The Megami Tensei II Experience 

I don't think the universe wanted me to publish this - the editing software crashed numerous times, I ran into audio issues, and it killed my headset. In fact, it had its last breath like ten minutes ago, so this game effectively was the last thing it heard. Hope it was worth the effort, sorry it took so long. As promised, Soul Hackers is next, and I have an idea for a shorter review coming up in the near future.

>Walk into store >Think it's some kinda women's clothing store >Buy a shitton of stuff while having no idea what your buying >Told to pick between you and your friend >Get kicked out of store severely injured and paralyzed >Realise the sign said "Drug" and not "Drag" >Realise it was a hard drug store and that you overdosed on mystery needles >Proceed to get your demon dog killed in an underground fight club 11/10 would Marsh again

Within the span of 3 minutes, this man overdosed on drugs, got his dog killed in a dog fight, and divorced his gay husband. This game is great

I'm playing the fan translation and there is an NPC in the Princess Hotel there's an NPC that says, "You're planning to kill the witch in Tokyo Tower, yeah? As long as she remains on her magic seal, her power is amplified exponentially." So there is actually an explanation for why she's so much less powerful when she's in your party.

Gets arm chopped off "aww" Get new robot arm "yay!" Doesn't do anything cool "aww"

Marsh reveals himself to be a Law sympathizer: the Movie

59:29 Friendship ENDED with Lucifer, now god is my best friend.

Despite already reading up on the entire plot of Shin Megami Tensei II, it took me a disturbingly long 40 minutes to realize this wasn't that game, and that, in fact, Megami Tensei and Shin Megami Tensei are two entirely different series. I really did just sit there for 40 minutes thinking "man that whole thing about the Center, Zayin, Beth, and the Millennium Kingdom is taking a pretty long time to start up"

Finally the lord and saviour is back to bestow his blessings upon us mortals.

here's a quick fact, since i am unfamiliar with megaten 2; "drug" and "drag" can be put into romaji the exact same way, so it's entirely natural to make the mistake shown in the video if you're not very fluent in japanese

"we were out there having the time of our lives" literally just killed himself like 15 seconds ago

Undine = water Gnome = earth Slyph = air In Paracelsus's alchemical system, I'm sure there a part of the game were you would need Salamander (fire) to proceed.

Funny fact about Checkman, he doesn't just function as a terminal. They literally just replaced him with actual terminals in the Kyuuyaku remake

"What the hell is this supposed to be, Disneyland!?" Hmm yeah actually, based on the design and rough location, I am pretty sure that is supposed to be a demon-infested parody of Disneyland Tokyo. I don’t know the FC version much but, in the SFC remake, it is located in a place called Yume no Shima (Island of Dreams). Disneyland Tokyo was also present in SMT1 as the Destiny Land dungeon (I guess the reference was more obvious there). Nice series of videos, thanks!

Never seen that Baal sprite before, ty Marshall for the epic video this game is pretty neat if you cut out every single random battle ever, and how many of these concepts were brought into SMTIV.

An hour long video? Good for entertainment Bad for Education (Also Marsh's sanity)

Funny how Asmodeus's Cave is apparently this game's "red colon" dungeon in a way that Zaratan Island, the actual colon dungeon, isn't

Just mind-boggling that this is a NES game

canon names, courtesy of SMT wiki. Multiple sources for a given character may exist (manga, drama CDs, etc): hero: Hideto or Takuma friend: Senda or Ryu girl: Rosanna or Asuka (which, since you named her Rei, is hilarious)

56:53 "And we head back to Ginza for the final confrontation against Satan and God" Idk why this is so funny to me lmao

16:48 A real Simp Megami Tensei moment.

I don't mean any offence by this, but your videos are perfect for putting on repeat many times in the background while studying after the first time watch - I probably have the script to your Devil Summoner video memorised by now!

There was a weird amount demonic anime in the 80s, stuff like Devilman, Demon City Shinjuku and Doomed Megalopolis for example. So no wonder there is an NES game with a naked goat demon. Nice video, I really appreciate your effort.

