Megami Tensei
The original Megami Tensei games were groundbreaking for their time and since their release in the late 1980s have spawned numerous sequels, spin-offs, and tv series, becoming one of the most recognized video game franchises in Japan.
Digital Devil Story Megami Tensei was based on the novel of the same name by Japanese author Aya Nishitani, though its sequel Megami Tensei II had a completely original storyline independent of the book series. In 1992 Shin Megami Tensei was released for the Super Famicom, followed by Shin Megami Tensei II and Shin Megami Tensei if... in 1994, firmly establishing the franchise in Japan. Almost ten years later Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne was released for Playstation 2, revitalizing interest in the series whilst drawing new audiences to the franchise.The Megami Tensei games are distinguished for their modern and post-apocalyptic themes, and for their use of characters and beings from world mythology - featuring revolving casts of gods and goddesses, to demons and angels, from mythical beasts to folk heroes, even the cryptids of urban myth - all of whom can be coerced, bribed, and cajoled into following your orders. The enemies you encounter in Megami Tensei games are referred to as Devils[J] or Akuma[J], with a slightly differing conotations, and become 'demon comrades' or Nakama[J] once they join your party.
Games in the series are also known for their mulitple story paths, often diverging after making moral or philosophical decisions as your character progresses through the games' story lines. These decisions also affect your alignment; a statistic you share with your demon allies who may disagree with your chosen philosophy. The paths your character can take typically manifest themselves as a 'chaotic,' path or a 'lawful,' one; although in recent titles alternate philosophies have been presented, a 'neutral' path has always remained constant within the series.
Megami Tensei roughly translates to "Goddess Reincarnation," in English, although the word Tensei has general meanings associated to certain concepts in Buddhism; some regard 'Metempsychosis' or 'Transmigration' as a more fitting translation than 'Reincarnation.' The character Shin[J], in the Super Famicom titles means Truth, and is ostensibly a pun on another character pronounced Shin[J], which literally means New, and was often used in Japan during the height of the Super Famicom-era, much like how Super was used in North America to denote new editions of classic games for the Super Nintendo.
year/title | platform/year | |
---|---|---|
2004 | Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne | PS2 |
year/title | platform/year | |
---|---|---|
2005 | Shin Megami Tensei: Lucifer's Call | PS2 |
year/title | platform/year | |
---|---|---|
1987 | Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei published by Nihon Telenet |
MSX, PC-88, FM-77 |
1987 | Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei published by Namcot |
Famicom |
1990 | Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei II published by Namcot |
Famicom |
1992 | Shin Megami Tensei | SFC, PC-Engine, PC, Mega CD, PS1, GBA, Wii |
1994 | Shin Megami Tensei II | SFC, PS1 '02, GBA '03 |
1994 | Shin Megami Tensei if... | SFC, PS1 |
1995 | Kyuuyaku Megami Tensei | SFC |
1997 | Giten Megami Tensei: Tokyo Apocalypse published by ASCII |
PC88, Win98 '99 |
2002 | Shin Megami Tensei NINE | Xbox |
2003 | Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne | PS2 |
2004 | Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne: Maniax | PS2 |
2008 | Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne: Maniax Chronicle Edition | PS2 |
© DevilRy
Further Reading
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Megami Ibunroku Persona “Be Your True Mind”