Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner
From Megami Tensei Wiki: a Demonic Compendium of your True Self
Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga, known in Japan as Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner (デジタル・デビル・サーガ アバタール・チューナー, Dejitaru Debiru Sāga Abatāru Chūnā), is a spin-off of the Megami Tensei series for the PlayStation 2.
The game is something of an evolution for the series. While it uses the same graphics and game engine as Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne, many of the gameplay elements have been changed to appeal to a broader audience without sacrificing quality. No longer do you talk to demons, or even recruit them — it's all about devouring your enemies. Outside Japan, the game was released with the Shin Megami Tensei brand, despite it not actually being a Shin Megami Tensei game.
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[edit] Release Dates
- Japan: 15 July, 2004 for PS2
- North America: 5 April, 2005 for PS2
- Japan: 30 March, 2006 for PS2 (The Best re-issue)
- Europe: 21 July, 2006 for PS2
[edit] Gameplay
The character development system, known as the mantra system, is easier to manage as the player is not forced to choose skills to permanently discard as new ones are acquired, like in Nocturne. Each of your characters is customizable with this system, and development is less abstract than the demon creation/recruitment of the other Shin Megami Tensei games.
Battle is spent mainly in demon form, but human form happens from time to time due to various circumstances. While demons can use magic, humans have a few advantages of their own—they are equipped with weapons, which certain enemies are weak against, and are immune to Expel attacks. Special abilities known as Devour attacks will grant extra experience points, called Atma, if you consume your enemy after weakening them. Additionally, there are combination powers that allow you combine various magic and weapon-based attacks.
[edit] Plot
In a land is known as The Junkyard several tribes are locked in constant war with each other. As Serph, the leader of the Embryon, you and your tribe are engaged in battle with the rival Vanguards, when you come across a mysterious egg-like artifact. During the conflict the artifact beings to undulate and glow as both sides try to convince the other to remove it. After a sudden explosion of light the tribes begin horrific transformations into that of demons. Soon after, Serph awakens to find many of his enemies eviscerated and a enigmatic girl sleeping in the crater left by the blast. Upon her discovery the ruling body of Junkyard, the Karma Temple, institutes a new law: whichever tribe brings the girl to them shall be allowed into Nirvana. Only by devouring the other tribes can you learn of the mystery surrounding your demonic transformations, the girl, and of the land known as Nirvana that will lead everyone to paradise.
[edit] Characters
- Serph: Silent protagonist and leader of the Embryon.
- Argilla: The most human and caring of the Embryon.
- Heat: Serph's unofficial second-in-command of the Embryon.
- Cielo: Light-hearted and care-free.
- Gale: Embryon's strategist, capable quick computations and analysis.
- Sera: Mysterious black haired girl.
[edit] Boxart
 North American Boxart |
 European Boxart |
 Deluxe Boxart |
[edit] External Links
| Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner
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|---|---|
| Player Characters | Serph (Varna) - Heat (Agni) - Argilla (Prithivi) - Gale (Vayu) - Cielo (Dyaus) |
| Non-Player Characters | Sera - Angel (Harihara) - Harley (Hayagriva) - Jinana (Usas) - Bat (Camazotz) - Mick the Slug (Rahu) - Lupa (Cerberus) - Varin Omega (Ravana) |
| Locations | Junkyard - Ground Zero - Muladhara - Svadhisthana - Manipura - Anahata - Coordinate 136 - Deserted Ship - Embryon Base 2 - Vishuddha - Ajna - Karma Temple |
| Soundtracks | Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner - Vol. 1 - Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner 1&2 Original Soundtrack: INTEGRAL |
| Songs | "Pray" |
| Archives | Mantra - Demons - Bosses - Items - Merchandise |
