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There was a part of the game you didn't mention. Sometimes, when your solar noise reaches max, your characters may enter a berserk mode, where they can kill enemies instantly, but can be one shot themselves. May I know your opinions on it?
Such a great story, I really like how they integrate the spiritual and religious themes in this one. Also this game makes me want to adopt a cat and name it Schrödinger
This game needs to get a re-release where they give you both games straight up as a package deal. A very intriguing story, and an incredible music score.
Yeah, I wouldn't say a remake because I love the (bad by now, for some people) graohics SMT ps2 games have, a remaster with the duology on the same game would be good, this game needs to be on shelves again
@@Fermin-hw5pd Yeah, I wouldn't touch it. But usually they do sometimes update it a bit. But I would leave it the way it is and make it a 2 for 1 deal on any of the platforms. Because the game does deserve a visit.
My reasons for loving this duology is more to do with how it portrays Hinduism and its concepts, such as Atman, Karma, the three worlds, and the concept of Brahman. I love this game because it highlights the parts of Hinduism I identify with, not the mythology itself, but the abstract and spiritual aspects of it.
I didn't care for DDS1 too much for a story, but MAN. I utterly adore DDS2 so much, I finished it like a few months ago. I don't think you need an awfully in-depth understanding of Hinduism to appreciate the story of DDS2 though personally speaking, because I think there's a constant and compelling theme of atonement/redemption and beauty amongst tragedy that REALLY works to hit on the thinking level. I think Roland, Heat, and Serph all are great examples of the major theme of atonement since each character in some way atones for the failures of their past, you already stated Roland's stuff in your video BUT... I think the entire arc of Heat creating complications in the group, "killing" Serph, and his death, and the possibility of him working with the group during the last Dungeon does a great job of giving Heat an underlying arc of atoning for the sins he committed against the group throughout the main plot of the game. Juxtapose that against Serph and how his character throughout DDS2 cleans up the mess that his previous life imposed on the world around him, and Serph coming to confront who he once was and learning to move forwards and embracing the person he become and the way he has atoned for his personal struggles he has inflicted on Sera with a refined sense of compassion rather than envy, serving as her support system through the rest of the game as things get rather dire. I think all 3 characters do a great job of showing how we can grow as people and atone for our mistakes. I think again this blends well with how the overarching story deals with how the characters manage to deal with tragedy by presenting beauty and hope. Argillia manages to get over her personal biases over Roland and how he used them and sacrifices her life alongside Roland as an act of compassion and humanity, Gale's death is a beautiful moment of raw compassion as he gives Angel partial forgiveness for her crimes while giving her compassion and warmth even if she strayed far from what David wanted. Cielo goes out of his way sacrificing his life for the comrades that he cared for and the bonds they help. Then there's Sera taking the mantle of trying to save the world around her even though everyone she knows, and loves keeps dying, having an unyielding want to mend the wounds that she inflicted against her will due to OG Serph, with her and Serph sacrificing their lives so humanity can have another chance to embrace their life. Their tragedy ultimately creates hope and they're able to fight back and give humanity a second chance at life, a possibility to atone for the failings of what preceding them. I think these two major overarching themes are utterly fantastic in this context. I think an understanding of Hinduism does give more appreciation to the major theme of atonement, buttttt as someone who really doesn't have much interest in the topic and only took a vague reading into it just so I could like the ending more, BUTTTTTTTTTTTTTT I think there is a lot of thematic meat asides from that which makes the story incredibly engaging to think about. I also just think the ways the characters are handled also makes the emotional aspect of DDS2 hit even if at first you're taking out of the game by the ending, like I was originally.
I've always held DDS 2 in such high regard ever since I played it upon its release. Watching your (incredibly well-made) video reminded me exactly why. This level of story-telling and strong plot is rarely seen in gaming or media in general, no wonder why it left such an imprint on my psyche.
DDS1 and 2 together make up my favorite gaming experience of all time. These games mean so much to me, and I can’t thank you enough for putting into words the way 2 handles it’s characters and themes so beautifully. Very glad this video exists, the work you put into really shows!
For PS2 the cinematography is excellent. I understand it was mostly a stylistic and cost effective choice to omit it in games like P3 an 4, but after Nocturne I always missed this in the following Persona titles. (The comparison coming from chronology in the PS2 era, and the fact I like SMT Nocturne more in general.)
DDS2 is a game that the story really makes me happy and ends up making me want to cry because of the involvement I felt with the characters and the universe, I can say that I love this game
I just like that the game has the balls to remove characters from your party in favor of the plot, you never see dying main characters in other rpgs so frequently
15:12 I actually suffered from the exact same thing in the first time I beated, but it was actually a bit worse. Mainly used Serph Gale and Argila in the beginning, then switched Gale to Roland, then after some time, BAM, Argilla's dead, and now I have to grind Gale into a acceptable level, then BAM, another character I was using dies too, so now I have to grind the OTHER underdeveloped character to an acceptable level again, and then BAM, the SAME THING happens for the third time
It's one of the reasons I like the first one better...other reasons...I don't like your final demon form, that factory/jail dungeon, no null all ability(except a single karma ring), and a massive final dungeon you can't leave.
