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Shin Megami Tensei Community Thread: Be Your True Demon

Really tempted to pick up Kaz IV and V as I don't have the prior ones and love his Devil Summoner-era artwork, but might wait for when I go to Japan in a few months. Are they limited runs, or should I be able to find them?
 

Sallokin

Member
I got a notification from DHL (
sick.gif
) today that mine is supposed to arrive tomorrow. I'm excited to see it.

I wonder how soon we would get Kaz VI as well. I remember months ago, they originally just announced Kaz IV, containing Devil Summoner content, and then months later announced that it would split into Kaz IV and V.

I'm guessing VI would start Soul Hackers? I can't remember where but I want to say I saw someone speculating that VI and VII would both be Soul Hackers the same way IV and V were Devil Summoner, which is a-ok with me.

Really tempted to pick up Kaz IV and V as I don't have the prior ones and love his Devil Summoner-era artwork, but might wait for when I got to Japan in a few months. Are they limited runs, or should I be able to find them?

I wouldn't say they're ultra limited. I've seen IV popping up in used bookstores around my area already as well. It and V should both be pretty easily available in a few months time, but if you're hesitant then maybe grab them to save some stress.
 

Hylian7

Member
I'm guessing VI would start Soul Hackers? I can't remember where but I want to say I saw someone speculating that VI and VII would both be Soul Hackers the same way IV and V were Devil Summoner, which is a-ok with me.



I wouldn't say they're ultra limited. I've seen IV popping up in used bookstores around my area already as well. It and V should both be pretty easily available in a few months time, but if you're hesitant then maybe grab them to save some stress.
Soul Hackers would be neat, but I am surprised at no Strange Journey. Devil Summoner and Soul Hackers predate Nocturne (unless you count the PSP and 3DS ports), yet Nocturne was covered in Kaz III.
 
Hm not sure if I want to buy V, I may skip it and get VI. Though Still kind of salty about III. I want it, but not at the recent prices.
 

asagami_

Banned
I went to a DHL office to pick up my DDS 2 copy. Feels weird buy a brand new PS2 game at this year. Actually... I guess this is my first PS2 brand new game xD Thanks Amazon Mexico.
 

Hylian7

Member
I will find out how truly shitty DHL is tomorrow. When I got Kaz IV, they required a signature, but didn't even come to my door, signed it with a pen mark and left it in the front office.

This time I made the special instructions say "Deliver to apartment door, not the front office"

FWIW I live in the US. Also fees to ship to the US with Amazon JP are surprisingly low.
 

cj_iwakura

Member
The top Megaten track list did a good job of matching art to the track, at least for Nocturne.


Up to #27, lol. The top 50 is VERY solid. Messian Boogie('Disco') almost made it. Palace of the Four Heavenly Kings definitely did.


Food for thought: do you all think the original Shin Megami Tensei would be considered a classic like FFVI and CT had it been released here?
 

Lynx_7

Member
It's different and weird enough that it'd probably be a cult classic, though more in the veins of Vagrant Story and Valkyrie Profile than FF VI or CT. It just isn't the kind of game that'd ever be as popular as Square's SNES output.

It also depends on how badly they'd botch the localization.
 

Opa-Pa

Member
I think its slightly more complicated gameplay mechanics would have granted it a cult classic status more similar to Earthbound's. But yeah, it'd definitely be more popular.
 

Lynx_7

Member
Comments from Meguro and Kozuka regarding the music popularity contest.

Shoji Meguro
Thank you for voting on Megaten series popular songs, and thank you for picking the battle theme from Nocturne, of which I was in charge. In a way, I’m sorry to say that it would have been impossible to imagine a long time ago that a track from Nocturne would be ranked first.

Although it is neatly in number 1, 2 songs from Shin Megami Tensei are also within the top ranks. It is a sense of relief to see that old and new fans are intermingling, and it is pleasing for us at Atlus.

