gabaruni (gabaruni) wrote in reviewingitall, @ 2008-07-25 11:04:00 |
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Entry tags: | game review |
Game review: Digital Devil Saga 1
Game: Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner[Shin Megami Tensei]
publisher: Atlus
Developer: Atlus, ghostlight
System: Playstation 2
Rating: M
Spoilers in review (probably mild)
Shin Megami Tensei:Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner. published by Atlus Wiki Link-Digital Devil Saga
Notes:This game's full name isn't how it's know in America, but Shin Megami Tensei; the group who owns the game has a timeline of games and they are all about Demons, mostly digital, so the series is called Digital Devil Saga. In America we don't have all of the games, we barely even are treated to such games, because they are dark, and violent. They are well made though, and have lots of cultural references and mythicism. So we don't have a saga, just a couple of links of a growing small following. Due to how many of Atlus games are produced, it's hard to find many of their games. Many run from $50 and up for used games because they are so rare.
When my mother brought this game, she brought the deluxe package, the game Digital Devil Saga with the soundtrack, about $50. She swore she'd beat it in about a month. She gave up in two days, because the gamestore reccomended it, but she isn't an RPG'er.
Even me and my little sister had problems with it, didn't understand the leveling up concepts, the "mantra" systems. We did immediately understand the press turn sequence having played RPGs before and knowing that turns came with a certain amount of moves for both teams.
This game stumped us, challenged us and had us wanting more by the end.
It's a game about mercenaries all who are divided into "tribes" like factions who are trying to get trying to get to "Nirvana". They fight in the "Junkyard" a place full of decrepid buildings and places. They only fight because machines that are viewed as the higher beings will them to do so. They want to experience more than the endless fighting dying, and rain that recycles people when they die. A girl with a color no one has ever seen one day shows up with a virus from "Angel" that turns everyone to demons. It brings out emotions and memories no one knew they had, and a will to get out of their nightmare more than ever to cure the virus. You play as Serph the leader of a small tribe called the Embryon.
The Good: VERY GOOD GRAPHICS. The graphics are consistant whether you are in a fight, walking around or in a cutscene. Detailed, beautiful and measured. I loved the voice acting, but some people call it so/so, but when I hear familiar voices that I can identify to it's good for me. When you replay this game you notice how the characters voices change. They gain emotion, and besides it's spooky to hear everyone monotone when you get so used to their voices and attitudes. A second playthrough rewards you with the ability to keep earned "Mantras" or skills and secret bosses.
The Bad: The Press turn system can and will be used against you, weaknesses too, if you do not know how to level up. You have to level up often, with all your characters or they could die or have their weaknesses exploited. Leveling takes a long time and can be messed up if you are on your way to save and are ambushed and killed. Very annoying. Also a second playthrough makes you level back up, what good are skills if you have to level back up? Simple it's easier, but still tedious.
Mercenary work isn't easy kids.
Overall: One of my favorites, I get a kick out of knowing my mom randomly picked a game that is obscure,rare and fun.
It's worth a buy, but it's costly, especially if you buy it online. It's not for rent any place I know, people would probably steal it.