Shin Megami Tensei

[nemesiswontdie]

Re: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona Series

Apparently what I read is that the book is going to be 80!? I'm not sure if that's true or not but if it is, count me out. Though the art in it is fantastic. I'm hoping that Atlus at some point makes an English version of the Nocturne artbook because I'd love to see the notes in those.

The Design Works artbook for P3 is fantastic. It's absolutely beautiful. The drawings are smooth, crisp and the colors are amazing. The internet scans don't do the drawings justice at all.

 

[FlawlessVictor]

Re: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona Series

According to the Udon website, it should be $40.

 

[nemesiswontdie]

Re: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona Series

Still a good chunk of change. Should be like $25 max.



Only 3 more weeks till SMTIV is released in Japan. I'm excited because someone is going to upload the arranged OST and I've been looking forward to that for what seems like ages now.

 

[nemesiswontdie]

Re: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona Series

Bump.


Full SMTIV site is now up which gives a bit more info on what the story is about and such. Plus they have some kick ass wallpapers.

http://atlus.com/smt4/home.html


There's a tab for "system" which makes me think that maybe SMTIV will be ported to the Vita, maybe? Or the WiiU?

 

[FlawlessVictor]

Re: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona Series

I find it strange that Atlus went out of their way to make the protagonist change in appearance depending on the equipment worn, yet use the first-person perspective similar to some older RPGs.

The Japanese SMT4 website is ahead of the North American website.

http://megaten4.jp/

I cannot read the text, but judging from the videos and diagrams, the System tab meant to give an overview about the game's flow and mechanics.

 

[nemesiswontdie]

Re: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona Series

The only time you're in first person view is in battle. When you move around the map, you're in third person.

Yeah, I saw that the JP site is better, but at least in the US one I can read what's saying lol.

 

[FlawlessVictor]

Re: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona Series

Truth be told, I would prefer the battles to be in 3rd person, like Nocturne. It's not a deal-breaker though, since I went ahead and bought a Nintendo 3DS.


I'm resuming P3 after I got others games out of my system. Shit, how many floors on Tartarus are there? I reached the 89th floor so far.

 

[nemesiswontdie]

Re: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona Series

Truth be told, would prefer the battles to be in 3rd person, like Nocturne. It's not a deal-breaker though, since I went ahead and bought a Nintendo 3DS.


I'm resuming P3 aftering I got others games out of my system. Shit, how many floors on Tartarus are there? I reached the 89th floor so far.

I'm almost done paying off SMTIV! Got $35 down on it. so only 15 more bucks to go. Not including taxes lol. What kind of 3DS did you get? Send me your friend code, btw.

There are 286 floors in Tartarus I believe. 250+ I know that for sure, I just can't think of the exact amount of floors. So you got quite a bit to go.

When I first played P3P 2 years ago I saw Tartarus and I thought 'man, there's no way that this whole game is based around this tower, it's so damn small!', but it's really not.

I was debating on whether or not if I should cancel my pre-order at Gamestop and taking that money to pre-order from Amazon because the Gamestop pre-order bonus armor is just ugly as shit. The Amazon pre-order bonus armor is stupid, but at least it looks funny since it looks like cardboard with the Amazon smile logo on it along with a barcode on the back.

EDIT: I forgot to mention. I beat Soul Hackers the other day. I stopped playing the game for a few days because I was frusterated on a boss that was just kicking my ass but I eventually got passed him like 5 days ago. The game was really short considering that P3 (The Journey) took me 80 hours to beat, P3 (The Answer) took 29 hours, P4 took 90 and P4G took 76 hours. Soul Hackers only took 24 hours. A lot shorter than I thought it would be. There's extra dungeons you can do long with extra bosses, but I'm not sure if I'm going to do those or not. I really want to get back to Nocturne so I can beat that before SMTIV comes out in mid-July.

I don't know if I got the good or bad ending to Soul Hackers. I believe the ending differs on which boss you fight in a Vision Quest. I'll have to look it up. The ending I got was kind of sad, but it left the game open for another one, but I doubt we'll ever get one.

 

[FlawlessVictor]

Re: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona Series

I'm almost done paying off SMTIV! Got $35 down on it. so only 15 more bucks to go. Not including taxes lol. What kind of 3DS did you get? Send me your friend code, btw.

I bought a regular 3DS. It's still in the process of being delivered; hopefully I will receive it by end of the week. I don't have a wireless internet connection though, so I'll have to look into some cost-effective solutions.

I was debating on whether or not if I should cancel my pre-order at Gamestop and taking that money to pre-order from Amazon because the Gamestop pre-order bonus armor is just ugly as shit. The Amazon pre-order bonus armor is stupid, but at least it looks funny since it looks like cardboard with the Amazon smile logo on it along with a barcode on the back.

