Megami Tensei — also referred to as Shin Megami Tensei — is likely one of the longest-running RPG franchises on the planet. However most of us would not realize it. Making its debut in 1987 on the Famicom, it would not be till the Digital Boy that Nintendo players (effectively, 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 reputation within the West — due to 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 may get within the West, what’s the greatest Shin Megami Tensei sport?
We have left it as much as you beautiful readers to vote to your favorite SMT video games. With the latest launch of Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, we’re sure numerous individuals are fascinated with leaping into this generally brutally troublesome franchise. However there’s nothing else fairly just like the moody, philosophical, and heavy nature of SMT, so we’re prepared that can assist you leap in.
We’ll be excluding Persona from this rating as, regardless of nonetheless sharing most of the identical demons and mechanics, it is principally its personal factor at this level (don’t fret, we’ll ballot the most effective Persona video games someday quickly) – this listing is to make clear the identify 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 can be accessible within the West and solely on Nintendo techniques — so sure, whereas Shin Megami Tensei is offered on cell 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 shouldn’t be set in stone. Registered Nintendo Life customers can click on on the celebs beneath and fee the video games out of 10. The listing order is created from NL Person Rankings and is due to this fact topic to vary, even after publication. You possibly can change or add your rating to any of the video games beneath by clicking on the star subsequent to the title.
Make a pact, begin negotiating, and take a look at your rating of the most effective Shin Megami Tensei video games on Swap and Nintendo techniques. We begin on the backside…
Writer: Atlus / Developer: Atlus
When you’ve obtained the dangle 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 a variety of enjoyable to play already. It options nice music and appears good too – although it doesn’t actually acquire something from being on the Digital Boy. Total the sport’s strengths assist to make up for any weaknesses, making Jack Bros. a vital 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 can assist you out of tight spots. If you happen to’re a hardened SMT fan then you definitely may discover the dungeons a bit bland, however in the event you’re on the lookout for a very good 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, but it surely’s additionally slightly clear that this almost two-decade-old sport is exhibiting its age. An attention-grabbing story, fulfilling fight system, and interesting demon recruitment and fusion mechanics make Shin Megami Tensei III effectively value your time, however the dated visuals, poor high quality music, and infrequently 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 wish to look forward 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 type, Satan Survivor 2 is a full-on blast from begin to end. If you happen to missed out on the unique launch, you are in for a deal with, and the Triangulum state of affairs 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 get pleasure from 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 predict Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse is nearly excellent, 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 suggest enjoying via SMTIV first to get probably the most out of Apocalypse and to expertise one of many 3DS’ best JRPGs, however Apocalypse remains to be a delightfully darkish journey dripping with dystopian allure. Between the personable demons, deeply satisfying fight and killer aesthetic, we could not get sufficient — the tip occasions have by no means been so good.
Writer: Atlus / Developer: Atlus
If you happen to already personal or performed the Satan Survivor on DS, then Overclocked will not be the brand new model you have been hoping for. For these coming to the title recent, nonetheless, put together to be impressed. Regardless 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 undoubtedly 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 accumulating 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 value your time, together with loads of welcome accessibility tweaks to assist let newcomers in on considered one of Shin Megami Tensei’s best-kept secrets and techniques. Many think about this to be inferior to the unique DS sport, however we predict 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% Hearth Emblem, however by some means finally ends up feeling like one thing utterly separate from each. It strikes a center floor and boasts an lively and dynamic fight system wrapped in a setting that takes J-Pop cheesiness to astral heights. There is a remarkably prolonged and fulfilling expertise to be discovered right here for anybody who does not have already got stage fright from its comparatively area of interest proposition. The Swap ‘Encore’ port makes it simple to meet up with as of late, however simply as so many quirky (and glorious!) video games did, it was initially a part of Wii U’s splendidly various and underrated library.