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Shin Megami Tensei IV |OT| The Dark Souls of Persona
- Thread starter Volcynika
- Start date
A Sentient Keyboard
Member
I recently learned that the FE:A + SMTIV isn't a seperate bundle, but a 'register both before this date' sort of deal. I had been ignoring it because I already own FE, but now I know that I am actually eligible. So, this means I can get the sweet limited edition for essentially $20.
Now, my question is; should I jump on this? I know it is a crazy deal, but I am still hesitant. SMTIV is a game that intimidates me. The RPG is not a genre I typically enjoy, and SMTIV seems like a game that would have a lot of the traits I dislike about the genre. So, I would really appreciate it if some people here could shed some light on my worries and answer a few questions.
For reference, I have never played a SMT game. My only experience with the franchise is watching the Persona 4 endurance run (let's play) from Giant Bomb. I know that it has a vastly different setting than the mainline SMT games, and I noticed some people don't like to place it under the SMT banner, but it is all the perspective I have on the franchise. So, with that out of the way, let's get going.
[1] Not really a question about the game, but something that is good to get out of the way anyway. It seems really strange Nintendo would give away a code for $30 with a new game (I imagine FE and SMT have a fairly large shared audience and I believe FE sold well). It sounds like a stupid business plan, and way too good to be true. Is there something I'm missing here?
[2] Does the game do a good job of explaining what stats do and what is important to focus on early on? I really hate being dropped into a complex system, where I have to make permanent choices without a good idea what is important in the short and long term. I don't know if the players in the let's play of the Persona 4 I watched chose to never pull up this kind of information, or if it simply wasn't there, but I got the impression that that game doesn't explain when it is or isn't a good idea to fusion demons.
In short, I hate feeling gimped later in the game because the game didn't explain the consequences of my actions early on. Does SMTIV do a good job of explaining?
[3] Is there a lot of grinding? It's something I dislike, but can live with. I just would like some input on this so I know what to expect.
[4] Are the story, dialogue and (english) voice acting good? Reviews seem positive, but I would like some impressions from the thread.
Thanks in advance!
Now, my question is; should I jump on this? I know it is a crazy deal, but I am still hesitant. SMTIV is a game that intimidates me. The RPG is not a genre I typically enjoy, and SMTIV seems like a game that would have a lot of the traits I dislike about the genre. So, I would really appreciate it if some people here could shed some light on my worries and answer a few questions.
For reference, I have never played a SMT game. My only experience with the franchise is watching the Persona 4 endurance run (let's play) from Giant Bomb. I know that it has a vastly different setting than the mainline SMT games, and I noticed some people don't like to place it under the SMT banner, but it is all the perspective I have on the franchise. So, with that out of the way, let's get going.
[1] Not really a question about the game, but something that is good to get out of the way anyway. It seems really strange Nintendo would give away a code for $30 with a new game (I imagine FE and SMT have a fairly large shared audience and I believe FE sold well). It sounds like a stupid business plan, and way too good to be true. Is there something I'm missing here?
[2] Does the game do a good job of explaining what stats do and what is important to focus on early on? I really hate being dropped into a complex system, where I have to make permanent choices without a good idea what is important in the short and long term. I don't know if the players in the let's play of the Persona 4 I watched chose to never pull up this kind of information, or if it simply wasn't there, but I got the impression that that game doesn't explain when it is or isn't a good idea to fusion demons.
In short, I hate feeling gimped later in the game because the game didn't explain the consequences of my actions early on. Does SMTIV do a good job of explaining?
[3] Is there a lot of grinding? It's something I dislike, but can live with. I just would like some input on this so I know what to expect.
[4] Are the story, dialogue and (english) voice acting good? Reviews seem positive, but I would like some impressions from the thread.
Thanks in advance!
decoyplatypus
Member
No problem. I will say that every now and then, you're going to run into a situation where your current demons aren't cutting it, and they don't look like they're going to fuse into anything useful either. In that case, you might fuse anyway just to try to improve your fusion fodder. To put that differently: current demons A through F are worthless, and worse, they can only fuse into potential demons X, Y, and Z, who are equally worthless. X, Y, and Z might, however, be capable of fusing into better demons, so if there's a logjam, you might as well make them. At the very worst, you'll clear up some stock space for new recruits, and if you study the fusion charts closely, you might get better ingredients out of the deal.
