Shin Megami Tensei: Difference between revisions

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A huge part of the series is the emphasis on following your own beliefs: "You are the only one who knows what is right." The games generally involve factions based on the alignments of Law and Chaos battling it out for supremacy, and the game gives you complete freedom in deciding which side is "right". If neither side takes your fancy, you can even kick both their butts and declare yourself as supreme ruler. The Law factions usually include the Christian worldview with a heavy dose of [[Knight Templar]] and [[God Is Evil]], while the Chaos side views itself as [[The Unfettered]] and [[Social Darwinist]]. Neutrality would seem a safe bet, being the "island of stability" where humans thrive, ''except'' for [[Humans Are Bastards|one or two]] [[Vicious Cycle|teensy flaws]] we happen to be lugging around.

The games also tend to be [[Nintendo Hard]]. Elemental affinities, buffing and debuffing are much more important here than in regular JRPGs: they can make or break battles. ''[[Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne (Video Game)|Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne]]'' introduced the Press Turn battle system to the series, where hitting an enemy's elemental weakness would reward you with more actions while hitting their elemental strengths would cost you actions. In an aversion of [[Useless Useful Spell]], buffing, [[One Hit Kill|instant death]] and [[Standard Status Effects|ailment]] attacks are both effective and encouraged. Press Turn would go on to be adopted in various forms in the ''[[Shin Megami Tensei]]'' games that followed, such as the "One More!" system in ''[[Persona 3 (Video Game)|Persona 3]]'' and ''[[Persona 4 (Video Game)|Persona 4]]''.

The games also tend to be [[Nintendo Hard]]. Elemental affinities, buffing and debuffing are much more important here than in regular JRPGs: they can make or break battles. ''[[Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne (Video Game)|Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne]]'' introduced the Press Turn battle system to the series, where hitting an enemy's elemental weakness would reward you with more actions while hitting their elemental strengths would cost you actions. In an aversion of [[Useless Useful Spell]], buffing, [[One-Hit Kill|instant death]] and [[Standard Status Effects|ailment]] attacks are both effective and encouraged. Press Turn would go on to be adopted in various forms in the ''[[Shin Megami Tensei]]'' games that followed, such as the "One More!" system in ''[[Persona 3 (Video Game)|Persona 3]]'' and ''[[Persona 4 (Video Game)|Persona 4]]''.

The Shin Megami Tensei series has multiple [[Spin Off|spinoffs]]: the ''[[Persona (Video Game)|Persona]]'' series, the ''Devil Summoner'' series and ''[[Digital Devil Saga]]'' are the best-known in the US. Others include ''Majin Tensei'', ''[[Last Bible]]'', and ''Devil Children''/''Demi Kids''. It also has an [[MMORPG]] called ''[[Shin Megami Tensei Imagine|Shin Megami Tensei: IMAGINE]]''. Despite being spinoffs, many include references to other Megaten games or feature character cameos. The games have been released outside Japan under the ''Shin Megami Tensei'' label since ''[[Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne (Video Game)|Nocturne]]'', while in Japan only a handful of the games bear that name; the rest are unofficially known as MegaTen titles.

The Shin Megami Tensei series has multiple [[Spin-Off|spinoffs]]: the ''[[Persona (Video Game)|Persona]]'' series, the ''Devil Summoner'' series and ''[[Digital Devil Saga]]'' are the best-known in the US. Others include ''Majin Tensei'', ''[[Last Bible]]'', and ''Devil Children''/''Demi Kids''. It also has an [[MMORPG]] called ''[[Shin Megami Tensei Imagine|Shin Megami Tensei: IMAGINE]]''. Despite being spinoffs, many include references to other Megaten games or feature character cameos. The games have been released outside Japan under the ''Shin Megami Tensei'' label since ''[[Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne (Video Game)|Nocturne]]'', while in Japan only a handful of the games bear that name; the rest are unofficially known as MegaTen titles.

A very extensive article about the games in the series [http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/megaten/megaten.htm can be found here.] There's also a comprehensive database of all the games [http://shindds.free.fr/index.php in French here.]

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** ''[[Devil Survivor (Video Game)|Devil Survivor]]'' (2009) <ref>originally Megami Ibunroku: Devil Survivor</ref>

** ''[[Devil Survivor 2 (Video Game)|Devil Survivor 2]]'' (2011)

* ''[[Catherine (Video Game)|Catherine]]'' (2011) <ref>[[Widget Series|Not exactly an RPG]], but does borrow quite a few of the [[RPG Elements]], [[Order Versus Chaos]] themes, [[Urban Fantasy]] settings, characters, creative team and so on from the main SMT series and the other [[Spin Off|SpinOffs]].</ref>

* ''[[Catherine (Video Game)|Catherine]]'' (2011) <ref>[[Widget Series|Not exactly an RPG]], but does borrow quite a few of the [[RPG Elements]], [[Order Versus Chaos]] themes, [[Urban Fantasy]] settings, characters, creative team and so on from the main SMT series and the other [[Spin-Off|SpinOffs]].</ref>

[[Shin Megami Tensei (Franchise)/Characters|The massive character sheet is under construction here.]]

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* [[All Myths Are True]] - All mythical creatures from various folklore and religions are real. Up to and including God, represented as YHVH, and Satan. There's often twists on the representations, since they're usually demons, but they're still real.

* [[Alternate Continuity]] - No ''less'' than three major continuities currently running:

** First is the "main" SMT continuity, going SMT 1- ''Imagine'' - SMT 2 - ''Nocturne'', and ''Strange Journey may'' hook into that (as it's one of the few titles in Japan to have the actual SMT name attached to it, see [[Market Based Title]] below), although it's not yet totally clear if that's true.

