"Kyuuyaku Megami Tensei" is a remake of the first two Megami Tensei games released for the Famicom console. This remake doesn't change many things from the original games, but it does improve certain serious issues they had.
Kyuuyaku Megami Tensei 1:
The first Megami Tensei is a torture machine, it's a game so unfair in many ways that your own mental health ends up being affected by the pile of crap that hits you from all sides. In this remake, things change: demon levels are a bit more balanced, there's an automap, the game gives clearer hints, there are more healing and fusion zones, and they made it so that demons that drain experience levels don't use the spell as much. If you want to play the very first "Megaten," then try this remake, so you won't end up losing your mind and having mental wounds. That said, it's still just as tough, rough, and claustrophobic as the original version.
Kyuuyaku Megami Tensei 2:
Megami Tensei 2 improves many things from its predecessor and adds elements that would later inspire the creation of the "Shin Megami Tensei" franchise. In this sequel, we are presented with a highly appealing open world, many new demons to recruit, and a fresher story for the time. This remake doesn't change much from the original game; they simply balanced the bosses and demons, and there was a reduction in the encounter rate of demons... which is still just as high.
Oh, they also added an Easter egg with Jack Frost, if you follow the steps correctly, you'll be able to recruit very strong demons to make the final stretch a bit easier.
If you're curious and want to experience the origins of "Shin Megami Tensei," play Kyuuyaku Megami Tensei, the suffering isn't as intense, and in the end, you won't have the desire to gouge out your eyes and ears. Unfortunately, the remake clings too much to the original versions, so there are no changes in gameplay, making it feel quite outdated even for its release time.
Kyuuyaku Megami Tensei 1:
The first Megami Tensei is a torture machine, it's a game so unfair in many ways that your own mental health ends up being affected by the pile of crap that hits you from all sides. In this remake, things change: demon levels are a bit more balanced, there's an automap, the game gives clearer hints, there are more healing and fusion zones, and they made it so that demons that drain experience levels don't use the spell as much. If you want to play the very first "Megaten," then try this remake, so you won't end up losing your mind and having mental wounds. That said, it's still just as tough, rough, and claustrophobic as the original version.
Kyuuyaku Megami Tensei 2:
Megami Tensei 2 improves many things from its predecessor and adds elements that would later inspire the creation of the "Shin Megami Tensei" franchise. In this sequel, we are presented with a highly appealing open world, many new demons to recruit, and a fresher story for the time. This remake doesn't change much from the original game; they simply balanced the bosses and demons, and there was a reduction in the encounter rate of demons... which is still just as high.
Oh, they also added an Easter egg with Jack Frost, if you follow the steps correctly, you'll be able to recruit very strong demons to make the final stretch a bit easier.
If you're curious and want to experience the origins of "Shin Megami Tensei," play Kyuuyaku Megami Tensei, the suffering isn't as intense, and in the end, you won't have the desire to gouge out your eyes and ears. Unfortunately, the remake clings too much to the original versions, so there are no changes in gameplay, making it feel quite outdated even for its release time.