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Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor

(2009, Video Games - Role Playing Games, Rated T)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Well-written RPG can be both frightening and sad.

In this game kids can:   battle others, be creative, become a hero, kill non-humans (with blood), kill non-humans (without blood), solve a mystery, solve puzzles, strategize

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–16

The good stuff

  • Ease of play:

    Medium to hard. Those who are familiar with the gameplay of an RPG, the fighting system and moving on a grid will feel right at home. For those new to this genre, there’s a 40-page manual to help.

  • Educational value:

    You learn a fair bit about Tokyo and its environs in the game. Those interested in good writing will find that the copy you read is error-free, which is very rare in a video game.

  • Messages:

    While the text you read from the demons is sometimes downright terrifying, the message overall is that good can triumph over evil - if you try hard enough.

  • Role models:

    While the human characters suffer from teen angst, they all work together to get Tokyo back to normal by ridding it of demons.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    The violence is mainly with animated sprites and isn’t too real looking. You will fight demons in turn-based combat. You will occasionally see a pool of blood beneath vanquished foes.

  • Sex:

    You'll see some bouncing of partially covered breasts and some tight, skimpy outfits on the female demons as well.

  • Language:

    Mild language including "damn," "hell," "ass," and "prick."
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor was written by Jinny Gudmundsen

Parents need to know that compelling role-playing game can be frightening. It has mild violence, a little bad language, and some scantily clad demons, but it is the well-crafted story that is both scary and depressing that pushes this game's appropriateness into the teen range.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Did this game scare you? Was it too scary? Why or why not?
  • Did traveling through Tokyo make you want to visit the city? Why or why not?
  • Of the various teen heroes, who did you identify with most? What does that say about your personality?
Did this review help you decide?
Do you play it? Review It!

More on Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor

What’s the Story?

The Shin Megami Tensei series of role playing games have always been full of amazing gameplay - along with some psychologically affecting stories. SHIN MEGAMI TENSEI: DEVIL SURVIVOR takes place in Tokyo where demons have been unleashed upon various districts in the city. It's up to you to vanquish them or conquer and use them to get to the bottom of a mystery that threatens you and the city in which you live.  Close

Is It Any Good?

You don't use the DS stylus much in the game, but it doesn't matter because the story is so eerily compelling. Plus the gameplay makes hours go by quickly. What hits home as too real is that a DS-like device is used to summon demons. This is the kind of thing that can play with your mind and seem real in the dark of night. The turn-based battle system on a grid is somewhat difficult to get used to, especially for newbies. But the manual should aid even the helpless in learning the game. Then, you can spend hours upon hours leveling up (getting stronger) and freeing your city from its horrible spell and horrid monsters. Close

Publisher’s Details

Released on 6/23/2009, price $29,99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: T (for Fantasy Violence, Language, Mild Blood, Partial Nudity)

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  • What did you think about Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor?

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    sarmed
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative role models

    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models
    • Easy to play

    i love it

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    jc13carrizo
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models
    • Safety isn't an issue
    • Easy to play

    it cood b a great game!

    it sounds awesome, and it has a good plot. if u dont want ur kids 2 play it, LOOK AT THE NAME! u shood alredy no it cood b bad. but lik ff games, it in all cood b a great name.it anime 4 God's sake!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    bob 88
    Lives in Alabama
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 0.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models
    • Safety is an issue

    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models
    • Safety isn't an issue
    • Easy to play

    Flag as inappropriate

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