Very much agree - 1 is just incomplete without its sequel. It's not a 4 and 4A situation where you can just ignore 4A and enjoy 4 as a complete package.
It sucks that both games have strengths and weakneses alike, both complement each other. DDS2 has boring long dungeons, DDS1 has interesting fun dungeons. DDS2 goes aabsolutely hogwild deep into the story, DDS just goes forward. And I could go on forever. Sad it is so split.
To this day, Digital Devil Saga 2 has some of the best bosses in the entire franchise, i had to make different save files before all of them since there wasn't a boss rush mode. My second favorite megaten game
@@jojonta2119 Nocturne, it's not only my favorite megaten game, it's my favorite game period. I can play it any day and i'll aways end the session with a smile on my face
Digital Devil Saga remains my favorite megaten game, outdoing even nocturne. Great, oldschool gameplay plus actual plot and characters. Match made in heaven. ANOTHA WOOOORLD!
2 ปีที่แล้ว +5
I just ended the first video and wondered where was the sequel, and then I got your discord notification. Talk about perfect timing.
This game is special for me, because it was the first series i stumbled over after getting into SMT through Persona 4. Got DDS 2 for cheap while browsing games at a Gamestop, took it with me because it had the SMT subtitle. Here i am now years later, still loving the games and holding DDS2 in a special place in my heart.
Ever since the first DDS video I have first of all been very consistently watching your content since I just started at first with the P4G video and the wait for this video was so worth it. Along the way I’ve discovered some really interesting games cause of this channel and I’m really happy with how it turned out and it turned out to be as interesting as I thought it would be. As for the next video anything sounds interesting to me but I guess another DMC video would be my pick since the first one I enjoyed a good bit
I feel like people don't talk about it as much for the simple reason is that I'd bet most just think of Digital Devil Saga as a singular game instead of separate ones given how direct of a sequel it is. 1 is incomplete without it.
Thank you for this! I didnt know if it was my own lazy googling or a real thing... but I was disappointed after DDS2 that I didnt find a lot of online posts or videos or discussions like I did with DDS1... so thanks for making this video! really excited to watch
Man, I remember grinding out my Mantra in the end-game area back in 2020 so I could have my perfect skill loadout for everyone before the final boss... At the time it felt like a drag, but looking back, I miss it. This kinda makes me want to replay it now. Great vid btw!
Hopefully with Atlus' Soul Hacker 2 announcement this inspires them to rerelease their PS2 era games in a Legacy Collection of some sort. But DDS 3? NOPE! The story ended definitively with 2 but if they were to perhaps make a new game based on DDS' original script which was adapted into the Quantum Devil Saga novels that could perhaps work. But that's just wishful thinking on my end. Though the idea of a Devil Summoner Legacy collection sound pretty nice.
My memory of the story is very fuzzy but I remember the whole game was a massive improvement in story and gameplay pacing, I was stuck with Roland at the end thinking I made the wrong choice during the selection Serph vs Heat. Thanks for jogging my memory and clearing up the story. It's been about 15 years since I last played it.
It's wild that people didn't like this game's ending when it came out. I think it's really unique and well written, and perfectly encapsulates the theme of the duology. Playing through 1 again after beating 2 really makes alot of moments feel way more impactful too.
DDS 2 is such an improvement from the first game. Both in narrative and gameplay. It easily has some of the best bosses in the entire franchise and the duology as a whole sets a president on how a duology story should be done. Easily my 2nd favourite SMT game behind Nocturne with DDS 1 coming in third. As unlikely as it is to happen, im really hoping DDS gets a modern remaster so more people can experience this beauty of a duology
There is one thing they never covered in DDS2 that kinda surprised me: the potential for someone to be born with an immunity to the stone virus. Someone like that could’ve not only threatened the Karma Society’s goals and giving them a new target/meal to hunt, but also could’ve had an unusual interaction with the Atma virus. I came up with a game idea based on that, the people who are born the with this immunity rebuild society though it does go the wrong way eventually. When some of the new generation of the DDS1 tribes get infected with the Atma virus, they find that the results are vastly different. For starters, no more needing to eat each other, some mantras are inaccessible to some people while others are not, and while they do seem weaker compared to the OG these new ones can evolve their Atma Avatars if they get strong enough. The Mac I created, Arc Seraphim, is a direct descendant of Serph and Sera (it may be impossible with how they ended DDS2, but please just go with it) and is the only one with the ability to use Hunt skills due to the dormant version of the virus in his DNA (he doesn’t eat people, he drains the mantra point from his foes like a vampire except way cooler) and can access all mantras!
Well that's just Atma virus without consequences. Hell, there's probably someone who's born with stone virus immunity but they're already devoured and didn't manage to join the resistance
@@snailthelostcow63 Op's comment has the inherent problem of breaking established in-universe rules by trying to create characters who are affected by a plot element in ways that don't fit with the universe they are in.