The blatant retailer placement on both of them make me cringe, though Gamestop's is a bit more subtle. THE EB Games Canada pre-order bonus isn't too bad, but they don't ship internationally.

Hopefully, there some decent costumes already included in the game. It would be cool if there were costumes referencing to previous games, like this:

EDIT: I forgot to mention. I beat Soul Hackers the other day. I stopped playing the game for a few days because I was frusterated on a boss that was just kicking my ass but I eventually got passed him like 5 days ago. The game was really short considering that P3 (The Journey) took me 80 hours to beat, P3 (The Answer) took 29 hours, P4 took 90 and P4G took 76 hours. Soul Hackers only took 24 hours. A lot shorter than I thought it would be. There's extra dungeons you can do long with extra bosses, but I'm not sure if I'm going to do those or not. I really want to get back to Nocturne so I can beat that before SMTIV comes out in mid-July.

I don't know if I got the good or bad ending to Soul Hackers. I believe the ending differs on which boss you fight in a Vision Quest. I'll have to look it up. The ending I got was kind of sad, but it left the game open for another one, but I doubt we'll ever get one.

To me, it shouldn't matter how lengthy the game is but rather if I enjoy the time I had with the game. This especially true when it comes to how a game handles grinding. The less time I have to spend fighting enemies over and over just to to progress further, the less likely I will burn out while playing.

 

[nemesiswontdie]

Re: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona Series

The blatant retailer placement on both of them make me cringe, though Gamestop's is a bit more subtle. THE EB Games Canada pre-order bonus isn't too bad, but they don't ship internationally.

Yeah out of all of the pre-order bonus armors, that one was the nicest looking one in my opinion.

Hopefully, there some decent costumes already included in the game. It would be cool if there were costumes referencing to previous games, like this:

So far in the trailers they've shown, it looks like you can get some cool looking armor in the game. Including a spiked leather jacket and a motorcycle helmet lol.

I'd kill for a Raidou outfit. That'd be hilarious and awesome at the same time.

To me, it shouldn't matter how lengthy the game is but rather if I enjoy the time I had with the game. This especially true when it comes to how a game handles grinding. The less time I have to spend fighting enemies over and over just to to progress further, the less likely I will burn out while playing.

Oh it being a short game doesn't really bother me, I was really just surprised at how short of a game it is compared to Nocturne, Persona 3 and 4 and so on, which usually takes me 50+ hours. Not half of that lol.

So there was a Q&A for Atlus about SMTIV and there's some good questions answered.

http://www.siliconera.com/2013/04/27/shin-megami-tensei-iv-developers-answer-fan-questions/


The best part of that is when they said there WILL be DLC and "that it won’t make you feel as though they’re just trying to make money, and will be worthwhile content." So possibly some more kick ass armor with amazing stats or maybe even some special demons and shit.

 

[FlawlessVictor]

Re: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona Series

Until I know what it is, I don't get excited about DLC. If they going to do DLC, a new area with more demons and gear would be nice.

Highlights that caught my attention

• You can now acquire experience points through demon fusing and also by conversing with them.
  
  I'm glad there are more ways to gain experience/levels than just combat. This will make grinding less painful.
  
• Shin Megami Tensei IV boasts over 100 tracks used in game. An original soundtrack is expected to be released in he near future
  
  Damn, the number of tracks exceeds some Final Fantasy games. Atlus, please release the OST in the US.
  
• The Moon Phase System won’t be part of Shin Megami Tensei IV
  
  I'm not sure how Moon Phase System applies to other SMT games, but if it's anything like Kagusutchi in Nocturne, then good riddance.
  
• One fan asked about Shin Megami Tensei lead roles always being male characters and if there’s a chance we could be seeing a female lead in the future. The possibility of a future female lead wasn’t ruled out, although different development team members seemed to have different feeling towards the idea. Some welcomed the possibility of there being a choice of gender, while others felt that Shin Megami Tensei games are better suited to male leads
  
  Shin Megami protagonists for most part are determined by the player's choice. Depending on the nature of the story, the character's gender may not matter at all. However, I do understand that female option means an increase in assets, time/money that could have been used for other content.

Edit:

I got my 3DS and managed to connect online (I realized my router has wireless capability after all). Since it will be while before SMTIV will be available, I'm looking for other games to start with. Out of the SMT games, I'm leaning towards Soul Hackers and Devil Survivor Overclocked.

 

[nemesiswontdie]

Re: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona Series

[*] You can now acquire experience points through demon fusing and also by conversing with them.

