Devil Survivor is a superb RPG that leaves the player satisfied, and left nothing undone
GRAPHICS:
Definitely the weakest part of the game, DS graphics are incredibly simple on the battle field, with very simple looking models for the demons and humans. At times they are too small, but the slight animation that exists is very efficient. When talking to someone else, the shot on the character's body is very efficient, with great animations to them. 3.5/5
SOUND:
A major downfall is that there is no voice acting in the game, which would really fit since there is so much to read. But in terms of music, is really good, like you would expect from the series. There aren't a lot of tracks, and the quality of the DS is a hindering factor, but the tracks existing are very well made, catchy and fitting with the moment. 4.5/5
STORY:
In this game, you play as a 17-year old high schooler. Just as you are meeting your friends Yuzo and Atsuro, sh** happens in Tokyo, resulting in a lockdown of a part of the city, which is the part you are in. Demons have gone mad, and only you, your friends and some other people can summon other demons to fight and stay alive. The story unfolds at a great pace, unveiling stuff at a level that you can understand it completely. Besides that, it is really interesing, with quite a few plot twists and revelations. Character development is also a high point of the game, with every character being deep on its own right and affecting the story in different ways.
Besides that, there are more than 5 endings, which gives the game a lot of replay value. In each of them, there are different character to use, which is an insentive to play the game more. Also in therms of ending, you actions thoughout the 7 days the game takes place are what determine the ending. There are many events and wheather you watch them or not will determine the fate of some characters, so you really have to carefull and thoughfull. 5/5
GAMEPLAY:
The game has a battle system that mixed turn based RPGs with strategy RPGs. Can have up to 4 human characters, each with up to 2 demons with them, and you have to move them on the battle field to battle other demons. When you approach them, you can battle them, and then the game goes into a turn based mode, where the fastest goes first and you can select your abilities. So it basicaly is a mixture of strategy RPGs with turn based RPGs, and it works very well.
This system is incredibly strong and addictive. Seriously one of the strongest battle systems I have ever played. The big highlights are giving different abilities to your characters and fusing different demons and using them, and the battles are highly strategic, really requiring you to think before making a move. To get different skills, you have to "crack" them, and that is, you select a skill with a certain character and kill the enemy that has it and bam! you have it. It is really simple and easy to get skills. But once in a while you can kill the enemy with someone else, so you have to be carefull, adding strategy to your movements.
There are 4 abilities in the game: Strength, Magic, Defense and Speed. The higher they are, the different abilities the character can learn. Also, you can manage the main character, which gives some nice personal touch. It will take you about 15 hours to finish the game, and since there are a lot of endings, the replay value is high. Besides the 3 main characters, you will eventually run across a fourth character, who is normaly quite usefull, and having someone else is never a bad thing.
To get newer demons, you can either buy them or auction for them, which is very easy, but to make stronger ones, you have to fuse them, and that gives the game some strategy involved, as to what are the best demons to make and such. The system is similar to other MegaTen games, so if you have played say a Persona game, you know what your are getting into. If you are a newcomer, the game eases you with its mechanics.
In terms of difficulty, it is very reasonable, with the level of it increasing gradually but always giving you the chance to grind, which is never too necessary. Boss battles are also a highlight, being very chalenging and strategic.
5/5
OVERALL:
Devil Survivor is an incredible game, having all an RPG needs to have. It is very worth of its title of Shin Megami Tensei
The good:
-Really good soundtrack
-Interesting story with a lot of different paths
-Multiple endings and choices to make, giving the game replay value
-Incredibly solid and fun battle system
-Nice amonunt of customization
The bad:
-Subpar graphics
-No voice acting