** First is the "main" SMT continuity, going SMT 1- ''Imagine'' - SMT 2 - ''Nocturne'', and ''Strange Journey may'' hook into that (as it's one of the few titles in Japan to have the actual SMT name attached to it, see [[Market-Based Title]] below), although it's not yet totally clear if that's true.

** Then, thanks to the [[What If]] in ''[[Shin Megami Tensei If]]'', you get the Devil Summoner/Persona branch, which absolutely includes the aforementioned If, all four Devil Summoner games (original DS, ''[[Soul Hackers]]'', and both [[Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army|Raidou]] [[Raidou Kuzunoha VS King Abaddon|games]]), has a 98% chance of including ''[[Persona]]'' and ''[[Persona 2]]'' (If's main character makes a direct appearance in both, working for the detective agency from the Devil Summoner games), and a somewhat [[Continuity Snarl|muddier]] chance of including ''[[Persona 3 (Video Game)|Persona 3]]'' and ''[[Persona 4 (Video Game)|Persona 4]]'' (and the nearly-inevitable ''Persona 5'' direct sequel). If the latter Personas are not in the Devil Summoner continuity, they form their own universe (arguably [[Cash Cow Franchise|the most successful one thus far]]).

** ''[[Digital Devil Saga]]'' stands more or less on its own ({{spoiler|although there are ''some'' hints that it's in the same universe as the main SMT series}}). ''[[Devil Survivor (Video Game)|Devil Survivor]]'' also seems to be intended as a seed for another offshoot continuity.

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** To be more specific, SMT uses the "diminishing returns" principle found in most Modern [[JRP Gs]].

* [[Apocalypse How]]: {{spoiler|My, lessee, we have a Class 1 apocalypse in SMTI and SMTII, a Class 3A in ''[[Persona 3 (Video Game)|Persona 3]]'''s Bad Ending, Class 6 to X-4 (how widespread the annihilation went is left unclear) in the ending of Persona 2, a class X at the beginning of ''Nocturne'', and a Class Z in the True Demon Ending of the same.}}

* [[Archangel Uriel|Archangels Uriel]], [[Archangel Raphael|Raphael]], [[Archangel Gabriel|Gabriel]] and [[~~Arch Angel~~ Michael|Michael]]: Loyal, devout followers of YHVH. That doesn't stop Gabriel from being the [[Only Sane Man]] in the group and being the only one to decide, along with [[Satan]], that [[Even Evil Has Standards|YHVH has finally crossed]] the [[Moral Event Horizon]] [[This Is Unforgivable|and needs to be stopped]].

* [[Archangel Uriel|Archangels Uriel]], [[Archangel Raphael|Raphael]], [[Archangel Gabriel|Gabriel]] and [[Archangel Michael|Michael]]: Loyal, devout followers of YHVH. That doesn't stop Gabriel from being the [[Only Sane Man]] in the group and being the only one to decide, along with [[Satan]], that [[Even Evil Has Standards|YHVH has finally crossed]] the [[Moral Event Horizon]] [[This Is Unforgivable!|and needs to be stopped]].

* [[Armless Biped]] - The recurring demon Take-Minakata.

* [[Ars Goetia]] - Mined ''extensively'' as a source of demons ever since ''Shin Megami Tensei I'' at the very least.

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* [[As Long As There Is Evil]] - Try as you might, as long as at least one person believes in him as a god, {{spoiler|YHVH}} can never be destroyed.

** Nor can you truly destroy {{spoiler|[[Persona 2|Nyarlathotep]], [[Persona 3|Nyx, Erebus]], [[Persona 4|Izanami]], or [[Raidou Kuzunoha VS King Abaddon|Shinato]]}}; their existence come from weakness in the human heart. [[Not So Different|Sort of like]] {{spoiler|YHVH}}, really, except applied to {{spoiler|[[Eldritch Abomination|Eldritch Abominations]]}} instead.

*** In a minor subversion of the trope, {{spoiler|Izanami (and her offshot, Ame-no-Sagiri) say they'll be able to recorporate but concede the philosophical point to the heroes and agree to stop their plans for the time being after getting their asses kicked in royal fashion. And then there's Shinato, who basically decides he's underestimated humanity after you give him a sound thrashing, and changes his mind about punishing the world for its lack of faith. [[Shin Megami Tensei]]: [[Did You Just Punch Out Cthulhu|you can't destroy evil, but you can apparently punch it into submission!]] }}

*** In a minor subversion of the trope, {{spoiler|Izanami (and her offshot, Ame-no-Sagiri) say they'll be able to recorporate but concede the philosophical point to the heroes and agree to stop their plans for the time being after getting their asses kicked in royal fashion. And then there's Shinato, who basically decides he's underestimated humanity after you give him a sound thrashing, and changes his mind about punishing the world for its lack of faith. [[Shin Megami Tensei]]: [[Did You Just Punch Out Cthulhu?|you can't destroy evil, but you can apparently punch it into submission!]] }}

** The implication is that [[Shin Megami Tensei Strange Journey (Video Game)|the Schwartzwelt]] is actually Earth's defense mechanism and has appeared before. So did destroying it {{spoiler|or changing Earth to a chaotic/lawful state}} really change anything?

* [[Nintendo Hard|Atlus Hard]] - These games have been known to make players cry.

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** The laconic entry for this series, for a long time, ''redirected'' to [[Nintendo Hard]]. You can't say we didn't warn you.

