Shin Megami Tensei, Which Game do you need to start from?

[AdyHart]

Well Ive been keeping an eye on the Shin Megami Tensei PS2 games, and as I can get Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga for a decent price, Im thinking about getting it.
The thing is though I havent played Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne so will it matter or are they self contained games?
If they are a continuation I reckon Ill be able to get Nocturne on the cheap somewhere.
So whats the deal with them?

Also what are other peoples thought on these are they worth picking up or shouldnt I bother?

Thanks for you help.

[Chacranajxy]

Well Ive been keeping an eye on the Shin Megami Tensei PS2 games, and as I can get Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga for a decent price, Im thinking about getting it.
The thing is though I havent played Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne so will it matter or are they self contained games?
If they are a continuation I reckon Ill be able to get Nocturne on the cheap somewhere.
So whats the deal with them?

Also what are other peoples thought on these are they worth picking up or shouldnt I bother?

Thanks for you help.

Generally, the SMT series is a bunch of self contained games. The only exceptions that come to mind are Digital Devil Saga 1 and 2 and Persona 2: Innocent Sin and Persona 2: Eternal Punishment. Unfortunately, Persona 2 Innocent Sin wasn't released in the US, so that's kinda irrelevant. Point is, you'll be fine if you play DDS first. That's what I did. Only thing to note is that the game will most likely hand your ass to you at first. Once you understand the battle system though, DDS, DDS2, and Nocturne become absolutely phenomenal games.

[Darrenm]

I'd almost recommend playing the DDS games first to wet your chops. Nocturne is a real bitch, and you'll sink well over 80-100 hours into it, not to mention a nice portion of your sanity. Devil Summoner is a departure from the typical SMT formula, but still a nice - if not fluffier - game.

Like the poster above said, SMT games are generally self-contained, so it's up to you...as long as you don't start with DDS2, you're good to go.

[cxt217]

I thought Nocturne was considerably more difficult than the two DDS, due to the improvements in the game system they had for Digital Devil Saga over Nocturne. I have to get back in DDS since I have both of the games, though my eagerness for playing it waned rather quickly.

I guess I will preorder Persona 3, though probably more out of habit than anything else. At least Atlus will have an English dub on this game unlike Devil Summoner (PS2). Unless Tara Platt is going to be signing all the dialogue...

After looking at Soul Hackers, I am a bit annoyed Sony refused to allow the game to be brought to the US. It looks rather neat.

C.T.