PlanetSmasher
Banned
Wait, seriously? There's no element-null or element-repel armor in the game? That's complete bullshit. That was half the point of the Magatama system in Nocturne; allowing you to set the Demi-Fiend up as a counterpoint to your other demons by switching out your Magatama to tweak his defenses. Resist Element does basically NOTHING in this game because of how high enemy damage output is, so if there's really no way for the protagonist to repel, absorb or nullify elements, he's basically a walking casualty waiting to happen.
Honestly, I don't see myself finishing this game at this rate if the difficulty doesn't at least balance out a bit and soon.
I think it's one, but if you're talking about buffing one of the skills you already have, it's 8.
buddha0991
Member
spoiler spoiler spoiler
spoiler spoiler spoiler
Nah, I was talking about the times a single demon can whisper to me. Now could the same demon, like Centaur for instance, whisper to me again if I delete the one I got and recruit another one? This would suck balls if I seriously can only do this once with a demon as now I have to be all uber paranoid about my magic skill choices.
PlanetSmasher
Banned
Every individual demon you recruit can whisper to you once. So if you fuse a Centaur and recruit another one, when it learns its final skill it can whisper to you again.
hosannainexcelsis
Member
Yes, if you recruit a new version of a demon you already had, it'll whisper to you again when it learns all its skills.
mugurumakensei
Member
1. The fanbases for both are different. Fire Emblem is tactical RPG. Shin Megami Tensei is dungeon crawling RPG. They both are known for being more difficult than the average game though. The $30 code incentive is to introduce FE fans to SMT and vice versa in preparation for SMT x FE.
2. Mechanics are explained. What you should focus on is not. Whatever you do, do a focused build if you fear high difficult. That is choose early on to focus on Magic or Physical attacks.
3. Grinding is unnecessary for the most part. Unless a demon evolves, don't get too attached and fuse a new demon once they are leveled enough to whisper.
4. Do you like Cyberpunk and Medieval fantasy stories? You'll like this probably. The voice acting is great. Don't expect a deep plot or lots of character exposition. Everything makes sense in the context of the game's universe. None of the dialogue so far has had any cringe moments which is good.
nvm
hardcastlemccormick
Banned
A Sentient Keyboard
Member
decoyplatypus
Member
Nope, it's a really good deal.
The basic stat explanations are pretty good with one exception. The way DEX and STR apply to physical attacks is a little unusual. You can read up on that here, though, and just knowing that DEX is the better stat for most physical builds is enough.
Otherwise, SMT games generally favor specialized builds over well-rounded ones. So if you decide to go physical with your protagonist, don't waste points on magic. Agility is good for every build, and you should also throw some points into luck because it affects pre-emptive strikes and a new "smirk" mechanic that can turn the tide of battle.
Fusion is a strategic thing that you'll develop a feel for as you play. You're not going to gimp yourself by not understanding it right from the start. You'll just be a little slower through the opening areas.
Yes and no. You do not have to grind much in SMT games. Levels are less important than well-composed teams with a balanced set of skills. Of course, you need to raise your own level in order to fuse certain demons, and demons themselves learn new skills as they level, so you may find yourself doing some grinding. It's pretty painless, and if you REALLY hate it, there is a cheap DLC that can supposedly raise you a dozen levels in half an hour.
I wasn't taken with the introduction (although if it's your first SMT you might feel differently), but ten hours in, the story definitely has my interest! Voice acting is fine.
I believe that's the only one available at launch (plus it'll be the same price after they ship the rest so you kind of won on this one).
So far so good. 3 hours in, everything is killing me still, but I'm grinding through it.
Is it custom to over prepare like crazy in SMT games? I feel like I'm going to grind like crazy after every battle. I'm okay with that, but I just want to know because...these demons keep killing me ;___;
(Don't remember dying this much playing Soul Hackers).
IceDoesntHelp
Banned
The beginning is terrible, but it gets much better.
I didn't expect this, but I can say that now I'm satisfied.
Atlus, sorry for having doubted you <3
Niiiiice. Thanks! I was freaking out for a bit because I was getting a bit grind heavy in Naraku once I got my footing and I stopped getting my ass kicked and every demon I had started whispering to me every skill.
GTFO.