13:50 I actually don't recommend doing this because you get the Berserk Ring and the Human Form skill on new game plus Equipping the Berserk Ring essentially gives you a 100% run rate when you normally can't run away from anything on hard mode Human Form skill has a use against the Seth fight on new game plus
I enjoyed watching this video and it made me miss the DDS games. Based on my experience, I really enjoyed both games and I would have to agree that the second game was improved from the first. Sometimes I want to revisit these games, but the 1st one felt like it took forever just to beat it and get all the amazing skills. These games got a very proper closure and while I was vaguely familiar with the theme going on. I understood it for what it was and that it was a really cool idea. Wonderful music and amazing characters. It was a really fun experience for me.
Another great review! DDS duology they really are something and still my fav game, and of course the soundtrack.... Oooh BANGER!!! Personally i like DDS soundtrack more compared to Nocturne. Thank You Shoji Meguro.
I played it, and I think it's safe to say that little of 1's story actually makes sense without it; 1 basically poses most of the questions, while 2 poses even more and does its best to answer them all.
Tbh I still vibe with Roland more than Heat. It makes no sense considering we only get 1 game with him, but no matter how emotional he was being, his decisions always felt far more "adult" and understandable than Heat constantly flying off the handle. Maybe I just tolerate the "middle-aged alcoholic nursing his failures" trope more than the "overprotective edgy hothead" trope. Idk
And Roland just overall has better stats than Heat, a better starting skillset, and, most of all, his shotgun behaves exactly like Heat's grenade launcher
Thanks the analysis of DDS2. I really needed a review on it. Hopefully we get a review of the Devil Dummoner or the Majin Tensei series. Hopefully Devil Survivor gets on eventually
Man you ain’t wrong. I’ve always known about this game but never officially played it but I’ve been kicking myself for never having the chance to lol. Great video btw
I read a ton of Hindu and Buddhist scriptures the past winter and they are some of the most philosophical books I read in a long time. The games do capture a lot of what's written in the Hindu vedas and Buddhist canon. Seeing Shiva as a bad guy will always be funny to me because he is literally one of the most human like Gods. Man has a happy family, chills out with his friends and followers and is an overall very nice God.
I never checked the numbers personally, but IIRC, hard mode makes you deal more damage when you hit an enemy weakness. As the game uses press turns, it's always really been about tipping the scale in your direction Hard mode is a bigger weight against you, but it lets you push down even harder on the scale relative to the additional weight and so might even be easier than normal mode if it means it lets you kill stuff that would get a chance to attack in normal mode. 50% more damage of 0 is still 0.
The thing I remember most about this game is how it ripped my favorite characters out of my party, one at a time. Ultimately making the gameplay much harder and more unpleasant because my party was underdeveloped
BULL! I bought it as soon as I finished the 1st part. I would absolutely love a remaster with quality of life adjustments. Some things probably don't hold up real well but I LOVED the story. Definitely in my top 5
Literally beat this game right as you uploaded it lol. Great game, ending is a little strange but overall really great games, DDS1&2 are must plays, especially for SMT fans. Inspired me to try Tokyo Mirage Sessions because I hear it’s got similar gameplay/mantra system and I’m a FE fan anyways.
I really love these kinds of stories where things are barely hidden under a pretty small surface layer that requires very little independent work to scratch through because the writers trust the public to be able to figure it out. The public then always shows them how wrong they are by being confused and bitching about lazy and stupid they are
A side note to DDS1/2: The game was originally supposed to be a single game (according to what I've read), hence why the story seems divided. Personally DDS 1 did seem a bit short (story line wise).
@@DragonKingX78 Well I did finally beat the game twice so I could max everything out and beat the Demi-Fiend. Need to take a break from it for a bit, but looking to start DDS2 for the first time with all possible unlocks from DDS1. Wish me luck!
Weird that it took TH-cam took a while to even give me anything of anyone talking about Digital Devil Saga 1 and 2 in the first place. I came to be introduced to a games when a Game Stop employee gave told me that the game was weird, Good but weird during the PS3 era. I picked up the second game when I saw the ending of the first and *really* wanted to play more of it. And the second game did not disappoint me. But what's funny is that I now have a friend who saw the Sun dungeon part of the game and it stuck with her for years since then. So much so that she's like "I want to watch you stream this, because I want to know wtf caused you to be in the sun." It was the Second game that got my friend intrested, and in a way I hold both games precious to me due to that small bonding moment. Not just that but also the second game had probably the most harrowing Horror elements when you're really thinking about it (that damn chase scene scared the living shit out of me because I wasn't prepared to fight that dude *again*). While I loved the first game, that second game had more the impression honestly probably for the same reasons you pointed out. And it's why I really wished they would do the rerelease for the PS4/PS5 like they were doing for other games like Persona 4 or even Cathern.
I fell into the trap of not using Cielo and Gale, and oh boy, was that a bitter pill to swallow. I had to try and level grind in the next dungeon with them being around lvl 14, and I think Serah was late 30s early 40s. It was almost a game ender for me, but I stuck with it and made it through. It was worth it.
"A Forgotten Sequel" is kinda wrong, tho. Literally everyone that is a DDS fan always imply that 2 is THE apex of niche JRPGS, even inside the SMT franchise. It's not forgotten at all.
