History VideoGame / DevilSurvivor

** The trickiest part of unlocking any route [[spoiler: except Yuzu's and Atsuro]]'s, is [[spoiler: making sure to save Haru on Day 5]].

* AffablyEvil: Kudlak is curiously cheery and prone to making strange, stream-of-conscious-esque comments.
** Lampshaded by Kresnik.
--->'''Kresnik:''' Does his chatter ever cease...?

* BarrierMaiden: [[spoiler:The four Devas, whose very existence is what keeps demons from entering the human world. One was already defeated by Jezebel!Amane, allowing for demons to be summoned easily; in every route bar Yuzu's, you have to defeat the others to reach Babel (and thus risk causing Hell on Earth if you screw up).]]
** In Yuzu's 8th Day, [[spoiler: Take-Mikazuchi]], the demon [[spoiler: Gin]] made a contract with, can become Jikoku's (the Deva Amane defeated with Jezebel's power) replacement as Guardian of the East. It opens up an EscortMission to protect Gin until the ritual to restore the Tokyo Barrier is complete, so, even if not for long, [[spoiler: Gin]] ''himself'' kind-of becomes one too.

* BiblicalBadGuy: [[spoiler:Naoya is Cain]].

** None of the endings are 100% positive, but [[spoiler:Gin]]'s ending is the one that comes the closest to being unambiguously happy. And even this ending comes with [[spoiler:a disclaimer from Heaven courtesy of Metatron you still have the power of Bel, and they WILL kill you if you ever try to misuse it, otherwise, you are congratulated for your willingness to forsake said power.]]

* BreakTheCutie: Midori goes through this during the Fourth Day, when [[spoiler: she is attacked by a group of people she had been trying to save for being a demon tamer, and Keisuke attempts to respond to their actions with lethal force, both of which shake her sense of justice to the core.]]

* BrokenAesop: [[spoiler:As the title states, the main theme of the game is survival, and yet taking the path that many would consider having the best chance for survival (namely, choosing to run from impossible odds rather than throwing your life away for a seemingly hopeless cause) nets you the worst ending...although since this is a SMT game, the aesop still makes sense in a twisted way when you realize survival means sticking around until the situation is resolved, which actually works.]]

** Fortunately, [[spoiler:Jezebel doesn't have her lava lake on her anymore, which alleviates the sub-battle with her somewhat.]]

* ButThouMust: {{Dialogue Tree}}s aside, the game will force several events on you each day. And no, you can't "accidentally" miss those.
** Some dialogue choices as well. After you choose a path at the end of Day 6, no matter how many times you say "Do I have to?" or "No way!", you continue onwards.
** Rule of thumb: If it's a battle, advances time, and it's not a Free Battle, 99% of the time it's required to advance the plot.

* CastFromHitPoints: Physical Skills.

** One of the main levels on which the game works is as an absolutely ''horrific'' deconstruction of the entire concept of {{Mons}} ([[UpToEleven far beyond even what other titles in the SMT franchise do]]; we're talking ''Manga/{{Narutaru}}'' levels of disturbing) in that it demonstrates exactly how people running around with monsters capable of lethal force in an urban setting would ''actually'' work.
** This is most obvious in the [[spoiler: event where Kaido and Keisuke confront one another, which is almost [[{{Narm}} narmy]] in how it's set up ''exactly'' like some twisted demonic Franchise/{{Pokemon}} battle (facing each other across a street with the two "mons" in between, shouting commands, etc)... and then, unless you've played your cards exactly right, one side loses and the other's demon ''graphically murders'' the opponent at its master's urging. Enjoy your Pikachus now, kids!]]

* EarnYourHappyEnding: The only way to ScrewDestiny without [[NiceJobBreakingItHero breaking anything]] is to actively fight it; simply running away makes things even worse [[spoiler:as you learn first-hand in Yuzu's ending]].
** [[spoiler: Even Yuzu's ending can be a happy one in Overclocked depending on your choices, where, upon being faced with this horrific world, the characters decide to atone, and fight anyway...turning it into a happy ending. If you don't/can't do what's needed on her 8th Day though will lead straight to a DownerEnding.]]
* EleventhHourRanger: Taken UpToEleven. Out of the 12 playable characters in the game, 7 of them don't join you until the 7th and ([[UpdatedRerelease in the initial release]]) final day. Justified because you don't seriously begin efforts to solve the lockdown crisis until then, and spend most of your time just trying to survive with a handful of your close friends.
** Taken UpToEleven (heh) in Naoya's route, where just about your ''entire party'' is made of Eleventh Hour Rangers... because most of your regular party (except Atsuro) [[WhatTheHellHero has decided that your plan is too extreme]] [[ScrewThisImOuttaHere and ditched you.]]

