Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga

 PlayStation 2
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 42 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 42
  3. Negative: 0 out of 42
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  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. BonusStage
    94
    The best current-gen console RPG to date, no ifs ands or buts about it.
  3. Gaming Age
    91
    I love the action, the character development, and the mature themes that help separate it from the pack. At the same, the battle system is different yet comfortable in its turn-based approach.
  5. GameCritics
    90
    This title has it all—engrossing and challenging gameplay, a plot that rises above the usual clichés of the genre, loads of depth and customization, great graphics, and some excellent audio. This is, hands down, the best RPG I've played in 2005.
  6. Play UK
    86
    Combines a tactical battle system, a mature setting and an intriguing story to perfect effect, breaking away from many of the cliches the genre relies on. [Issue 141, p.108]
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  7. 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.
  8. PALGN
    85
    What may be a little overwhelming for new JRPG gamers that are accustomed to today’s simple and heavily story-driven titles, Digital Devil Saga still provides one of the best old-school experiences available.
  9. Gamer's Hell
    84
    Whether you are a follower of the Japanese anime culture, or a dedicated RPG fan, or merely an enthusiastic player looking for something of value, anyone desiring an in-depth gaming experience will love Digital Devil Saga.
  10. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    82
    My only complaint is the cliffhanger ending, a setup for this summer's sequel. DDS is a challenging ride with good gameplay and slick presentation. [May 2005, p.132]
  11. GameSpot
    82
    Digital Devil Saga's great demon combat and tenebrous world full of myth and mystery make it worthy of the Shin Megami Tensei name. If you don't mind cliff-hangers and lots of turn-based combat, definitely consider giving this role-playing game a try.
  12. Weekly Famitsu
    80
    9 / 7 / 8 / 8 - 32 gold [Vol 814; 23 July 2004]
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  13. Siliconera
    80
    The difficulty in Digital Devil Saga will certainly turn some gamers off, especially those not fond of RPGs. However, if you're a gamer into RPGs and have been waiting for something fresh check out Digital Devil Saga. Digital Devil Saga is certainly one of the best RPGs in a long time.
  14. PSX Nation
    80
    A deep, mature, and original plot, beautiful cel-shaded textures and plenty of hidden extras (like optional bosses, treasures, etc.) make Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga one of the greatest role-playing experiences on the PlayStation 2 to date.
  15. Play Magazine
    80
    The best installment of the Shin Megami Tensei franchise yet, and a great RPG in its own right. [Apr 2005, p.52]
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  16. G4 TV
    80
    It’s still the genre you know and love, but few games have this level of polish and originality.
  17. PSX Extreme
    80
    Its interesting story and deep, yet easy to learn mechanics make it an enjoyable, and yes, lengthy experience. It's not for casual gamers.
  18. VGPub
    80
    The game’s story and visuals complement each other, and get across a genuinely emotion story, while the audio furthers it.
  19. Worth Playing
    80
    At the very least, who wouldn’t want to own one of the most beautiful videogame boxes ever to release?
  20. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    80
    Despite the more simplistic nature that could seem to "Nocturne" fans like a step backward, this might make it a better game for FF fans needing their fix.
  21. GamePro
    80
    The disturbing visual style and complex play mechanics may overcome any minor deficiencies to result in a game that is surprisingly engrossing. [June 2005, p.90]
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  22. PSM Magazine
    80
    A great RPG that shouldn't be missed. [July 2005, p.83]
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  23. 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.
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  24. Just RPG
    80
    An interesting RPG with some rather unique characters. Although this game more than likely won't be winning any awards for best game of the year, it is still a nice pick-up for anyone who was a fan of Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne or any RPG player.
  25. PSW Magazine UK
    80
    Digital Devil Saga is a sumptuous adventure which could easily have disappeared up its own clichéd backside. It hasn't, thanks mainly to its welcoming combat style which still packs a hefty mental challenge.
  26. Eurogamer
    80
    What Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga delivers in spades is an interesting, atmospheric RPG experience with an enjoyable battle system, fabulous music and an excellent visual style that set it well apart from RPG cliches of recent years.
  27. Thunderbolt
    80
    Even though the many random encounters and lengthy dungeons pad out the game length to roughly 30 hours (not counting many sidequests), Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga is still one of the stronger PS2 RPGs.
  28. 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.
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  29. Play.tm
    79
    A solid addition to the series, and provides plenty of action, interaction, evolution, and entertainment. Game splitting annoyances apart, it's an impressive journey from its start (almost) to its finish.
  30. IGN
    78
    With a bigger emphasis on the storyline, a better breakup of the dungeons, and improved pacing, Atlus could transform a collection of great ideas into a great videogame instead.
  31. GameZone
    75
    This could have been a dark and edgy game, but rather than unleashing this beast, the developers pulled back to make it a standard tactical turn-based combat game.
  32. 1UP
    75
    Those who make it to the end might be disappointed to learn that they'll have to play the upcoming Digital Devil Saga 2 to find out how the story turns out.
  33. 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.
  34. Games Master UK
    73
    Strong RPG that's a little bit different to usual fare. [Aug 2006, p.82]
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  35. PSM2 Magazine UK
    72
    An extremely well realised RPG retaining all the bizarreness of its Japanese roots without the incecipherable combat and customization you might expect. [July 2006, p.84]
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  36. Game Informer
    70
    Digital Devil Saga's freakish story may turn heads and demand attention, but the time you spend in this flesh-eating world quickly becomes mind-numbingly dull. [Apr 2005, p.126]
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  37. GameSpy
    70
    If, like me, you want a little more story to chew on, you'll probably want to find a game packed with a little less extension and a little more pretension.
  38. Cheat Code Central
    70
    An intriguing world steeped in mystery with plenty of action and unanswered questions. If anything, this game will create a population of rabid gamers waiting impatiently for the release of the sequel.
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  39. Gamestyle
    70
    Having spent considerable hours grinding through DDS, the ending does come as an anti-climax. The only consolation is that the sequel will award bonuses if it reads a DDS save on your memory card.
  40. GameShark
    70
    While the gameplay got at least a thin margin better, the story took a hit with very little meat between the bordering-on-the-ridiculous number of battles and an ending that was clearly designed to get players to buy the next game coming out later in the year.
  41. Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
    70
    A commendably original RPG which throws up plenty of surprises and improves substantially on previous outing, "Lucifer's Call." [June 2006, p.93]
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  42. Into Liquid Sky
    67
    Suffers from the fact that once the story really gets going, the game ends, leading into the upcoming sequel. This is a shame as the slow build up starts to really feel rewarding and then... BAM! Too be continued.
  43. 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]
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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