You’d be surprised how many people play only the first game, really enjoyed it, and never touch the second one. It’s frustratingly high, especially since DDS2 does a lot of stuff better imo
Great video! Even if i have major gripes with DDS1, and because of those gripes i cannot recommend the series to friends, but it is such a shame though, exactly because of how great, imo, dds2 is!
its actually incredible how good looking DDS looks to this day, Kazuma Kaneko art style is ageless and i cant stand that we dont have it anymore in the franchise
Well there is good reason behind that. The first game is vastly superior to the second. Especially the exploration, but also the production value in cutscenes.
This is the third entry i've ever played in the SMT serie, so i like it very much (Nocturne, then DDS then this)... It just.dawned on me the joke Serph Sheffield = Sir Sheffield, from Fran Drescher's The Nanny... 😱😱😱🤣🤣🤣
I remember the first time I beat this game and saved on time right before entering the final dungeon and after I beat the final boss I looked at my save time to see that approximately a fourth of my fuckin entire playhrough was spent in that final dungeon
Also to rebalance the late game considering how badly it screws people who use anyone who isn't Serph/Sera, Gale and Cielo, but knowing how Atlus handles modern ports they will likely just slap an easy mode and grinding DLCs to it and call it a day...
Oh, i only have 14 hours of DDS2 and just got that spoiler. Well, at least i can prepare myself for that now since i wasn't doing what the video recommended
This was a really good video. I feel like I could really appreciate what this game was going for thanks to you going over the mythological references and inspirations. It all sounds really interesting. As for the possible next video I'd personally love to see a KH2 next. It could even coincide with the series 20th anniversary coming up soon.
I always thought the reason why DDS2 is rarely talked about is either because it's a direct sequel or because both game is referred as a whole game rather than two separate games (so there is no such thing as DDS1 or DDS2, just DDS)
i recently bought both for ps2 and going to play after im done with smt iv! (new to the series) sadly the ps2 looks awful on my tv so i gotta figure that out but i cant wait to play these games, the art style is so unique
![เปิดบ้าน นาราเครปกระเทย 1 ไร่ ขายขาดทุนหลัก10ล้าน เอามาใช้หนี้!!! l [Nickynachat]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/0jz84VFWVP4/mqdefault.jpg)
![ปฏิเสธไม่ไหว (Crush on you) - LIPTA feat. No One Else [TEASER MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/VC689EgdSIw/mqdefault.jpg)
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Currently at the end of DDS1 on my PS3. Can't wait to get into the second.
There was a part of the game you didn't mention. Sometimes, when your solar noise reaches max, your characters may enter a berserk mode, where they can kill enemies instantly, but can be one shot themselves. May I know your opinions on it?
I am working on remaster of these games
@@vierco1005 For Atlus or just privately?
Idk what you’re talking about dds 2 is much harder than dds 1 imo
DDS2 is a massive improvment. I've always said that DDS2 feels like the actual story with DDS1 being a prequel.
Someone said that the first minute of DDS2 have more info than the whole DDS1 combined lmao
@@hoangthemanh4072 They aren't wrong though
@@Fermin-hw5pd I know, I already played both of them
True. DDS2 story is good that it is my top 3 megaten in term of story
@@hoangthemanh4072 kinda wished I digged into the sequel first
Such a great story, I really like how they integrate the spiritual and religious themes in this one. Also this game makes me want to adopt a cat and name it Schrödinger
So you can keep it in a box and theorize on whether it's dead or alive? That would be very neglectful of you. You should be ashamed.
It's a pretty interesting take for SMT as well with how "ONE MORE GOD REJECTED" is engrained on the series
This game needs to get a re-release where they give you both games straight up as a package deal. A very intriguing story, and an incredible music score.
Yeah, I wouldn't say a remake because I love the (bad by now, for some people) graohics SMT ps2 games have, a remaster with the duology on the same game would be good, this game needs to be on shelves again
@@Fermin-hw5pd Yeah, I wouldn't touch it. But usually they do sometimes update it a bit. But I would leave it the way it is and make it a 2 for 1 deal on any of the platforms. Because the game does deserve a visit.
@@Fermin-hw5pd these games look incredible for the PS2. they wouldn't need much to look good in a remaster.
@@Fermin-hw5pdthe ps2 style shin megami graphics are still pretty great I like it
They should Remake/Remaster it PS4, PS5, Xbone, XSX, Switch, & PC.
My reasons for loving this duology is more to do with how it portrays Hinduism and its concepts, such as Atman, Karma, the three worlds, and the concept of Brahman. I love this game because it highlights the parts of Hinduism I identify with, not the mythology itself, but the abstract and spiritual aspects of it.
Wow it’s crazy that you are already reviewing this, only one week after the DDS1 video, so dope!
The DSS1 video was not 1 year ago ? 😅
@@Terranigma23 R wOoOsH
I didn't care for DDS1 too much for a story, but MAN.
I utterly adore DDS2 so much, I finished it like a few months ago.
