Summary

Release Year: 2009
Genres: Adventure, Role-playing game (RPG)
Platforms: Nintendo DS
Developers: Atlus, Lancarse
Publishers: Atlus, Atlus USA

Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey (2009)

A deep and rewarding RPG experience with a fresh new sci-fi story.

Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey is a role-playing game developed by Atlus for the Nintendo DS. It was released in Japan in 2009 and in North America and Europe in 2010. The game is a spin-off of the Shin Megami Tensei series, and is set in a post-apocalyptic world where a mysterious black void has appeared at the Earth’s South Pole. The player takes control of a team of explorers who are sent into the void to investigate and find a way to stop its spread.

Strange Journey is a dungeon crawler RPG, in which the player explores a series of procedurally generated dungeons. The game’s combat system is turn-based, and the player can recruit demons to fight alongside them. Demons can be recruited by talking to them and negotiating with them, or by fusing them together.

Strange Journey features a deep and engaging story, with multiple endings depending on the player’s choices. The game also features a large cast of characters, each with their own unique motivations and backstories.

Gameplay

Strange Journey is a dungeon crawler RPG, in which the player explores a series of procedurally generated dungeons. The dungeons are filled with traps, puzzles, and enemies. The player must use their wits and their team of demons to overcome these challenges and progress through the game.

The game’s combat system is turn-based, and the player can recruit demons to fight alongside them. Demons can be recruited by talking to them and negotiating with them, or by fusing them together. Each demon has its own unique skills and abilities, and the player must carefully choose which demons to bring into battle.

Story

Strange Journey is set in a post-apocalyptic world where a mysterious black void has appeared at the Earth’s South Pole. The void is growing larger and larger, and is threatening to consume the entire world.

The player takes control of a team of explorers who are sent into the void to investigate and find a way to stop its spread. The team is led by Jimenez, a veteran explorer who has seen the horrors of the void firsthand.

As the team explores the void, they encounter a variety of strange and dangerous creatures. They also meet other survivors, who are struggling to survive in the harsh conditions.

The team eventually reaches the center of the void, where they confront the source of the darkness. The team must make a choice that will determine the fate of the world.

Characters

Jimenez – The leader of the exploration team. He is a veteran explorer who has seen the horrors of the void firsthand.
Zelenin – A young woman who is a member of the exploration team. She is a skilled healer and has a strong sense of justice.
Arthur – A member of the exploration team who is a skilled swordsman. He is a loyal friend and is always willing to fight for what he believes in.
Gore – A member of the exploration team who is a skilled sniper. He is a loner and is often haunted by his past.
Mido – A mysterious figure who appears to the exploration team throughout their journey. He provides them with guidance and advice.
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Themes

Strange Journey explores a number of mature themes, including morality, introspection, and the nature of good and evil. The game asks the player to question their own beliefs and to make difficult choices that will have far-reaching consequences.

Reception

Strange Journey received critical acclaim upon release. The game was praised for its deep and engaging story, its challenging gameplay, and its large cast of characters. The game was also nominated for several awards, including Game of the Year at the 2010 Golden Joystick Awards.

Legacy

Strange Journey is considered to be one of the best RPGs on the Nintendo DS. The game has been praised for its innovative gameplay, its mature story, and its large cast of characters. Strange Journey has also been credited with helping to revive the Shin Megami Tensei series.

Overall

Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey is a deep and rewarding RPG experience with a fresh new sci-fi story. The game features challenging gameplay, a large cast of characters, and a mature story that will stay with you long after you finish playing. If you are a fan of RPGs, then you owe it to yourself to check out Strange Journey.