Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor for Nintendo DS Reviews by Gamers

This was the first SMT game I ever played, and is not the last! I loved this game so much! If you're looking for a fun strategy game, with a deep story that keeps you guessing, lovable characters, intriguing battles and game play, addicting music and amazing artwork: Devil Survivor is the game for you! I became completely hooked on the SMT series because of this game! Sadly, I don't think it got the recognition it deserved.

You play as a 17 year old silent protagonist, whose name, personality and stats are decided by you (in keeping true to the SMT series, apparently). I rather liked this bit, as I felt really connected to the game, and it offered a lot of replay ability because you have you so many different options to choose from, it never got boring!

Anyways, you received a message from your genius cousin to meet up with him your friends (Atsuro and Yuzu) in Shibuya. Upon arrival you're given special devices called COMPs (they look like a regular DS) and you're suddenly attacked by demons! Then you learn that all of Tokyo is being set under a lockdown by the government and have only 7 days left to live. Now it's up to you to find a way out of this lockdown and escape with your friends. Can you survive?

I really enjoyed playing this game. The difficulty of the battles was hard, you really had to think about what moves you made. I also thought that, based on what choices and actions you took, deciding whether you could save a character or let them die, was a nice touch to the "survival" theme of the game.

The music was perfect for the battles, especially the boss fights! You could feel how serious the fights were, how everything relied on you, just from the music. There were times I'd drag out the battle just to listen to it!

I also loved how deep the story was, and the mysteries behind some of the characters. I was guessing all the way to the end, and was surprised by the answers!

This is truly an amazing game! It's well worth buying!

When someone writes a list of essential DS games, a few titles are sure to be present. Phantom Hourglass, The World Ends With You, and Diamond/Crystal tend to be the mainstays. Like most of the Shin Megami Tensei series, Devil Survivor is deserving of the a high spot in those lists, if not #1. Also like the rest of the SMT series, Devil Survivor has been overlooked by critics and gamers alike.

Devil Survivor is Tactical RPG that takes place over one week in central Tokyo. The game opens with the main character (and two initial party characters) receiving COMPS from his cousin, Naoya. These COMPS resemble the DS, but have a number of more... interesting features. Most importantly, the COMPS are capable of summoning the demons that the player will fight with throughout the rest of the game.

Each battle is turn-based and takes place on one of several dozen maps. At first glance, it might seem like any other TRPG. A closer look reveals that each of the games human characters is actually leading their own party of two demons during the battle. All characters (demons or otherwise) have a set of up to 7 abilities that are used on the map and in combat. When a unit attacks another, the screen shifts to something that resembles classic RPGs. The battle that follows is menu-based and lasts one to two turns. In order to win battles, players must plan their party before the battle, plan their moves once it starts, and finally plan their attacks in actual combat. It all combines to make an extremely deep strategy game, even without numerous other features that I won't spoil here.

The story is another notable accomplishment. With nearly 20 characters, the story has 7 possible endings and is filled with choices that may be obvious or subtle, and may have effects ranging from angering a character to the death of one. The story is strong throughout and can easily rival anything else on the DS.

All in all, SMT:DS is one of the strongest handheld games in years. An easy must own.