** And, as one of their company spokespeople proudly admitted: ''We get off on your tears!''

* [[Autobots Rock Out]]: Most of the soundtracks composed by Shoji Meguro during and after the [[PS 2]] era, where pretty much every final boss fight ends up being scored to an [[What Do You Mean ~~Its~~ Not Awesome|electric guitar jamming as hard as it can]]. The exception would be ''[[Shin Megami Tensei Strange Journey (Video Game)|Shin Megami Tensei Strange Journey]]'', where he went for a symphonic approach instead.

* [[Autobots Rock Out]]: Most of the soundtracks composed by Shoji Meguro during and after the [[PS 2]] era, where pretty much every final boss fight ends up being scored to an [[What Do You Mean It's Not Awesome?|electric guitar jamming as hard as it can]]. The exception would be ''[[Shin Megami Tensei Strange Journey (Video Game)|Shin Megami Tensei Strange Journey]]'', where he went for a symphonic approach instead.

* [[Belts and Zippers]] - Izanagi {{spoiler|and Izanami}} in ''Persona 4''. Izanagi has a belt buckle jacket and belts hanging off his helmet, {{spoiler|Izanami's first form}} appears to be restrained almost entirely by belts.

* [[Big Bad]]: YHVH, aka [[God]]. A ''[[Light Is Not Good|Law]]''-aligned [[Knight Templar]] who shows up in most games, or oversees the results of his work. Controls the Angels, [[End of the World Special|and has fun with the world]].

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** ''[[Shin Megami Tensei I]]'' features an alignment system along the axis of both Light-Neutral-Dark and Law-Neutral-Chaos. It is the earliest known videogame to have an alignment system that directly affects the direction of the storyline and which of the [[Multiple Endings]] the player is given, through the choices and actions the player makes that alter the player character's alignment. ''[[Shin Megami Tensei II]]'' uses the same kind of alignment system.

** In ''[[Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne|Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne]]'' the previous system of alignment is discarded in favour of three specific philosophies: Shijima (which is closest to Law but without the [[Knight Templar]] tendencies), Musabi (Neutral, focusing on individuality and freedom of choice) and Yosuga (Chaos with a heavy dose of the elitism that Law was previously known for).

* [[Characterization Marches On]] - The [[Social Darwinist]] Chaos Ending from [[Shin Megami Tensei I|SMTI]] is originally seen as a valid enough choice, given the [[Black and Grey Morality]] of the series, but as the world in general becomes slightly less [[Crapsack World|crapsack]], it gets called out as evil far more explicitly; the supporter of its expy in ''Nocturne'' is the only person explicitly called evil and in ''Devil Survivor'', it's virtually an [[~~Its~~ a Wonderful Failure]] montage.

* [[Characterization Marches On]] - The [[Social Darwinist]] Chaos Ending from [[Shin Megami Tensei I|SMTI]] is originally seen as a valid enough choice, given the [[Black and Grey Morality]] of the series, but as the world in general becomes slightly less [[Crapsack World|crapsack]], it gets called out as evil far more explicitly; the supporter of its expy in ''Nocturne'' is the only person explicitly called evil and in ''Devil Survivor'', it's virtually an [[It's a Wonderful Failure]] montage.

* [[Character Magnetic Team]] - Many demons may approach you and outright offer to join you with no more than a few questions asked.

* [[Character Portrait]] - More clearly seen in conversations in Persona games.

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* [[Degraded Boss]] - Former bosses may return as [[Elite Mooks]]. This may cost them their best moves, but occasionally they also wind up being recruitable.

* [[The Dev Team Thinks of Everything]] - What makes the [[Bonus Boss|Bonus Bosses]] so difficult is this. Each [[Bonus Boss]] has some kind of anti-cheese feature built into them so you ''have'' to fight them in a "fair" fight. Otherwise, expect them to give unavoidable 9999 damage to you each turn.

* [[Did You Just Punch Out Cthulhu]] - Played straight in some, subverted in others.

* [[Did You Just Punch Out Cthulhu?]] - Played straight in some, subverted in others.

** Hell, Cthulhu itself is usually a [[Random Encounter]], so you get to punch it out ''repeatedly''!

* [[Disc One Nuke]] - Clever combinations of skills can make this. ''Very'' powerful combinations can take it to [[Game Breaker]] levels.

* [[Dolled Up Installment]] - Minor example in the US releases: the ''Persona'' / ''Devil Survivor'' / ''Digital Devil Saga'' / ''Devil Summoner'' / etc games, while technically not part of the ''Shin Megami Tensei'' series proper, were all released overseas under that title anyway, presumably because the series needs whatever name recognition it can get on this side of the pond.

* [[Dolled-Up Installment]] - Minor example in the US releases: the ''Persona'' / ''Devil Survivor'' / ''Digital Devil Saga'' / ''Devil Summoner'' / etc games, while technically not part of the ''Shin Megami Tensei'' series proper, were all released overseas under that title anyway, presumably because the series needs whatever name recognition it can get on this side of the pond.

** Finally averted with ''[[Catherine]]'', which despite having similar themes/characters/gameplay elements/staff/etc (much like the previously dolled-up games) was released outside Japan without the Shin Megami Tensei moniker tacked on, and managed to have the best international sales of an Atlus developed game to date.

* [[Doppelganger]], a [[Character Alignment|Dark-Chaos]] [[Our Demons Are Different|Demon]] that can be fused in ''[[Shin Megami Tensei Strange Journey (Video Game)|Shin Megami Tensei Strange Journey]]''. It appears as a shadowy, [[Slasher Smile|grinning]] version of [[The Protagonist]].

