Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga

Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga
Developer(s)	Atlus
Publisher(s)	Atlus Ghostlight
Composer(s)	Shōji Meguro
Series	Megami Tensei
Platform(s)	PlayStation 2
Release date(s)	JP 15 July 2004 NA 5 April 2005 PAL 21 July 2006
Genre(s)	Console role-playing
Mode(s)	Single-player
Rating(s)	CERO: C ESRB: M PEGI: 16+
Media/distribution	1 DVD

Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga, known in Japan as Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner (Digital Devil Saga アバタール・チューナー, Dejitaru Debiru Sāga Abatāru Chūnā^?), is a PlayStation 2 role-playing game developed by Atlus and first released in Japan on July 15, 2004. It is a spin-off of the Shin Megami Tensei series of video games; the main difference between Digital Devil Saga and the main series is the focus on specific characters rather than summoning demons to fight alongside your party. The story to Digital Devil Saga is continued with its direct sequel Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 2.

Notable features of the game include the ability to shapeshift between demon and human forms in battle, and a return of the "press turn" battle system from Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne. A large difference between Nocturne and Digital Devil Saga is the ability to change equipped skills at will, instead of at level up. Unlike in Nocturne, unlearned skills are not lost forever, which allows for much greater character customization. The game features a "Mantra" system where Macca gained after battle can be used to download new Mantras at a saving terminal. Atma, gained by devouring enemies in battle, then allows the characters to Master these mantras, imparting new abilities.

Gameplay

Digital Devil Saga's characters, rather than summoning demons to fight for them, are able to transform into a single demon representative of their "Atma".^[1] While the protagonist can assign stat points at will, the other main characters each have certain specializations. Each player can learn skills from one of four categories: Physical, Magic, Shield and Auto. These skills are gained by first buying "Mantras" using Macca currency, then mastering them by gaining "AP" (Atma Points) from defeated enemies.^[1] The maximum number of skills that can be equipped are 8. If two or more players equip a certain skill, they can perform a combo - a stronger version of the skill. While battle is focused around strengthening characters' demon forms, they can also fight in their human forms using conventional weapons, and can equip ammunition. A human character can perform a combo with one in demon form.^[1]

The "press turn" battle system gives each character a symbol to represent a turn. The character can forfeit a turn to allow the next character an action; turns cannot be passed more than once. If an enemy's weakness is exploited, an extra turn is gained up to three times; if an enemy resists an attack, a turn is lost.^[1]

Digital Devil Saga mostly follows the magic system used in previous Megami Tensei games. Nine magic attributes are present in the game. Ice and Lightning magic have a chance of causing the "freeze" and "stun" status, while Expel magic reduces an enemy's hit points by a certain percentage, and Death magic causes an instant kill. Status magic can inflict status effects on enemies. Other attributes present in the game are physical and "Devour" attacks, which are not classified under magic. If an enemy is killed by a Devour skill, the character gains a far greater amount of AP; overeating causes a status ailment that can only be prevented using a certain skill.^[1]

"Small Karma Terminals" scattered throughout the world allow the player to save their game, while "Life Terminals" restore the player's health and magic points for Macca. The player can teleport to "Large Karma Terminals", which also function as Life Terminals, but cannot teleport back to their smaller counterparts. "Vendors" allow the player to purchase and sell goods, including valuable "Cells", for Macca.

"Solar Noise", displayed in the upper-left of the screen, affects the price of Cells and other variables in battle.

Plot

Setting

Digital Devil Saga is set in the Junkyard, a vast, post-apocalyptic wasteland in which it is constantly raining. All residents of the Junkyard adhere to elements of Hinduism, and seem to be reincarnated when they die, aware of their past lives. Six main tribes, the Embryon, Vanguards, Maribel, Solids, Brutes, and Wolves, fight to destroy each other and earn passage into Nirvana.^[1]