The main character lost his arm, fight with his best friend, drug himself to the point of almost kill himself, a get into a satanic orgy, duude, that is indeed one hell of a trip!

I don't see any coverage of old megaten titles so this content is gold to me, much appreciated marsh

“In this game you don’t really know where to go” I had the same problem in SMT IV man. At this point I think it’s a mainstay in the JRPG genre lol

Review Megami Tensei at 1:00 AM in the morning on a school night... Hell yeah!

I swear this man is just flexing his Japanese skills at this point

"Having murdered my dog and overdosed on drugs, there's not much left to do in Ariake." is a good quote out of context

Okay here's the bigger comment I promised! it's a great, fantastic video. And definitely taught me a lot of stuff about the NES version. There's a couple of differences between this and the Kyuuyaku version, namely being that you don't actually get Checkmate the totem pole guy. No, he's replaced with the terminals from smt 1 onwards. So that's certainly something. Also some neater stuff includes the art style being shifted more towards how smt 1 and co. were presented. But the real gravitas of megami tensei II, imo, is lost until you've played the rest of the megaten franchise. The first being that this was the debut game of Kazuma Kaneko. A lot of these artworks were some of the basis for demon designs in the future and just the general look of the world. And how good and evil were handled were to inspire how the mainline franchise handled law and chaos, especially with how Lucifer and YHVH would be represented from then on, and how they'd represent their respective ideals. Hell, even tokyo played a bigger part here. It's genuinely great to go back and play megaten 2 since I love mainline. Also, this game is the first appearance of our beloved Jack Frost(albeit with a different design; but still!) This game is so influential and its effects are still felt in the series to this day. Even with SMT V on the horizon.

Coming back to this video, it's kinda funny how the game that started so many Megaten traditions also started a lot of Marsh's traditions. Charlie and Rei becoming mainstays, being regularly assaulted by a Minotaur, somehow managing to get something killed (usually Orthrus or his partner) within the first 20 minutes of the video, and just all the minor, weird goofy little things that became sort of running gags. Thank you Digital Devil Story Megami Tensei II. Who knows where we'd be right now without you.

YESSSSSS WOOOOO thank you for being one of the last good parts of this fandom

You're a champion for doing all this hard work! I'm glad to see another MegaTen content creator growing and I've really enjoyed your reviews since I discovered the "SMT If Experience". As long as it doesn't kill you, keep it up!

The Kyuuyaku version is way more bearable, Marsh, trust me. I'm playing it at the moment and (aside from the usual grinding) it improves quite a lot from the original version

This was well worth the wait. You're the goat for tormenting yourself for our enlightenment and enjoyment.

For the record, intelligence is used for demon negotiation in all three SNESMT games

This channel made me interested in smt and now I have completed strange journey redux, p4g, soul hackers, persona 2 innocent sin and smt 2 Thanks for introducing me to my now favourite game series ever

Another instant classic by someone simply called “The Man”. Marsh, you’ve done it again. Looking forward to Soul Hackers, though I hope to finish it before you finish the video on it.

Interesting to see how many of the series' staples started with this one. Another thing I appreciate is that this is where Atlus started taking inspiration from Devilman (the original manga). Apocalypse setting aside, it must be where they took Satan encased in ice from, which in turn was taken from the Divine Comedy. It's amazing how many demon-related japanese media can be traced back to Devilman and then to the Divine Comedy.

This is some of the best Megaten content out there. It's great to get a real in-depth look into what these older/more obscure(in the West) MT games are like.

Losing your arm in Megami Tensei 2 is such a memorable moment and I'd love to see a throwback to it in a future Megaten game but given more significance.

"I never have to see a rendition of this place (Micon) again ... Until I play kyuuyaku at least" *HAPPY KYUUYAKU MEGAMI TENSEI FAN NOISES*

It's so cool to see how creative and low-key crazy these games already were back then.