In the future, I hope that Kozuka’s songs will dominate the top of the popular song ranking, after 5 or 10 years, with songs from Shin Megami Tensei IV composed by Kozuka becoming more memorable. Both IV and Apocalypse have good songs. So, if a new song from Strange Journey Redux could also be involved in it… Oh yeah, Strange Journey Redux will be released on October 26th!

Even his comments here kinda make me think they don't remember that era all too fondly.

Ryota Kozuka
Thank you very much for voting!

As a result of the ranking, as the person in charge of the titles after Shin Megami Tensei IV, I honestly feel that it’s regrettable (and I am sorry)… At the same time, “this song is definitely the best… Oh… this one too…” were my thoughts while being aware that I was seeing the top results (laughs).

Personally, I pledge to get my revenge some day. Thankfully, the Megaten series will continue over the 25th anniversary, and I am truly appreciative of the many people who will participate in these projects as well.

I’m looking forward to the release of Strange Journey Redux soon. In addition, live events and concerts will be held this year. Thank you for supporting the Megaten series as it continues into the future.
Sauce

I feel kinda sorry for him, you can tell he was a little disappointed his tracks didn't place higher. To be fair I totally think the Divine Powers battle theme got robbed of a spot in the top 10, and the final boss from Apocalypse deserved to place higher too :p
Also the Archangel battle theme, though that one is understandable due to being tied to DLC.
 

daevious

Member
Between Meguro and Hashino's comments, it's really clear that Atlus' do-or-die period during the early-mid 00's was awful to live through.
 

Korigama

Member
Extremely disappointing to see Battle A3 from IV only rank at 65 (probably the best battle theme in a game that had no lack of great ones to choose from). Won't even get started on how low the Ikebukuro and Hunter Association themes ended up.
 

Hylian7

Member
Honestly SMTIV and IVA have my favorite soundtracks in the series, but I totally understand Nocturne stuff winning. #1 did deserve it's slot.
 
Comments from Meguro and Kozuka regarding the music popularity contest.

Shoji Meguro


Even his comments here kinda make me think they don't remember that era all too fondly.

Ryota Kozuka

Sauce

I feel kinda sorry for him, you can tell he was a little disappointed his tracks didn't place higher. To be fair I totally think the Divine Powers battle theme got robbed of a spot in the top 10, and the final boss from Apocalypse deserved to place higher too :p
Also the Archangel battle theme, though that one is understandable due to being tied to DLC.

Yeah, the IV duology has fantastic music, I hope he doesn't actually feel that he under delivered because nothing could be farther from the truth.
 

Frost_Ace

Member
Comments from Meguro and Kozuka regarding the music popularity contest.

Shoji Meguro


Even his comments here kinda make me think they don't remember that era all too fondly.

Ryota Kozuka

Sauce

I feel kinda sorry for him, you can tell he was a little disappointed his tracks didn't place higher. To be fair I totally think the Divine Powers battle theme got robbed of a spot in the top 10, and the final boss from Apocalypse deserved to place higher too :p
Also the Archangel battle theme, though that one is understandable due to being tied to DLC.
IV soundtrack is my favorite of the series, the battle themes especially are out of this world. Japan needs to get their taste checked :p
 
Okada's reasons were twofold: he felt there was noting more he could add to Shin Megami Tensei and if stayed at Atlus they'd only let him make Shin Megami Tensei games.

I see. Seems reasonable.

I guess we as fans don't really understand how many of these creative people would rather not make Megaten games their whole life.
 

Hylian7

Member
My copy of Kaz V came in. DHL surprisingly actually brought it to my door, but didn't knock.


The art of the humans towards the back really makes me want to play the original Devil Summoner in English one day, despite how much cj_iwakura tells me I don't want to play it.
cheeky.gif


Also I like seeing some of Kaneko's earlier iterations of demons we usually know from different designs today.
 

Hylian7

Member
Weren't they in a lot of financial trouble coming into the PS2 genearation, and then got tossed and sold between corporations after that? If so, I wouldn't doubt it despite the stone-cold barrage of greats.