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* [[Enemy Within]] - In ''Devil Summoner: [[Soul Hackers]]'', the timid Hitomi gets [[Demonic Possession|possessed]] by demonic [[Dark Action Girl]] Nemissa, and they immediately go on a shopping spree for [[Evil Makeover|black leather]]. In ''[[Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army]]'', Kaya is cursed to be possessed by a demon, {{spoiler|1=but actually gets taken over by a future Raidou Kuzunoha from the SMT timeline}}. Happens somewhat more literally in ''[[Persona 3 (Video Game)|Persona 3]]'' with {{spoiler|the members of Strega; if they don't take inhibitor drugs, they'll lose control of their Personas. What this would entail is demonstrated by Chidori about halfway through the game, wherein her Persona attempts to '''''strangle''''' her during withdrawl}}.

* [[Earn Your Happy Ending]] - The good endings with no horrific effects on humanity and life itself are always [[Guide Dang It|the hardest to get]]. Assuming there is one.

* [[Elemental Rock Paper Scissors]]: Played straight and averted. Usually, basic elemental types (ie one's that specialize in only one element) usually have a weakness to the opposing element (ice vs. fire, electricity vs. wind, light vs. dark). However, at higher levels, demons usually have a variety of weaknesses and strengths (ex. Black Frost, despite being a Jack Frost, has strengths against both ice AND fire). This results in bosses having a bit of trial-and-error as you have to test out each type to see what works and what doesn't.

* [[Elemental Rock-Paper-Scissors]]: Played straight and averted. Usually, basic elemental types (ie one's that specialize in only one element) usually have a weakness to the opposing element (ice vs. fire, electricity vs. wind, light vs. dark). However, at higher levels, demons usually have a variety of weaknesses and strengths (ex. Black Frost, despite being a Jack Frost, has strengths against both ice AND fire). This results in bosses having a bit of trial-and-error as you have to test out each type to see what works and what doesn't.

** Some games (''Devil Survivor'' in particular) outright show you how the enemies are affected by every element, usually as if to say "This is my hand, ''[[Nintendo Hard|try and beat it]]''." And every game shows you how your ''own'' demons' element tables, which are the same for every demon of that type.

* [[Element Number Five]] - Almighty. It's an unavoidable, ultimate element that ignores defensive measures. Final bosses, late-game allies, bonus bosses, and the like all use this. Violating rules with bonus bosses results in the game giving you 9999 damage with this element.

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* [[God]] - Shows up in ''Megami Tensei II'' {{spoiler|as the [[True Final Boss]]}}, ''Shin Megami Tensei II'' {{spoiler|as the final boss}}, and (arguably) again in ''[[Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne]]'' {{spoiler|as the final boss}}. See directly below.

* [[God Is Evil]] - Though the creators have said that he's not the "ultimate source of evil", having him as {{spoiler|the final boss}} in more than one game tends to raise a few eyebrows.

** Indeed, many of the game seem to indicate that Lucifer / Chaos is the best choice to make, since almost always YHWH and the angels have the policy of [[Kill Em All]] and start over whenever things look like they're getting out of hand. Even when you kill God, he usually gives a speech along the lines of "As long as humanity is too weak to look for their own answers, their weakness will create a belief in me that brings me back to life again and again and again! MWAHAHAAH!"

** Indeed, many of the game seem to indicate that Lucifer / Chaos is the best choice to make, since almost always YHWH and the angels have the policy of [[Kill'Em All]] and start over whenever things look like they're getting out of hand. Even when you kill God, he usually gives a speech along the lines of "As long as humanity is too weak to look for their own answers, their weakness will create a belief in me that brings me back to life again and again and again! MWAHAHAAH!"

*** At least in the games for SNES (in which the Law-Neutral-Chaos system possibly plays the most prominent role) Chaos is not shown as the best choice. For example, in the original Shin Megami Tensei many traditionally heroic choices (choosing to give money to the beggar, choosing to spare the life of local dictator after defeating him and his demon in battle, choosing to save the female protagonist in the dream despite the apparent risks posed by armed guards) tend to be considered Lawful decisions. Also, one of the downsides of pure Chaos is the possibility of sufficiently strong and ruthless individual/party becoming an oppressor (as shown in the case of {{spoiler|Ozawa}} in the world [[After the End]]). Ironically, the whole "might makes right" issue may be one of the main reasons behind YHVH's position in the continuity of Shin Megami Tensei [[Shin Megami Tensei I|I]]-[[Shin Megami Tensei II|II]] and Shin Megami Tensei: IMAGINE. Also, the depiction of Lucifer in [[Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne|Nocturne/Lucifer's Call]] may be too ambiguous to be considered either the best ''or'' the worst possible choice. It may be that the only game in the series where Lucifer is shown clearly in the positive light is the second game in the series, Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei II <ref>(while in the direct romanization of the Japanese title "Story" would be replaced with "Monogatari", it seems that "Story" is the official choice of word when writing the title in the Latin/Roman alphabet)</ref> for Famicom/NES.

*** Another way to put it, God is the guy who wants to create a world where only those who worship him can live, but Lucifer is the guy who wants to create a world where you are free to kill anyone who you wish. The only security would be being able to kill people yourself. Lucifer is also the guy all the demons you randomly encounter killing people report to, so there's a bit of [[Fridge Logic]] in the Chaos path.

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** More recent games have also begun to imply that the fact YHVH is such a dick is a symptom of something going terribly wrong with the universe, not a cause.

