Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga

Game Chronicles

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.

BonusStage

The best current-gen console RPG to date, no ifs ands or buts about it.

Gaming Age

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.

GameCritics

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.

Play UK

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]

PALGN

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.

eToychest

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.

Gamer's Hell

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.

GameSpot

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.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

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]

Siliconera

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.

Play Magazine

The best installment of the Shin Megami Tensei franchise yet, and a great RPG in its own right. [Apr 2005, p.52]

G4 TV

It’s still the genre you know and love, but few games have this level of polish and originality.

PSX Nation

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.

Weekly Famitsu

9 / 7 / 8 / 8 - 32 gold [Vol 814; 23 July 2004]

PSX Extreme

Its interesting story and deep, yet easy to learn mechanics make it an enjoyable, and yes, lengthy experience. It's not for casual gamers.

VGPub

The game’s story and visuals complement each other, and get across a genuinely emotion story, while the audio furthers it.

netjak

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.

Just RPG

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.

PSW Magazine UK

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.

Eurogamer

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.

Thunderbolt

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.

Worth Playing

At the very least, who wouldn’t want to own one of the most beautiful videogame boxes ever to release?

Official U.S. Playstation Magazine

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.

GamePro

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]

PSM Magazine

A great RPG that shouldn't be missed. [July 2005, p.83]

AceGamez

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.

Play.tm

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.

IGN

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.

GameZone

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.

1UP

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.

Gaming Target

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.

Games Master UK

Strong RPG that's a little bit different to usual fare. [Aug 2006, p.82]

PSM2 Magazine UK

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]

Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK

A commendably original RPG which throws up plenty of surprises and improves substantially on previous outing, "Lucifer's Call." [June 2006, p.93]

Gamestyle

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.

GameShark

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.

Game Informer

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]

GameSpy

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.

Cheat Code Central

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.

Into Liquid Sky

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.

games(TM)

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]