Can confirm.
Yeah, it's kind of strange their best work came of out of that era. I imagine things will be more stable under Sega though, as they are unlikely to bankrupt themselves.

Also, it's really bizarre seeing a Joker (from P5) outfit in a Sonic game. I keep forgetting Sega owns Atlus now.

Future SMT x Bayonetta crossover???
Featuring Bayonetta from the Bayonetta series
 

cj_iwakura

Member
Yeah, it's kind of strange their best work came of out of that era. I imagine things will be more stable under Sega though, as they are unlikely to bankrupt themselves.

Also, it's really bizarre seeing a Joker (from P5) outfit in a Sonic game. I keep forgetting Sega owns Atlus now.

Future SMT x Bayonetta crossover???
Featuring Bayonetta from the Bayonetta series

If Sega have any sense at all, they're going to strong arm Atlus into doing some PC ports or make some heads roll. I love Atlus and don't want Sega intervening too much, but that's just common sense at this point.
 

Lynx_7

Member
The only things I want Sega to provide:

-Bigger budgets for Atlus' games
-Bigger marketing efforts in the west while you're at it
-Faster localizations
-PC ports
-Shin Megami Tensei V Featuring Knuckles from the Knuckles & Knuckles & Knuckles series.
 

Hylian7

Member
If Sega have any sense at all, they're going to strong arm Atlus into doing some PC ports or make some heads roll. I love Atlus and don't want Sega intervening too much, but that's just common sense at this point.

I agree that anyone else in the world would think PC ports make sense (look at Platinum with the success of Nier Automata, Bayonetta, and Vanquish. Also see Valkyria Chronicles), but Atlus is gonna have a hard time budging on that one. I hope they do, but seriously doubt they will. This was the same Atlus that would DMCA Persona 5 streams and videos.

The only things I want Sega to provide:

-Bigger budgets for Atlus' games
-Bigger marketing efforts in the west while you're at it
-Faster localizations
-PC ports
-Shin Megami Tensei V Featuring Knuckles from the Knuckles & Knuckles & Knuckles series.

I think Sega is providing most of these. The fact that Atlus USA announced a localization of Strange Journey Redux (with a localized name because Deep Strange Journey sounds like a porn title) many months before the game has even released in Japan, as compared to SMTIVA where they took a few months after it came out in Japan to announce it, is quite telling that maybe localizations will be faster. They said early 2018 for SJR, and it releases in Japan at the end of October, so maybe 3-4 month wait?

As for the marketing effort, it didn't seem like they did much to market Persona 5 much in the west, or with SMTIVA.

Even though we know fuck all about SMT Switch (V?), the fact that they are using Unreal and going to have 3D demons again (even if they just use the Persona 5 assets) might be an indicator of a bigger budget. Probably by the fact that it's on a console again, it likely will have larger budget than IV or IVA. If I'm not mistaken, IV and IVA did decent enough worldwide, right?

I really hope we learn more about the Switch game soon, even if it's just another CG trailer or just a logo or something.
 
There are a lot of demons in here that I have never seen or heard of before...Waxwork, scarecrow, and others

There's a ton of good, neglected work. Seere, Stolas, Maui, Buraq, Saladin, Armaiti, purple Orochi, etc.

On that note, there are a lot of demons exclusive to SMTif who never got full artwork.

Some examples:

CAwwxsY.gif
9Sot7ld.gif
78znvI6.gif
dKx2VoC.gif
fV8RaGD.png
Ny5KMDO.png
NpwqfK9.gif
Lqveqsf.gif


Left to right: Amdusias, Balam, Druj, Bushyasta, Mammon, Azi Dahaka, Caim, Buer
 

Lynx_7

Member
I think Sega is providing most of these. The fact that Atlus USA announced a localization of Strange Journey Redux (with a localized name because Deep Strange Journey sounds like a porn title) many months before the game has even released in Japan, as compared to SMTIVA where they took a few months after it came out in Japan to announce it, is quite telling that maybe localizations will be faster. They said early 2018 for SJR, and it releases in Japan at the end of October, so maybe 3-4 month wait?