** Even with Wilders and Avatar Demons, they can be crazy even with a plan, and often are the reason why "Quick Save" exists in the first place.
** Made worse by the fact that for a good two days, there is no decent Wilder to use. They're either around level 10 (Waira), have a crippling weakness to magic and ice (Garm), and the next one you get is at level 26 (Afanc). Yes.
*** [[spoiler: Gin]]'s in Yuzu's 8th Day is rather hectic. It's not because the NPC in question can't defend themselves; they can, they thing is they're stationary and will literally NEVER get a turn [[spoiler: until Gin finishes the ritual to restore the Tokyo Barrier.]] No, the reason it's hectic is because of [[ZergRush the seemingly never-ending horde of demons trying to get them.]]

* {{Expy}}: The Main Character [[VideoGame/{{Persona3}} suspiciously looks like someone from a previous MegaTen game.]]

* EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep: The Shomonkai's leader. His name is only mentioned in a small number of optional events; the game, and all the characters, call him "Founder".
** For the curious, it's Kuzuryu. (And that is only his last name, [[spoiler:shared with Amane, his daughter.]])
*** Better used in Yuzu's 8th day, where his name is used quite a bit, in non-optional events.

** [[spoiler: Of course, the [[GuideDangIt trick]] is that he can only resurrect completely defeated squads, meaning if you kill off everything but the leader, you can safely ignore the manaless Cait Siths and Pyro Jacks, since they can't heal.]]
* {{Foil}}: Midori and Keisuke seem to be this for each other. While both seem to be attracted to the idea of justice, Midori is a bit ''too'' optimistic about it, while Keisuke... is a little more cynical. [[spoiler:Okay, ''[[WellIntentionedextremist really]]'' cynical.]]
** This could also be reflected by their movesets. When Keisuke first appears as an NPC, his moves are Ice Dance, Bufu and Dia. [[spoiler:And he keeps these moves (though upgrading Bufu to Mabufu and Dia to Media) when you battle against him.]] When Midori first appears as an NPC that can fight, her moves are Fire Dance, Maragi and Media. Opposites attract?

* ForTheEvulz: The only reason [[spoiler:Loki]] seems to bother showing up is to send Beldr back to Hel. Of course, it was necessary to save the world...doesn't change the fact that he was totally lul'ing about it the entire time.

** And now there's a glitch in the European version of Devil Survivor Overlocked which locks up the game when you try to use the Summon command, and also if the seller lies to you in an auction.
*** Fortunately, the European version's bugs were fixed with a free to download patch.

* GlassCannon: Any demon with a high attack stat and significantly low magic stat (as it covers magic resistance) qualifies. The inverse holds true for demons with high magic but low vitality, which is what factors in physical defense. Find a way to subvert that weakness, [[GameBreaker and...]]

* GodIsEvil: Subverted, contrary to expectations for the franchise. At first you'll probably think God is behind everything given how the Shomonkai act mysteriously and the [=COMPs=] seem to come from them... but then you find out they're [[spoiler:worshipping a demon, not God,]] that it's the equivalent of a CorruptCorporateExecutive handing out the [=COMPs=], and to top it all off, you find out that an archangel [[spoiler:hitched a ride in their Maiden's mind ''in order to save her and to help you out'',]] on orders from God himself, who actually doesn't want to see humanity get hurt and will only resort to extreme measures if the demons gain a permanent foothold on the Earth. You proceed to get some help from the Big Man on most of the routes where you don't choose blatantly selfish/evil options.

* GoodIsDumb: When someone joins, he/she doesn't bring the demons he/she used in the proceeding battles. Characters do minimal damage when they are your CPU allies (except when attacking an enemy [[SpitefulAI with a skill you set to crack]], ''then'' they kill it fairly well), but are able to one shot groups of monsters consistently when you are racing to obtain the highest kill count or need to keep them from escaping.

