Release the Beast
Digital Devil Saga is made for the classic and true to the heart RPG fans more so than the usual SMT titles with monster/demon collection involved. If Devil Summoner is SMT x Digimon, and if Persona is SMT x Tokimeki Memorial, Digital Devil Saga is SMT x Final Fantasy. Still retains every single bit of what makes a SMT title special and unique but the mechanics are what set it apart from the rest as per usual with Atlus titles that don't follow the "SMT" brand.
We play as the leader of one of the factions found in the Junkyard, Serph. He is the leader of the Embryon faction, which is basically one of many found in the Junkyard. These factions are bound to fight in a endless war which at the start of the game we don't see really the reason why. After several confortations, a revelations in the form of a human is presented to the group. This is where they awaken their demon forms and start the feel for hunger to survive. Nirvana and the human are the key to escape from that curse.
As I was saying, Digital Devil Saga takes some inspiration from Final Fantasy. The 10th numbered title to be exact, which shaped some aspects in the combat system. Most crucial of them all is the "Skill Tree" similar to the grid that can be found in Final Fantasy X. It's honestly a great concept that falls short due to characters already being specialized in one of many skill branches from the start, so there is no real rason to start and wasting macca on skills that aren't totally necessary at large. Only Serph, the main character can totally take advantage of the skill tree since his attributes aren't locked and can be changed at will after leveling up.
In case you have played Nocturne, this looks and feels very similar when it comes to presentation. At least from an outsider perspective or just at first glance. It's production value is a huge step-up from Nocturne, specially when it comes to cutscenes and...voice acting! It's really good and Atlus USA did their homework with this one. The enviroments while not many in rough quantity were really immersive and interesting.
Talking about levels, the dungeons were really fun. I don't usually have enough patience to deal with JRPG silly dungeons mechanics in general. Though I do make exceptions every now and then and DDS dungeons were simple and fun to explore. One thing does ruin it though, wich is the rate encounter. It's very high if you don't use something like Estoma Spray. And it's even harder to know when they are about to come since there is not a rough indicative bar like in Nocturne.
But I can't be that mad, the combat is solid and the Press Turn System will never not be fun. The upgrade system let's you exploit the game in ways it clearly wasn't intended to. Hell, it's possible to clear the final boss in a bunch of minutes if you are well prepared, even being several levels under from what is required or recommended at that point of the game. So, use choose the skill you need wisely and develop your team as much as possible. It's not a hard game honestly, but it gets really tough at some sections specially towards the final dungeon.
One thing I did noted is that the pace of the story is abormal and rushes the events like there is no tomorrow. I didn't found myself that interested in the story because of it, even if it handles the pacing like most JRPGs do at the end of the day. It sort of feels, out of nowhere and the ending scream sequel bait which I already fall for. Honestly more than anything feels like Part 1 of a larger series of events that will culminate on Part 2. Not a fan of that, so that is why I lowered the score. But this doesn't mean I didn't enjoy this game, far from it.
More than anything, Digital Devil Saga left me wanting for more, with more answers than questions. Which I assume will be answered in the sequel. It is a great game on it's own but I can't safely say I'm totally satisfied with the end result, it isn't even that long too about 30 hours or so. The story was just starting to get good until it totally stopped.
Digital Devil Saga is made for the classic and true to the heart RPG fans more so than the usual SMT titles with monster/demon collection involved. If Devil Summoner is SMT x Digimon, and if Persona is SMT x Tokimeki Memorial, Digital Devil Saga is SMT x Final Fantasy. Still retains every single bit of what makes a SMT title special and unique but the mechanics are what set it apart from the rest as per usual with Atlus titles that don't follow the "SMT" brand.
We play as the leader of one of the factions found in the Junkyard, Serph. He is the leader of the Embryon faction, which is basically one of many found in the Junkyard. These factions are bound to fight in a endless war which at the start of the game we don't see really the reason why. After several confortations, a revelations in the form of a human is presented to the group. This is where they awaken their demon forms and start the feel for hunger to survive. Nirvana and the human are the key to escape from that curse.
As I was saying, Digital Devil Saga takes some inspiration from Final Fantasy. The 10th numbered title to be exact, which shaped some aspects in the combat system. Most crucial of them all is the "Skill Tree" similar to the grid that can be found in Final Fantasy X. It's honestly a great concept that falls short due to characters already being specialized in one of many skill branches from the start, so there is no real rason to start and wasting macca on skills that aren't totally necessary at large. Only Serph, the main character can totally take advantage of the skill tree since his attributes aren't locked and can be changed at will after leveling up.
In case you have played Nocturne, this looks and feels very similar when it comes to presentation. At least from an outsider perspective or just at first glance. It's production value is a huge step-up from Nocturne, specially when it comes to cutscenes and...voice acting! It's really good and Atlus USA did their homework with this one. The enviroments while not many in rough quantity were really immersive and interesting.
Talking about levels, the dungeons were really fun. I don't usually have enough patience to deal with JRPG silly dungeons mechanics in general. Though I do make exceptions every now and then and DDS dungeons were simple and fun to explore. One thing does ruin it though, wich is the rate encounter. It's very high if you don't use something like Estoma Spray. And it's even harder to know when they are about to come since there is not a rough indicative bar like in Nocturne.
But I can't be that mad, the combat is solid and the Press Turn System will never not be fun. The upgrade system let's you exploit the game in ways it clearly wasn't intended to. Hell, it's possible to clear the final boss in a bunch of minutes if you are well prepared, even being several levels under from what is required or recommended at that point of the game. So, use choose the skill you need wisely and develop your team as much as possible. It's not a hard game honestly, but it gets really tough at some sections specially towards the final dungeon.
One thing I did noted is that the pace of the story is abormal and rushes the events like there is no tomorrow. I didn't found myself that interested in the story because of it, even if it handles the pacing like most JRPGs do at the end of the day. It sort of feels, out of nowhere and the ending scream sequel bait which I already fall for. Honestly more than anything feels like Part 1 of a larger series of events that will culminate on Part 2. Not a fan of that, so that is why I lowered the score. But this doesn't mean I didn't enjoy this game, far from it.
More than anything, Digital Devil Saga left me wanting for more, with more answers than questions. Which I assume will be answered in the sequel. It is a great game on it's own but I can't safely say I'm totally satisfied with the end result, it isn't even that long too about 30 hours or so. The story was just starting to get good until it totally stopped.
2 Comments
@NOWITSREYNTIME17 Dunno, haven't played the second game. But I'm pretty sure it will answer all the questions set in this one, I hope.
NOWITSREYNTIME17
3 months ago