I'm glad there are more ways to gain experience/levels than just combat. This will make grinding less painful.

Yeah, that's really cool actually. I can get a new demon PLUS get some EXP while I'm at it.

[*]Shin Megami Tensei IV boasts over 100 tracks used in game. An original soundtrack is expected to be released in he near future

Damn, the number of tracks exceeds some Final Fantasy games. Atlus, please release the OST in the US.

.

I don't even really care for many of the FF tracks I've heard, but the SMT OSTs are always fantastic. Soul Hackers lacks big time compared to P3,P4 and Nocturne but it was still awesome. It sets the cyberpunk mood for sure.

[*]The Moon Phase System won’t be part of Shin Megami Tensei IV

I'm not sure how Moon Phase System applies to other SMT games, but if it's anything like Kagusutchi in Nocturne, then good riddance.

The Moon Phase System works like this. You'll see in the top left or right corner while moving and it shows the moon. Be it barely showing all the way to a new moon to a full moon and when it's a full moon demons are stronger and you can't negotiate with them. They're out for blood during full moons basically.

[*]One fan asked about Shin Megami Tensei lead roles always being male characters and if there’s a chance we could be seeing a female lead in the future. The possibility of a future female lead wasn’t ruled out, although different development team members seemed to have different feeling towards the idea. Some welcomed the possibility of there being a choice of gender, while others felt that Shin Megami Tensei games are better suited to male leads

Shin Megami protagonists for most part are determined by the player's choice. Depending on the nature of the story, the character's gender may not matter at all. However, I do understand that female option means an increase in assets, time/money that could have been used for other content.
[/LIST]

Having the option to choose a gender would be nice. Especially if it adds new things kind of like how P3P does. Playing as Minako gives you a shit ton of new social links, more songs like the battle song is different and some [small] situations are different as well. So unless playing as a female gives more/different stuff to add, I don't really see the point, though I guess it would probably make them more money (while spending more money and time as well).

Edit:

I got my 3DS and managed to connect online (I realized my router has wireless capability after all). Since it will be while before SMTIV will be available, I'm looking for other games to start with. Out of the SMT games, I'm leaning towards Soul Hackers and Devil Survivor Overclocked.

Soul Hackers was great and I think you'd like it if you're fine with random encounters (the random encounters are nowhere near as bad as P1P) and first person dungeon crawling, though the FPDC isn't as bad as you think.

I have honestly never played any of the Devil Survivor games yet. They announced Devil Survivor 2: Break Record for the 3DS so I'll most likely get that. I just want Overclocked first (and not used unless it comes with the damn case. Gamestop most of the time gets rid of the cases for 3DS for some dumb shit reason).

I've heard nothing but good things about Strange Journey too, though I don't know much about it. I'd like to give it a shot at some point. I know it takes place is space and is set in the future and there's a futuristic Jack Frost that's awesome.

 

[FlawlessVictor]

Re: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona Series

The Moon Phase System works like this. You'll see in the top left or right corner while moving and it shows the moon. Be it barely showing all the way to a new moon to a full moon and when it's a full moon demons are stronger and you can't negotiate with them. They're out for blood during full moons basically.

Nocturne's Kagutsuchi more or less works in the same way. What particularily bothered me was when full Kagutsuchi was required for sacrificial fusions, which meant running in circles like a retard to get the desired phase.

Soul Hackers was great and I think you'd like it if you're fine with random encounters (the random encounters are nowhere near as bad as P1P) and first person dungeon crawling, though the FPDC isn't as bad as you think.

I have honestly never played any of the Devil Survivor games yet. They announced Devil Survivor 2: Break Record for the 3DS so I'll most likely get that. I just want Overclocked first (and not used unless it comes with the damn case. Gamestop most of the time gets rid of the cases for 3DS for some dumb shit reason).

I've heard nothing but good things about Strange Journey too, though I don't know much about it. I'd like to give it a shot at some point. I know it takes place is space and is set in the future and there's a futuristic Jack Frost that's awesome.

View attachment 5294

I recently tried the demo for Etrian Odyssey IV (another Atlus title), which also has first-person perspective and grid-based movement. Honestly, it was not bad at all, since there a in-game map, though you have to draw in the details. Judging from the footage of Soul Hackers, the map reveals itself by every cell occupied; hopefully that means easier navigation. I want both Soul Hackers and Devil Survivor eventually, but I think I will get the former first. I already got Fire Emblem: Awakening to get my fill for strategy-rpgs, and Soul Hacker's cyberpunk setting and adding demons into the mix intrigues me.

From my understanding, Gamestop is throwing away cases to make room for their stores, especially with new generation of consoles coming in the near future. As someone that prefers the whole package of original box and manual, I think it's a disservice that they trash them and yet don't reduce the price. It's bad enough there are plenty of people who trade in games without the packaging.