As for the marketing effort, it didn't seem like they did much to market Persona 5 much in the west, or with SMTIVA.

Even though we know fuck all about SMT Switch (V?), the fact that they are using Unreal and going to have 3D demons again (even if they just use the Persona 5 assets) might be an indicator of a bigger budget. Probably by the fact that it's on a console again, it likely will have larger budget than IV or IVA. If I'm not mistaken, IV and IVA did decent enough worldwide, right?

I really hope we learn more about the Switch game soon, even if it's just another CG trailer or just a logo or something.

I have a feeling SMT HD is going to follow a similar marketing strategy as P5. An early teaser, some silence, another slightly longer teaser confirming the platforms and a general release date estimate (let's say Winter 2018, which should roughly translate to September 2022), before finally releasing a full blown trailer. They gotta go all out with the trailer too to generate some buzz for the game. So far it feels like only series fans are paying attention.
 

Hylian7

Member
I have a feeling SMT HD is going to follow a similar marketing strategy as P5. An early teaser, some silence, another slightly longer teaser confirming the platforms and a general release date estimate (let's say Winter 2018, which should roughly translate to September 2022), before finally releasing a full blown trailer. They gotta go all out with the trailer too to generate some buzz for the game. So far it feels like only series fans are paying attention.
I hope that is the case because it would be nice to see SMT come back to the front lines, but at the same time I really don't want the long wait.

Did they ever say what took so long with Persona 5? I'm curious what it was that caused them to miss their original projected release by about two years.
 

daevious

Member
I hope that is the case because it would be nice to see SMT come back to the front lines, but at the same time I really don't want the long wait.

Did they ever say what took so long with Persona 5? I'm curious what it was that caused them to miss their original projected release by about two years.

Given how much of that game refers to recent events in Japan, they probably had to re-write a bunch of stuff to make sure it wasn't dated at release.
 

Lynx_7

Member
Hashino (or some other member of the team?) said they had to redraw all the 2D textures/art for the PS4 release because the assets didn't look good in 1080p, so that was definitely a setback. Also the whole Index fiasco apparently had a big effect on the project.
 

cj_iwakura

Member
Hashino (or some other member of the team?) said they had to redraw all the 2D textures/art for the PS4 release because the assets didn't look good in 1080p, so that was definitely a setback. Also the whole Index fiasco apparently had a big effect on the project.

Feels like wasted effort, because I played the PS3 version, and even the PS4 version supposedly wasn't that fancy looking. To me, Atlus games were never really about high quality textures, more about the design.
 

Hylian7

Member
Feels like wasted effort, because I played the PS3 version, and even the PS4 version supposedly wasn't that fancy looking. To me, Atlus games were never really about high quality textures, more about the design.
Yeah, P5 still looks great on PS3, that was where I played it too. Also, did the PS4 have the screen tearing the PS3 version definitely did? I noticed it in particular in the hallways in the school.
 

Lynx_7

Member
The game looks great to me, specially menus and transitions, so I'm glad they went the extra mile to ensure things didn't look blurry or whatever. Atlus games aren't notable for their graphical prowess but it sure is nice when they look clean and artistically pleasing like P5 and their PS2 entries do. SMT IV looks much less inspired in comparison and it does hurt its atmosphere to me. Also didn't notice any screen tearing on PS4 or anything of the sort.

That said it's weird they went through the trouble of redrawing that stuff but didn't do anything about those awful billboards and low-res textures in a bunch of places. Some of them look straight outta PS1.
 

Hylian7

Member
Tbh P5 may be one of the first times I actually think a game is overdesigned. The battle menu especially looks godawful.
Honestly the battle menu looks great and I wish they would remake P3 and P4 with it. Trying to play P3 I wish it had the convenience of just getting triangle to use magic.
 