** The trickiest part of unlocking any route [[spoiler: except Yuzu]]'s, is [[spoiler: making sure to save Haru on Day 5]].
*** Checking the map for [[spoiler: her]] events can make it slightly easier to do. ''Slightly''. Still may need a notebook to piece all the stuff together
*** Or you could [[spoiler: Go for Atsuro's ending]] which doesn't [[spoiler: require Haru to be alive.]]

*** The irony? It isn't too hard to get that specific ending (on accident, no less) if you prevent all the deaths that can be prevented. Preventing the [[spoiler: Keisuke-Kaido]] showdown is probably the hardest part of this, as you have to have done a specific conversation on an earlier date to be able to do it.
*** For the record, [[spoiler:Gin]]'s death CAN be prevented at a late point in the game (after the [[spoiler:Keisuke-Kaido]] ordeal), but even if you don't save [[spoiler:him]] you can still get the specific ending required for this fairly easy.

** Finally {{Averted}} on [[spoiler: Yuzu's 8th Day]], the one route where you never fought them. You can, in fact, [[spoiler: assist the Devas in their plan to restore Tokyo's barrier and prevent demons from running wild via hayware [=COMPs=].]]

* IAmWho: [[spoiler: The Main Character is a reincarnation of [[Literature/TheBible Abel]] and the only human qualified to become the King of Bel.]]
** Although according to Amane, [[spoiler: there were many other reincarnations of Abel, and he qualifies himself in-game by defeating Beldr]].

* {{Irony}}: As pointed out by Izuna. Man feared God's ordeal and started summoning demons to protect them from it. Turns out that summoning those demons is what made the forces of heaven decide to start the ordeal.

** Possibly subverted, as it's implied that the ordeal was planned all along and the demon infestation was just an excuse.
* JusticeWillPrevail: Central to Midori's BlackAndWhiteMorality. [[spoiler: Also, Keisuke takes [[UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans a decidedly ''darker'' bent]] on this concept...]]

* KnightTemplar: [[spoiler: Keisuke]] becomes one during the fourth and fifth days, although [[spoiler: you can talk him out of it.]]

* LeeroyJenkins: Midori when she first gets her COMP to the point that it takes [[spoiler: meeting an invincible demon lord]] to make her consider retreating... and even after that, she doesn't actually ''give up'' these ways until [[spoiler: her mentor goes KnightTemplar and her life is threatened by the yakuza.]]

* LightIsNotGood: [[spoiler: Once again, angels show up to be condescending {{Jerkass}}es in a [=MegaTen=] game. Not to mention Belberith, the demon lord of light.]] Surprisingly though, [[spoiler:God Himself comes off as a pretty nice guy, just one surrounded by subordinates who take the Lawful part of His Lawful Goodness a bit too far]].

* LighterAndSofter: One of the few games in the series where [[spoiler:God is actually put in a somewhat positive light for a change.]]

** Since this is a [[Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei MegaTen]] game, it goes without saying that the [[{{Satan}} real deal]] is present too, [[spoiler: as a BonusBoss you can fuse for your own use upon defeat.]]
* LuckBasedMission: You know the last fight is rigged when every enemy team is equipped with Diarahan and Samarecarm, there's not one but ''two'' powerful enemies with a full-field, [[SecretAIMoves uncrackable]] skill that drains your MP, and after a couple of turns [[GiantSpaceFleaFromNowhere two of the last people you'd expect to show up]] arrive with insanely strong demons, and are all equipped with outrageously broken skills that, again, [[SecretAIMoves are uncrackable]].
** And that's the final battle of the ''easiest route.''
* MadeOfIron: [[HandWave Handwaved]] using a ''computer program''. The [[PowersAsPrograms COMPs]] come with a "harmonizer" program which, without [[TechnoBabble getting technical]], [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin allows the user to fight on equal terms with demons.]]
** It even manages the HandWave why the normal citizens in the EscortMission can survive an attack from demons. The harmonizer program affects all humans within its range.
* MagneticHero: The hero can develop into this, especially on certain paths; it's possible to end up with several more human allies than you have team slots. [[GuideDangIt Some potential recruits, mind you, are better at resisting his pull than others]].
** Lampshaded by Kaido during one conversation.

