Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor (2009)

by Ji-yeong
written by Ji-yeong 6 minutes read

Summary

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor (2009)

A dark and gritty post-apocalyptic JRPG that will stay with you long after you finish playing.

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor is a post-apocalyptic JRPG developed by Atlus for the Nintendo DS. It was released in Japan in 2009 and in North America and Europe in 2010. The game follows a group of teenagers who must fight to survive in a Tokyo that has been overrun by demons.

The game’s story begins on a seemingly ordinary day in Tokyo. The protagonist, Atsuro “Naoya” Hirata, is hanging out with his friends when a sudden blackout occurs. As the city plunges into darkness, strange creatures begin to appear. These creatures are demons, and they are quickly spreading chaos and destruction throughout Tokyo.

Naoya and his friends are soon separated, and Naoya finds himself alone and lost in the demon-infested city. As he wanders through the ruins of Tokyo, he comes across a mysterious device called a COMP. The COMP allows Naoya to summon and control demons, and he quickly learns that he will need all the help he can get if he wants to survive.

Naoya soon joins forces with a group of other COMP users, and together they set out to find out what caused the demon invasion and how to stop it. Along the way, they will face difficult choices and must decide who they can trust.

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor is a dark and gritty JRPG that will challenge you both strategically and emotionally. The game’s combat system is deep and rewarding, and the story is full of twists and turns. If you’re looking for a challenging and thought-provoking JRPG, then Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor is definitely worth checking out.

Gameplay

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor is a turn-based JRPG. The player controls a party of up to three characters, each of whom can summon and control demons. Demons have their own unique abilities and strengths, and the player must carefully consider which demons to use in each battle.

The game’s combat system is based on the Press Turn system, which was first introduced in Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne. In the Press Turn system, each character and demon has a certain number of Press Turns per round. When a character or demon attacks an enemy’s weakness, they gain an extra Press Turn. This allows the player to chain together multiple attacks and quickly defeat enemies.

In addition to the main story, Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor also features a number of side quests and optional dungeons. The player can also fuse demons to create new and more powerful demons.

Story

The story of Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor is set in a post-apocalyptic Tokyo. The city has been overrun by demons, and the government has declared martial law. The player controls a group of teenagers who must fight to survive in this dangerous new world.

The story of Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor is full of twists and turns. The player will constantly be making difficult choices, and the choices they make will affect the outcome of the game. The game’s ending is also dependent on the player’s choices.

Characters

The player controls a party of up to three characters in Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor. Each character has their own unique personality and abilities.

  • Atsuro “Naoya” Hirata is the protagonist of the game. He is a kind and compassionate person, but he is also strong and determined.
  • Yuzu Tanikawa is Naoya’s childhood friend. She is a cheerful and optimistic person, but she can also be reckless at times.
  • Keisuke Tatewaki is a classmate of Naoya and Yuzu. He is a smart and resourceful person, but he can also be arrogant and overconfident.

Themes

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor explores a number of dark and mature themes, such as death, loss, and the nature of good and evil. The game also raises questions about the role of technology in society and the limits of human knowledge.

Reception

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor was met with critical acclaim upon release. The game was praised for its dark and gritty story, its challenging combat system, and its thought-provoking themes. Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor was also a commercial success, selling over 500,000 copies worldwide.

Legacy

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor is considered to be one of the best JRPGs of all time. The game has been praised for its innovative combat system, its dark and gritty story, and its thought-provoking themes. Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor has also been credited with helping to popularize the post-apocalyptic JRPG genre.

If you’re looking for a challenging and thought-provoking JRPG, then Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor is definitely worth checking out.

Review Score

9/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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Ji-yeong is a passionate gamer and whose love for video games blossomed during her childhood. Growing up in the midwest, without many friends, she spent countless hours exploring the enchanting worlds of classic JRPGs like Final Fantasy and Chrono Trigger, which sparked not only an enduring love for gaming but also a keen insight into its evolving landscape. Today, Ji-yeong channels her deep-seated passion and nostalgia into thoughtful, engaging reviews that resonate with both longtime gamers and newcomers alike. Her unique perspective, rooted in a rich history of gaming, offers readers a heartfelt journey through the pixels and stories that have shaped her love for this dynamic medium. Her favorite game series of all time is Harvest Moon.

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