I have a feeling SMT HD is going to follow a similar marketing strategy as P5. An early teaser, some silence, another slightly longer teaser confirming the platforms and a general release date estimate (let's say Winter 2018, which should roughly translate to September 2022), before finally releasing a full blown trailer. They gotta go all out with the trailer too to generate some buzz for the game. So far it feels like only series fans are paying attention.

By SMT HD do you mean the Switch/? game , or did I miss an announcement of a SMT 1 remake?

Speaking of SMT 1, I wasn't able to complete my iOS playthrough of SMT 1 in time and now the game is unusable (I had to already put my device on a 11 beta) because it hasn't been updated for 64-bit. If anyone from Atlus reads this forum, please please try to convince the powers that be to update SMT 1 on iOS. There's no other western release we can play.


Hashino (or some other member of the team?) said they had to redraw all the 2D textures/art for the PS4 release because the assets didn't look good in 1080p, so that was definitely a setback. Also the whole Index fiasco apparently had a big effect on the project.

Some parts of P5 look very clean, but other parts look like textures taken from a PS2 game, especially all the signs in the subways. But the demons do look great.
 
Yeah, P5 still looks great on PS3, that was where I played it too. Also, did the PS4 have the screen tearing the PS3 version definitely did? I noticed it in particular in the hallways in the school.

Absolutely no tearing on PS4.
Textures are the same and some look pretty damn rough, fortunately they're easy to ignore in the grand scheme of things.
Personas look fantastic, which isn't surprising since these models will be reused for god knows how long, so they deserved extra attention, they're a long-term investment.


Tbh P5 may be one of the first times I actually think a game is overdesigned. The battle menu especially looks godawful.

Wow, seriously?
 

Lynx_7

Member
By SMT HD do you mean the Switch/? game , or did I miss an announcement of a SMT 1 remake?

Speaking of SMT 1, I wasn't able to complete my iOS playthrough of SMT 1 in time and now the game is unusable (I had to already put my device on a 11 beta) because it hasn't been updated for 64-bit. If anyone from Atlus reads this forum, please please try to convince the powers that be to update SMT 1 on iOS. There's no other western release we can play.

I was speaking of the Switch game, yes. They call it the SMT HD project so I'm assuming it'll also be on other platforms.

I doubt they even remember they localized the iOS version of SMT 1 lol.
I'll keep dreaming of a remake and play the translation patch in the meantime
 

Hylian7

Member
I was speaking of the Switch game, yes. They call it the SMT HD project so I'm assuming it'll also be on other platforms.

I doubt they even remember they localized the iOS version of SMT 1 lol.
I'll keep dreaming of a remake and play the translation patch in the meantime

I feel like at this point, Atlus USA just assumes the fans have played the fan translations and will continue to do so unless they somehow release another remake of the games or something.

Remember how that Soul Hackers translation project was canned when the localization of the 3DS version was announced? I'm sure if a localization of SMT I, II, and if... were available to a wider degree than just iOS, I'm sure fans would buy that. Fans bought Soul Hackers 3DS.
 

Bladenic

Member
My copy of Kaz V came in. DHL surprisingly actually brought it to my door, but didn't knock.



The art of the humans towards the back really makes me want to play the original Devil Summoner in English one day, despite how much cj_iwakura tells me I don't want to play it.
cheeky.gif


Also I like seeing some of Kaneko's earlier iterations of demons we usually know from different designs today.

Wait this is already out?? Fuck, I need to get it.
 

randomkid

Member
Despite hitting every Gin event, apparently by not talking to annoying-ass Atsuro at the exact right time, I missed out on the ending route I wanted in Devil Survivor and now I'm stuck with either Chaos or Law options. Really wish I had checked the Wikia instead of just very loosely checking in with the rather poor guide that's up on gamefaqs. I'd been enjoying the game much more this time around but this has really taken the wind out of my sails. Day Six boss was a cinch but I am in no mood for grinding so apparently I need to go Law, blech.
 