User Reviews

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User Score
5.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 263 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 124 out of 263
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 263
  3. Negative: 127 out of 263
  1. 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.… Full Review »
  2. EricL.
    Sep 9, 2009
    7
    The Shin Megami Tensei series is my favorite game series, and this game isn't too bad. The story seems to be the only thing that most The Shin Megami Tensei series is my favorite game series, and this game isn't too bad. The story seems to be the only thing that most critics seem to agree is great, and I was suprised that it actually was! It doesn't have that level of interaction in most other games in the series, but it still written really well. There also is an art style, but it's only noticible during cutscenes, the music is good, and the combat requires a lot of strategy as always. However, there are just too many things about this game that bug me. I'll start off by mentioning that my biggest problem is the random battles, because they are just waaaaaay too frequent. I thought they came often in Nocturne, but I grew to accept them in that game, but in this one there is one every couple of steps, and that is no exageration. The next thing is that you only get to play as your crew, but each member can use the same skills once learned, making the only differences in combat their stats, gun attack, strengths, and weaknesses. It takes away the sense of discovery found in the other games of the series. Also, the level design is terrible, I can never tell if I'm going where I want to go (thankfuly there is a mini map that expands as you explore), and that wouldn't be that huge of a problem if it didn't take forever to get from point a to point b due to the random battles. Also, the stage designs seem to be full of copy/paste, like in Nocturne, but in that game it actually worked well because if there was a blood stain or something, my attention would instantaniously be drawn towards it, making it quite impactful. In this game there rarely is any blood, even around corpses. I'm assuming that since the story revolves around the subject of cannibalism the developers either wanted to make it look like there were no "leftovers", or didn't want it to look like some sort of gore-fest. Lastly, the puzzles are headache inducing, and tediouse as can be. Fortunatly they are not as frequent as in Nocturne, but they're still present. I know I'm refering back to Nocturne a lot, but there are really a lot of problems here that shouldn't have been present. All I can say is that even though I realize that I've spent forever talking about the problems, it's still a pretty fun game, and it's rare too, so show it off to everyone who may be jelouse.… Full Review »
  3. 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.… Full Review »
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