Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga follows Serf and his four companions as they set out for Nirvana, a land that can only be reached by the champions of Junkyard. A mysterious object awakens demonic powers within the group, allowing each member to transform into a deadly beast. As one of these characters, you can devour your enemies and absorb their powers and special abilities. Defeat opposing tribes by protecting yourself from enemy attacks, deflecting their blows, and performing linked attacks.
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My second favourite PS2-era SMT game
You know, DDS2 exists
You know, DDS2 exists
An underrated gem of a game. The story is fantastic with so many tense and somber moments, with mysteries that make you wanna keep playing. The gameplay is what you'd expect from SMT, the press turn combat is here and it's as intense, strategic and fun as ever, and with a fantastic upgrading system letting you fully customise what skills your party learns. The dungeons are very well designed and are also fun to traverse, and the atmosphere is incredibly depressing in the best way possible. Game is a bit on the easy side but that's a small nitpick in the grand scheme of things.
The atmosphere, customization, and soundtrack are top-notch. I only disliked the random encounter rate and how a lot of the side quests were shoved to the end of the game. If you want to get somebody into the Megaten series, this and SMT4 are probably the two best places to start.
An interesting game, and one of the few pieces of media outside of books I've seen that lays out the ideas of Buddhism / Schopenhauerian pessimism in a coherent manner. The story is overrated af though and I never really got that attached to the charachters, but seeing them "wake up" and realize how absurd their entire situation is is pretty cool to see. The game play is great and I loved grinding out those mantras and being able to customize my part as I saw fit, and while the reduction in party size is pretty annoying at first having 3 part members actually forces you to use the press turn system to your advantage which wasnt really the case in Nocturne. I just wish the game was a little harder or atleast had a hard mode because the mechanics are good I just never really had to think about how I needed to use them to my advantage to the extent of Nocturne
"Rend... Slaughter... Devour your enemies! There is no other way to survive. You cannot escape your hunger, Warriors of Purgatory!"
I consider Digital Devil Saga 1 and Digital Devil Saga 2 as one single game so if you liked my review and you are interested on reading the second part, here it is: https://www.backloggd.com/u/Bedmar/review/1852201/
DDS is without a doubt my favorite megaten and one of my favorite JRPGs; As part of the larger Shin Megami Tensei universe, this game was pretty much hidden and not as relevant as other games like Nocturne or Persona, so this pretty much a hidden gem
A World in constant strive and destruction
The journey begins in the Junkyard, a war-torn world shrouded in perpetual rain and despair. This setting is not just a backdrop but a living, breathing entity filled with factions that represent more than mere opposing forces. The Junkyard is a battleground, but also a mirror reflecting the fractured souls of its inhabitants. The five tribes, each with their own ambitions, engage in an endless war with no memory of why they fight, driven only by the singular goal: to ascend to Nirvana, a promised land that feels as elusive as hope itself.
The game's narrative is as much about the world as it is about the characters. The bleakness of the Junkyard permeates every aspect of the game, from the haunting score to the desolate landscapes. Each corner of this world tells a story, each character's struggle reflects the overarching theme – survival at all costs. Yet, amidst the constant rain and chaos, there is futility of their existence.
You are part of The Embryon, a tribe thrust into a brutal evolution. After a mysterious light bathes the Junkyard, the members of the Embryon, along with their enemies, transform into grotesque demons, cursed with an insatiable hunger for the flesh of their foes.
Serph, the stoic and enigmatic leader of the Embryon, may initially seem like a blank slate, but his quiet determination and unspoken bond with his comrades paint a complex picture of a man carrying the weight of his world on his shoulders. The characters are not mere archetypes; they are souls caught in the throes of an existential crisis. Their transformations are not just physical but psychological, as they grapple with the monstrous urges (Cannibalism wow) that now define them.
Sera, the mysterious girl whose presence appears to be the key to the world’s secrets, stands in stark contrast to the brutality of the world around her. Her innocence and connection to the Embryon tribe become a focal point that drives the narrative forward.