I don't think you need an awfully in-depth understanding of Hinduism to appreciate the story of DDS2 though personally speaking, because I think there's a constant and compelling theme of atonement/redemption and beauty amongst tragedy that REALLY works to hit on the thinking level. I think Roland, Heat, and Serph all are great examples of the major theme of atonement since each character in some way atones for the failures of their past, you already stated Roland's stuff in your video BUT... I think the entire arc of Heat creating complications in the group, "killing" Serph, and his death, and the possibility of him working with the group during the last Dungeon does a great job of giving Heat an underlying arc of atoning for the sins he committed against the group throughout the main plot of the game. Juxtapose that against Serph and how his character throughout DDS2 cleans up the mess that his previous life imposed on the world around him, and Serph coming to confront who he once was and learning to move forwards and embracing the person he become and the way he has atoned for his personal struggles he has inflicted on Sera with a refined sense of compassion rather than envy, serving as her support system through the rest of the game as things get rather dire. I think all 3 characters do a great job of showing how we can grow as people and atone for our mistakes. I think again this blends well with how the overarching story deals with how the characters manage to deal with tragedy by presenting beauty and hope. Argillia manages to get over her personal biases over Roland and how he used them and sacrifices her life alongside Roland as an act of compassion and humanity, Gale's death is a beautiful moment of raw compassion as he gives Angel partial forgiveness for her crimes while giving her compassion and warmth even if she strayed far from what David wanted. Cielo goes out of his way sacrificing his life for the comrades that he cared for and the bonds they help. Then there's Sera taking the mantle of trying to save the world around her even though everyone she knows, and loves keeps dying, having an unyielding want to mend the wounds that she inflicted against her will due to OG Serph, with her and Serph sacrificing their lives so humanity can have another chance to embrace their life. Their tragedy ultimately creates hope and they're able to fight back and give humanity a second chance at life, a possibility to atone for the failings of what preceding them. I think these two major overarching themes are utterly fantastic in this context.
I think an understanding of Hinduism does give more appreciation to the major theme of atonement, buttttt as someone who really doesn't have much interest in the topic and only took a vague reading into it just so I could like the ending more, BUTTTTTTTTTTTTTT I think there is a lot of thematic meat asides from that which makes the story incredibly engaging to think about.
I also just think the ways the characters are handled also makes the emotional aspect of DDS2 hit even if at first you're taking out of the game by the ending, like I was originally.
1>2
I've always held DDS 2 in such high regard ever since I played it upon its release. Watching your (incredibly well-made) video reminded me exactly why. This level of story-telling and strong plot is rarely seen in gaming or media in general, no wonder why it left such an imprint on my psyche.
Brahman final fight definitely take the cake . his design are unique yet subtle, the setting are beautiful yet terrifying, his theme are superb.
DDS1 and 2 together make up my favorite gaming experience of all time. These games mean so much to me, and I can’t thank you enough for putting into words the way 2 handles it’s characters and themes so beautifully. Very glad this video exists, the work you put into really shows!
For PS2 the cinematography is excellent. I understand it was mostly a stylistic and cost effective choice to omit it in games like P3 an 4, but after Nocturne I always missed this in the following Persona titles. (The comparison coming from chronology in the PS2 era, and the fact I like SMT Nocturne more in general.)
DDS2 is a game that the story really makes me happy and ends up making me want to cry because of the involvement I felt with the characters and the universe, I can say that I love this game
I just like that the game has the balls to remove characters from your party in favor of the plot, you never see dying main characters in other rpgs so frequently
This is like if the team didn't stop Kitase to kill more than just Aerith in FF7 lol
15:12 I actually suffered from the exact same thing in the first time I beated, but it was actually a bit worse. Mainly used Serph Gale and Argila in the beginning, then switched Gale to Roland, then after some time, BAM, Argilla's dead, and now I have to grind Gale into a acceptable level, then BAM, another character I was using dies too, so now I have to grind the OTHER underdeveloped character to an acceptable level again, and then BAM, the SAME THING happens for the third time
Yeah the exp share is pretty much obligatory if you don't want to suffer too much
It's one of the reasons I like the first one better...other reasons...I don't like your final demon form, that factory/jail dungeon, no null all ability(except a single karma ring), and a massive final dungeon you can't leave.
I feel the reason DDS2 isn't talk about as much is that half the time people talk about "DDS" they are talking about both games as a single whole.
Very much agree - 1 is just incomplete without its sequel. It's not a 4 and 4A situation where you can just ignore 4A and enjoy 4 as a complete package.
It sucks that both games have strengths and weakneses alike, both complement each other.
DDS2 has boring long dungeons, DDS1 has interesting fun dungeons.
DDS2 goes aabsolutely hogwild deep into the story, DDS just goes forward.
And I could go on forever. Sad it is so split.
To this day, Digital Devil Saga 2 has some of the best bosses in the entire franchise, i had to make different save files before all of them since there wasn't a boss rush mode. My second favorite megaten game
What's the first
@@jojonta2119 Nocturne, it's not only my favorite megaten game, it's my favorite game period. I can play it any day and i'll aways end the session with a smile on my face
@@rhinelladiptycha3513 only issue I have with the bosses is that the final boss of the game is a bit easy.
Digital Devil Saga remains my favorite megaten game, outdoing even nocturne. Great, oldschool gameplay plus actual plot and characters. Match made in heaven.
ANOTHA WOOOORLD!
