About

The Megami Tensei (Japanese: 女神転生, lit. "Goddess Reincarnation") is a Japanese role-playing game franchise from the video game developer Atlus.
The franchise has ten different series, that cover a wide set of both genres and themes.

It needs to be noted that in Japan the franchise is know as Megami Tensei, while in the west it is known as Shin Megami Tensei. This was a result of marketing done by the west division of Atlus as they introduced the games to the west giving all of them the tag of Shin Megami Tensei (e.g. Shin Megami Tensei 3 Nocturne and Persona 3 where both tagged as Shin Megami Tensei, despite Persona being another series of the Megami Tensei franchise).

History

NOTE : The history layout is heavily inspred by Macca's video What Is & Isn't Shin Megami Tensei | MegaTen Explained

It is to be noted, that the way the topic is going to be organized will put the series in chronological order, not the games.

Megami Tensei

The franchise started as an adaptation of author Aya Nishitani book: “Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei”, name that the game shared^[1], (despite the game being a sequel of the first and second novel).
The game released in 1987 to critical aclaim.
The game was considered revolutionary thanks to one of its features “Demon negotiations”, that allowed you to negotiate with enemy demons and have them become your ally, being able to manage them as party members besides the two main protagonists. This in hand with another mechanic, “Demon Fusion”, that allowed you to fuse two of your allied demons to create a stronger one.
A sequel was released in 1990 titled "Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei II"

Shin Megami Tensei

In 1992 Shin Megami Tensei^[2] was released, being an original creation from Atlus. Receiving to a very positive reception. Expanding and developing the ideas of the Megami Tensei games, noticeable from the rest, the alignment mechanic. In which, depending on your actions thought the game, you could end up in one of three rivaling factions. Law, Chaos and Neutral.

In 1994 Shin Megami Tensei 2 was released alongside with Shin Megami Tensei if. And, mainline wouldn’t get another game until 2002, with the release of NINE.

A year after the commercial failure that was NINE, Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne was released, in this entry a new mechanic that would become staple of the series was introduced, the press system.

The next entry would be a non-numbered one, with the release of IMAGINE in 2007 and Strange Journey in 2009.

Four years after the release of Strange Journey, and nine years between Nocturne the previous numbered entry, Shin Megami Tensei 4 released in 2013, with its direct sequel Shin Megami Tensei 4: Apocalypse releasing in 2016.

Lastly, Shin Megai Tensei 5 is dated to release on November 2021

Last Bible

In 1992, was released the first spinoff series of the Megami Tensei franchise: Last Bible^[3].
Being a softer take on the Megami Tensei Series, with fine 5 games on its series.

Majin Tensei

Releasing in 1994, Majin Tensei^[4] was the second spinoff, changing to be a tactical RPG, to the likes of Fire Emblem.
The series consists of three games.

Devil Summoners

In 1995, the Devil Summoners franchise was released, consitsitng of 4 games. Although, it could be considered that this series is sub-divided into two others series.
With Devil Summoners^[5] and Devil Summoners Soul Hackers forming part of the first sub-series.
And, Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army^[6], along side with, Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon as the second sub-series.

Jack Bros

The smallest series, Jack Frost originaly released in 1995. With only one game, altough it is debetalble if the entry SMT: Synchronicity Prologue, could be considered part of this series.

Persona

For more information on this series, check the Persona Entry

The persona series released in 1996, this series has becomed the largest and most popular of all the franchise.
With:

• 6 Main Entries
• 9 Side Games
• 7 Enhanced Rereleases
• 4 Anime adaptations
• 4 Movies (Adpating Persona 3)
• 1 OVA
• 9 Stage Plays
• 10 Novels
• 13 Manga series
  
  
  
  
  

Devil Children

In 2000, the Devil Chidren^[7] series was released, being a more child friendly take on the series.
The series consist of a 7 games and two anime adaptations.

Digital Devil Saga

Released in 2004, Digital Devil Saga consist of only 2 games.

Devil Survivor.

The most recent series, the Devil Survivor released in 2009.
The series consist of tho games and their enhanced re-release.

Online Presence

To be added

Fandom

To be added

Related Memes

Featuring Dante From The Devil May Cry Series

For more information, check the "Featuring Dante From The Devil May Cry Series" entry.

In japan, Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturen had two enchanced versions released, the Maniax edition and the Chronicle Edition. The first one being the one that was released in the west as the vanilla version of Nocturne.
In Europe, released as Shin Megami Tensei: Lucifer's Call , and added the seal to promote the addition of Dante, the main protagonist from the Devil May Cry series into the game.

Matador

For more information, check the "Matador" entry.

In Shin Megami Tensei 3: Noctrune, Matador is one of the early-boss battles. The battle with him has gotten fame as the point where the game stumps you if you do not understand fully its mechanics. This, with the fact of the unexpected battle, and outlandish appearance has made him quite beloved in the fandom.

Walter

Walter is one of the three companion characters in Shin Megami Tensei 4. Through the game, he, Isabeau and Jonathan will accompany, and one of the three will support you in battle with different skills depending on the character. This ends with a comedic effect with Walter in one of the early boss battles, against the demon Minotaur.
The boss is meant to stump players that don’t understand the importance of taking an advantage of the enemy’s weakness and avoiding anything that it resists or it blocks. If Walter is your companion on this battle, there is a chance of him using Agi against Minotaur, which he blocks and grants him the status “Smirk”, that makes his next attack a bigger chance of being critical.
After this, he will usually buff up his attack before leashing his attack, “Labrys Strike”, that will usually kill any under leveled, or unprepared players.

Muito Real

For more information, check the "Muito Real" entry.

Muito Real (Portuguese for "So Real" or "Very Real”), is a catchphrase used in reaction to the announcement of Mothman appearing in the upcoming video game Shin Megami Tensei V (SMT).

Search Interest

External References

^[1] Wikipedia – Megami Tensei
^[2] Wikipedia – Shin Megami Tensei
^[3] Wikipedia – Megami Tensei Gaiden:Last Bible
^[4] Wikipedia – Majin Tensei
^[5] Wikipedia – Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner
^[6] Wikipedia – Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army
^[7] Wikipedia – Shin Megami Tensei:Devil Children
^[8] Wikipedia – Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga
^[9] Wikipedia – Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor