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Shin Megami Tensei

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Shin Megami Tensei
TitleShin Megami Tensei
DeveloperAtlus
PublisherAtlus
CreatorKouji Okada
ArtistKazuma Kaneko
ComposerRyuichi Sakamoto (Digital Devil Story), Tsukasa Masuko, Shoji Meguro
PlatformsNintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Game Boy Advance, PlayStation (console), PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows
First release versionDigital Devil Story: Megami Tensei
First release date1987
Latest release versionShin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance
Latest release date2024

Shin Megami Tensei. A seminal role-playing video game franchise developed by Atlus, renowned for its complex moral narratives and pioneering monster-collecting game mechanics. The series is distinguished by its dark, post-apocalyptic settings where players negotiate with and recruit a vast bestiary of demons drawn from global mythology, folklore, and religion. Its profound influence on the genre is matched by the commercial and critical success of its thematic spin-off, the *Persona* series.

Gameplay

Core gameplay revolves around turn-based combat utilizing a party composed of the human protagonist and recruited demons. A defining mechanic is the "Demon negotiation" system, where players converse with enemies to gain items, money, or recruit them, influenced by factors like the demon's alignment and personality. The Press Turn System, introduced in Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne, rewards strategic exploitation of enemy weaknesses. Demon management is facilitated through the Demon fusion system, allowing players to combine creatures to create more powerful allies, a concept later expanded in titles like Devil Survivor. Exploration often occurs in first-person within dungeon crawlers like Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey, while mainline entries such as Shin Megami Tensei V feature expansive third-person fields.

Development and history

The franchise originated from the 1987 Famicom title Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei, a novel adaptation by authors Aya Nishitani and Yoshihiko Nishikino. Directed by Kouji Okada, it established core tenets. The true foundational release was 1992's Shin Megami Tensei for the Super Famicom, directed by Cozy Okada and featuring iconic art by Kazuma Kaneko and music by Tsukasa Masuko. Development studio Atlus nurtured the series through the Sega Saturn and PlayStation (console) eras, with key producer Katsura Hashino steering major entries like Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne. The Nintendo DS era saw innovative releases like Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor, while modern mainline games are developed by Atlus's internal Production Studio 2.

Setting and themes

Narratives are typically set in a near-future Tokyo devastated by a metaphysical apocalypse or invasion, known as the "Conception" in some entries. The central conflict involves the struggle between forces of Law, often represented by angels and a unified YHVH, and Chaos, championed by demons and figures like Lucifer. A neutral path, frequently advocated by the Gaian philosophy, offers a third alternative. These alignments shape the story's branching conclusion, exploring philosophical themes of free will, nihilism, and social order. Settings range from the demon-infested Vortex World to the desolate Da'at of Shin Megami Tensei V.

Main series

The core numbered entries chart the franchise's evolution. The seminal Shin Megami Tensei (1992) and Shin Megami Tensei II (1994) established the alignment system on the Super Famicom. The critically acclaimed Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne (2003) for the PlayStation 2 introduced the Press Turn System and a stark, minimalist narrative. After a long hiatus, Shin Megami Tensei IV (2013) and its sequel Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse (2016) launched on the Nintendo 3DS. The latest entry, Shin Megami Tensei V (2021), released for the Nintendo Switch, received praise for its open-field exploration and refined combat.

The franchise has spawned numerous subseries. The *Persona* series, beginning with Revelations: Persona, integrates social simulation elements and has achieved massive popularity with entries like Persona 5. Other notable branches include the tactical Devil Survivor games, the first-person shooter *Raidou Kuzunoha* series, and the crossover titles Tokyo Mirage Sessions ♯FE and Project X Zone. Manga adaptations like Shin Megami Tensei: Kahn and anime such as Devil Children have expanded the universe. The Megami Tensei umbrella also encompasses earlier titles like the Majin Tensei strategy games.

Reception and legacy

The series is celebrated for its mature storytelling, challenging difficulty, and innovative mechanics, influencing countless role-playing video games. It is credited with popularizing the monster-collecting game genre in Japan, predating and informing franchises like Pokémon. Critics from outlets like Famitsu and IGN have consistently praised its depth and atmospheric world-building. Its cultural impact is immense, with the *Persona* series becoming a global phenomenon. The franchise's distinctive art, music from composers like Shoji Meguro, and philosophical rigor have cemented its status as a cornerstone of video game history.

Category:Shin Megami Tensei Category:Video game franchises Category:Role-playing video game franchises