Persona 3

[Marcus]

Maken X actually has nothing to do with SMT although it has a lot in common as far as style goes. You play a demonic sword called Maken (which literally translates to demonic sword) and you possess people's bodies. The japanese version was better because it didn't have any censorship (like one of the bosses is the POPE inside the vatican and two enemies have swastikas for faces) and the english translation is terrible. It's an okay game... not my favorite but it's pretty good.

Another good series that I liked that has nothing do with with SMT but is very much like it in style is the Deception series. You play as a down on their luck character in each game that makes a pact with Satan and you have to build a mansion/dungeon/whatever to trap the souls of anyone foolish enough to walk in. It's a really fun first person game and plays out like Dungeon Keeper in that you build monsters to guard the areas, create traps to kill people, and you can either sell their souls for cash or bind them for newer monsters or magic powers.

And Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. whatever was pretty "meh, average" to me. It just lacked the dark charm that I want from SMT games and the battle system was nowhere near as good as the PUSH BUTTON system.

This game literally makes me menstrate but it doesn't hit UK till January so i miss out big time

gross.

...let's hang out sometime?

 

[Yum]

Never said it was a Megaten game, I just said I wanted to play it again.

Press Turn, not Push Button.

And like I said before... If you're gonna go into Kuzunoha Raidou expecting Nocturne well, you're pretty retarded. All the spin-offs are different. DDS was different, Devil summoner's different, Demi kid's different, Majin Tensei's different. You have to rate each game based on its intentions - Kuzunoha Raidou worked as a light-hearted slightly more mainstream albeit still grounded in a funky megaten world type game. Only vanilla megaten is like Nocturne really, and even the two games that came before Nocturne can't hold a candle to it. Nocturne's perfect - for me at least.

@ Sketch: go to http://www.megatenonline.com or ask hima to register you an account. I'm about to get really busy and I can't do it for you right now.

Or alternatively, you can use an account owned by my friend who no longer plays. PM me and I'll PM it to you

 

[Marcus]

All the spin-offs are different but they're still rooted heavily rooted in demonology, religion, and dark stuff. Kuzunoha was just... boring when compared to the other Mega Ten games regardless if you were looking for a Nocturne-esque experience or not. It wasn't even that fun of a video game in general but opinions will differ so find a demo if you really want to try it. It's only 30USD new but I've only seen copies floating around in a couple of stores.

And I think I might start playing this Megaten online. What's it like?

 

[Yum]

Yeah demi-kids was so dark. Especially the death cults and the references to Alastair Crowley and the infanticide as well as the serial killers. Digital Devil Saga was heavy on demonology, it wasn't purely superficial, the demons there? they actually served a purpose and wasn't just meant to merely cash in using both megaten and Final Fantasy. It was also very dark and less influenced by anime.

Just kidding. Maybe I was a bit sarcastic. Maybe.

Each Megaten game contains significant differences, some of them may be too subtle or implicit to detect, especially by most people. E.g. Digital Devil Saga had the press-turn system / fun battles but only had a shallow dash of atmosphere of vanilla megaten (like I said, it was all very superficial... you could change the monster names and the terminology used and market it as an FF game).

I'd rather say that the common characteristic of all these megaten games is the concept of a "true goddess' metempsychosis". Really, that stands out as the main tie that binds... oh and Kazuma Kaneko as well as Shoji Meguro also tie it up a bit.

Thus, despite having similarities, each of them have really distinct properties... probably too implicit for some to see off the bat.

Don't buy Kuzunoha Raidou expecting the same experience as Persona 3 or Nocturne. It just IS different, and as with all art, the most objective way of judging it is subjectively: by assessing if the piece of art is appropriate to the artist's intentions.

Play Kuzunoha Raidou as a fun, light, megaten game (e.g. expect the art and demons from Kazuma Kaneko and the godlike tracks from Shoji Meguro) as well as the whole concept of a goddess again (In this case, a young preppy named Kaya... it's arguable who the Goddess was in Persona 3, it always is...) but be open to the shift in playstyle and atmosphere. Keep in mind, it's not supposed to be as deep as Nocturne or Persona 3 - The maps, dungeons, quests and clear time stand ample proof for that. You might find yourself enjoying the game a lot more.