Characters

The Embryon tribe is based in the Muladhara region of the Junkyard. Although small, this Tribe has established their turf, and are recognized by the other Tribes. They are in direct competition with the Vanguards. Their Tribe color is orange. Serph is the leader of the Embryon, a silent, largely emotionless protagonist and the main character of the game. The "Water Crown" Atma on Serph’s cheek allows him to transform into "Varna" (actually Varuna), which is featured on the front cover of the game. Heat, Serph's unofficial second in command, uses the "Fireball" Atma, which allows him to transform into Agni. Heat wrestles with violent tendencies and a sexual urge towards Sera. Argilla is the Embryon’s master sniper and can change into Prithivi, as shown by the "Seismic Wave" Atma on her chest. Manifesting emotions of kindness, she immediately rejects the idea of devouring others, but realizes it’s a necessary evil if she’s to protect Sera and return to normal. Gale's computer-like calculations and analysis serve him well as the strategist for the Embryon. The "Twister" Atma on his leg signifies his metamorphosis into Vayu. Gale has a recurring vision after the awakening, but labels it illogical and continues on as normal. Cielo, another key member of the Embryon, uses the "Rainbow Arch" Atma to transform into Dyaus. He is cheerful, and tends to act foolishly, which eases tensions among the group. Cielo lost control and went on a rampage. As such, he wishes to protect her. Sera, discovered by the Embryon, stands out from other citizens of the Junkyard because of her black hair, her lack of a tag ring, and her strange singing. The Karma Temple’s decree states that to reach Nirvana, one must bring Sera. Her song has the power to suppress the demonic instincts of the Junkyard inhabitants. She shares a mysterious bond with Serph, and this connection becomes clearer as the story progresses and also into the sequel.

Story

The game begins with a conversation between two unknown entities. One claims to be about to release the power of the demons inside of people, much to the shock of the other.^[2]

In the Junkyard, Serph and his lieutenants battle the Vanguards over a strange pod. Both sides believe it to have been placed by the other as a weapon.^[3] Explosions cause the pod to open, branding everyone with a mark of their atma, and causing the Embryon to devour the Vanguards. After Serph suddenly dreams of a clear blue sky, he wakes up and sees that the pod is gone and that a crater was left in its wake. Inside, an unconscious, naked girl is surrounded by white light. The Embryon take the mysterious, yet seemingly familiar girl and return to headquarters.^[4]

Unaware of what truly happened after the pod's opening, the Embryon decide to question Harley and his Vanguards about what transpired.^[5] Serph, Argilla, and Heat travel to the Vanguards' base, finding a deeply shaken Harley. He claims that the Embryon devoured his men and flees in terror when the Embryon once more transform into demons, and exhibit signs of emotion.^[6] They defeat Harley after he transforms himself into Hayagriva, gaining the tribe's land in the process. Back at the Embryon base, Cielo is being chased by Vayu; Gale in demon form. The girl, claiming to be named Sera, sings, soothing Gale and allowing him to turn back into a human. Gale soon questions her about her power, but she remembers nothing except that she was sent to "help".

The leaders of each tribe are ordered to the neutral Karma Temple in order to receive instructions. However, a mysterious, female being calling itself "Angel" orders them to use their powers to defeat all other tribes and ascend to Nirvana along with Sera, who has the power to quell the demons' ever-present hunger. Angel seems to recognize Serph, and is seemingly angered by his presence.

After allying themselves with the Maribel tribe, the Embyron invade the citadel of the Solids tribe, but are too late to stop its leader, Mick, from causing the Maribel's leader, Jinana, to go berserk, eventually leading to her emotional death. The Solids attack the Maribel base as a diversion, then capture Sera from the Embryon and bring her to Coordinate 136, a large castle in an abandoned amusement park. Inside, an old recording tells a fairy tale of two princes, resembling the conflict between Serph and Heat over the "princess", Sera. At the top of the castle, Bat, who has betrayed the Maribel, causes Heat to fight Serph; the player can decide whether to fight back. Cielo arrives and takes back Sera from Bat, and Mick is killed by the Embryon.