** Well, we don't really know for sure if it's huge or just a regular-sized cat. There are suggestions that they're fairly sizable, though.
** The absolute best part? When she's an NPC, Midori uses these demons exclusively because they're "cute". That's right, [[{{Pun}} the Meganekko is followed around by Mega Neko]]. One almost suspects this ''can't'' be coincidence.
* MeleeATrois: [[spoiler:The fight between demons and angels on Day 6]] can be turned into this. [[spoiler:In fact, this may well be the best way to handle the situation if you wish to avoid an early bad end.]]
** Becomes more like a "Melee a Quatre" once [[spoiler:the human fugitives try to sneak past the Summoners, Angels and Demons altogether while they battle, and have to be stopped and beaten.]]

*** [[spoiler:Good]] Chaos 8th Day - [[spoiler:You become the King of Bel on behalf of humanity, rally the demon tamers against God, and kill Metatron before setting out to defeat God and free humanity from His control forever.]]
*** [[spoiler:Evil]] Chaos 8th Day - [[spoiler:You become the King of Bel on behalf of yourself, wipe out anyone who opposes you, and conquer the world before setting out to defeat God.]]
* MythologyGag: Depending on the scenes you unlock, the characters will wonder if they can try talking to demons, a major gameplay element in most Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei games.

* NewGamePlus [[spoiler: Depends on what ending you get. Some give the MC an extra panel to move in missions and/or extra speed. All endings remove the Fusion Level Limit, remove the XP penalty for killing weaker foes, and carry over your cracked skills, current demons, Macca, and auction level.]]
** Overclocked's NewGamePlus works differently. [[spoiler: You only carry over your Demon Compendium and the ability to summon the special demons that have restrictions on them that you have lifted, and bonuses to the MC's attributes.]] For any other form of bonus that was present in the original Devil Survivor (plus a few more), you have to earn Titles based on what you have accomplished during a playthrough, which give you Title Points that you then spend on the bonuses you want for your next playthrough. The titles and the points they give you are carried over playthroughs, meaning you can eventually buy out all bonuses by exploring more and more of the many possible options presented to you during the game. It also makes the game have more replay value by not limiting its difficulty from the start with your now super-powerful endgame demons. Finally, [[spoiler: the secret battles in days 3 through 6 are unlocked for play.]]
* NewMediaAreEvil: It turns out that [[spoiler: the Internet is the perfect place to get emotions to fuel the summoning of demons. It also serves as a repository for them.]]

* NotSoDifferent: [[spoiler: Keisuke almost goes into a HeroicBSOD upon [[HeelRealization realizing]] that the way he uses Yama's powers to lash out at people makes him no different than them.]] Likewise, this is the logic Kaido uses [[spoiler: if you let him kill Keisuke.]]

* ObviousBeta: A few minor strings of text were left untranslated (nothing major or plot critical thankfully), and according to the developer statement about the VideoGameRemake version, it's obvious they felt the original game did not meet its planned potential. It's still playable and enjoyable, so it subverts this trope in a functionality sense.
** Overclocked actually fits this more than the original. Although Battle Aura's BlatantLies description was fixed, one final boss talks in Japanese on the 8th day, and lag is easily visible at some points where there was no lag in the original.

* RageAgainstTheHeavens: [[spoiler: Naoya]] wants the Main Character to aid [[spoiler: him]] in this. It turns out that [[spoiler: he killed the MC out of jealousy when they were Cain and Abel and wants to see Abel, God's beloved son, lead a rebellion against him and end the ordeal.]]

*** However, it should be noted that [[spoiler: both of them will be satisfied with God abandoning humanity, as a result of humanity renouncing the angel's control and severing their ties with them.]]
* RedemptionDemotion: Pretty much every character who you see fight before joining the party has access to a bunch of amazing skills. As soon as they join, the only skills they can use are the ones you've cracked.
** Possibly justified in the sense that they make their [=COMPs=] a client to your MC's host COMP, which could limit their skill choice to the one's your COMP has cracked in order to for them to be a part of your group. On the plus side, it also explains how your other characters cracking skills adds them to your list.

* ShaggyDogStory: [[spoiler:Yuzu]]'s ending, but you really do bring it upon yourself.
** Subverted while still being played straight by the 8th Day of the same route, which shows the repercussions of your acts, and involves taking responsibility for them [[spoiler:or if you failed to save Gin or do the barrier events, ends badly for everyone]].
** Also, several of the mini-plot lines sprayed over the whole week are this [[ScrewDestiny unless you intervene.]] For example, [[spoiler: Gin]] wants to find [[spoiler: Aya,]] his lover. When you give him the information that points him towards the person who could give him his answers, [[ShootTheShaggyDog he'll be promptly and hopelessly killed]] unless you save him. The kicker is that if you had never given him the information to begin with, he would have spent his days in the lockdown perfectly fine and dandy. However, [[spoiler: Gin]] ''does'' admit after the event that he knew anyway and was just fooling himself, and that he prefers that things went this way. ...Plus, you can't do his route if you don't give him the info.