 

[nemesiswontdie]

Re: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona Series

Nocturne's Kagutsuchi more or less works in the same way. What particularily bothered me was when full Kagutsuchi was required for sacrificial fusions, which meant running in circles like a retard to get the desired phase.

Yeah that's exactly it. Shit is annoying, but I deal with it.

I recently tried the demo for Etrian Odyssey IV (another Atlus title), which also has first-person perspective and grid-based movement. Honestly, it was not bad at all, since there a in-game map, though you have to draw in the details.

Etrian Odyssey doesn't look bad. But the one Atlus title that isn't SMT that I want to try out is Trauma Center. The name sounds bad ass.

I want both Soul Hackers and Devil Survivor eventually, but I think I will get the former first. I already got Fire Emblem: Awakening to get my fill for strategy-rpgs, and Soul Hacker's cyberpunk setting and adding demons into the mix intrigues me.

I want Fire Emblem: Awakening really bad. It looks awesome. I had a blast with the demo too.


I plan on going through the extra dungeons in Soul Hackers because there's an ultimate boss and guess who it is?

Spoiler:

Plus, apparently there is a different ending on a NG+ in Soul Hackers and I'd like to see the different ending. The ending on the first playthrough has a sad ending (to an extent) and is left open.

 

[FlawlessVictor]

Re: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona Series

I played some Soul Hackers after getting my hands on it. I like the game's setting and atmosphere. The 3D effect is used pretty well. Magnetite drains at an alarming rate during travels through dungeons. It makes building a full party prohibitive since random encounters don't yield a whole of MAG even if you go out of the way to fight every time.

I'm unsure of who how I want build my party members. I pumped up endurance for the MC, but I'm not sure what other stats are worth investing. Nemissa has learned some spells, but it looks like the MC has nothing, not even physical skills.

 

[nemesiswontdie]

Re: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona Series

Magnetite drains at an alarming rate during travels through dungeons. It makes building a full party prohibitive since random encounters don't yield a whole of MAG even if you go out of the way to fight every time.

I just grinded for all that. If you grind a shit load, you won't have to worry about it for awhile.

I'm unsure of who how I want build my party members. I pumped up endurance for the MC, but I'm not sure what other stats are worth investing. Nemissa has learned some spells, but it looks like the MC has nothing, not even physical skills.

I leveled up MC's Strength, Endurance, Vitality and Dexterity I think and that's it. Some Luck here and there. Magic is almost useless. If you level it up, you become more resistant of some magic attacks but that's it. Also MC doesn't get physical attacks at all. MC is pretty much just support. Heal and attack every once in awhile lol.

Also it's Wednesday night in Japan and there's got to be a OST upload here within the next day and I am fvcking DYING to hear it.

 

[FlawlessVictor]

Re: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona Series

I primarily just have the MC, Nemissa, and Zeed in the party. While it means missed opportunities to raise loyalty, farming for MAG is more efficient. I summon additional demons when I run into tougher opposition.

 

[nemesiswontdie]

Re: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona Series

I primarily just have the MC, Nemissa, and Zeed in the party. While it means missed opportunities to raise loyalty, farming for MAG is more efficient. I summon additional demons when I run into tougher opposition.

I never used Zeed I don't think. I didn't do the whole Nemichi thing either honestly. Though I probably should have since that would have gotten me better demons to use.

So people who have imported SMTIV are saying it's fantastic. That makes me happy.

 

[FlawlessVictor]

Re: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona Series

I never used Zeed I don't think. I didn't do the whole Nemichi thing either honestly. Though I probably should have since that would have gotten me better demons to use.

So people who have imported SMTIV are saying it's fantastic. That makes me happy.

Zeed is a malleable demon, it's stats and skills are determined by what you fuse it with. It is 100% loyal, so it will always obey your commands no matter what. Zeed is doesn't consume MAG. It is also resistant to status effects and Hama/Mudo skills.

However, it's not all good news. Zeed's stats are determined by the average stats of the demons its fused with....and with a 1/3 penalty across the board. New moon phases make Zeed significantly weaker.

Currently, I use Zeed for buffing and debuffing. I haven't used Nemechi either, since I haven't messed with the StreetPass and Play Coins feature yet.

 

[nemesiswontdie]

Re: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona Series

Yeah, I didn't mess around with the street pass and play coins either. I pretty much just stuck to the main story. I know there's some side quests in SMTIV, I know I'll do those though since it will make the game longer.

I am actually debating if I wanna do an import order of the SMTIV Famitsu Pack because it comes with some pretty bad ass stuff.