Regarding the controversy over your character losing an arm - as I understand it, dismemberment is considered a very different thing in japanese (pop) culture than it is in the west. Can't exactly remember the historical/sociological reasons, but yeah, for the purposes of storytelling it's more extreme for a character to lose a limb than for them to die over there. Especially back in the 90s it would have to have been extremely provocative to have such a scene in a videogame.

This channel is one of the things that's been making 2020 alright

Can't believe this finally got an english translation! I've been interested in playing since I saw your video, and I think it's finally pleb-accessible 👍

It took me multiple watches, but I finally realized that your "it'll come in handy" comment about the cybernetics lab is a pun.

My trip to Ariake was great! I played some slots, did some drugs, almost died and got my dog killed in some weird demon fight club! 10/10, would partake in weird debauchery and dog fights again

3:20 "I never thought I'd say this line again" is waaaaayy funnier rewatching these reviews

You are easily among my favorite content creators at the moment. The videos have all been god tier so far, keep it up!

Your videos have such an early 2000's webseries vibe, I love it.

The fucking 2008 mic turns you into Prince Charming never change it

52:12 “Bigass naked dude on a snake” I’m sure nobody’s made a Florida joke yet

Fact that you need Gnome may seems weird at first, but you use it because it's an earth spirit. Previously you had to use water spirit Undine to progress, so it kinda makes sense that you would need another one again. The only weird thing is that wind spirit Sylph is only used to free Sword Knight, that you don't need to progress and the fire spirit Salamander don't have any special events.

I love that you just rolled with Charlies early death and had to make a small event out of bringing him back. Can't wait to see your next video Marsh.

Yeah, i hate it when i go into a store in a country i dont know the language for then pay for pills not knowing what is happening

It's eerie to see how many things in later games from this, right down to THE FINAL DUNGEON OF IV BEING LUCIFER'S PALACE.

I know it sounds mean, but I can really imagine this review being made in the early 2010's. A real nostalgic feeling.

As Akihiko usually say every battle: "IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS" xD I love the fact you covered the original megaten 2 as most people who cover the first two megaten games cover the kyuuyaku remakes on the SNES

I am overjoyed, ill never get sick of seeing the really weird obscure megatens, i just beat soul hackers myself a few days ago and im excited for your review, thanks for being very cool man

In the words of a world famous boxer: "I've been waiting gor this!"Edit: Oo h just noticed! The demons they ask you to have in hell are the elementals! Thats pretty rad!

Thank you for letting me vicariously live through the games I'd likely not get around to myself through your videos

Glad to see you're back at it again man RIP Marsh's heaset, it died to help create this video

Big fan, A channel that isn't just persona. It's nice to see the origins of Smt. Inspired me to start with the first megami tensei.

Holy shit I've been waiting so eagerly for this you don't know. Loved Megaten II when I played it. I'll probably write something more comprehensive once I finish

I enjoy your commentary on these so much, the audio quality got better and some jokes like the upside cross one made me laugh a lot Seriously, thank you so much for doing these! It's so great to have more lovely content on Megami Tensei --- 28:35 Holy shit there's Makai in this game? 36:41 I swear, your comedic time is on point here 45:32 lmaooo ''the classic red dungeon that looks like a colon inside'' 54:10 What a cool looking sprite What a lovely review, thank you so much for your efforts!

This game seems wild. Can you imagine if this was released in America back then? lol I loved the video

Bloody amazing video, really captured the Experience. Not a lot to say, except that the robo-arm is a COMP capacity upgrade and the Kyuuyaku manual’s art of the protagonist with it is actually pretty cool. Plus, hey, it _is_ bite-proof! Also... 1:33 ...yeah, I always noticed that the Japanese megaten community can’t stop calling all the protags Nakajima and Yumiko. That goes for any retro megaten, and Gangerdoppel even pulls out Nakajima on other RPGs sometimes for the lulz. From what I’ve heard it seems like just a meme but I might ask his chat about it next time he does that.

