Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga, known in Japan as Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner, is a PlayStation 2 role-playing game developed by Atlus and first released in Japan on July 15, 2004. It is a spin-off of the Shin Megami Tensei series of video games; the main difference between Digital Devil Saga and the main series is the focus on specific characters rather than summoning demons to fight alongside your party. The story to Digital Devil Saga is continued with its direct sequel Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 2.

Notable features of the game include the ability to shapeshift between demon and human forms in battle, and a return of the "press turn" battle system from Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne. A large difference between Nocturne and Digital Devil Saga is the ability to change equipped skills at will, instead of at level up. Unlike in Nocturne, unlearned skills are not lost forever, which allows for much greater character customization. The game features a "Mantra" system where Macca gained after battle can be used to download new Mantras at a saving terminal. Atma, gained by devouring enemies in battle, then allows the characters to Master these mantras, imparting new abilities.

Digital Devil Saga is set in the Junkyard, a vast, post-apocalyptic wasteland in which it is constantly raining. All residents of the Junkyard adhere to elements of Hinduism, and seem to be reincarnated when they die, aware of their past lives. Six main tribes, the Embryon, Vanguards, Maribel, Solids, Brutes, and Wolves, fight to destroy each other and earn passage into Nirvana.

Digital Devil Saga was created in part to make the Megami Tensei series accessible to a broader audience "while staying true to its roots." The game had a high production value due to its well-known voice actors and detailed cutscenes, while extra care was taken to sync dialogue to mouth movement. The battle mechanics were also made more forgiving than in Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne.

The game uses the demon designs of Kazuma Kaneko.

Alternative Titles

Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner

Platform

PlayStation 2

Developer(s)

Atlus

Publishers(s)

Atlus

Genres(s)

RPG

NA Release Date

April 5, 2005

JP Release Date

July 15, 2004

EU Release Date

July 21, 2006

ESRB Rating

Mature 17+

PEGI Rating

PEGI 16

CERO Rating

CERO C

MVGL User Score

8.3 by 218 user(s)

MVGL Difficulty

2.2000

Composer(s)

Shoji Meguro

Added by

520 User(s)

This game also exists on:
PlayStation 3

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