyone into demons, and basically, survival of the fittest. Everything from here on would be counted as major spoilers, so I will not go on. But basically, the whole purpose of the game is, Sera is trying to find a way to talk to God because he is angry at the world, which explains all the people turning into stone.



There are 8 playable characters in the game, although they come and go (storywise). These characters are Serph, Heat, Argilla, Gale, Cielo, Roland, Sera, and Seraph. Although this may sound like a lot of playable characters, some of these characters are barely in the game, never mind being playable characters. Heat for example, could possibly only be in your party for one very small fight, or he could be in your party for the whole last level if you make the right decisions. If you do get him in your party for the last level, prepare to do some HEAVY leveling up on mantra skills as he does not even retain any fire skills. Sera is in your party for quite a while and yet not that much, if you play the game, you’ll understand what I mean. She starts with all of Serph’s skills as well, so she is not completely helpless. Serph is obviously in it quite a bit being the main character, so you may want him to be an all-around character, such as making him learn all types of spells, Ice, Heal, Fire, Electricity. Argilla comes and goes, but she remains in your party for most of the game. Gale and Cielo become much more significant characters than in the first one, and remain in your party for most of the game as well. Roland is not really a significant new character, the story does not really focus on him, but he already has a lot of good mantra skills, so you may want to use him. Electricity is absolutely necessary for all members to learn, as many of the regular enemies/bosses are weak to it. For anyone who has played any Shin Megami Tensai’s games before, you know as well as I do that a regular enemy can be as dangerous as a boss sometimes, especially when they have the ability to kill all of your party members one hit.

The battle system has been slightly improved, but not enough. They have added one new ability, the half human, half demon form. It is a nice form to have as the music is intense and your guys have the ability to do major damage, although your defense is cut in half. This happens randomly at the start of a battle, if you do not like this idea, just think, this is better than all those times in the first game where your characters did not have time to transform before the battle begins. Although this still happens occasionally in this game, it has been cut down dramatically for this new half half form. The mantra grid has a new system, it now reflects more of the Final Fantasy 10 magic grid. It looks like a big sphere and each ball inside this sphere represents a magic skill, and for every 8 skills that make a small sphere, there is a skill in the middle that you cannot purchase. To obtain these, you must master the 8 skills around it, although they do not all have to be mastered by the same person. You may want to try this later on in the game as you will definitely need high level skills as quickly as possible.




As you progress in this game, you will definitely receive some shocks and surprises. The story does finish, but it does leave you with unanswered questions still. Nothing major, but it would have been nice to have not been left with questions. Also, for the entire last level, none of the characters even say a word until you fight the final boss and the ending, even then, the only one who says anything is Seraph. It would have been nice to hear some more lines from Heat as he is the best character and hardly said anything through the entire game. Through these 2 games, Shin Megami Tensai has created a series that will be remembered for a lifetime among his fans. If these games were not so rare and were advertised more, I’m sure it could have been a big hit. Though it still lacks in gameplay, the story is worth playing through both of these games, even if you do get frustrated at times. If, and only if you have played and beaten the first game, should you pick up this game, if you do not have either, then I suggest you find these games, and play them as soon as possible. Once again, I suggest you get your video capture card and make yourself a homemade video of this series.

I might have to pick this game up. It looks pretty interesting
Do you have any video of actual game play?

err... i don't recall I'll have to check through all my vids tomorrow, i havent' put them together yet, haven't had the time yet with midterms and major assignments this week and next. But if i don't have any gameplay i will definitely record some. But like i said, don't go expecting this game's gameplay to be great, the story is the main reason why i played it. I just can't get enough of Digital Devil Saga, unfortunately its the end

Don't get me wrong, the gameplay is not horendous or anything, its just too common for RPG's. Attack, wait, attack, wait, repeat... The moves are cool and all. I thoroughly enjoyed this game from start to finish, well, not true, i did not enjoy running away from the jailer, although i did enjoy have to make him take a shit, play it and u'll know what i mean

Also, this game is VERY rare, so if u find a copy, PICK IT UP!!!!

It would be nice to know that someone, ANYONE has played this game except for me, NOBODY i know has even heard of this game or any of shin megami tensai's works except for RedHotFunk of course, who has STILL yet to read this review.

Also, sorry bout the long post, i'll probably create a vid

Spoiler:

of when all the characters die and maybe create an AMV of it, but highly unlikely right now. In any case it will be sad, let me know if u want a copy or anything.

I have played both games, But I never finished the 2nd one. I just kind of moved on after getting to the last dungeon. I should really try and finish this one day. And I have heard of the other SMT games, I own Devil Summoner and Persona 2+3. I hope to also find a copy of Noturne one day...

Also, I HATED that jailer part as well.

if ur at the last dungeon, and u try to finish it, u'll quickly realize u have level everybody up since

Spoiler:

they are underleveled since they died earlier in the game.

If you have Heat in ur party, ur especially gonna have to level his mantra's up. I meant anybody i know in real life btw But its good to have a fellow Shin Megami fan here. Also, the ending to the game kinda sucked, kinda really sucked. None of the characters even gets a word in, except for sera.

Thats no spoiler. Thats pretty much what DDS was all about.
I have a week off of week so I might try and get some playtime in wiht this and a few other games(Fatal Frame 3 and Persona 3). I'm sure I can finish the game within 2-3 hours.

depends, do u have Heat or Roland in your party. If you have Heat ur screwed for time, lol. I don't know if u can do it in 2-3 hours considering how hard indrajit is Also, i haven't started persona 3 yet, but Fatal Frame 3 was an awesome game and creepy as hell, just ended badly

Well I have an odd ability to handle bosses whgile being underleveled. And you really should play some Persona 3, it's one of my favorite RPGs in a while.

i should really start that then, lol. Sorry Christopher bout the gameplay vids, i will try and video capture them next week if i can. Got midterms this week still, and my computer parts are dying by the minute, so i might be without it for a little while. I will try and get them asap though.

Interesting from what you provide, but than again, the first Shin Megami Tensai was also an interesting game. Of course, I will never have the privilege of playing this game as I do not own a ps2, but you've definitely gained my interest in the game