If you are a fan of Japanese role-playing games, then you have certainly followed the release of Shin Megami Tensei V with some interest. Far from the standards imposed by industry behemoths, such as Final Fantasy and DragonQuest, the Atlus license enjoys a special and inimitable aura. Yet it comes from afar and it was not won either that one of its episodes was born outside of Japan. Then how SMT made its way to our consoles? And how did this hard-to-reach license manage to build a solid community of loyal and dedicated fans around the world? Questions that the book we present to you today is intended to answer, among others.
The Shin Megami Tensei Saga: From Apocalypses to Rebirths, by Ludovic Castro at Third editions, presents itself as a true compendium (wink, wink) of knowledge on the license. Starting from its beginning, when it was not yet intended for the world of video games, until SMT IV: Apocalypse. No Shin Megami Tensei V, it’s a shame, but never mind, there’s already a lot to do with the saga before the album released a few months ago, it’s an understatement! Let’s dive together into this universe paved with bloodthirsty demons and moral choices, making a detour to the premises of Atlus to learn more about the creation of the different episodes that make up the main license.
From novel to multitude
What is quite surprising about the series Shin Megami Tensei (and even its most famous spin-off, I named personas), is that once Europe tasted it, in 2003 on PlayStation 2, then it no longer missed a release on the old continent. With a few exceptions, of course, a few rather obscure titles that we’ve never heard of anyway, remaining in already quite private spheres in Japan. Finally note that it is ultimately the same with Final Fantasy which, after the arrival of its seventh episode with us, established a systematic distribution channel to the West. Coincidence?
Well no ! Final Fantasy VII is a true Japanese RPG classic that has enjoyed phenomenal success, and for good reason. It was quite innovative compared to what we were playing at the time, in other words western RPG. As for Shin Megami Tensei IIIwho will bear the sweet name of Lucifer’s Call here before its remaster, we are clearly faced with an exceptional title here again. Although less accessible, it is true, as much because of a very raised difficulty as for its nebulous aspect, its almost cryptic scenario, and its perfectly lunar atmosphere, close to unease at times.
But what is even more surprising, and this you only know if you are a fan from the start, is that Shin Megami Tensei was absolutely not intended to invest the world of video games in the first place! Moreover, the word Shin evokes rebirth, and it is not for nothing, since the first games developed by Atlus will bear the name of Megami Tensei. It will be necessary to wait for the Super Nintendo, or rather the Super Famicom which is its Japanese counterpart, for this prefix to appear, and never leave the series again.
Indeed, and The Shin Megami Tensei Saga: From Apocalypses to Rebirths begins on this fact which has something to smile about, it is originally a novel written by Aya Nishitani, published exclusively on Japanese soil in 1986. A rather dark work of fiction, narrating the misadventures of a Japanese student in the 80s, a true computer prodigy, who will bring the demon Loki down to Earth via a program. Subsequently, he will obviously go on a hunt to save the world, a great classic.
The first two novels will give rise to two titles on NES, or rather on Famicom, very freely adapted. Then the games will take a very different direction from that depicted by Nishitani in his writings. Thus Shin Megami Tensei was born. The sequel is a succession of productions of certain quality, in general, but with average and sometimes disappointing commercial success.
Influences and universe
If you have already been at the end of a Shin Megami Tenseior even a Mega Tenand in a way of a personas also, then you know. You know that these titles have a special relationship with religion, or should we say THE religions for that matter. Because although the references to Christianity are sometimes obvious, especially with demons directly inspired by angels or characters directly echoing the Bible, the work as a whole is in fact full of details borrowed from the different cults that the found on our planet.
What Ludovic Castro’s book explains to us very well, willingly plunging into explanations that obviously required in-depth research. Interesting subject, which was not easy to place in a book on video games, but which offers a whole angle of analysis for the license, which we might not have imagined as rich in the first place .
After that, The Shin Megami Tensei Saga: From Apocalypses to Rebirths sets out to deconstruct the various episodes of the main series, including Strange Journey and SMT IV: Apocalypse. All of this encompassing their stories, their characters, the relationship with the choices impacting the adventure… in short, there is plenty to do, and it must be recognized that each chapter is very dense. This is an observation that affects the book as a whole. Clearly, you have to hang in there to get an exhaustive tour, and being a big fan of the series seems essential to enjoying it. This is the case of yours truly and which did not prevent him from spreading his reading over several months.
Finally, and this is certainly the most interesting part of this book, Ludovic Castro undertook to “decipher” all aspects of the main games of the license. Starting with the main themes, of which we have already had an overview a few hundred pages earlier, and drawing up a quick historical report on Japan which may have inspired SMT ; then tackling game systems (including gameplay), music and visuals. There are references to many things, not just other works of fiction, for that matter, but we can note the presence of Devilmanwhich definitely seems to have inspired far too many people in the Land of the Rising Sun.
This part also questions the message conveyed by the references to religion. SMT would he be anti-Christian? Nothing is less certain, in appearance, and yet the question is legitimate, and once again finds an answer in the work of Ludovic Castro.
Finally, just before its conclusion, The Shin Megami Tensei Saga: From Apocalypses to Rebirths makes a quick detour by the reception of the license around the world, on its place in the current video game industry. And takes the opportunity to take stock of the evolution it has known, yet facing huge representatives of the J-RPG, such as Suikoden, grandiaand of course Final Fantasy. Perhaps the shortest part, but not the least interesting if you like the saga.
Should I buy this book?
Unlike other books from Third Editions that we have talked about in our columns, it is absolutely necessary to know a minimum of the series Shin Megami Tensei, and to appreciate it, to be able to find its account in the work of Ludovic Castro. It’s not that this one lacks interest, far from it, but it will dig deep into this work of incredible richness, automatically excluding the simple curious who have never taken the controller to s to try an episode. If you had to blame The Shin Megami Tensei Saga: From Apocalypses to Rebirthsit is his hermeticism.
But it was complex to approach such a license, especially from the point of view of Europe, which discovered it only too late. The research work is impressive, and the result, provided you have the kidneys strong enough to last over time, is very interesting. Do we advise The Shin Megami Tensei Saga: From Apocalypses to Rebirths ? Of course ! But who do we recommend it to? To those who already know a little about the series, enough not to be put off by this sea of information that is not always very digestible. Ideally, open it in parallel with your exploration of one of the main games, because it is an excellent complement to understanding.
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