* SortingAlgorithmOfEvil: Averted with the Devas. One is already gone before the game even starts [[spoiler: because it was defeated by Jezebel-possessed Amane]], and you fight the strongest one ''first''. The fight against the last two Devas is still challenging because they double team you and bring along a crapload of reinforcements.
** The aversion was [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]] by Atsuro.

* StealthPun: [[spoiler:The main character is the reincarnation of Abel. He is [[{{Pun}} a Bel.]] ]]

* TokyoIsTheCenterOfTheUniverse: The game takes place entirely in Tokyo. However, the demons only started to appear because of [[spoiler:the Shomonkai]], who just happen to be based in Tokyo. If anything, the game shows that the well being of Tokyo (and all those who inhabit it) is almost negligable in the grand scheme of things.
** Well, [[spoiler:the reincarnation of Cain just happened to be a programmer in Aoyama...]]

* VillainWithGoodPublicity: [[spoiler: The Protagonist is supported by the citizens across the world in Naoya's Evil 8th Day. The Governments across the world on the other hand opposed him and [[CurbStompBattle lost]] the battle, ensuring his dominance.]]

* WeaksauceWeakness: Beldr is completely invincible except for one thing: a certain plant called the Demon's Fuge [[spoiler:or, by demon logic, any representative of it, including a ''cell-phone strap'']].

* WhatMeasureIsANonHuman: Openly asked by Midori, when deciding to pull a BigDamnHeroes to Jack Frost. It's clear from the scene that the Humans are the agressors, and the demons care about the survival of each other. With what you may have seen from humans turning on each other, it can speak volumes.

* WhatTheHellHero: See You Bastard.

* YouBastard: [[spoiler:Yuzu]]'s ending has this in spades, with [[spoiler:freakin' ''Metatron'']] chewing you out for what you did.

* AuctionOfEvil: Arguably the Devil Auction, which is basically, well, an eBay for powerful demons to sell themselves. However, [[DarkIsNotEvil the institution itself seems neutral and humane]]. The buyers of these demons may or may not be another story.

* TheDragon: Belzaboul [[spoiler:to Lucifer]].
** He's also Belberith's dragon (as is Jezebel), but only because [[spoiler:Lucifer]] said so. Also, all the Bels are arguably this in the final fight with [[spoiler:Babel]]. Another arguable dragon would be the entire Shomonkai to "His Highness", [[spoiler: Belberith]].

* AuctionOfEvil: Arguably the Devil Auction, which is basically, well, an eBay for monstrously powerful demons to sell themselves. However, DarkIsNotEvil comes into play as the auction is effectively a neutral in terms of what it is. Those who acquire said demons through the auction may/may not be another story.

* AuctionOfEvil: Arguably the Devil Auction, which is basically, well, an eBay for monstrously powerful demons to sell themselves.
** However, DarkIsNotEvil comes into play as the auction is effectively a neutral in terms of what it is. Those who acquire said demons through the auction may/may not be another story.

* BittersweetEnding: None of the endings are 100% positive, but [[spoiler:Gin]]'s ending is the one that comes the closest to being unambiguously happy.
** [[spoiler:And even this ending comes with a disclaimer from Heaven courtesy of Metatron you still have the power of Bel, and they WILL kill you if you ever try to misuse it, otherwise, you are congratulated for your willingness to forsake said power.]]
** [[spoiler:Law and Chaos are two of the darker endings in the main game, but in Overclocked, you have the ability to make them into happier endings. The only time Chaos remains a BittersweetEnding is when you decide to kill humans instead of helping them on the eighth day.]]

''Devil Survivor'' is a StrategyRPG game in the ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' {{Spinoff}} series ''Megami Ibunroku'' / "Alternate Tales of the Goddess", developed by {{Atlus}} and released in 2009.

* DifficultySpike: Decide to avoid playing through free battles and regularly upgrade your demons, and the game will turn into this. This is an {{Atlus}} [[NintendoHard game]].

