No way is this Shin Megami Tensei IV

[AdrianMorales]

'Set your faces to stunned, Faithful: Starnge Journey, the true successor to SMT Nocturne...' Yes, my face is stunned knowing that instead of a next-gen full HD SMT we get this as a true successor. Then why isn't it called Shin Megami Tensei IV? What does 'true successor' mean anyway?

[Crabman]

No idea on what they consider "true successor". Do remember that SMT if... is considered by many a mainline game despite being an offshoot.

And besides, what does it matter if it has a "IV" at the end of it or not? It looks much closer to the original SMT games than any of the recent ones that came out.

[AdrianMorales]

^^I suppose you are right. I sometimes like to nitpick. I should just be happy that another great RPG is coming to the NDS.

[TheDoctor]

Originally Posted by AdrianMorales

Yes, my face is stunned knowing that instead of a next-gen full HD SMT we get this as a true successor. Then why isn't it called Shin Megami Tensei IV? What does 'true successor' mean anyway?

Basically Kazuma Kaneko (MegaTen co-creator, character designer) said Strange Journey was for all intent and purposes SMT IV. They just decided to stop giving the main series numbers.

They released a list of the official main series games which are: SMT, SMT2, SMT:If..., SMT3:Nocturne and SMT: SJ. So that's what they mean by successor, the game that picks up the mantle from Nocturne as the flagship SMT.

[Hraesvelgr]

It doesn't have to be a "next-gen full HD SMT" for it to be Shin Megami Tensei IV. Hell, if it were possible, they could go back and make it for SNES and say that it was SMTIV.

[kat_ears_kahrain]

Originally Posted by Hraesvelgr

It doesn't have to be a "next-gen full HD SMT" for it to be Shin Megami Tensei IV. Hell, if it were possible, they could go back and make it for SNES and say that it was SMTIV.

Totally true. Dragon Quest IX is a shining example of this. A series doesn't have to progress higher in graphics, or even gameplay, to be a sequel.

[Inzaghi]

I'm leaving this thread open right now, but I have to warn people: I consider the topic of "Is this really SMT4?" akin to arguing over how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. When I've seen it on other fora, it turns into veiled system wars, which I won't tolerate this thread becoming.

No one's actually done anything wrong yet, I'm just sayin'.

[Sseklebeast]

It would be wise not to anger the kitty.

[Enzeru]

I was under the impression it wasn't called SMT IV because it doesn't take place in Tokyo.

[poiuiu]

Strange Journey has "真・女神転生" as its main title, so it's the official follow up to 真・女神転生3 Nocturne. And better graphics doesn't mean a better, or even a good game. Deal with it.

Originally Posted by kat_ears_kahrain

Totally true. Dragon Quest IX is a shining example of this. A series doesn't have to progress higher in graphics, or even gameplay, to be a sequel.

DQ9 brought back the job/class system which was the highlight of the series. The real step back is DQ8, the game that took a step forward in graphics and several steps back in gameplay.

And really, would you really want a 600p 'HD' SMT game? Might as well put that sh*t on PSP.

[Gen Eric Gui]

The real step back is DQ8, the game that took a step forward in graphics and several steps back in gameplay.

Having played DQ1, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8, I have to say that I feel this statement could not possibly be more incorrect. DQ8 was the most fun DQ I've played of the whole bunch. Of course, I've always hated class-change systems, much preferring characters to have static classes that add to their character then making everyone generic "I can do anything" skill sacks. But all the amazing little touches that Level 5 added to the game made it just a lot more fun to experience then the other games. Graphics had a little bit to do with that, but it was overall design and the sense of fun that L5 injected into even small things like the Alchemy Pot and Monster Arena that made the game superior to me.

But that's an arguement for another time and place.

As for the main topic of discussion here, I wouldn't care if the game was called "Princess Margaret's Pony Parade" as long as it's fun to play. And with the pedigree of EO and Devil Survivor, this is going to be awesome. Who cares if it's the "real" SMT4 or not? As long as it's SMT and it's fun, I'll buy it day one.

[Crow T. Robot]

Is his name really Shabadoo?
Or can we pick his name?

[Inzaghi]

Originally Posted by Crow T. Robot

Is his name really Shabadoo?
Or can we pick his name?

Like virtually all SMT games, the MC's name is chosen by the player. In this case, the player happened to be a Simpsons fanatic on the QA team.

