SMT games have had a very deep allure to me ever since I played a Revelations Demon Slayer rom while looking for more “Catch ’Em All” action after beating Pokemon and Dragon Quest Monsters. I got about two feet into the game because it was punishingly difficult compared to the other two and the negotiation/fusion system was incredibly dense in a time when guides for smaller games were more few and far between. But the more demon stuff and negotiation seemed VERY cool to me. However it was years before I played another one, though I thought about them often.
I tried to play SMT on iOS but not for long. I think it may have been shortly before it became unplayable and then I updated iOS and lost it. Recently, someone used the script from the iOS version to make a translation patch for the GBA version of SMT 1. I don’t know if there’s any quality of life features in that versus the SNES version or if the official script is better than the fan translation, but I remembered I saw that news and wanted to share it.
Dove in big time right at the beginning of the pandemic. Decided to build a new computer I think a few weeks into pandemic (turned out to be a smart move) and played Persona 5 to try out the PS3 emulator. The tone gets bad and it really became a slog for a lot of reasons that have probably been covered here but I really enjoyed the battle system and all the progression hooks are exactly what gets my brain going. I’ve dabbled in pretty much all of the mainline series as well as Devil Survivor and Persona 4 since then, but the one I’ve played most is Strange Journey Redux. I think I’m about 75% through. I had a party wipe like RIGHT after I did some particularly menial side quests without saving and took a break. Really want to finish though. I love the combo of the oppressive dungeon crawling with the melodramatic story beats with the Schwarzwelt crew.
I started Nocturne last night and I’m really enjoying it. The last PS2-era RPG I played was FFX and I haven’t thought too much about the comparisons but it feels like such a great sorta opposite/partner game to that so far. I also think I like the compressed music. It really helps me get into that 2003 nostalgic headspace. Like, it reminds me of pulling 128kbps mp3s off Limewire or Kazaa (or Soulseek if I’m trying to sound cooler) and burning them onto a CD.
I was also curious if anyone has recommendations for best spin-off entries. I got Tokyo Mirage Sessions for Switch cheap off eBay last year and I really enjoyed that corny mess. It delights me that they took stuff from both SMT and Fire Emblem and turned it into an RPG about teens being idols. The battle system was interesting, too, though I wish the Session skills left more room for strategizing around them.