** In [[UpdatedRerelease Overclocked]], the [=COMPs=] get upgraded to [[Nintendo3DS 3DSs]]. Now there's more of a reason to say that looking at the top 3D screen feels like the demons are coming out! ...Oh wait, they're coming out actually. Oops!

''Devil Survivor'' is an interesting fusion of the old with the new. The basic scenario and first-person battle system is very similar to that of ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTenseiI'' but with the modern style and character-driven gameplay of ''VideoGame/{{Persona 3}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Persona 4}}''. ''Devil Survivor'' is also the most player-friendly ''Shin Megami Tensei'' game yet: players can not only see a list of the demons that they can fuse and how to fuse them, but they can choose exactly what skills they inherit and even teach them new abilities. ''Don't'' take this to mean that Atlus is making the game any ''easier'', because [[NintendoHard they're not]].

** What's more, many of the physical skills inflict damage based on how much HP you have, while the skills themselves [[CastFromHitPoints require HP to use.]] Meaning the skills actually get ''less'' useful the ''more'' you use them in a battle (although Health Saver tempers this problem). Mage-type characters, of course, do not suffer from this problem. You can see why magic is so favored in this game.
*** Mages suffer from a different problem. HP can be quickly recovered through the Dia family, Charm, Affection, etc. MP is ''not'' so easily restored, so if you aren't careful about which spells you cast where (and remember that Almighty doesn't have any weaknesses to go after, meaning it can't active Extra Turn)...
*** Averted later in the game when (especially in OC where two physical strikers are a possible given the rise of Pierce+) the Pierce/Phy Amp/Phys Reflect/Multistrike(OC)/Deathbound(DS) combo is unlocked. Atsuro simply murders entire teams given Multistrike's (or Deathbound to a lesser extent, though it does more damage consistently to a single target) properties, to elaborate Pierce makes phys do full damage against all but reflect, phys amp attaches a 1.5 modifier, and Multistrike allows a physical attacker to attack each member of the opposing team 2-7 times without being penalized due to health levels, toss in Bliztkrieg for an additional modifier or even dual shadow+ and phys drain, you're looking at a character that can one round entire teams for free, whereas most mages, even Almighty spell equipped ones, are generally much slower and relegated to murdering whatever has Phys Reflect, and even then are only partially effective given the rise of Holy Strike (Almighty damage running off STR).

A list of potential survivors can be found [[Characters/DevilSurvivor here]].

A [[ThematicSeries thematic]] [[VideoGame/DevilSurvivor2 sequel]] has been released for the original DS[[note]]which also has a remake for the 3DS[[/note]], and it too involves something predicting the events of the day, a 7-day time limit and MultipleEndings.

Artistic qualities seem familiar to you? The character design is done by none other than [[LightNovel/{{Durarara}} Suzuhito]] [[Manga/YozakuraQuartet Yasuda]]!

See also ''Manga/FutureDiary'' for a similar concept of "Laplace Mail". Compare and contrast ''VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou'', which also features a seven-day storyline in Shibuya.

* SoLongAndThanksForAllTheGear: Inverted. When someone joins your party, they lose both the demons and the skills they had equipped. From a meta standpoint, is probably to prevent the player from getting access to strong skills and demons easily; from an in-game standpoint, it seems to be a side effect of the new party member’s COMP joining your "network" and thus only having access to the demons and skills registered in ''your'' COMP. Conversely, this also means that when someone leaves the party, the demons and skills they had equipped will simply return to your collection and you’re free to redistribute them.

** [[spoiler: The Shomonkai also count as they protect civillians across lockdown and give aid and protection to them. They're also the reason the entire lockdown began.]]

* UnwinnableByDesign: [[spoiler:The initial battle Beldr can play this straight. The lead is the only character who can hurt him, and if he goes down, the fight continues, but unless you have an ally with Recarm, this battle is unwinnable. Also played straight in the rematch, though by then you should definitely have Recarm or Samrecarm available. If not its time to hit [[SoftReset L + R + Select + Start]].]]

--->Kresnik: Does his chatter ever cease...?

* OnlyICanKillHim: Two bosses have to be killed by specific characters. Beldr can only be defeated by you since you're the one with [[AchillesHeel devil's fuge]], and Kudlak can only be killed by Mari, who is possessed by Kudlak's archnemesis Kresnik, and being slain by anyone else causes Kudlak to [[CameBackStrong reincarnate even stronger]].