The relationships between the characters – Serph, Heat, Argilla, Gale, and Cielo are also amazing and great party members with an extraordinary depth (which will elevate even more on the second game). These are not just warriors bound by a common goal; they are individuals struggling to maintain their humanity in the face of overwhelming odds.
Press Turn Battle: Redefined
The gameplay of Digital Devil Saga is also one another of it's strengths. The Press Turn system, a hallmark of the Shin Megami Tensei series, is at its finest here. Battles are not just about brute strength; they require careful planning, a deep understanding of enemies’ weaknesses, and the ability to adapt on the fly. Every encounter feels really enjoyable, while the game is not as intense as other SMTs, the point still stands where one wrong move can spell doom for the entire party.
The Mantra system (similar to FFX), allowing characters to develop their abilities by consuming AP earned in battle, adds a layer of customization that is both deep and rewarding. There is a tangible sense of progression as characters unlock new skills, transforming from mere fighters into strategic powerhouses capable of turning the tide of battle. This new system add a lot of potential in terms of customization which I loved.
The dungeons in Digital Devil Saga such as Ajna, the Samsara Tunnels or the Karma Temple are more than mere corridors and rooms; they are intricately designed labyrinths that reflect the desolation and complexity of the world. Each dungeon is crafted with a unique theme that ties into the story's progression and the puzzles are also quite good, better in terms of quality compared to Nocturne for example.
The QoL Additions such as the minimap (something that was NOT present in Nocturne) are extremely welcome, for it improves quite a lot to the experience.
Last but not least but I also value immensely the amount of Super Bosses this game has, not only adds a lot of replayability but also demands a lot of skill and the true potential of the Press Turn Battle and the Mantra System.
Another Masterpiece of Meguro
Just as usual, Meguro created one of the best Soundtracks for megaten, which makes a big contrasts compared to the second part, must say that I prefer the OST of the second game, but Digital Devil Saga 1 still has some of the best tracks I ever listened.
A Story That Resonates Long After the Credits Roll
As the story unfolds, and the true nature of the Junkyard and its inhabitants is revealed, Digital Devil Saga transforms from a tale of survival into a profound exploration of existence itself. The game’s final act is a masterclass in storytelling, delivering twists and revelations that are both shocking and inevitable. The conclusion is both satisfying and heart-wrenching, leaving players with a sense of closure yet an insatiable desire to uncover the mysteries that remain.
(This is one of the reasons why I consider DDS1 and DDS2 as a single game and why I insisted previously about it)
Conclusion
It is a journey into the darkest recesses of the soul, a meditation on what it means to be human in a world that has forgotten its own humanity. The haunting music, unforgettable characters, and relentless atmosphere combine to create a narrative that is as emotionally resonant as it is intellectually stimulating. A story that will leave players questioning, feeling, and yearning for more. It is a game that doesn’t just tell a story; it becomes a part of the player’s story. And in that, it achieves something truly extraordinary.
I consider Digital Devil Saga 1 and Digital Devil Saga 2 as one single game so if you liked my review and you are interested on reading the second part, here it is: https://www.backloggd.com/u/Bedmar/review/1852201/
DDS is without a doubt my favorite megaten and one of my favorite JRPGs; As part of the larger Shin Megami Tensei universe, this game was pretty much hidden and not as relevant as other games like Nocturne or Persona, so this pretty much a hidden gem
A World in constant strive and destruction
The journey begins in the Junkyard, a war-torn world shrouded in perpetual rain and despair. This setting is not just a backdrop but a living, breathing entity filled with factions that represent more than mere opposing forces. The Junkyard is a battleground, but also a mirror reflecting the fractured souls of its inhabitants. The five tribes, each with their own ambitions, engage in an endless war with no memory of why they fight, driven only by the singular goal: to ascend to Nirvana, a promised land that feels as elusive as hope itself.
The game's narrative is as much about the world as it is about the characters. The bleakness of the Junkyard permeates every aspect of the game, from the haunting score to the desolate landscapes. Each corner of this world tells a story, each character's struggle reflects the overarching theme – survival at all costs. Yet, amidst the constant rain and chaos, there is futility of their existence.