Opa-Pa

Member
Despite hitting every Gin event, apparently by not talking to annoying-ass Atsuro at the exact right time, I missed out on the ending route I wanted in Devil Survivor and now I'm stuck with either Chaos or Law options. Really wish I had checked the Wikia instead of just very loosely checking in with the rather poor guide that's up on gamefaqs. I'd been enjoying the game much more this time around but this has really taken the wind out of my sales. Day Six boss was a cinch but I am in no mood for grinding so apparently I need to go Law, blech.

Yeah, despite liking the way the paths themselves and the way they work in the game a lot, some of the requirements are annoyingly strict.

Gin's path offers a lot of explanations but I didn't like it that much, personally. I'd say Naoya's is probably the best, both for being satisfying, offering a more reasonable alternative to chaos, AND having an 8th day... But it's kinda hard. Amane's is pretty alright though, ans may be the only good law route ever.
 

randomkid

Member
Yeah, despite liking the way the paths themselves and the way they work in the game a lot, some of the requirements are annoyingly strict.

Gin's path offers a lot of explanations but I didn't like it that much, personally. I'd say Naoya's is probably the best, both for being satisfying, offering a more reasonable alternative to chaos, AND having an 8th day... But it's kinda hard. Amane's is pretty alright though, ans may be the only good law route ever.

Haha, well, I'm sleeping on it, but I'm a bit ready to move on now that I've messed up my planned path. Maybe if there are some good skills/strategies that aren't crazy time-consuming, I'll at least keep this save to check things out so we'll see.
 

asagami_

Banned
Yeah, despite liking the way the paths themselves and the way they work in the game a lot, some of the requirements are annoyingly strict.

Gin's path offers a lot of explanations but I didn't like it that much, personally. I'd say Naoya's is probably the best, both for being satisfying, offering a more reasonable alternative to chaos, AND having an 8th day... But it's kinda hard. Amane's is pretty alright though, ans may be the only good law route ever.

Hey, SMT 2 Law ending is pretty good.
I mean, see YHVH to has a meltdown because Satan decides to judge him is easily one of my favorite moments in any media.
It's a idiotic route tho.
 

Lynx_7

Member
Yeah, despite liking the way the paths themselves and the way they work in the game a lot, some of the requirements are annoyingly strict.

Gin's path offers a lot of explanations but I didn't like it that much, personally. I'd say Naoya's is probably the best, both for being satisfying, offering a more reasonable alternative to chaos, AND having an 8th day... But it's kinda hard. Amane's is pretty alright though, ans may be the only good law route ever.

Hey, Apocalypse's Law route is great.
The way you just betray everyone to blow up Tokyo with some asshole you never even interacted with before and have absolutely no reason to align with is, unironically, one of the funniest "serious" scenes I've ever witnessed. All your friends berating you and going like "wtf, dude???", Dagda giving you shit, Merkabah making weird guttural noises as he fights at your side, the way Flynn goes "peace out bitches" and Isabeau is like "but why? *cries*" and just the general contrived nature of the ending all made for a very special trainwreck. Also Lucifer is hard as balls.
I cherish it dearly in my heart.

And yeah, Gin's route was the first (and only) one I beat in DeSu and I found it a bit underwhelming. I dislike the way getting all routes in that game works and still haven't found enough motivation to power through the first 6 days again just to play a different ending.
 

randomkid

Member
Well, I decided on a whim to see how far I could get in Naoya's route without updating my level 30-40 demons and rushing through to try to one-shot bosses as quickly as possible, and the answer is that with some shameless suspend abuse you can beat the whole game that way. Who would have thought that my two little Mothmen would have such a crucial role to play in demolishing all the Bels. The ending seems to be designed to get you to play through the eighth day content too (was it that way in the original version?) so I guess I'll keep going.
 

NeonZ

Member
The ending seems to be designed to get you to play through the eighth day content too (was it that way in the original version?) so I guess I'll keep going.

Yes, the original endings weren't changed. It's actually kind of odd with the Naoya and Amane routes since the original epilogues clearly go further into the future than where the 8th day starts.
 
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