Devil Survivor makes a stellar debut on the DS

by Peter Fiorilla

Fun factor: Average

Worth to: Buy

Given the platform’s limits, it’s understandable that some elements are lacking, but overall this Shin Megami Tensei is one the series’ finest.

Atlus’ flagship role-playing series Shin Megami Tensei has captivated Western gamers for over a decade, but until recently has never been released on a system other than a Playstation console. Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor is the first entry in the franchise to step out of the Sony safety zone and onto the Nintendo DS, but given the game’s quality, it feels as if the developers of this cult classic have been working with the DS since childhood.

A classic first-person RPG

Devil Survivor is an ESRB rating lower than most in the series, which means less blood, suggestive demonic artwork and profanity, but in no way does this make Devil Survivor feel watered down. To the contrary, Atlus’ latest sports what is possibly the best battle system the company has produced -- a highly original mash-up of strategy and role-playing fans of either genre can enjoy.



Battles begin on varying isometric grid-based maps of moderate size. The player controls up to four visible parties (represented by pretty sprites of human protagonists), each of which holds up to three units (two demons and one human). When a party initiates combat with an opposing group the screen metamorphoses into a classic first-person role-playing game; characters attack, cast spells, etc., and the battle ends (regardless of whether the enemy was defeated), bringing the player back to the map.

While on paper it seems like nothing more than a sloppy attempt at creating a strategy RPG in its purest form, the nuances and complexities of Devil Survivor ensure playing it is a reward in and of itself. Characters are rewarded extra turns for critical strikes or using special effective attacks (all units have weaknesses and strengths, which are portrayed on the top screen in an organized fashion), and with unconventional battles of 3 vs. 3 it is consistently thought-provoking to figure out the most efficient method of destroying the enemy party. Killing the center unit destroys the entire party, but that center unit’s stats are increased while its cohorts live, making it harder to slay the center unit first. This unique dynamic helps keep Devil Survivor engaging throughout its moderately lengthy campaign.

Teens saving Tokyo from demons

Of course, Devil Survivor would hardly be a Shin Megami Tensei without deep role-playing elements, and it is here that this title shines. Outside of battles players can purchase demons in auctions; as these monsters level up and grow stronger they may learn abilities and earn hereditary stats. This is important, as when two demons are fused together to form a new demon, the child of that combination inherits certain abilities and stats.



Exploring the vast world of Devil Survivor’s fusion combinations is great, and with well over one hundred demons to create (not one of which is useless), there are more than enough fell creatures to keep the player interested until the game’s conclusion.

Also engaging until the very end is Devil Survivor’s narrative. There are a few clichés here found in many titles originating from Japan, and the plot takes a while to get moving, but those who can deal with screen after screen of text will fall in love with what this DS game has to offer.

The Japanese government has ordered a lockdown that encircles an area of Tokyo. It becomes clear to the player’s group that without summoning demons (from portable video game machines that look strangely familiar), the lockdown may never end -- or if it does, it could be a violent conclusion that wipes out half of Japan’s capital. The player’s small group of do-gooder protagonists moves through Tokyo, searching for a way out of the lockdown area while fighting off powerful demons; they meet a varied cast of interesting characters and unravel quite a few intriguing plot twists.

Some of Shin Megami Tensei’s finest

The fascinating premise works well, and the multi-branch conclusions (with 6 meaningfully different conclusions) is icing on the cake. Observing how varying individuals act under pressure is entertaining, and as virtual days go by players will find themselves hooked to the superlative narrative.



What completes this portable package is its presentation. The stylish series art style is as fascinating as ever, and some of the new demon portraits are some of Shin Megami Tensei’s finest. The isometric maps and backgrounds look good, thriving on subtleties; nearly everything has a shadow, making the game’s graphics seem more realistic despite boasting an anime-influenced art direction. Understandably there are some issues with a production so large -- characters/demons are merely stills, battle animations are lackluster and cutscenes are mediocre -- but compared to other portable monster collectors, Devil Survivor looks top tier.

The original soundtrack is also a bonus, sporting a good amount of Japanese metal songs that deserve to be listened to with headphones on. One or two tracks may grate on the nerves thanks to frequent repetition and the lack of vocals will bother some, but otherwise it is an enjoyable soundtrack that fits Devil Survivor’s world design.

Summary

Devil Survivor is not only one of the best Shin Megami Tensei games yet, it is one of the finest strategy role-playing games to have been released in years. Its anime-influenced aesthetics and narrative may turn off some, but as Pokemon proved a decade ago, monster collecting is for everyone -- and Devil Survivor does it damn well.