The Embryon plan to weaken the Brutes by trapping them in a beached cruise ship rigged with bombs. It is revealed that Varin Omega, now calling himself "Colonel Beck" and Sera a "cyber shaman", claimed to know Angel's secrets and wanted to leave the Junkyard. Angel refused, saying that he ordered the world to be locked, though she offered to help him.^[7] Their plan succeeds, and Bat is killed, but Varin is still alive. The Brutes destroy the Wolves, making them the last remaining tribe for the Embryon to defeat. After Lupa, leader of the Wolves, also goes berserk and is killed, Gale is spurred to action.^[8]

As the residents of the Junkyard begin to experience strange memories of life in the contemporary era, the group arrives at the Brutes' base, a shape-shifting mansion unlike any building in the Junkyard. After defeating Varin, he claims that Serph had devoured Argilla, and that the entire party had already died in "Nirvana", calling Sera the devil.^[9] Sera runs away to the Karma Temple, exercising control over it, as the Embryon follow. At the top of the temple, Angel appears in human form, revealing a computer virus and threatening to delete the entire Junkyard if Sera does not return with her. However, the Embryon arrive, and, breaking free of Angel's control, manage to destroy her ultimate form, Harihara, and the virus itself. The Junkyard, a virtual world, disappears completely and all the characters are thrown into a void. The game's ending reveals that they have arrived in the "real world".

Development

Digital Devil Saga was created in part to make the Megami Tensei series accessible to a broader audience "while staying true to its roots." The game had a high production value due to its well-known voice actors and detailed cutscenes, while extra care was taken to sync dialogue to mouth movement. The battle mechanics were also made more forgiving than in Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne.^[1]

The game uses the demon designs of Kazuma Kaneko.^[1]

Music

The band Etro Anime provided "Danger", the introductory song for the U.S. version of the game, and Houko Kuwashima provided "Pray", the introductory song for the Japanese and European version of the game.

The Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner Soundtrack was released September 24, 2004 by Frontier Works. It mainly composed by Shōji Meguro, and includes five compositions by Kenichi Tsuchiya and the US version's opening song. It was released on its own and within copies of the North American game. The complete soundtrack was released as discs 1&2 of the 4-disc set DIGITAL DEVIL SAGA ~Avatar Tuner~ 1 & 2 Original Sound Track: Integral on December 22, 2005 by Five Records.

Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner Soundtrack (74:26)
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Pray"
2.	"Muladhara"
3.	"Svadhisthana"
4.	"Manipura"
5.	"Sahasrara"
6.	"Anahata"
7.	"Ajna"
8.	"Hideout of the Chickens"
9.	"Hunting Field"
10.	"Hunting Field - The Second Movement"
11.	"Man's Tomb"
12.	"Man's Tomb - The Second Movement"
13.	"Sand Castle"
14.	"Steel Coffin"
15.	"Steel Coffin - The Second Movement"
16.	"River of Samsara"
17.	"River of Samsara - The Second Movement"
18.	"Sweet Home"
19.	"Spider's String"
20.	"Spider's String - The Second Movement"
21.	"Karma Terminal"
22.	"Mantra"
23.	"Configuration"
24.	"Big Battle - Prelude"
25.	"Karma"
26.	"Hunting"
27.	"Big Battle"
28.	"Hunting-Compulsion"
29.	"Hunting-Comrades"
30.	"Hunting-Rare Devil"
31.	"Hari-Hara"
32.	"Hari-Hara - The Second Movement"
33.	"End Theme"

Voice cast

Japanese

• Kenji Nojima as Serph
• Hikaru Midorikawa as Heat
• Houko Kuwashima as Sera
• Yumi Touma as Argilla
• Hori Hideyuki as Gale
• Hiroaki Miura as Cielo
• Masaya Onosaka as Harley
• Kazue Ikura as Jinana
• Ryotaro Okiayu as Bat
• Hisao Egawa as Mick The Slug
• Hideo Ishikawa as Lupa
• Banjo Ginga as Varin Omega
• Michie Tomizawa as Angel

English

• Yuri Lowenthal as Serph
• Crispin Freeman as Heat
• Wendee Lee as Sera
• Amanda Winn Lee as Argilla
• Steven Jay Blum as Gale
• Dave Wittenberg as Cielo
• Lex Lang as Harley
• Mary Elizabeth McGlynn as Jinana and Angel
• Bob Pappenbrook as Varin Omega