* OnlyICanKillHim: Two bosses have to be killed by specific characters. Beldr can only be defeated by you since you're the one with [[AchillesHeel devil's fudge]], and Kudlak can only be killed by Mari, who is possessed by Kudlak's archnemesis Kresnik, and being slain by anyone else causes Kudlak to [[CameBackStrong reincarnate even stronger]].

** During the second battle with Kudlak, if Kaido is in the battle, his attacks will never outright kill Kudlak (they will always leave at least 1 HP left), leaving Mari to kill Kudlak proper by way of CherryTapping.

* BadassAdorable: Most Fanart that shows the MC in the cloak from the Naoya ending have him far too young to pull off the badass factor the cloak would otherwise grant (getting his powers from a NintendoDS doesn't help either). Given what you have to do to get the ending however, he is not someone you want to mess with.

* DiegeticInterface: The characters use COMP devices that resemble the NintendoDS. This is a DS game. When you open the COMP menu outside of battle or look at the top screen during battles where character data is shown, this trope is in full effect.

* SuperTitle64Advance: '''''D'''evil '''S'''urvivor'', on NintendoDS

*** Averted later in the game when (especially in OC where two physical strikers are a possible given the rise of Pierce+) the Pierce/Phy Amp/Phys Reflect/Multistrike(OC)/Deathbound(DS) combo is unlocked. Atsuro simply murders entire teams given Multistrike's(DeathBound to a lesser extent, though it does more damage consistently to a single target) properties, to elaborate Pierce makes phys do full damage against all but reflect, phys amp attaches a 1.5 modifier, and multistrike allows a physical attacker to attack each member of the opposing team 2-7 times without being penalized due to health levels, toss in Bliztkrieg for an additional modifier or even dual shadow+ and phys drain, you're looking at a character that can one round entire teams for free, whereas most mages, even Almighty spell equipped ones, are generally much slower and relegated to murdering whatever has Phys Reflect, and even then are only partially effective given the rise of Holy Strike (Almighty damage running off STR).

* MultipleEndings: Though the endings play out somewhat differently from the mainline ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' games, in keeping with the slightly less [[SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism cynical]] nature of the game. The Kingdom of Saints directly corresponds to the classic Law, but the SocialDarwinist Chaos from the main games is represented by [[spoiler: the Bad Ending]], [[spoiler: the King of Demons ending plays like Nocturne's [[RageAgainstTheHeavens True Demon ending]]]], and the Neutral endings are unique to Devil Survivor.

*** Bad Ending [[spoiler: Yuzu]]
*** Law Ending [[spoiler: Amane]]
*** Neutral Ending #1 [[spoiler: Atsuro]]
*** Neutral Ending #2 [[spoiler: Gin]]
*** Chaos Ending [[spoiler: Naoya]]

*** Neutral 8th Day [[spoiler:Barrier]] Ending
*** Neutral 8th Day [[spoiler:No Barrier]] Ending [[spoiler:Bad End that earns no achievements]]
*** Law 8th Day
*** [[spoiler:Good]] Chaos 8th Day
*** [[spoiler:Evil]] Chaos 8th Day

'''Devil Survivor''' is a StrategyRPG game in the ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' {{Spinoff}} series ''Megami Ibunroku'' / "Alternate Tales of the Goddess", developed by {{Atlus}} and released in 2009.

** For a more specific example, salaryman Honda wants to see his critically-wounded son undergo surgery, but said son is on the other side of the Yamanote loop, leaving Honda unable to stand by his son's side for the operation. In Yuzu's ending, [[spoiler:Honda's son dies]], plunging him past the DespairEventHorizon.

** One of the main levels on which the game works is as an absolutely ''horrific'' deconstruction of the entire concept of {{Mons}} (far beyond even what other titles in the SMT franchise do; we're talking ''Manga/{{Narutaru}}'' levels of disturbing) in that it demonstrates exactly how people running around with monsters capable of lethal force in an urban setting would ''actually'' work.

** On the humans' side, we have Izuna. Pretty decent physical attack, vitality and agility, but her magic parameter is 5 when she joins you, meaning that any demon's magic can knock her out instantly. And even at Level 99, her magic parameter barely reaches the dougle digits.