* [[Gods Need Prayer Badly]]: The demons, angels, monsters, and spirits only exist in many of the games because people remember and believe in them. Oddly, if the supernatural creatures believe hard enough, they create fake duplicates of other supernatural entities.

** This has some interesting bearing in the game. In general, the more people in [[Real Life]] that believe in a particular god/demon/angel/etc., the stronger they are in game. God, Lucifer, and the Arch Angels [[~~Arch Angel~~ Michael|Michael]], [[Archangel Gabriel|Gabriel]], Raphael and Uriel are obvious examples, but Shiva and Vishnu, both primary gods in Hindu (which remains one of the oldest active religions in the world) are also among the strongest. Exceptions do exist though, like Metatron (less than one quarter of one percent of the world's population are Jewish) being among the strongest.

** This has some interesting bearing in the game. In general, the more people in [[Real Life]] that believe in a particular god/demon/angel/etc., the stronger they are in game. God, Lucifer, and the Arch Angels [[Archangel Michael|Michael]], [[Archangel Gabriel|Gabriel]], Raphael and Uriel are obvious examples, but Shiva and Vishnu, both primary gods in Hindu (which remains one of the oldest active religions in the world) are also among the strongest. Exceptions do exist though, like Metatron (less than one quarter of one percent of the world's population are Jewish) being among the strongest.

** The Persona games use this to explain why various incarnations of death and madness are ready to end the world... they're doing it because humanity (or sometimes a few select individual** The Persona games use this to explain why various incarnations of death and madness are ready to end the world... they're doing it because humanity (or sometimes a few select individuals) secretly wants them to. If not for that, those [[Eldritch Abomination|Eldritch Abominations]] would be completely harmless.

** Sometimes, even demons' beliefs can produce greater entities to manifest. This is more clearly seen in ''[[Shin Megami Tensei II]]'', with the False YHVH fought after the death of the Archangels.

* [[Good Is Boring]] - Often played relatively straight in the earlier games - things got interesting if you went hard for one side or another. Later games played with the idea somewhat, though.

* [[Guide Dang It]] - If you want to get certain skills on certain demons, you WILL need to consult several fusion charts and skill charts (doing it the old fashioned way of chart-making is practically a [[Self Imposed Challenge]]).

* [[Guide Dang It]] - If you want to get certain skills on certain demons, you WILL need to consult several fusion charts and skill charts (doing it the old fashioned way of chart-making is practically a [[Self-Imposed Challenge]]).

** Getting the best ending by yourself is a [[Self Imposed Challenge]].

** Getting the best ending by yourself is a [[Self-Imposed Challenge]].

* [[Half Human Hybrid]] - Possible with compatible [[Merging Machine]] protocols. [[Evil Is Not a Toy|Still, very much not recommended]].

* [[Half-Human Hybrid]] - Possible with compatible [[Merging Machine]] protocols. [[Evil Is Not a Toy|Still, very much not recommended]].

* [[Harder Than Hard]] - Maniacs mode in the modern games. [[This Is Gonna Suck|It's the subtitle]] of the [[Updated Rerelease]] of Nocturne.

* [[Hello Insert Name Here]] - Most of the protagonists in the series are nameless until you name them.

* [[Hello, Insert Name Here]] - Most of the protagonists in the series are nameless until you name them.

* [[Hell On Earth]] - ''Nocturne'' and ''[[Shin Megami Tensei Strange Journey (Video Game)|Shin Megami Tensei Strange Journey]]''.

* [[Heroic Mime]] - The main protagonists are almost always one of these. Which made ''Persona 2'' quite entertaining considering that the protagonists of ''Innocent Sin'' and ''Eternal Punishment'' only have dialogue in the game they're not starring in.

** Some games work skillfully around this. In ''Digital Devil Saga'', Serph is a [[Heroic Mime]] because {{spoiler|he's based on the understanding Sera had on the real Serph. That is to say, she knew nothing about the real Serph}}. In ''Persona 3'' and ''4'', the protagonists' arcanas are [[The Fool]]. One aspect of [[The Fool]] is chaos and creativity; in short, this means they are free to choose any personality they want.

* [[Hobbes Was Right]]: The neutral path essentially states this in the ending.

* [[Holy Hand Grenade]] - "Hama" type spells; typically [[One Hit Kill]] type spells.

* [[Holy Hand Grenade]] - "Hama" type spells; typically [[One-Hit Kill]] type spells.

* [[Horsemen of the Apocalypse]] - In ''[[Raidou Kuzunoha VS King Abaddon]]'', you help unseal them, then beat them, then can summon them yourself. In Nocturne, they're optional bosses and later, special fusions. It's justified fairly well in the case of Nocturne - after all, you are in the midst of the actual Apocalypse. They are also optional in Strange Journey after you get the Enemy Search

* [[Hot Skitty On Wailord Action]] - Though it's technically fusion.

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* [[Hurricane of Puns]] - Mara. [[Gag Penis|Good god, Mara.]]<ref> ''mara'' is a slang term for "penis" in Japanese. Mara is a demon from Buddhism that used various temptations on the Buddha to prevent him from achieving enlightenment. Since sex is a common temptation... yeah... or the part where Mara has PIERCE. And is fire attribute.</ref>

* [[I Don't Like the Sound of That Place]] - But you will wind up going there anyway. Even if it's the stuff of your darkest nightmares.

* [[Incredibly Lame Pun]] - Ja-aku Frost (Woolseyed but [[Lost in Translation]] as Black Frost), the [[Super Powered Evil Side]] of resident [[Mascot Mook]] Jack Frost. "Ja-aku" (邪悪) means "evil" and also a transliteration of Jack.