I just ended the first video and wondered where was the sequel, and then I got your discord notification. Talk about perfect timing.
This game is special for me, because it was the first series i stumbled over after getting into SMT through Persona 4. Got DDS 2 for cheap while browsing games at a Gamestop, took it with me because it had the SMT subtitle. Here i am now years later, still loving the games and holding DDS2 in a special place in my heart.
Did you ever play the first DDS game?
Ever since the first DDS video I have first of all been very consistently watching your content since I just started at first with the P4G video and the wait for this video was so worth it. Along the way I’ve discovered some really interesting games cause of this channel and I’m really happy with how it turned out and it turned out to be as interesting as I thought it would be. As for the next video anything sounds interesting to me but I guess another DMC video would be my pick since the first one I enjoyed a good bit
I feel like people don't talk about it as much for the simple reason is that I'd bet most just think of Digital Devil Saga as a singular game instead of separate ones given how direct of a sequel it is. 1 is incomplete without it.
One of my favorites! If you filled out the mantra grid in DDS 1 you could get an extra section in 2, fun fun game
Thank you for this! I didnt know if it was my own lazy googling or a real thing... but I was disappointed after DDS2 that I didnt find a lot of online posts or videos or discussions like I did with DDS1... so thanks for making this video! really excited to watch
The DDS games are my fav games from the smt/persona series, glad to see them getting some much needed love. Great Vid
I agree, we need HD remasters, maybe a sequel as well.
The ending I think is beautiful it's very hopeful and the ost is sooo good
Man, I remember grinding out my Mantra in the end-game area back in 2020 so I could have my perfect skill loadout for everyone before the final boss... At the time it felt like a drag, but looking back, I miss it. This kinda makes me want to replay it now. Great vid btw!
Hopefully with Atlus' Soul Hacker 2 announcement this inspires them to rerelease their PS2 era games in a Legacy Collection of some sort. But DDS 3? NOPE! The story ended definitively with 2 but if they were to perhaps make a new game based on DDS' original script which was adapted into the Quantum Devil Saga novels that could perhaps work. But that's just wishful thinking on my end. Though the idea of a Devil Summoner Legacy collection sound pretty nice.
Thanks to this video and this awesome creator, I’ve played both DDS games.
These spin-offs are severely underrated.
I agree, severely underrated game series, really deserves HD remasters.
My memory of the story is very fuzzy but I remember the whole game was a massive improvement in story and gameplay pacing, I was stuck with Roland at the end thinking I made the wrong choice during the selection Serph vs Heat. Thanks for jogging my memory and clearing up the story. It's been about 15 years since I last played it.
It's wild that people didn't like this game's ending when it came out. I think it's really unique and well written, and perfectly encapsulates the theme of the duology. Playing through 1 again after beating 2 really makes alot of moments feel way more impactful too.
It has one of the best ending...... for a game in the Megaten series.
Im still a firm believer that the DDS Duology is almost, if not the best SMT has ever been.
I agree.
No way lmao
i agree
Absolutely. Of the SMT I've played, it's by far my favorite.
DDS 2 is such an improvement from the first game. Both in narrative and gameplay. It easily has some of the best bosses in the entire franchise and the duology as a whole sets a president on how a duology story should be done. Easily my 2nd favourite SMT game behind Nocturne with DDS 1 coming in third. As unlikely as it is to happen, im really hoping DDS gets a modern remaster so more people can experience this beauty of a duology
strange journey and dmc2 are my picks for your next vids. thanks for this one
There is one thing they never covered in DDS2 that kinda surprised me: the potential for someone to be born with an immunity to the stone virus. Someone like that could’ve not only threatened the Karma Society’s goals and giving them a new target/meal to hunt, but also could’ve had an unusual interaction with the Atma virus.
I came up with a game idea based on that, the people who are born the with this immunity rebuild society though it does go the wrong way eventually. When some of the new generation of the DDS1 tribes get infected with the Atma virus, they find that the results are vastly different. For starters, no more needing to eat each other, some mantras are inaccessible to some people while others are not, and while they do seem weaker compared to the OG these new ones can evolve their Atma Avatars if they get strong enough. The Mac I created, Arc Seraphim, is a direct descendant of Serph and Sera (it may be impossible with how they ended DDS2, but please just go with it) and is the only one with the ability to use Hunt skills due to the dormant version of the virus in his DNA (he doesn’t eat people, he drains the mantra point from his foes like a vampire except way cooler) and can access all mantras!
oc don't steal type of shit here
Well that's just Atma virus without consequences.
Hell, there's probably someone who's born with stone virus immunity but they're already devoured and didn't manage to join the resistance
@@snailthelostcow63 Op's comment has the inherent problem of breaking established in-universe rules by trying to create characters who are affected by a plot element in ways that don't fit with the universe they are in.
I love both games, I hope both games get an HD remaster.
"We're not playing games this time... DO YOU HEAR ME, SERPH?"
