Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga

"If you play RPGs, you can't go wrong"

OK, let me start off by saying that this game is a fun, solid RPG. If you are simply browsing your local game shop for a new game to play, and you are a fan of RPGs, by all means pick this up. However, if you are looking for the be all, end all game, Im sorry to say that you need to look elsewhere.

Gameplay: 7/10

The gameplay in Digital Devil Saga(from here on known as DDS) is nice and solid. The battles are turn based, and encounters are dealt with by the tried and true random encounter formula. Although quickly becoming despised by gamers (myself included) many RPGs employ this tactic, so I tolerate it. During battle you can fight with three party members, although anyone else you have with you can be switched in on-the-fly. Every party member has a weakness, so it is very important to take advantage of the switching. Because if one of your characters gets hit with a weakness, it gives the enemies an extra turn. This is where battles get crazy, and oftentimes annoying. While the advantage works both ways, it is near impossible to determine some enemies weaknesses without "scanning" them, which wastes your turn anyway. Whereas every enemy has a different weakness, your party will always have the same weaknesses no matter what. And half of the monsters can use multiple elements of magic meaning if you use Serph, the main character, along with Heat, and the enemy has both fire and ice magic, you can find yourself in a world of hurt. But what really frustrated me the most was the battles with enemies who would have a "Berserk" or "Psycho" attack. This skill gave the enemy party 5 consecutive turns in which to pummel your party(more if they hit weaknesses or criticals), during which you are powerless. And nowhere in the game is there a skill like that for your party. However, there are positives to this.
I really enjoy the demon forms, as well as the Mantra grid (similar to Final Fantasy X's sphere grid, except you must use your money to purchase abilities, and then learn them before you can use them). This really opened up the customization options, at least for the main character. See when you level up, you may only choose what stats increase for Serph, and no one else. All other character's stats increase accordingly (for example Argilla is tailored for magic, while Cielo is more towards Agility). So this really kind of counters itself in a sense. The human forms seemed pointless to me also, because the damage they caused was minimal compared to their alter egos. But it never ceased to please when I landed weakness after weakness, and gaining more and more attacks in the process. This skill is easy to learn but hard to master, and becomes essential in later boss fights.

Graphics: 10/10

I really love the graphics in this game, I do. They have a very unque style thats very Gothic and dark. While not nearly the most realistic(c'mon people its a game about demons), they were really colorful and easy on the eyes.

Story: 8/10

Another strong point of the game, DDS has a unique story as well. Not in the fact of humans with demon forms, but the fact of living in a sort of post apocolyptic world with rival gangs vying for a spot in paradise. You control Serph, the leader of a gang who, like every other clan in the city, is contending for a trip to paradise, or, Nirvana. This battle takes a drastic turn however when a mysterious girl appears, and strange lights enter people's bodies, giving them the power of a demon. With this however, comes a great hunger for flesh, which must be met for the demon to survive(this affects gameplay also).

Replay Value: 6/10

I never have much need to play through an RPG again for a long time, simply because I am a completionist, and always complete everything before the games finale. That being said, there are many sidequests and mini-bosses to be found here, as well as a New Game+ option for those who are interested. Nothing too flashy, but nothing terrible either.

Overall: 7/10

DDS is nothing flashy, nothing revolutionary. Simply a very unique and solid experience worth checking out for those already finished with the Final Fantasies and such. I enjoyed the game for the most part, and I would DEFINITLEY reccomend buying for two reasons: one, this game is next to impossible to find to rent, and is actually rare to buy. Also, it is very hard to complete an RPG by renting it, especially this one. So in short, for those RPG fans out there, this will satisfy your hunger...at least until the next Final Fantasy.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 05/03/06