Megami Tensei — also called Shin Megami Tensei — is likely one of the longest-running RPG franchises on the planet. However most of us would not understand it. Making its debut in 1987 on the Famicom, it would not be till the Digital Boy that Nintendo players (properly, just a few of them) would discover out concerning the demon-summoning sequence. And now, the sequence boasts a number of sub-series, revivals, remakes, and enhanced editions. It is a fairly large gap to dive down.
Since gaining recognition within the West — because of Shin Megami Tensei III and Persona 3 on the PS2 — Atlus’ star has solely risen, with the latter sub-series turning into its personal beast. However when it comes to the extra conventional, hardcore, and video games you will get within the West, what’s the greatest Shin Megami Tensei sport?
We have left it as much as you beautiful readers to vote on your favorite SMT video games. With the latest launch of Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, we’re sure a number of persons are focused on leaping into this generally brutally tough franchise. However there’s nothing else fairly just like the moody, philosophical, and heavy nature of SMT, so we’re prepared that will help you leap in.
We’ll be excluding Persona from this rating as, regardless of nonetheless sharing lots of the similar demons and mechanics, it is principally its personal factor at this level (don’t fret, we’ll ballot the perfect Persona video games someday quickly) – this record is to make clear the title that began all of it.
Different spin-offs, like Satan Survivor and Tokyo Mirage Periods, are sport, nonetheless, alongside remakes, ports, and the bottom and enhanced editions of sure video games. We’ll additionally solely be together with video games which might be out there within the West and solely on Nintendo methods — so sure, whereas Shin Megami Tensei is accessible on cellular within the West, its Tremendous Famicom model has by no means been playable within the West with an official English localisation.
Bear in mind: This rating will not be set in stone. Registered Nintendo Life customers can click on on the celebrities under and charge the video games out of 10. The record order is created from NL Person Scores and is subsequently topic to alter, even after publication. You possibly can change or add your rating to any of the video games under by clicking on the star subsequent to the title.
Make a pact, begin negotiating, and take a look at your rating of the perfect Shin Megami Tensei video games on Change and Nintendo methods. We begin on the backside…
Writer: Atlus / Developer: Atlus
When you’ve obtained the cling of it Jack Bros. is a brief sport and it’s a disgrace that there aren’t extra puzzles on provide. Nonetheless a number of characters and two problem settings lengthen the lifetime of a sport that’s plenty of enjoyable to play already. It options nice music and appears good too – although it doesn’t actually achieve something from being on the Digital Boy. Total the sport’s strengths assist to make up for any weaknesses, making Jack Bros. a necessary Digital Boy buy.
Writer: Atlus / Developer: Atlus
For Shin Megami Tensei or Persona followers, it is a no brainer — Soul Hackers is a implausible entry within the sequence and you will not be dissatisfied. Even higher, it is a wonderful place for newcomers to leap in, with a comparatively clean problem curve and user-friendly hacks that will help you out of tight spots. In case you’re a hardened SMT fan you then may discover the dungeons a bit of bland, however for those who’re in search of a great place to start out, or are a fan of deep, darkish, story-driven dungeon crawlers with soul, the Spookies await your name.
Writer: SEGA / Developer: Atlus
Shin Megami Tensei III HD Remaster is indisputably the easiest way to play this RPG basic, nevertheless it’s additionally reasonably clear that this practically two-decade-old sport is exhibiting its age. An attention-grabbing story, satisfying fight system, and interesting demon recruitment and fusion mechanics make Shin Megami Tensei III properly price your time, however the dated visuals, poor high quality music, and sometimes unforgiving mechanics are maintain it again from being glorious. We’d give this a suggestion to each longtime followers and newcomers, however with the caveat that you simply may need to look ahead to a sale.
Writer: Atlus / Developer: Atlus
With enjoyable, strategic battles, a roller-coaster narrative that by no means lets up, and a implausible sense of upbeat, apocalyptic fashion, Satan Survivor 2 is a full-on blast from begin to end. In case you missed out on the unique launch, you are in for a deal with, and the Triangulum situation provides one other instantly accessible full-length journey to the expertise. It is a extra lighthearted expertise than most different video games within the sequence, too. Whether or not you are a longtime MegaTen fan or simply take pleasure in deep, strategic RPGs, summon up your braveness and sign up to Nicaea; you will not remorse it.
Writer: Atlus / Developer: Atlus
As a sequel, we expect Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse is nearly good, however we’re conscious it has a extra controversial popularity amongst die-hard followers. It lets gamers revisit a well-recognized world from a brand new perspective and provides in a number of small however vital mechanical enhancements that make for a smoother sport all through. We advocate taking part in by SMTIV first to get essentially the most out of Apocalypse and to expertise one of many 3DS’ most interesting JRPGs, however Apocalypse remains to be a delightfully darkish journey dripping with dystopian attraction. Between the personable demons, deeply satisfying fight and killer aesthetic, we could not get sufficient — the tip instances have by no means been so good.
Writer: Atlus / Developer: Atlus
In case you already personal or performed the Satan Survivor on DS, then Overclocked is probably not the brand new model you have been hoping for. For these coming to the title contemporary, nonetheless, put together to be impressed. Despite the fact that the sport does not provide up a lot of an overhaul, it nonetheless stays a stellar, trendy RPG that handily melds technique and turn-based battle. It is positively one of many heftier 3DS video games on the market too, with a number of endings and tons of content material to discover.
Writer: Atlus / Developer: Atlus
From its demon amassing and killer fight to its sci-fi South Pole setting, Unusual Journey Redux is a fantastically engrossing journey, and a very good motive to get misplaced in your 3DS as soon as once more. As a remake of a DS basic, Redux provides in sufficient new content material to make a replay price your time, together with loads of welcome accessibility tweaks to assist let newcomers in on one among Shin Megami Tensei’s best-kept secrets and techniques. Many think about this to be inferior to the unique DS sport, however we expect Unusual Journey — Redux or in any other case — is a can’t-miss journey for JRPG followers.
Writer: Nintendo / Developer: Atlus
Tokyo Mirage Periods #FE is roughly 85% Shin Megami Tensei, and 15% Fireplace Emblem, however one way or the other finally ends up feeling like one thing utterly separate from each. It strikes a center floor and boasts an brisk and dynamic fight system wrapped in a setting that takes J-Pop cheesiness to astral heights. There is a remarkably prolonged and satisfying expertise to be discovered right here for anybody who does not have already got stage fright from its comparatively area of interest proposition. The Change ‘Encore’ port makes it simple to meet up with today, however simply as so many quirky (and glorious!) video games did, it was initially a part of Wii U’s splendidly numerous and underrated library.