I have been so excited for this video and its finally here
Wow awesome game and awesome video Nam
13:50 I actually don't recommend doing this because you get the Berserk Ring and the Human Form skill on new game plus
Equipping the Berserk Ring essentially gives you a 100% run rate when you normally can't run away from anything on hard mode
Human Form skill has a use against the Seth fight on new game plus
I enjoyed watching this video and it made me miss the DDS games. Based on my experience, I really enjoyed both games and I would have to agree that the second game was improved from the first. Sometimes I want to revisit these games, but the 1st one felt like it took forever just to beat it and get all the amazing skills. These games got a very proper closure and while I was vaguely familiar with the theme going on. I understood it for what it was and that it was a really cool idea. Wonderful music and amazing characters. It was a really fun experience for me.
Another great review! DDS duology they really are something and still my fav game, and of course the soundtrack.... Oooh BANGER!!! Personally i like DDS soundtrack more compared to Nocturne. Thank You Shoji Meguro.
Man i hope this duology will be remastered next for modern consoles and pc
I played it, and I think it's safe to say that little of 1's story actually makes sense without it; 1 basically poses most of the questions, while 2 poses even more and does its best to answer them all.
Tbh I still vibe with Roland more than Heat. It makes no sense considering we only get 1 game with him, but no matter how emotional he was being, his decisions always felt far more "adult" and understandable than Heat constantly flying off the handle.
Maybe I just tolerate the "middle-aged alcoholic nursing his failures" trope more than the "overprotective edgy hothead" trope. Idk
And Roland just overall has better stats than Heat, a better starting skillset, and, most of all, his shotgun behaves exactly like Heat's grenade launcher
15:00 damn that was one insane out of left field spoiler, was just looking about info on the optional content. FML
Thanks the analysis of DDS2. I really needed a review on it. Hopefully we get a review of the Devil Dummoner or the Majin Tensei series. Hopefully Devil Survivor gets on eventually
Great video! The DDS games are my favorite non Persona 3 SMT games lol. Might have to give them a replay one of these days
Man you ain’t wrong. I’ve always known about this game but never officially played it but I’ve been kicking myself for never having the chance to lol. Great video btw
I'm not the only who thinks this duology reminds me of Digimon frontier with The tamers becoming the digimon, right? btw I love both of these series.
DDS2 is more based on story so that explains the difficulty...
but....
ITS SO DAMN HARD FOR ME BECAUSE IM WAY TOO LAZY TO FINISH DDS1
I read a ton of Hindu and Buddhist scriptures the past winter and they are some of the most philosophical books I read in a long time. The games do capture a lot of what's written in the Hindu vedas and Buddhist canon. Seeing Shiva as a bad guy will always be funny to me because he is literally one of the most human like Gods. Man has a happy family, chills out with his friends and followers and is an overall very nice God.
Still holding out hope this duology gets a modern remaster. It's been few years since I've played both so they'll feel almost new again.
I have been waiting for this!
Roland such a badass character
I never checked the numbers personally, but IIRC, hard mode makes you deal more damage when you hit an enemy weakness.
As the game uses press turns, it's always really been about tipping the scale in your direction
Hard mode is a bigger weight against you, but it lets you push down even harder on the scale relative to the additional weight and so might even be easier than normal mode if it means it lets you kill stuff that would get a chance to attack in normal mode. 50% more damage of 0 is still 0.
Also, the main ost *ALIVE* is a banger ✌
The thing I remember most about this game is how it ripped my favorite characters out of my party, one at a time. Ultimately making the gameplay much harder and more unpleasant because my party was underdeveloped
This two games are the only ones I have played from all SMT, loved them both
Good video and commentary on my favorite smt games.
I played it a couple months ago, and I loved it, but that music is just perfection.
BULL! I bought it as soon as I finished the 1st part. I would absolutely love a remaster with quality of life adjustments. Some things probably don't hold up real well but I LOVED the story. Definitely in my top 5
Nuts just beat seth and realized how much I love these boss fights a lot of diversity with how you handle the fights.
Literally beat this game right as you uploaded it lol. Great game, ending is a little strange but overall really great games, DDS1&2 are must plays, especially for SMT fans. Inspired me to try Tokyo Mirage Sessions because I hear it’s got similar gameplay/mantra system and I’m a FE fan anyways.
Still my favorite SMT related games.
I really love these kinds of stories where things are barely hidden under a pretty small surface layer that requires very little independent work to scratch through because the writers trust the public to be able to figure it out. The public then always shows them how wrong they are by being confused and bitching about lazy and stupid they are
A side note to DDS1/2:
The game was originally supposed to be a single game (according to what I've read), hence why the story seems divided. Personally DDS 1 did seem a bit short (story line wise).
Yeah first game has less story but I find it more fun to play.
@@DragonKingX78 Well I did finally beat the game twice so I could max everything out and beat the Demi-Fiend.
Need to take a break from it for a bit, but looking to start DDS2 for the first time with all possible unlocks from DDS1.
Wish me luck!
DDS2 might be my fav SMT game next to Lucifer's Call (Nocturne in US).
