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[MoxManiac]

Wow. Just wow. I beat Digital Devil Saga 2 last night, a bittersweet event to say the least, as it was an awesome finale, but now the ride is over . I loved the game that much that I didn't want to see it end. I'll definitely replay both at least once, perhaps on hard, or to take down the optional bosses (DDS2 has some insane ones)

Simply put, I have never seen an RPG fire so well on all cylinders; the gameplay was awesome; it has the sublime press turn system, and while it's not nearly as punishing as Nocturne, there's enough for it to be enjoyable to explore the intricacies of the battle system and mantra grid. The dungeon designs were good as well, offering maze-like corriders and puzzles, and liberal amounts of save points to keep it from being monotonous. I think DDS1 had overall better dunegon designs, but some of DDS2's are neat too (Notably

Spoiler

EGG facility 2nd visit and the final dungeon, the Sun

It's also the first time I really got into an RPG story, for, well years. I loved how DDS1 made you wonder what the hell kind of word the Junkyard was, and how clues gradually appeared to point out things weren't quite right. Especially when they'd reveal teasing little tidbits, like

Spoiler

Varin/Beck's death scene, how he was babbling on about how they were all humans that died, that Serph devoured everyone, and Sera was the one that was going to be the end of them all

that was just enough to make you extremely curious and eager to continue to see what happened. Of course DDS1 ended on a cliffhanger that raised more questions that answered, but the way DDS2 wraps everything up was far greater than I was expecting. I was thinking at the end of DDS2, back to DDS1, thinking; from that to this? Wow.

I urge anyone into RPGs to get DDS1 and 2, NOW. It may be this gen's Valkyrie Profile for me personally, and that's not a light comment, considering VP is my favorite RPG of last gen and perhaps all time.

 

[Bebpo]

I agree completely.

Since the games are actually pretty accessible, I think anyone who owns a PS2 needs to have the pair in their collection.

Rpg of the year for sure.

 

[zarkand]

I saved my game just before the final boss, and I'll try to beat him tomorrow. Do you have any tips? My main team is around level 62

Spoiler

Seraph, Agrilla and Gale

. Their weakness are covered, and I assume I'm going to need some of the null aliments for the battle since aliment attacks seem to be in used alot more in DDS2, than DDS1.

I think the final dungeon in DDS2 beats out DDS1 final dungeon in terms of length. Didn't think I'd ever get to the end.

 

[Bebpo]

IIRC the final boss is pretty easy but it's just about coming prepared. The first time I just ran in and fought it which led to an hour long battle where I lost at the very end when the boss was like one hit away from dying and I made a big post at gamefaqs about how tough the battle was.

Then I tried again 30 mins later but this time I geared up (no leveling, just switching around skills) and did it almost unscathed in about 10 mins and was like "oh...ok that wasn't bad at all" ^^;

So I'd recommend figuring it out on your own as making a plan and equipping the right skills will give you more satisfaction...but if you're looking for a good stategy here's what I think I did:

Spoiler

Basically equipping either a basic shield, or better yet an absorb/reflect shield for at least one type of attack in each form. Then you just have one character keep doing doing that spell and the bosses attacks will be absorbed/reflected and the boss will lose like 3 turns each time. As long as you have something for each form the boss will never get more than about 2 turns in a row, and then healing and attacking should be easy. Personally I think I went for status shields rather than damage shields so I wouldn't be under status effects.

 

[zarkand]

I beat him! Took me about an hour, but I did it. I thought my heart was going to jump out right there at the end. Nearly had a heart attack at the end when he killed two of my character and left one alive with 36HP left.

Spoiler

I said in another thread, but damn, you've come a long way from the junkyard.
Too bad that you don't hear any of the other characters talk at the end, that was kinda of a let down. I understood the ending and predicted it, and liked it, but I would have like to hear Heat, Gale or even Cielo talk to "God". I can just imagine the things Heat would have to say.
BTW what does Shan it shan it (sp?) means, I saw it at the end of the game.