This review contains spoilers
What I enjoyed:
•The game was really impressive for something that was made 30 years ago. The PSX version was also superb with its updated graphics and music, as well as the Quality of Life additions.
•The game did a great job developing its atmosphere. From the fallout at the start of the game, to Girl’s Mind, to Flooded Tokyo, each major area was able to envoke a feel in me.
•Seeing where Shin Megami Tensei began was truly an interesting experience. All the demons, all the references, all the themes, all the melodies that would return in future games.
•It really felt like your decisions and actions had weight, far more than they do in Persona games. The Law and Chaos factions both had clear goals in mind, and you really had to do some thinking when faced with a dilemma. I went neutral, but my only non-neutral decision was aiding Yama in Ikebukuro, something I really had to decide whether I wanted to do it or not.
•In general, the game was very lore rich and thought provoking.
What could’ve been better:
•The gameplay was a little rudimentary. Out of the first-person MegaTen games, it probably had the weakest dungeons. Some of them were too long, some of them had mechanics that hampered enjoyment and some were just bland. I also didn’t like the easiness of combat or the lack of skill inheritance.
•Asura and Michael were quite underwhelming final bosses, I feel. It was nice to see them have a prominent role, but I don’t know if they work as the final embodiments of Chaos and Law that the game offers.
•The game was really impressive for something that was made 30 years ago. The PSX version was also superb with its updated graphics and music, as well as the Quality of Life additions.
•The game did a great job developing its atmosphere. From the fallout at the start of the game, to Girl’s Mind, to Flooded Tokyo, each major area was able to envoke a feel in me.
•Seeing where Shin Megami Tensei began was truly an interesting experience. All the demons, all the references, all the themes, all the melodies that would return in future games.
•It really felt like your decisions and actions had weight, far more than they do in Persona games. The Law and Chaos factions both had clear goals in mind, and you really had to do some thinking when faced with a dilemma. I went neutral, but my only non-neutral decision was aiding Yama in Ikebukuro, something I really had to decide whether I wanted to do it or not.
•In general, the game was very lore rich and thought provoking.
What could’ve been better:
•The gameplay was a little rudimentary. Out of the first-person MegaTen games, it probably had the weakest dungeons. Some of them were too long, some of them had mechanics that hampered enjoyment and some were just bland. I also didn’t like the easiness of combat or the lack of skill inheritance.
•Asura and Michael were quite underwhelming final bosses, I feel. It was nice to see them have a prominent role, but I don’t know if they work as the final embodiments of Chaos and Law that the game offers.