* [[Incredibly Lame Pun]] - Ja-aku Frost (Woolseyed but [[Lost in Translation]] as Black Frost), the [[Super-Powered Evil Side]] of resident [[Mascot Mook]] Jack Frost. "Ja-aku" (邪悪) means "evil" and also a transliteration of Jack.

* [[Inexplicably Identical Individuals]] - Though some games at least have the decency to at least put some color variations.

* [[Infallible Babble]] - Becomes an actual plot point in ''Persona 2'', where spreading rumors actually ''causes'' those rumors to become reality.

* [[Infinity ~~Plus One~~ Sword]] - If it exists, it usually comes in the form of an item that nulls any and all attacks except for Almighty. [[Bragging Rights Reward|The bonus bosses instantly kill you if you use it or use only Almighty]]. Everything else other than the bonus bosses? [[Game Breaker|Can't do jack crap to you]].

* [[Infinity+1 Sword]] - If it exists, it usually comes in the form of an item that nulls any and all attacks except for Almighty. [[Bragging Rights Reward|The bonus bosses instantly kill you if you use it or use only Almighty]]. Everything else other than the bonus bosses? [[Game Breaker|Can't do jack crap to you]].

* [[Intercontinuity Crossover]] - Quite a few games have overtly featured characters from a different continuity in a major role.

* [[~~Its~~ All Upstairs From Here]] - In almost every single game.

* [[It's All Upstairs From Here]] - In almost every single game.

* [[Jesus Taboo]] - For it's use of nearly every mythological character, the closest the series gets to Jesus is in ''[[Persona 3 (Video Game)|Persona 3]]'' as a representation of the [[Messianic Archetype]] as a whole. Admittedly [[God Is Evil|YHVH]] and [[Satan|his dragon]] lean closer to the view Judaism has on the two (except for the "evil" bit), though they employ catholic arch-angels.

** Aleph from [[Shin Megami Tensei II]] was made to be the [[Expy]] of Jesus, and they even made sure he had a virgin mother.

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* [[Karma Meter]] - "Your mother has been possessed by a demon and pleads with you to end her suffering. Do you kill her?"

* [[Knight Templar]] - Pretty much everyone aligned with Law, {{spoiler|Remiel and Amane}} from [[Devil Survivor (Video Game)|Devil Survivor]] being the exception.

* [[Lawyer Friendly Cameo]] - Jack Frost in other series. In SMT 2, "Mr. Thriller" aka [[Michael Jackson]] can be met dancing in a disco and talking about how much he loves toys and children. You can also fight and recruit [[Captain Ersatz]] versions of Beetlejuice (Betelgeuse) and Christine (Chris The Car).

* [[Lawyer-Friendly Cameo]] - Jack Frost in other series. In SMT 2, "Mr. Thriller" aka [[Michael Jackson]] can be met dancing in a disco and talking about how much he loves toys and children. You can also fight and recruit [[Captain Ersatz]] versions of Beetlejuice (Betelgeuse) and Christine (Chris The Car).

** In the first 2 ''Shin Megami Tensei'' games, you're given the Demon Summoning Program by a wheelchair-bound man with glasses and gray hair. He calls himself "Steven". Any resemblance to a famous scientist is surely coincidental.

* [[Lighter and Softer]] - The Devil Children spinoff franchise. Most demons, gods, and spirits are redesigned to be more Kawaii and marketable to kids. For instance, Scylla is, instead of a sea monster with the heads of dogs attatched, a cute little girl walking a bunch of puppies.

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* [[Mad Scientist Laboratory]] - Every single incarnation of the Gouma-Den.

* [[Magic From Technology]] - Devil Summoners throughout the franchise usually carry around [[Magitek|a device]] --arm-mounted COMPs in the original games, GUMPs in the ''Devil Summoner'' subseries, [[Nintendo DS]]-shaped COMPs in ''[[Devil Survivor (Video Game)|Devil Survivor]]'', the [[Powered Armor|Demonica]] in ''[[Shin Megami Tensei Strange Journey (Video Game)|Shin Megami Tensei Strange Journey]]''-- that runs the Demon Summoning Program and allows the user to summon and control his or her [[Mons]]. And in ''[[Devil Survivor (Video Game)|Devil Survivor]]'', it outright gives the user access to magic spells of his/her own.

* [[Market Based Title]] - In the West, from ''Nocturne'' onwards the games have been branded under the ''Shin Megami Tensei'' label. In Japan, though every game is considered a MegaTen title they aren't marketed as such.

* [[Market-Based Title]] - In the West, from ''Nocturne'' onwards the games have been branded under the ''Shin Megami Tensei'' label. In Japan, though every game is considered a MegaTen title they aren't marketed as such.

* [[Mascot Mook]] - Jack Frost. He's even the official mascot of Atlus itself, making this a literal example of the trope.

* [[Mechanical Lifeforms]] - The hardiest and most powerful Angels. Being obsessive creatures of Law, this makes it a case of [[Fridge Brilliance]].

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* [[New Game Plus]] - Most of the recent games include extra content only available on a second run.

* [[No Export for You]] - Several of the games have this issue. Considering the massive issues some of these deal with, it's fair to say it is quite justified.

* [[Non Elemental]] - Almighty. One of the reasons why it's impossible to defend oneself against any attacks of this attribute.

* [[Non-Elemental]] - Almighty. One of the reasons why it's impossible to defend oneself against any attacks of this attribute.