Reception

Digital Devil Saga received generally positive reviews from critics. Gaming Age's Travis Dwyer called the story "memorable" and "a much-needed, mature change of pace" from other RPGs, while noting the "proven" battle system.^[10] GameSpot's Bethany Massimilla also praised the battle system and the game's "intriguing" world, but crititicized the high random encounter rate which "can border on the ridiculous" and the game's cliffhanger ending.^[11]

The Digital Devil Saga series received G4TV's "X-Play's Best Role Playing Game of 2005" award. In 2010, Digital Devil Saga and its sequel Digital Devil Saga 2 ended up topping RPGFan's "Top 20 RPGs of the Last Decade" list.^[12]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h} Aihoshi, Richard (2005-02-05). "Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga Interview". IGN. http://rpgvault.ign.com/articles/590/590771p1.html. Retrieved 2009-07-26. 
2. ^ I will release the uncontrollable rage that lurks inside them...the fury of demons. / NO!! - Atlus. Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga. (Atlus). PS2. (2004)
3. ^ Gale: Warning to the Vanguards: Remove the unidentified object at coordinates 2314 5873. Failure to comply will be deemed an act of war. / Harley: Warning to the Embryon: Remove the unidentified object at coordinates 2314 5873. Failure to comply will be deemed an act of war. - Atlus. Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga. (Atlus). PS2. (2004)
4. ^ Heat: ...Any thoughts? Strange... I feel like I have met this girl before. I want to know more about her. I am sure you feel the same, Serph. - Atlus. Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga. (Atlus). PS2. (2004)
5. ^ Gale: Our priority is to clarify the situation. / Heat: I will go to the Vanguards. / Cielo: To the Vanguards' territory? / Heat: I will. They may have an answer for us. Serph and I will go. ...And one more. The rest will stay and guard the base. / Argilla: I will go. I want an explanation. - Atlus. Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga. (Atlus). PS2. (2004)
6. ^ Harley: You murdered them and ate them all! You all...turned into monsters...and then you... devoured all of my men! That light...that weird light shot right through us...and then everyone...everyone started freaking the hell out! (...) Argilla: Shut up! / Argilla: I...I didn't...eat those people. I couldn't have! It wasn't me! - Atlus. Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga. (Atlus). PS2. (2004)
7. ^ Varin: Don't ever call me by that name. I am a colonel. Colonel Beck. (...) Varin: That's right. And I even know who YOU really are, Angel! Now get me the hell out of here! / Angel: Very interesting...if you truly are the Colonel, you would know that is not possible. After all, it was you who requested this world be locked. Was it not? You must open the door on your own. / Varin: Don't give me that Nirvana crap. How dare you speak to me!/ Angel: On that day, everything changed. Now, each individual shall be judged by his Karma. Even so, I pity those like you. I'm beginning to understand how this works. Allow me to help you. - Atlus. Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga. (Atlus). PS2. (2004)
8. ^ Gale: Your honor does not die with you. I will find your son. / Gale: Be you angel or demon...you will surely regreat giving me this cursed power! - Atlus. Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga. (Atlus). PS2. (2004)
9. ^ Varin: How the hell can you follow the man who devoured you!? (...) Varin: You...and I...we are all humans who died...in the same Nirvana you're all desperate to reach. Argilla: That can't be...we died!? / Varin: That girl will...destroy the world...she is truly...the devil... - Atlus. Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga. (Atlus). PS2. (2004)
10. ^ Dwyer, Travis (2005-04-07). "Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga". Gaming Age. http://www.gaming-age.com/cgi-bin/reviews/review.pl?sys=ps2&game=digitaldevilsaga. Retrieved 2009-07-25. 
11. ^ Massimilla, Bethany (2005-04-05). "Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga Review". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/rpg/digitaldevilsagaavanttuner/review.html. Retrieved 2009-07-25. 
12. ^ "Top 20 RPGs of the Past Decade". RPGFan. http://www.rpgfan.com/features/Top_20_RPGs_of_the_Last_Decade/2.html. Retrieved 2011-02-05. 

External links

• Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga at MobyGames
• Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga at GameFAQs
• General Megaten website with DDS and DDS2 sections
• Megaten wiki A wiki devoted to Shin Megami Tensei games and spin offs.