PlanetSmasher
Banned
I'm going to go against him sometime today, at level 20 d:
You're going to stomp him into the ground. Let me know how many turns it takes you to kill him.
hardcastlemccormick
Banned
You should be using every system to its maximum to get through the game. Grinding early on in SMT4 is inefficient and pointless - either the game drops EXP on your head like rain or it trickles slowly across. Thus, your problem isn't that you're not powerful enough, it's your approach.
Is demon conversation more streamlined than say Persona 2? I was really bothered with it in that game given how obtuse and unnecessarily bloated that system felt with the "emotion" gauges and building the traits to three levels during an attempt...systems upon systems, and I kind of despised it all. So many hidden tricks to it as well that a faq felt kind of necessary for some of the tricker demons to join. Ultimately just trial/error heavy and often nonsensical requirements for answers. Execution needed major changes.
hardcastlemccormick
Banned
It's streamlined, in that it's basically entirely random aside from a few "right" answers.
I don't neccessarily like to gloat BUT since it's been a big wall for some, I just killed
on my first try right now.
Not the most exciting kill I suppose, but effective none the less. Just hit Level 13 after the end of that fight, and so now I get to fuse Tam Lin.
Minotaur
Used Rakukaja, Sukukaja, and Rakunda to the max. Only had one Bufu user (Gremlin) and made sure to give him Chakra Drops when his MP ran out. Used a healer for triage, and would periodically attack with MC if Gremlin's MP wasn't low and everyone was topped off health wise. Was Level 12. No deaths.
Not the most exciting kill I suppose, but effective none the less. Just hit Level 13 after the end of that fight, and so now I get to fuse Tam Lin.
Sorry but I can't stand that kind of boring setting and the fucking tutorials.
Now the game speaks to me. I found what I always liked in SMT.
Spoiler:
I'm in Tokyo of course.
Thank you for the tip, will definitely keep this in mind.
Kabuki Quantum Lover
Member
Amazon.ca is finally shipping this (hopefully to arrive tomorrow). I can finally dig my 3DS out of the sock drawer!
What does easy mode do? I'm not opposed to it, but also don't want a version of the game that is mind numbingly easy. If it's like a 'normal' mode equivalent for most games, then I'm down
Stacking mag is the easiest way to go through the game.
Nope, you're fine.
SpeedySwaf
Member
Three hours in, but only at
I spent the first hour struggling and trying to recruit as many demons as possible, but I'm addicted to fusion
Is it possible to get all the apps in the game, or will you need to be careful with how you spend the points?
the third Stratum, looking for Navare.
Is it possible to get all the apps in the game, or will you need to be careful with how you spend the points?
SpeedySwaf
Member
Maybe it's an enemy drop?
I seriously ran circles around the walls in that place, so I have no idea how the heck I could've missed that. Thanks though, I'll go check.
Go to the area where you fought
Medusa
GeekyDad
Member
Finally? You been missing out on some good shit this year.
A Sentient Keyboard
Member
Can someone give me an idea of how long the limited edition will be available? Can they go out of stock any day now, will it take a few weeks, etc.
IceDoesntHelp
Banned
So stats wise how am I doing?
Will play later, as I have work to do.
Will play later, as I have work to do.
I was actually just thinking about this earlier. I was gonna test it out by fusing megaton press onto something low level, because I want to replace critical wave with it but not unless I can get it to level 8.
So stats wise how am I doing?
Will play later, as I have work to do.
You're going jack-of-all-trades? Good luck. Most SMT games I've played tend to be a lot more manageable when you focus on a stat or two.
I'd increase your DEX more than STR though if you are using any Physical skills.
Ace Harding
Member
I'm dumping most points in Magic, since I almost always play a physical character and I thought I'd try something different. What's the best complement to that? Agility?
Is luck useful?
Should I completely ignore the other stats and totally dump into just two? Or rotate through the others putting in a point in one every level?
I usually end up being somewhat of a jack in RPGs but seeing here that this could be especially bad in SMT.
Is luck useful?
Should I completely ignore the other stats and totally dump into just two? Or rotate through the others putting in a point in one every level?
I usually end up being somewhat of a jack in RPGs but seeing here that this could be especially bad in SMT.
IceDoesntHelp
Banned
Initially all AG, MG and LU...
Let me know how it turns out.