* [[Numbered Sequels]] - With the Devil Summoner franchise being the only exception.

* [[Oddly Named Sequel]] - Though usually they explain what it's all about.

* [[Olympus Mons]] - Several extremely powerful demons are able to be recruited or fused throughout the series, including top members of the [[Norse Mythology|Norse]], [[Egyptian Mythology|Egyptian]], [[Japanese Mythology|Japanese]] pantheons and [[Cthulhu Mythos|Outer Gods]]. And then there's the case of recruiting [[Incredibly Lame Pun|the Olympians themselves]].

* [[Once an Episode]] - Uptil the fourth game, once per Persona series game, there would be a massive in-story retcon that made it so that the amount of people who actually remembered/knew about the events of the game are minimal, if not completely gone.

* [[One Game for The Price of Two]] - The ''Devil Children'' (''[[Market Based Title|Demi Kids]]'' for the two that came to the US) games. Also, ''Digital Devil Saga'' comes in two parts. Same with ''Persona 2''.

* [[One Game for The Price of Two]] - The ''Devil Children'' (''[[Market-Based Title|Demi Kids]]'' for the two that came to the US) games. Also, ''Digital Devil Saga'' comes in two parts. Same with ''Persona 2''.

** ''Persona 2'' initially averted this (somewhat) in the U.S. in that the only one that originally came westside was [[Sequel First|the second one]], Eternal Punishment.

*** While Innocent Sin has now been released in the U.S. via the PSP port, Atlus still has yet to announce Eternal Punishment's PSP port for U.S. release. So the trope is both straight and averted, since you need two systems that are of different generations to play both games. And that's only if you can ''find'' Eternal Punishment.

* [[One Hit KO]] - Light and Darkness spells. They come in two orders each, one more likely to connect than the other. It is possible to find variations of them all which are capable of hitting all enemy targets, setting up for a [[Total Party Kill]] on either side.

* [[One Steve Limit]] - You cannot have more than one of any given demon in your team. In [[Devil Survivor (Video Game)|Devil Survivor]] this only applies to certain demons, genereally unique individuals over species e.g. [[Norse Mythology|Thor and Odin]].

* [[Order Versus Chaos]] - A recurring theme. Law tends to be [[Well Intentioned Extremist|well-meaning]] but very [[Knight Templar]] about the whole thing. Chaos strongly emphasises freedom but in the form of a brutal [[Might Makes Right]] anarchy. Neutrality focuses on [[Ubermensch|self-empowerment]] and the [[Humans Are Special|potential of humanity]], as opposed to reliance on a greater force for guidance.

* [[Order Versus Chaos]] - A recurring theme. Law tends to be [[Well-Intentioned Extremist|well-meaning]] but very [[Knight Templar]] about the whole thing. Chaos strongly emphasises freedom but in the form of a brutal [[Might Makes Right]] anarchy. Neutrality focuses on [[Ubermensch|self-empowerment]] and the [[Humans Are Special|potential of humanity]], as opposed to reliance on a greater force for guidance.

** Of course, [[Humans Are Bastards|Neutrality isn't completely good]]. {{spoiler|The fact that [[Vicious Cycle|most of the time the Neutral Ending brings back the world as it used to be doesn't helps either]].}}

** The classic Chaos has more or less split into two belief systems in later games where it's used. As mentioned under [[Characterization Marches On]], the [[Social Darwinist]] aspects are seen as more or less outright evil, while the [[Rage Against the Heavens]] aspect is usually shown in a more [[Anti Hero|antiheroic]] light.

** The classic Chaos has more or less split into two belief systems in later games where it's used. As mentioned under [[Characterization Marches On]], the [[Social Darwinist]] aspects are seen as more or less outright evil, while the [[Rage Against the Heavens]] aspect is usually shown in a more [[Anti-Hero|antiheroic]] light.

* [[Orochi]] - Usually a major boss in some of the games and is possible to fuse after beating him.

** Though they refer to him by the full mythological version of his name "Yamata-No-Orochi".

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* [[Theme Naming]] - For the lack of a better term. The series uses a basic form of suffixes and prefixes. ''Learning to use them correctly is critical''.

** The main attack spells in the series are a slew of elements, commonly Ice (Bufu), Fire (Agi), Electricity (Zio) and Wind (Garu). There's also Force (Zan), Psychological (Psy), Nuclear (Frei), Earth (Magna/Tera), Gravity (Gry) and Water (Aqua). These basic elements have three tiers, basic (no suffix), medium (a variety of suffixes), and powerful (-dyne). Most of these can also have the Ma- prefix, which denotes that it hits the entire enemy party. Depending on the game's mechanics and the enemies at hand, this may or may not be desirable.

** The basic [[One Hit Kill]] spells, Hama (Light) and Mudo (Darkness) can also have the Ma- prefix, with or without the -on suffix, which denotes a better chance of hitting the enemy.

** The basic [[One-Hit Kill]] spells, Hama (Light) and Mudo (Darkness) can also have the Ma- prefix, with or without the -on suffix, which denotes a better chance of hitting the enemy.

** The basic healing spell, Dia, comes with two possible suffixes: -rama, more heal, and -rahan, full heal. The Ma- prefix comes back as Me-.

** The basic buff and debuff spells are ''only'' suffixes and prefixes: Taru- is physical attacks, Maka- is magical attacks, Raku- is defense, Sama- is magical defense, Suku- is speed, and De- removes stat changes. Buff -kaja, -nda is debuff. Depending on the mechanics of the game, they may or may not affect the entire party. If the latter is true, however, they also make use of the Ma- prefix.

