Shin Megami Tensei IV *SPOILERS ABOUND*

So the fourth chapter of the Demonic Gene manga is up. The baker surprisingly shows up on the first page and Amaymon's does seem to be working inside Walter.

Also, the manga seems to be going for a twist where humans aren't turning into demons despite reading books.

You know, I can't help but think that "official" Samurai business, before all the crazy events of the game took place, must be really boring. Only the first three levels of Naraku are open, the strongest opponents there are barely better than The Goomba, and a level ten or so Alraune, ridiculously weak by her race's standards, is considered unprecendentedly powerful. This is apparently why K invented Challenge Quests, so there's even a bit of in-game acknowledgement of this.

Even the demons in Naraku don't seem to mind being hunted and enjoy living there in that place. That's why that one Napaea in Minami Sunamichi is scared of going back once the angels decide to purge the upper floors of demons.

edited 23rd Sep '13 7:24:20 PM by OmegaRadiance

Well, it makes sense in a way. Tokyo has entire small organisations of demon hunters all over the place, and Mikado's entrance from Naraku is defended by the samurai and surrounded by castle walls. If you don't want to deal with human demon hunters, Naraku IS probably the best place to hide out - the game makes it abundantly clear that most Samurai have barely explored the first few floors.

Aww yeah, Minotaur in one try!

Nice! A little strategy goes a long way, eh?

A very useful demon to have is Spriggan. He resists Phys and you can easily get ice moves on him by making him from Knocker. He also has decent MP for a big lug.

Took me two tries, but the first had me with very little mp after fighting that Monkey boss, so it doesn't really count.

Got Medusa in two.

Yeah, Wu Kong's a little obnoxious if you fight him at first opportunity.

Okay, made it to Shinjuku. That's enough for one day.

Speaking of Minotaur, you know what's humiliating? Finding the shortcut down to the floor before his area at the very end of the game.

I'm also going to do the DLC in my Neutral Route liveblog. I know some people said they liked the semi-redemption I wrote for Mastema in my SJ liveblog, so I was thinking about doing a similar subplot with the Four Seraphs in this one.

Kinda impossible to do, though- Mastema was selfish- And indeed, acts selfishly in his still-better portrayal in IV- But the Archangels have always been genocidal jerks, save occasionally for Gabriel. Since she's not just with the other three, but the ringleader, in IV, all the goodwill in the world can't really help.

I feel everyone not named Tayama has redemptive potential in this game, so I'd at least like to see if I could work it, since I'm proud of the Mastema thing and other readers liked it too.

how will it work tho?

the archangels are mean and also commit genocide

I haven't heard anything bad about French prettyboy Uriel. Maybe he's different?

Found it amusing how in in the first Devil Children games he's perfectly fine burning a town and joining you later after you beat Michael, but is a Dirty Coward in White.

edited 27th Sep '13 9:48:42 PM by OmegaRadiance

i think he's like a human form or etienne didn't know he was uriel or something?????? i can't really tell tho

Speaking of Uriel, he's surprisingly weak in this game, below Mastema.

Cause the archangels are all talk, no bite.

Well, Michael's level 96...

And he can teach you Archangel's Law! And he has Fallen Grace!

edited 27th Sep '13 10:16:28 PM by Pulse

Some people I've heard say that he's not actually that good in practice despite his level, and is better fused for Aeshma. Anyone who has him have opinions on him?

Eh. The thing is, with the stat-gain Apps, a low-level demon will usually turn out stronger than a high-leveled one. Oh course, high-level demons also tend to have better natural elemental affinities, so Your Mileage May Vary.

Do the Archangels get any additional characterization in the DLC? You barely see them in the regular game.

edited 27th Sep '13 10:36:08 PM by Justin_Brett