Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga

The good: strategic combat
The bad: where's the rest of the story?
If you're familiar with the Matrix films, then Devil Saga's convoluted but very interesting plot will be right up your alley. If your an RPG fan hankering for more random combat, then this game was made just for you.

The game is set in the Junkyard, a seemingly very small world with only 5 towns and 1 soaring tower in the middle. The 5 towns are controlled by 5 different tribes, all of which are at war with each other. You see, in this world the tribes have to conquer the opposing tribes in order to ascend to 'Nirvana' - heaven if you will. But one day, a young woman with black hair and black eyes (everyone else have different colored hair and eyes) appears in a capsule and turns everyone into demons. Sera, the girl, doesn't remember anything only that she will save everyone. All this is so reminiscent of the Matrix saga that somebody is probably making legal accusations right now. Trust me, the more you progress in the story, the more scaringly similar it becomes to that film.

But story inspirations aside, Devil Saga is a very competitive RPG which is actually a nice break from recent big-name RPG dissapointments (Suiko 4, Xeno 2). The game is mostly a dungeon-hack, albeit on really well-designed dungeons with clever puzzles and interesting enemies. What I like the most is the character development system which gives you complete freedom on how to develop your 5 characters. Its too bad that you don't get to assign stat points yourselves after every level up (you only get to assign points to the main character). Its a strange decision which limits strategizing.

There's lots of unique elements to the game chief of which is the ability to devour enemies when their in a weak state which gives you bonus Atma - basically skill points needed to learn new spells and tricks. Combat also employs a weakness system where you get to act more if you hit the enemy with his weak attribute (hitting an ice monster with a fire spell). Enemies can also employ this tactic so be careful. All this really makes battles more than just hitting the x button requiring you to srategize what skills to equip and in what pattern to use skills and spells.

Devil Saga has become a favorite of mine, now I want the rest of the story. The sequel can't come soon enough. (4/5)