[Burning-Sludge]

Originally Posted by AdrianMorales

'Set your faces to stunned, Faithful: Starnge Journey, the true successor to SMT Nocturne...' Yes, my face is stunned knowing that instead of a next-gen full HD SMT we get this as a true successor. Then why isn't it called Shin Megami Tensei IV? What does 'true successor' mean anyway?

This game is main series, not persona. Why are you surprised? Did you not see the many games Atlus marched out to the DS in the the past 4 years? Atlus must have made a lot of money off of the DS and that is why it's on the DS.

[DamageCity]

Why aren't people fighting about If... ?

[Manic Expressive]

Originally Posted by kat_ears_kahrain

Totally true. Dragon Quest IX is a shining example of this. A series doesn't have to progress higher in graphics, or even gameplay, to be a sequel.

True but look at how amazing Nocturne was when it jumped into the current gen, it literally changed my perspective on all RPG's from just popping the damn game in for the first time.

It's really sad when they do this with games, seems to be a trend. Similar to Valkyria Chronicles getting a very butchered and unworthy sequel to the first PS3 classic on the PSP. Why is this? I would rather play my games in full screen on an HDTV, rather than a tiny screen I have to stare at for hours, worrying about recharge times, and just over all such a wasted potential of what could have been going through my head the entire time.

Don't get me wrong, for the ports/games that obviously belong on it, I am all for it. For games that deserve definitive next gen sequels like the main SMT series? No thanks.

[Enzeru]

Originally Posted by DamageCity

Why aren't people fighting about If... ?

Because If... isn't in their immediate world view?

[nbinney]

Originally Posted by poiuiu

Strange Journey has "真・女神転生" as its main title, so it's the official follow up to 真・女神転生3 Nocturne.

So does that make Devil Survivor a follow up to Persona??

[poiuiu]

That's what the game was originally called in japanese, so who are we to argue.

[sfried]

Originally Posted by Manic Expressive

Don't get me wrong, for the ports/games that obviously belong on it, I am all for it. For games that deserve definitive next gen sequels like the main SMT series? No thanks.

What's wrong with having handheld sequels? People are always expecting EPIC production values for EPIC scopes, but not every developer has the resources to make things HD. I hate to say it, but I think you feel too bitter about this being on the DS. This isn't the first time, but I'm sick and tired of people complaining that handhelds are not worthy platforms for games such as this.

Besides, HD does not an SMT make.

[Kenji]

Originally Posted by DamageCity

Why aren't people fighting about If... ?

Because everyone has accepted that if... is the true SMT3, obviously.

[Bernard Summoner]

Dragon Quest X is already in production for the Wii so who's to say they don't have plans for the next main SMT game for a home console? I'm freakin' stoked about this game. Maybe it'll motivate me to play through SMT1 again.

[Foobar]

For all those that want to talk about true sequels, I submit Phantasy Star Universe, Phantasy Star Portable and Phantasy Star Zero. This is a separate discussion from the older PS RPGs, that's a separate series, so don't go there.

The DS and PSP versions feel closer to PSO than PSU ever has. The PSP one retains some of PSU's quirks, but moves closer to PSO's conventions. PSZ has all of PSO's elements. MAGs, timed attacks, story mode for your created characters and online play. All the classes and races are back.

PSU doesn't even let you go through the story mode with your own character, the spells, weapons and enemy types are there and that's really it. The fundamentals of PSO are not there at all.

Its taken going back to portable versions to get the series back to where it was on Dreamcast. PSZ and PS Portable 2 appear to have more of the PSO flavor than ever (PS Portable 2 will just still sadly lack MAGs).

Now, does Strange Journey have all the elements of a SMT game? I would have to say yes. Viewpoint isn't terribly relevant, but its nice if it comforts you that its in first-person. It has alignments, it has demon negotiation, multiple story paths, exploration, quests varying by alignment, elemental strengths/weaknesses and fusion.

Sure sounds like stuff a new SMT game would do. True enough to make me happy, so do any aesthetics really matter after that? Better graphics are just icing on the cake, they aren't what makes true sequels.

Metroid II was a true sequel, as was Metroid Fusion. So is Dragon Quest IX and SMT Strange Journey.

