Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei is Atlus’s landmark 1987 NES role-playing game that launched the sprawling Shin Megami Tensei franchise. Based on Aya Nishitani’s sci-fi fantasy novels, the game follows high-school prodigy Akemi Nakajima and reincarnated goddess Yumiko Shirasagi as they explore perilous, grid-based labyrinths to stop Lucifer and his demon horde. Its revolutionary system of conversing with, negotiating, and fusing enemy demons into stronger allies set the benchmark for modern monster-collecting RPGs.
How to Play
Guide your party through multi-floor first-person dungeons in turn-based combat. Nakajima handles physical combat and uses his portable COMP computer to summon contracted demons, while Yumiko relies on offensive and restoration magic spells. During enemy encounters, choose whether to fight or open negotiations to recruit demons to your roster, earn Macca currency, or gain vital items.
Controls
- D-Pad (Arrow Keys): Move through maze corridors, turn direction, and select menu options.
- A (X Key): Confirm action, interact with surroundings, and advance text.
- B (Z Key): Cancel selection or step back in menus.
- Start (Enter Key): Open party menu and pause.
- Select (Shift Key): Check status and inventory.
Tips
- Fuse Demons Frequently: Base demons plateau quickly in combat potency. Visit the Cathedral of Shadows regularly to fuse lower-tier allies into higher-level creatures featuring superior stats and elemental affinities.
- Specialize Your Protagonists: Focus Nakajima’s stat points on Strength and Vitality since he relies solely on physical combat, while pumping Yumiko’s Intelligence and Magic attributes to maximize her healing capacity and spell power.
- Cast Mapping Spells: Labyrinths feature pitch-black tiles, pit traps, and teleporters; use Nakajima’s COMP mapping utilities early and often to avoid getting lost in multi-floor dungeons.
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