So I finally got done watching the Persona 4 Endurance Run and it got me in the mood to try my hand at some ShinTen. The only Shin Megami Tensei game I own is Lucifer's Call, a game I picked up in the PS2 heyday when I loved me some JRPGs. Obviously there are some marked differences between Persona 4 and SMT3. However, I remember being really interested in this game in the lead-up to its release (in spite of no prior experience with the series) thanks to its really interesting art direction, strong reviews and word-of-mouth. I was really excited when I managed to pick up one of the very few locally available copies around release.

However, when I played it at the time I wasn't really feeling it. I don't remember particularly enjoying the dungeons or finding much interest in the story and I don't remember getting much of a grasp for the combat system and recruiting/fusing monsters. Then I ran into The Matador. I was completely demolished. What an arsehole. At that point I put the game back on the shelf. It was an experience that was far from encouraging. In spite of all that, I did feel there was something there, and I regretted the fact I found parts of it disinteresting and too difficult.

So now, here I am. The game has finally been pulled back off the shelf and I'm very close to sliding it into my PS3 (and hoping it's backwards compatible - I still have my PS2, though, so failing that I'll still be able to give it another try). It's a tad daunting, to be honest, I'm somewhat expecting that I just won't like it. The thought hit me, however, why not turn to my fellow Giant Bomb members for some advice?

So...any advice for someone who is essentially a Shin Megami Tensei newbie?

Failing that, I'm strongly considering buying Digital Devil Saga 1 & 2 (and likely will regadless of how this SMT3 experiment turns out). Speaking to a friend who adores Shin Megami Tensei, he says they're easier games than Nocturne/Lucifer's Call and have a story that is more strongly presented.

So I finally got done watching the Persona 4 Endurance Run and it got me in the mood to try my hand at some ShinTen. The only Shin Megami Tensei game I own is Lucifer's Call, a game I picked up in the PS2 heyday when I loved me some JRPGs. Obviously there are some marked differences between Persona 4 and SMT3. However, I remember being really interested in this game in the lead-up to its release (in spite of no prior experience with the series) thanks to its really interesting art direction, strong reviews and word-of-mouth. I was really excited when I managed to pick up one of the very few locally available copies around release.

However, when I played it at the time I wasn't really feeling it. I don't remember particularly enjoying the dungeons or finding much interest in the story and I don't remember getting much of a grasp for the combat system and recruiting/fusing monsters. Then I ran into The Matador. I was completely demolished. What an arsehole. At that point I put the game back on the shelf. It was an experience that was far from encouraging. In spite of all that, I did feel there was something there, and I regretted the fact I found parts of it disinteresting and too difficult.

So now, here I am. The game has finally been pulled back off the shelf and I'm very close to sliding it into my PS3 (and hoping it's backwards compatible - I still have my PS2, though, so failing that I'll still be able to give it another try). It's a tad daunting, to be honest, I'm somewhat expecting that I just won't like it. The thought hit me, however, why not turn to my fellow Giant Bomb members for some advice?

So...any advice for someone who is essentially a Shin Megami Tensei newbie?

Failing that, I'm strongly considering buying Digital Devil Saga 1 & 2 (and likely will regadless of how this SMT3 experiment turns out). Speaking to a friend who adores Shin Megami Tensei, he says they're easier games than Nocturne/Lucifer's Call and have a story that is more strongly presented.

They are, but the story is VERY VERY CRAZY and you kinda have to know that going in. (DDS I mean)

But for the matador, The main trick is to get demons that null force (I think that's all you can have at that point, no absorb) and you can debuff him to +1 (using sukunda 3 times)  and that'll make the fight a lot easier.

Just because you liked Persona, it doesn't mean you'll like Nocturne or DDS. Both of those games are very very light on the story and heavy... ridiculously heavy on random encounters and confusing dungeons. Best of luck to you, Nocturne and DDS are far too frustrating, design wise, for me to play anymore. 

" Just because you liked Persona, it doesn't mean you'll like Nocturne or DDS. Both of those games are very very light on the story and heavy... ridiculously heavy on random encounters and confusing dungeons. Best of luck to you, Nocturne and DDS are far too frustrating, design wise, for me to play anymore. 

Also just because It never gets said enough...FUCK FUCK FUCK that stupid fairy park in Nocturne. 

"

This is the only time where I will ever say this, because I consider this game an exception to one of my own rules. Get a guide. Go find one on Gamefaqs or something. I am normally of the opinion that you should just figure things out for yourself and games are more rewarding that way. Not with Nocturne. That game can be such a total bastard at times that knowing what you are about to get into can save you a lot of time and frustration.

DDS 1 & 2 are more forgiving and don't require you to tinker with and readjust your characters before every boss fight. I would honestly play those games first. The battle systems in the games are very similar, so having a lot of experience with it before trying to make your way through Nocturne will be of some benefit.

Use fog breath on the Matador.