If people can't understand that then... I now know why Suda 51's games are so unpopular with Westerners.

As for Megaten online, read mine and hima's posts.

It's like Nocturne made love to Kuzunoha Raidou and an MMORPG.

Everything from demon negotiation to the weakness/ strength system to the intimidating boss fights and quests are there. I especially love how you have to control 2 characters at once (the demon and your character). You can win battles against your favor losing minimal HP through correct use of tactics and cover. It's pretty damn engaging for an MMORPG. Spam an attack button/ fight vs 3 enemies at once can mean your death.

 

[Andy6000]

I wanted to pick up Persona 3, but I'm so bloody deprived of both money and free time at the moment that that's impossible, I might pick it up and just put it on a shelf so I don't have trouble finding it later though.

 

[Yum]

Misread it, I thought he wanted to know how to play it, I've just changed it now. -_- but you already posted. too late.

Deprived of money? Must be because of all those Muse CDs you buy huh.

 

[Marcus]

Yeah demi-kids was so dark.

Compared to other games available on the gameboy... yeah, Devil Children is pretty dark. It's pretty bright and colorful, but the idea of half-demon children who persuade and capture monsters isn't exactly standard fare.

Don't buy Kuzunoha Raidou expecting the same experience as Persona 3 or Nocturne. It just IS different, and as with all art, the most objective way of judging it is subjectively: by assessing if the piece of art is appropriate to the artist's intentions.

Whoah, I'm not talking about art here, I'm talking about a good game. Nocturne was a fun game regardless of it's origins. Kuzunoha was a pretty bland game regardless of it's origins. I play games because games are fun. kuzunoha just wasn't that much fun. I found the battle system generic and the only thing it had going for it was a somewhat cool story that didn't pick up until later areas and a neat art style.

Every SMT game is different, yeah, but I judge games purely based on how much fun they are not if they are "slightly different" from their predecessors.

If people can't understand that then... I now know why Suda 51's games are so unpopular with Westerners.

Grasshopper quickly developed a huge fanbase in the "western culture" as you like to put it. Hell, I own every suda51 game including the ones only released in Japan. The only reason the games aren't popular is the same reason as every other game: lack of advertising. I say it all the time, if Atlus would stop being so shy about their games and tell people about them, there wouldn't be this small cult fanbase that only knows about it through the internet or tiny magazine ads. The Tales series publishes ads in Shonen Jump? Why doesn't Atlus realize where there market is and say "Hey, if you guys like X ANIME then you'll love THIS VIDEOGAME!"

 

[Yum]

Please don't tell me Suda 51 garnered a huge fanbase quickly, neither of us has the evidence to prove that or otherwise. However talking to most RPG/ westerm adventure gamer friends of mine, well, they tell me they don't like it. I can't prove if the ones that did like it were being anticonformist or not... it's just struck me that most western players are adverse to gameplay changes (i.e. Final Fantasy XII) and in the end blame "bland/ poor gameplay" instead of "different gameplay" which they're not used to.

In fact that seems to be your main reason: Bland gameplay. Hey, it was bland to you I guess. The same way demi-kids to me is as bright as teletubbies. To a culture treated to monsters and whimsical fantasies at an early age... Demi-kids is just not dark.

The only reason the games aren't popular is the same reason as every other game: lack of advertising

An oversimplification. I see a further reply wouldn't warrant a more meaningful discussion.

EDIT: Fuck, accidentally pressed the post button too quickly, I had other stuff to type/

 

[Marcus]

You think? Riddle me this: how can you know about something unless it's told to you?

Anyways, how does IMAGINE work? Are there servers or is it one massive game world? Is it easy to understand if you don't know Japanese? I'll be creating a character tomorrow but right now, must sleep.

