Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 2

Platform(s): PlayStation 2
Genre: Role-Playing
Publisher: Atlus

About Rainier

PC gamer, WorthPlaying EIC, globe-trotting couch potato, patriot, '80s headbanger, movie watcher, music lover, foodie and man in black -- squirrel!

Advertising

As an Amazon Associate, we earn commission from qualifying purchases.





'Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 2' (PS2) Coming to Europe

by Rainier on Nov. 21, 2006 @ 6:30 a.m. PST

Serph, leader of the Embryon, wanders aimlessly through the lifeless streets before him. In the Junkyard, his Tribe fought a gruesome war, hoping the light of Heaven would relieve their suffering. In the end, Serph's world vanished, along with the comrades who stood by him. All that awaited him in Nirvana were endless streets littered with the silent remains of human statues. The Promised Land was nothing but a new hell?

The ‘Shin Megami Tensei’ (SMT) series has a reputation for both raising the standard and offering a different perspective to the RPG genre with its distinctive style and captivating storylines blending technology, religion and humanity in an enthralling, immersive, and accessible gaming experience.

In the summer of 2006, Ghostlight released ‘SMT: Digital Devil Saga’ to critical acclaim with an average review score of 85% across the specialist gaming press, websites and major media channels. Accompanied with a sell-through that exceeded market expectations, ‘SMT: Digital Devil Saga’ performed creditably across the PAL territory, ratifying its arrival as a resounding success.

News of its’ imminent release created considerable waves throughout the UK and European gaming communities where the level of activity, surprise and excitement was immense. The commercial success of ‘SMT: Digital Devil Saga’ and the clamour from its loyal fan-base for the release of the sequel prompted the immediate decision to sign and secure the concluding episode.

Mr. Khaled Lababedi (Vice President, Ghostlight) explained “following the success of ‘SMT: Digital Devil Saga’ Ghostlight will continue its momentum with the sequel, and we are very excited at the prospect of being able to bring this much anticipated concluding chapter to the PAL territories, allowing fans old and new to experience the last installment of this coveted series”.

‘SMT: Digital Devil Saga 2’ makes an evolutionary contribution to the series, with its success reflected both in Japan and the US markets. An expansive European marketing campaign is lined up to ensure that ‘SMT: Digital Devil Saga 2’ gains the global success that it deserves.

Atlus USA: “Digital Devil Saga and all RPG fans will not want to miss out on the conclusion to what has been one of the most original RPGs in recent memory. The addition of the ‘Berserker mode’ and ‘Karma Ring’ systems, build upon the intuitive game play from the original and takes the series to a whole new level”.

‘Shin Megami Tensei:-Digital Devil Saga 2’ picks up where the first instalment left off, and is simultaneously a sequel and a final chapter to the series. The majority of the cast from ‘SMT: Digital Devil Saga’ are the same, with the exception of one new playable character – Roland –leader of ‘The Lokapala’ , the resistance force against ‘The Karma Society’.

Serph’s world vanishes, along with the comrades that stood by him, and all that awaited him in Nirvana were endless streets littered with the silent remains of human statues, and a black, blazing sun, bleeding despair across the land...

The Promised Land was nothing but a new hell...

Guards in white appear through clouds of dust, threatening to arrest Serph as an unauthorised Avatar Tuner. Serph notices the Karma Temple's insignia on their equipment as they throw it aside and transform into hideous demons. The water crown's power washes over Serph, and he realises the Atma was not simply a nightmare of ‘The Junkyard’. Nothing has changed but his surroundings… Devouring others is the only way to survive. What awaits Serph beyond Nirvana? A glorious paradise, or a sea of blood-soaked corpses?

With a brand new world of conspiracy and danger to explore, the immersive and distinctive style of the ‘Shin Megami Tensei’ series is still ever-present, with its stylised and compelling artwork from legendary artist, Kazuma Koneko who has become synonymous with the series.

The Mantra Grid/Karma System has been re-constructed, a plethora of enemies have been added, and a new battle system now features the ‘Berserker mode’, which transforms characters into a ‘half human, half demonic’ state allowing carnage to be reaped upon the adversary!

A new aspect of game play is brought into ‘SMT - Digital Devil Saga 2’ through the ‘Karma Ring’ system, adding more dimension and depth to the characters’ development, whilst opening up more strategic options. Each ‘Karma Ring’ functions like equipment and spells would do in other RPGs, by increasing the stats to your character.

In addition, ‘Karma rings’ can be equipped with stat-modifying ‘Gems’ which provide boosts to specific attacks and abilities. As the game progresses, by combining, the ‘Gems’ and ‘Rings’, a tailor-made party of ultimate warriors can be crafted.

A useful and key feature of ‘Digital Devil Saga 2’ is the importation of saved data from the original ‘Digital Devil Saga’, unlocking hidden bonuses and stats boosts. Various decisions that were made in the first game alter particular elements in gameplay, and effects the path that may be taken in the second.


More articles about Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 2
blog comments powered by Disqus