** The basic Almighty attack is Megido, and it comes with two suffixes: -la ([[This Is Gonna Suck|run for your life]]) and -laon ([[Nuke Em|prepare for complete obliteration]]).

** The basic Almighty attack is Megido, and it comes with two suffixes: -la ([[This Is Gonna Suck|run for your life]]) and -laon ([[Nuke'Em|prepare for complete obliteration]]).

** Beyond this, there are a number of special attacks with other names. Still, those are the basics.

* [[There Are No Therapists]] - One of the main reasons of why [[The Power of Friendship]] is so necessary.

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* [[The Magic Comes Back]] - Every game of the main series has this in some capacity. Explained in ''[[Shin Megami Tensei I]]'' by Mother Echidna as a result of the demons returning from the banishment imposed by YHVH. [[Do Not Go Gentle|They're not leaving again without a fight]].

* [[The Power of Friendship]] - Especially prevalent in the later Persona games.

* [[The Reason You Suck Speech]] {{spoiler|To YHVH in 2 and Mastema in Strange Journey}}

* [["The Reason You Suck" Speech]] {{spoiler|To YHVH in 2 and Mastema in Strange Journey}}

* [[The Very Definitely Final Dungeon]] - The best example of this: the final dungeon of ''Digital Devil Saga 2'' takes place {{spoiler|in ''The Sun''}}.

* [[Timed Mission]] - Two of the three Towers in ''Persona'' 's Snow Queen Quest.

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* [[Useless Useful Spell]] - Completely and utterly averted. Debuff/buff abilities can determine whether you win or lose a fight and the instant death spells are actually damn useful.

** In fact, if your enemy happens to be weak to death/expel, the various death spells are pretty much a guaranteed kill (and are in fact the easiest way to kill certain [[Elite Mook|otherwise-nigh-invincible mooks]]). Otherwise you still get a 1-in-3 hit rate that you can boost.

** And debuff success rates are affected by [[Elemental Rock Paper Scissors]] (where applicable), which is useful at early levels.

** And debuff success rates are affected by [[Elemental Rock-Paper-Scissors]] (where applicable), which is useful at early levels.

** And [[Standard Status Effects]] are a perfectly valid and abusable tactic, being capable of turning a wave of [[Demonic Spiders]] into a guaranteed [[Epic Fail]].

* [[Unicorn]]: Appears as a recruitable demon/Persona.

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* [[Visual Pun]] - Many of the demons and monsters in this series have designs in this manner.

** The most infamous one is Mara.

* [[Wake Up Go to School Save The World]]: In the early ''SMT'' games, later to be revived as a story device in the ''Persona'' series.

* [[Wake Up, Go to School, Save The World]]: In the early ''SMT'' games, later to be revived as a story device in the ''Persona'' series.

* [[We Cannot Go On Without You]] - A frustratingly high number of these games will give you a game over if your main character gets knocked out, regardless of whether this should make sense in all of them or not. Mudo and Hama spells are particularly devastating in that respect as some of the games give the player almost no recourse against them early on.

* [[Wind Is Green]]

* [[What If]] - Literally embodied a game called ''Shin Megami Tensei If''. Beyond that, the ''Devil Summoner'' series is also based around a [[What If]] - one which ties into the aforementioned game, which represents the branching point that leads to either the ''Devil Summoner/Persona'' continuity or main-series ''[[Shin Megami Tensei]]''. ''If'' presents a what-if question... and ''Devil Summoner'' is the answer to it. On top of all this, the ''Raidou Kuzunoha'' prequel games in the ''Devil Summoner'' line provide a historical What If scenario, hinging, at least in part, on the Taisho period lasting longer than it did in our world.

* [[What Is This Thing You Call Love]] - ''Digital Devil Saga''

* [[What Is This Thing You Call Love?]] - ''Digital Devil Saga''

* [[World of Badass]] - Three options here. You start as a [[Badass]]. [[Took a Level In Badass|You become a Badass]]. [[Yet Another Stupid Death|You die]]. Choose.

* [[World of Ham]] - ''Every'' demon tries to out-ham each other. One could almost say power levels in this universe directly correlate to the demon's hamminess.

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* [[Yet Another Stupid Death]]: Many a gamer have been humbled after moments of hubris. Common ways of dying: getting back attacked and having your weaknesses exploited endlessly, getting hit by a Hama or Mudo spell, and using the wrong skill at a crucial moment because you weren't paying enough attention.

** Even better, being able to always counter with a physical attack for ludicrous damage, and being glanced by a lowly demon that repels physical attacks. [[Hoist By His Own Petard|Oh crap indeed.]] with a physical attack for ludicrous damage, and being glanced by a lowly demon that repels physical attacks. [[Hoist By His Own Petard|Oh crap indeed.]]

* [[Yin Yang Bomb]] (The entire point of ''Devil Children: Book of Light'' and ''Book of Dark'' for the GBA)

* [[Yin-Yang Bomb]] (The entire point of ''Devil Children: Book of Light'' and ''Book of Dark'' for the GBA)

** Also, [[Bifauxnen|Naoto]] [[Persona 4 (Video Game)|Shirogane]] has a Persona which uses both [[Light Em Up|Hama]] and [[Casting a Shadow|Mudo]] skills.

** Also, [[Bifauxnen|Naoto]] [[Persona 4 (Video Game)|Shirogane]] has a Persona which uses both [[Light'Em Up|Hama]] and [[Casting a Shadow|Mudo]] skills.

* [[Youkai]]: Some of the demons in the series come from here.

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