You are part of The Embryon, a tribe thrust into a brutal evolution. After a mysterious light bathes the Junkyard, the members of the Embryon, along with their enemies, transform into grotesque demons, cursed with an insatiable hunger for the flesh of their foes.
Serph, the stoic and enigmatic leader of the Embryon, may initially seem like a blank slate, but his quiet determination and unspoken bond with his comrades paint a complex picture of a man carrying the weight of his world on his shoulders. The characters are not mere archetypes; they are souls caught in the throes of an existential crisis. Their transformations are not just physical but psychological, as they grapple with the monstrous urges (Cannibalism wow) that now define them.
Sera, the mysterious girl whose presence appears to be the key to the world’s secrets, stands in stark contrast to the brutality of the world around her. Her innocence and connection to the Embryon tribe become a focal point that drives the narrative forward.
The relationships between the characters – Serph, Heat, Argilla, Gale, and Cielo are also amazing and great party members with an extraordinary depth (which will elevate even more on the second game). These are not just warriors bound by a common goal; they are individuals struggling to maintain their humanity in the face of overwhelming odds.
Press Turn Battle: Redefined
The gameplay of Digital Devil Saga is also one another of it's strengths. The Press Turn system, a hallmark of the Shin Megami Tensei series, is at its finest here. Battles are not just about brute strength; they require careful planning, a deep understanding of enemies’ weaknesses, and the ability to adapt on the fly. Every encounter feels really enjoyable, while the game is not as intense as other SMTs, the point still stands where one wrong move can spell doom for the entire party.
The Mantra system (similar to FFX), allowing characters to develop their abilities by consuming AP earned in battle, adds a layer of customization that is both deep and rewarding. There is a tangible sense of progression as characters unlock new skills, transforming from mere fighters into strategic powerhouses capable of turning the tide of battle. This new system add a lot of potential in terms of customization which I loved.
The dungeons in Digital Devil Saga such as Ajna, the Samsara Tunnels or the Karma Temple are more than mere corridors and rooms; they are intricately designed labyrinths that reflect the desolation and complexity of the world. Each dungeon is crafted with a unique theme that ties into the story's progression and the puzzles are also quite good, better in terms of quality compared to Nocturne for example.
The QoL Additions such as the minimap (something that was NOT present in Nocturne) are extremely welcome, for it improves quite a lot to the experience.
Last but not least but I also value immensely the amount of Super Bosses this game has, not only adds a lot of replayability but also demands a lot of skill and the true potential of the Press Turn Battle and the Mantra System.
Another Masterpiece of Meguro
Just as usual, Meguro created one of the best Soundtracks for megaten, which makes a big contrasts compared to the second part, must say that I prefer the OST of the second game, but Digital Devil Saga 1 still has some of the best tracks I ever listened.
A Story That Resonates Long After the Credits Roll
As the story unfolds, and the true nature of the Junkyard and its inhabitants is revealed, Digital Devil Saga transforms from a tale of survival into a profound exploration of existence itself. The game’s final act is a masterclass in storytelling, delivering twists and revelations that are both shocking and inevitable. The conclusion is both satisfying and heart-wrenching, leaving players with a sense of closure yet an insatiable desire to uncover the mysteries that remain.
(This is one of the reasons why I consider DDS1 and DDS2 as a single game and why I insisted previously about it)
Conclusion
It is a journey into the darkest recesses of the soul, a meditation on what it means to be human in a world that has forgotten its own humanity. The haunting music, unforgettable characters, and relentless atmosphere combine to create a narrative that is as emotionally resonant as it is intellectually stimulating. A story that will leave players questioning, feeling, and yearning for more. It is a game that doesn’t just tell a story; it becomes a part of the player’s story. And in that, it achieves something truly extraordinary.
A bit too grindy but overall liked the QOL improvements over SMT3. Seeing actual cutscenes was a nice change and they're campy enough to be very enjoyable