Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga

 PlayStation 2
Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 42 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
5.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 263 Ratings

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  • Summary: (Known in Japan as "Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner") Junkyard, a town of endless rain. With his four companions, Serf, the main character and a member of a tribe called Embryon, sets out for Nirvana, a land that can only be reached by the champions of Junkyard. They devote themselves to(Known in Japan as "Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner") Junkyard, a town of endless rain. With his four companions, Serf, the main character and a member of a tribe called Embryon, sets out for Nirvana, a land that can only be reached by the champions of Junkyard. They devote themselves to fighting against the never-ending resistance mustered by other tribes. In the midst of chaos, a mysterious object, the Pod, suddenly appears. Countless spheres of light are emitted by the Pod and infect Serf and his comrades, awakening their demonic powers. An unimaginable battle unfolds within their faint conscience. They develop a desire to tear the flesh and shatter the bones of their enemies, who have also been transformed. Their instincts tell them to devour every being in their path. Until then, Serf and his comrades only knew of battle, but for the first time, they experience new emotions. At that time, a dark-haired girl, Sera, comes to their rescue. Although she does not know where she came from, she holds a strange power - the power to control the party's demonic transformation. They receive orders from the Church of Karma to head for Nirvana, and they are accompanied by the dark-haired girl. "They who reach Nirvana first shall be recognized as the champions of Junkyard." The struggle intensifies, and they discover that the girl holds a key to the mystery. But, true fear still awaits Serf's party. Including Embryon, the tribe that the main character leads, several groups are at war with each other in order to survive. "Devour" your enemies and absorb their devastating powers and special abilities! [Atlus]… Expand
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Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga Gameplay Movie 7

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 42
  3. Negative: 0 out of 42
  1. Game Chronicles
    100
    It’s rare and quite refreshing to come by a game that is so unique in every aspect, with such complex characters and such a great story, that I feel the same sense of satisfaction that comes with reading a good novel when I play it.
  2. eToychest
    85
    Though it did lose a bit of Nocturne's charm with the replacement of the Fusion system, the game is still a blast to play.
  3. AceGamez
    80
    If you can deal with Lost style cliffhangers and a bombardment of continual turn based battles, then there is certainly a very unique, often very enjoyable experience to be had with Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga, one that successfully continues the traditions of the series while adding something new to the genre as a whole.
    All this publication's reviews
  4. netjak
    80
    It's hardcore gameplay from beginning to nigh-impossible end...just the way it's supposed to be. When you beat a game, you're supposed to feel as if you've accomplished something.
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Weekly Famitsu
    80
    9 / 7 / 8 / 8 - 32 gold [Vol 814; 23 July 2004]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Gaming Target
    73
    But with a story falling well short of its potential, fairly generic party members, dungeons that run on far too long despite the game being extremely brief for its genre, and a feeling of a Nocturne recycling project all drag this game down into disappointment range.
  7. games(TM)
    50
    In the long wait for Digital Devil Saga we’ve been spoiled by some bar-raising and envelope-pushing efforts in the RPG genre, which make it seem rather tired and staid. [July 2006, p.136]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 42 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. NickL.
    May 31, 2006
    10
    This game is Excellent!! Big fan of the series love each one, used to import the first titlesfrom Japan before they started being released in This game is Excellent!! Big fan of the series love each one, used to import the first titlesfrom Japan before they started being released in the UK, let's hope Digital Devil Saga 2 will also be released over here.… Expand
  2. VanillaKowo
    Jan 2, 2021
    10
    Absolutely great, the characters, story, combat, locations and environments are all amazing. My only complaint is the random encounters, butAbsolutely great, the characters, story, combat, locations and environments are all amazing. My only complaint is the random encounters, but apart from that, easily the best megaten game behind Digital Devil Saga 2.… Expand
  4. XDanielol
    Jul 14, 2022
    10
    As and RPG fan, this impressed me. Though the PS2 era was considered the golden era of RPGs, Digital Devil Saga showed to us a much darker andAs and RPG fan, this impressed me. Though the PS2 era was considered the golden era of RPGs, Digital Devil Saga showed to us a much darker and complex theme. The story and battle system makes this game a total blast and addictive, despite the high encounter rate, the exp gained in battle sets up for a fun time. Really recommend it.… Expand
  5. BenV.
    Jul 1, 2005
    8
    A great game, but not nearly as good as the perfect Nocturne, but then again, I don't think anything can be.
  6. Equiixxx
    Jan 26, 2022
    8
    The story of this game is based on a novel that i couldnt read due its not translated, but id love to. Adult themes such as Psichology,The story of this game is based on a novel that i couldnt read due its not translated, but id love to. Adult themes such as Psichology, cannibalism, surveillance, hunger... very well narrated.
    The battles were very good, the bad thing was that leveling up is very tedius. You better search on internet how to beat down those random brains. Music is a banger.    … Expand
  7. iKen
    Apr 13, 2020
    8
    Played on PlayStation 2.
    Gameplay: GREAT.
    Story: GREAT.
    Graphic: GREAT.
    Music/Sound: GOOD.
    Dialogue: GOOD.
  8. AlienSpaceBats
    Feb 24, 2014
    5
    I really wanted to like it, but Digital Devil Saga tried its hardest to make me hate it, and ended up hating it I did. From the second chapterI really wanted to like it, but Digital Devil Saga tried its hardest to make me hate it, and ended up hating it I did. From the second chapter all the way to the final end boss, it was a repetitive, dull and grindy chore. A non-stop barrage of identical dungeon corridors, random encounters and downright dirty AI scripting. The combat is the game's main draw, and is very strategic. It can be enjoyable with its press turns, enemy weaknesses, etc. but the tedium and monotony outweighs any positives I had during my 30 hours playing the thing.… Expand

See all 21 User Reviews

Trailers

Awards & Rankings

49
#49 Best PS2 Game of 2005
68
#68 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2005
36
#36 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2005