 

[Yum]

There are too many factors to consider about an Atlus advertising campaign in the U.S.... now I really doubt we're smarter than the Keio/ Todai grads working for Atlus' financial and marketing department. I can't even begin to write about what Atlus' obstacles are when dealing with the marketing of their games. It's easy say they have to advertise more, but honestly... I'm sure the people there have thought about that already - and maybe have even come up with better ideas than that. There are other hindrances that exist - that we don't see. So, the said argument still remains an oversimplification. It amazes me how there are actually people that don't think about that and utter such statements.

megaten online uses 8 servers while the dungeons remain as separate maps for your party. Katakana would be advisable as well as really basic kanji. But there are a lot of english only players. You can always get help from hima. I'm not gonna be playing soon though, I'm about to go places.

 

[Marcus]

It amazes me how there are actually people that don't think about that and utter such statements.

I don't know why you're so mean to me, Yum. We could be best pallies but our hate filled relationship is inspiring me! Your internet persona is so funny and cruel and heartouching that I will dedicate my next major work to you. Check it out in the art forum sooner or later.

And I would honestly like to believe there are "invisible factors" but uh, I'm pretty human so I instantly question what I don't understand and what I'm not being told. Yeah.

Have fun on your travels!

 

[Yum]

Off-topic: With all due respect, I don't hate you, please don't flatter yourself.

And why should we be best pallies?

 

[Marcus]

Why not? We have so much in common...

...uh, we like Atlus' games?

 

[Andy6000]

I'm closing this topic (probably only temporarily but we'll see) next time one of you has a bitch-fight.

Carry on.

EDIT: oh and this is mainly directed at Yum considering that I ALREADY said something to you before you edited it to be normal (don't look for it others, it's gone already)

 

[OdioOmnus]

You know what sucks?

My PS2 just died smack in the middle of Operation Babe Hunt. No more PS2 Megaten unless I can save up for a PS3, which would be a total waste of money if the new SMT game wasn't announced for it. At least the PS2 library doesn't suck.

To be specific, my disc drive isn't reading the disc; whenever I try to play it, that reddish screen with "Please insert a PS1 or PS2 format disc" or something like that comes up.

It's pissing me off, cause I not only had P3 I was working on, but was going through a New Game+ of DDS in order to fight Hitoshura.

 

[Rye]

You don't have to buy a PS3, just buy another PS2, much cheaper.

 

[OdioOmnus]

I need to get into next-gen anyways, so I don't really care. I almost have enough cash squared away for it, I only need about thirty more bucks, which I can get easily. Besides,Shin Megami Tensei is really the only game series I bother following closely. Other RPGs just don't seem good to me anymore; it's like I've been spoiled.

 

[Yum]

I can totally relate. I usually buy RPGs made by other companies but I never get past 2-3 hours (Except for Suikoden 2 and 5).

Anyway, same with me, I used to have the fat PS2, then it broke so I bought a new slim one pronto- thus I was able to continue playing during the evening.

I've already bought a PS3 even though I don't have any games for it yet (Except for Tekken downloaded) - But MGS 4 and a lot of other games are coming soon, I'm dead certain there'll be a megaten game for the PS3, so, take your pick or do what I did and buy both a PS2 and a PS3. PS3s aren't as expensive as people make them out to be anyway.

 

[Sketch]

Well, I'm gonna wait and see if it's a PS3 exclusive title or not. My guess will be it won't be, and I'll be able to get it for the 360. Plus, MGS4 is coming for the 360, and Devil May Cry and RE5 are gonna be cross platform as well.

Just wanted to sound off on the PS3 thing :P

I still haven't played P3 yet, but I plan to tonight.

 

[OdioOmnus]

Just because the PS3 is pretty awful doesn't mean absolutely every title's gonna be non-exclusive. I think Kaneko said he had interest in making a classic Megaten game for the Wii and that's it.

Megaten will NEVER be on the 360 FYI. Japan hates anything X-BOX, and since Megaten derives most of its success from Japan that would be like making a game for the Phantom here.

They tried to make a SMT game for the X-BOX called Shin Megami Tensei NINE, but that was a complete failure.