Finally! The video is now available for us, peasants. (A full year and 1 day)
Weird that it took TH-cam took a while to even give me anything of anyone talking about Digital Devil Saga 1 and 2 in the first place. I came to be introduced to a games when a Game Stop employee gave told me that the game was weird, Good but weird during the PS3 era. I picked up the second game when I saw the ending of the first and *really* wanted to play more of it. And the second game did not disappoint me. But what's funny is that I now have a friend who saw the Sun dungeon part of the game and it stuck with her for years since then. So much so that she's like "I want to watch you stream this, because I want to know wtf caused you to be in the sun." It was the Second game that got my friend intrested, and in a way I hold both games precious to me due to that small bonding moment. Not just that but also the second game had probably the most harrowing Horror elements when you're really thinking about it (that damn chase scene scared the living shit out of me because I wasn't prepared to fight that dude *again*). While I loved the first game, that second game had more the impression honestly probably for the same reasons you pointed out. And it's why I really wished they would do the rerelease for the PS4/PS5 like they were doing for other games like Persona 4 or even Cathern.
Damn and I JUST finished watching the DDS video earlier. Perfecto.
I cried to this game for the first time, especially reaching the final dungeon, you know who that is.
On god i only know of dds2 because of it's banger ost and opening. Hopefully they remaster the dds duology like nocturne
I fell into the trap of not using Cielo and Gale, and oh boy, was that a bitter pill to swallow. I had to try and level grind in the next dungeon with them being around lvl 14, and I think Serah was late 30s early 40s. It was almost a game ender for me, but I stuck with it and made it through. It was worth it.
i love it when youtube when recommend a new channel
Can't wait for the combined remake Digital Devil Saga: Saga
"A Forgotten Sequel" is kinda wrong, tho. Literally everyone that is a DDS fan always imply that 2 is THE apex of niche JRPGS, even inside the SMT franchise. It's not forgotten at all.
You’d be surprised how many people play only the first game, really enjoyed it, and never touch the second one. It’s frustratingly high, especially since DDS2 does a lot of stuff better imo
@@NamsCompendium really? Everyone I've seen so far (in various megaten groups) played the two, that's why I said this
@TBN won't pop I've played both and I still favor the 1st one
I really should replay both of the digital devil saga games because i totally missed literally all the optional content in both games
Great video! Even if i have major gripes with DDS1, and because of those gripes i cannot recommend the series to friends, but it is such a shame though, exactly because of how great, imo, dds2 is!
DDS2 actually has such an amazing and interesting story and genuinely ends on a happy note for once lol
Yeah. Making video game story based on Vedism myth it's very unique. And this ending is one of best in JRPG history.
Still holds up 'til this day.
its actually incredible how good looking DDS looks to this day, Kazuma Kaneko art style is ageless and i cant stand that we dont have it anymore in the franchise
Damn, bro, you don't need to scream at us! Gave me a heart attack when the video started lol
Well there is good reason behind that. The first game is vastly superior to the second. Especially the exploration, but also the production value in cutscenes.
Nam, what are thoughts about Raidou Kuzunoha series?
This is the third entry i've ever played in the SMT serie, so i like it very much (Nocturne, then DDS then this)...
It just.dawned on me the joke Serph Sheffield = Sir Sheffield, from Fran Drescher's The Nanny... 😱😱😱🤣🤣🤣
I loved this game with my soul
SPOILER ALERT
The fusion between Serph & Sera blew my mind to a level I didn't expect. One of the best plot twists in Gaming history.
Everyone can see this...
I’m at the point where you know what happens, and I feel gutted going through the next dungeon….
Playing DDS2 after DDS was one of my best decisions this year. I really enjoyed the games!
0:30 you could have said this video is to celebrate you 1 year aniversary of the DDS 1 video ;)
This video was worth the wait. Its amazing through and through, although I've got 1 question; what song did you use in the outro?
I remember the first time I beat this game and saved on time right before entering the final dungeon and after I beat the final boss I looked at my save time to see that approximately a fourth of my fuckin entire playhrough was spent in that final dungeon
They need to remaster my games right now. People need to experience the great story and mindfucking soundtrack.
Also to rebalance the late game considering how badly it screws people who use anyone who isn't Serph/Sera, Gale and Cielo, but knowing how Atlus handles modern ports they will likely just slap an easy mode and grinding DLCs to it and call it a day...
Is the DDS duology still underrated? If so, hot damn they need more attention
I agree.
That fact it could’ve kept going too. DDS has six books worth of content they could’ve drawn from.
Oh, i only have 14 hours of DDS2 and just got that spoiler. Well, at least i can prepare myself for that now since i wasn't doing what the video recommended
DDS2 is sooo much better thank you for being correct
No
Its still on my to play list after having finished the first one two motnh ago
This was a really good video. I feel like I could really appreciate what this game was going for thanks to you going over the mythological references and inspirations. It all sounds really interesting.
As for the possible next video I'd personally love to see a KH2 next.
It could even coincide with the series 20th anniversary coming up soon.
I always thought the reason why DDS2 is rarely talked about is either because it's a direct sequel or because both game is referred as a whole game rather than two separate games (so there is no such thing as DDS1 or DDS2, just DDS)
i recently bought both for ps2 and going to play after im done with smt iv! (new to the series) sadly the ps2 looks awful on my tv so i gotta figure that out but i cant wait to play these games, the art style is so unique
I love this game duology so much