Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey

So you’ve decided to journey to the Schwarzwelt courtesy of Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey for the Nintendo DS. Congratulations! Before you celebrate, though, you should begin preparing. The anomaly known as the Schwarzwelt has enveloped Antarctica. Exploring this new world and uncovering the truth behind it will be a task filled with excitement matched only by the danger involved.

To help get you ready for the Strange Journey you’re about to embark on, we’ve prepared some important tips to keep in mind.

Tip: Learn to love your home. Your ship, the Red Sprite, will serve as the central command for three other ships. You can’t rely on those other three to be there all the time, but you should learn to use all the amenities provided by the Red Sprite.

In the Command Room, you’ll be able to review your mission and record your progress. The Sickbay features all the most advanced treatments for curing ailments and getting you back out into the field as quickly as possible. Crew member Irving is working in the Lab non-stop to create new weapons, armor, and items to aid your exploration, so be sure to visit him often and drop off any materials you might find in the Schwarzwelt. And don’t forget to talk to other crew members while you’re on the ship as well; you never know when someone might have a clue about what to do next or need your help with a pressing problem.

Tip: Give the enemy a voice. Early reports show that the Schwarzwelt is overrun with demons, but don’t let your biases get in the way of your mission. Demons can be terrifying, but using your state-of-the-art Demonica suit, they can also be your allies. Before engaging a demon in combat, try talking to it. If you say the right things, the demon may grant you money or items or even join you. Don’t let your fear stop you from recruiting partners that may be vital to completing the mission.

Tip: Work together or die alone. Each demon you recruit will have their own alignment – law, neutral, or chaos. Be sure to study what side they’re on and, whenever possible, team up with demons who are the same alignment as you. Also keep in mind that your alignment can change depending on your actions or lack thereof in the Schwarzwelt.

Why does alignment matter? If you’re fighting alongside a party full of demons who share your alignment, you’re more likely to work together. In particular, if you attack an enemy demon with a spell or ability it is weak against, allied demons of the same alignment will take advantage of the weakness and jump in for a Demon Co-Op attack. It may sound strange to be working so closely with demons, but the only way you’ll survive some of the bigger and scarier opponents out there is by strategically using Demon Co-Op.

Tip: Uncover the unseen. For as bizarre (and sometimes oddly Earth-like) as the Schwarzwelt seems to the regular human eye, there are even more secrets waiting to be unveiled that we cannot normally see. It will take some time, but if you collect enough of this new world’s natural resources (known as Forma), Irving will be able to piece together new functions for your Demonica suit.

The Forma Search ability allows you to discover Forma that was previously invisible. Likewise, Enemy Search will reveal opponents that are usually hidden, although you should keep in mind that invisible demons are often even more powerful than their counterparts who wander around the Schwarzwelt. Study your map carefully; once you have both the Forma Search and Enemy Search options available, hidden enemies and items will appear on the map. Just note that Forma will appear as an orange diamond while enemies will be signified by a red dot.

The Gate Search ability opens up new passageways through the treacherous halls of the Schwarzwelt. Unlike your other Search functions, these hidden gates will not appear on your map, so you’ll need to examine every wall if you want to find all the secrets this dimension has to offer. Of course, to pass through these elusive doors, you’ll also need the Unlock function. All of your suit’s abilities can be increased in power through the discovery of more Forma, so be ready to head back to previously-explored areas if you want to dig up even more resources, enemies, and crossroads.

Congratulations! You’ve learned all that we can teach you about the difficulties ahead. Don’t get too cocky, though. You’re still up against an unknown alternate dimension filled to the brim with demons that are starving for your blood. Surviving this trip is going to take luck, skill, and a whole lot of determination. With these tips, you’re much better prepared to begin exploring the Schwarzwelt come Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey’s release on March 23.