Everything in SMT is just another timeline in a multiverse of timelines anyway. Think of it like the last Star Trek movie, you don't have to like it what it is for it to count. Its a different timeline and in the SMT multiverse, everything counts. All endings count. One ending led to this possibility.

[Vicious1915]

Originally Posted by Enzeru

Because If... isn't in their immediate world view?

I wish Atlus would port this along with SMT I and II real quick one day soon.
My collection would feel a whole lot more complete, and it would give folks more to argue about! Tons of fun for everyone!!!

[Foobar]

Just wanted to address this one point:

Originally Posted by Manic Expressive

Don't get me wrong, for the ports/games that obviously belong on it, I am all for it. For games that deserve definitive next gen sequels like the main SMT series? No thanks.

And yet, handhelds can be homes to popular franchises and originals as well. Its not just a place to port games to and resell them.

Monster Hunter is a pretty big deal anywhere it goes for the Japanese, as is Dragon Quest. People got all hot and bothered about PSP getting a FFVII game and not something they could just put on PS2 or PS3, but I have to say it worked out pretty well, wouldn't you?

And just look at all the originals that Atlus USA puts up for distribution DS and PSP. Crimson Gem Saga, Class of Heroes, Etrian Odyssey, Steal Princess, The Dark Spire and Knights in the Nightmare.

Its just silly to keep on acting like handhelds aren't real gaming platforms anymore. We live in the age of the iPhone, to boot. Its only going to become more relevant. Its entirely reasonable to say that one day even consoles might go the way of the arcade - Japan certainly seems to be heading that way, just they think the arcade is relevant. Its the whole reason PSP even exists. People were buying more GBAs than PS2s last gen, they wanted in the handheld market.

PSP took five years to really get going, but there is some momentum now. DS always had it.

[DDanny]

Because Strange Journey is actually oh so much more closer to what the main SMT games are than Nocturne could ever hope to be.

[Foobar]

Originally Posted by DDanny

Because Strange Journey is actually oh so much more closer to what the main SMT games are than Nocturne could ever hope to be.

This sort of thinking is just about as constructive as insisting real follow-ups are made for next-gen consoles with all the HD trimmings.

Preferences are cool, but Nocturne was a very damn good game and nothing to sneeze at.

[DDanny]

Never said Nocturne was bad. Actually, it's a very good game like you said.
But as a classic megaten fan it's nice to see the series returning to what you like most.
And also because the last classic megaten was from 1997, and that's a 12 years wait.

[Amine Hsu Nekuchan]

Console vs Handheld
This conversation can't go anywhere, because it's all based on preferences.
HD Graphics vs Portable Convenience

It goes further than that too, as some people think a proper gaming experiences requires the immersion only accessible with the most advanced graphics available. While others believe that a well constructed story can be immersive even if it is only text. Some might go so far as to believe that graphical development can detract from story or gameplay development or even go as extreme to say that graphics detract from immersion and that imagination and suspension of disbelief are the only graphics that are really good.


Basically, it's all opinionated. Everyone believes they are right, otherwise they wouldn't believe what they do.

A few things that are true:
DS games are cheaper and easier to make.
If they had made a game in the classical SMT style on the PS3/360 they would have been criticized for not taking full advantage of the system's graphical capabilities.

[Manic Expressive]

Originally Posted by sfried

What's wrong with having handheld sequels? People are always expecting EPIC production values for EPIC scopes, but not every developer has the resources to make things HD. I hate to say it, but I think you feel too bitter about this being on the DS. This isn't the first time, but I'm sick and tired of people complaining that handhelds are not worthy platforms for games such as this.

Besides, HD does not an SMT make.

Bitter? I have been looking forward to this game the day it was announced. All I am saying is that console RPG's usually beat out handhelds, why do you think they get so much ports?

Originally Posted by Foobar

Just wanted to address this one point:

And yet, handhelds can be homes to popular franchises and originals as well. Its not just a place to port games to and resell them.

Monster Hunter is a pretty big deal anywhere it goes for the Japanese, as is Dragon Quest. People got all hot and bothered about PSP getting a FFVII game and not something they could just put on PS2 or PS3, but I have to say it worked out pretty well, wouldn't you?

And just look at all the originals that Atlus USA puts up for distribution DS and PSP. Crimson Gem Saga, Class of Heroes, Etrian Odyssey, Steal Princess, The Dark Spire and Knights in the Nightmare.

The only actual good game from that list is Etrian Odyssey.