I love how, in the thumbnail, Pazuzu looks like hes trying to subtly wave to a long forgotten lover, wondering how life would be if they were still in Pazuzus life.

I have literally been anxiously waiting in excitement for this upload, thank you Marsh!!

I really wish you got more recognition for the work you put in these videos man, you go the extra mile instead of doing the minimum, plus these videos are charming and pretty humorous

Wow these videos are like the perfect LP format to experience the game without playing it. Cool game

As the old saying goes, you can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, you can pick your friend's nose, but you can't pick your friend's nose's stats.

Trying to have Mrs. Reiho carry you through another Megaten game, Marsh? I'd try the same.

This has been a super well done video marsh. These are my fav/ most awaited videos atm on youtube. Your great at explaining the story and just all the little info to. Thank you and keep it up. :)

I think The Castle actually IS Tokyo Disneyland tho...like Tokyo "Destinyland" in SMT 1?

I was not expecting this so soon! Your videos have easily become my most anticipated stuff on RU-vid, even more than RLM's Best of the Worst shows.

Thanks so much Marsh for going through this! Tomorrow I will watch this while drawing and I will write something for relevant to the vid, but for now I just wanna thank your huge effort and for finishing this daunting endeavor!!!🙏💖

Once again, fantastic work. It's really interesting to see how you approach any given situation. Great stuff

Yesterday I was wondering about you, if you had uploaded without me getting a notification or something. This was a really nice surprise to wake up to. Thanks for the content

hell yeah thank you!!! I'm honestly really glad you make this content because I absolutely love megaten but I really can't go back and play the older ones although I'm profoundly interested in them. with these videos you both give me long videos that make my sleepness nights easier AND you bring me into these retro journeys I wouldn't be able to go on alone

Respect for the patience and diligence to finish this! Eagerly awaiting your next upload. Cheers!

I first saw this July 4th 2021, a little over a month before my life changed drastically, thanks marsh, you’ve really been here when I need some comfort RU-vid, these videos are so great wether it’s life, smt bs, or anything stressing me out, your the best quick fix

I love watching your videos it makes me feel like your a friend who's just telling me about a game I never thought would be interesting but some how you pull it off

I love this, thanks dude, you just made my night !

Man you're videos are fantastic i'm so happy someone plays classic Megami Tensei games and you are super interesting i must have seen this one start to finish at least 15 times already, keep it up you rock!

Man, as I keep saying in all your videos man, thanks for making them. It's literally just you playing through the game and talking about it, but it's chill. Can't wait for the next review, as I was fucking lucky to even see this one pop up. Keep it up Marsh~

You're experience videos always made me fall in love more with the MegaTen series . They always make me pretty happy

With how little these games are covered on RU-vid your reviews are great to watch and absorb

I was so excited when I saw this video pop up. This video was really good, really satiated some curiosity I had about the game. Can’t wait to see what you put out next

Keep this series up man ! Its amazing and your helping open up the world to more SMT before the 5th instalment. Instant subscribe !

Return of the king This video was worth the wait, great job dude! Keep up the good work

The king has returned. I've been waiting for this upload since I first found your first SMT videos! It's gotten me hooked on the series since!

Your videos give me life, thank you so much for these long form analysis and summary of more obscure megaten games

Yooo, thanks so much for doing this! I know it's a cliche to say, but you really deserve more subs for doing this series. As niche as the series is, our community really is just small as a result, but I want you to know that your content is truly appreciated! Your series actually got me trying the old games, and although I'm not at all averse to "older" games (I remember beating DQ I-IV, and how that really shaped my patience for RPGs in general, even to this day), I unfortunately just can't appreciate the older MegaTen games, which makes your videos on the older games that much more valuable to me. However, it did get me to play Soul Hackers on the 3DS, a game I've been putting off for a long time since the first few hours just didn't at all jive with me and get me interested. Once I saw your Devil Summoner vid, it got me in the "right" state of mind to actually appreciate it now, to the point that I'm commenting this when I know I'm gonna face the final boss in a few hours (I will NG+ for the new content, though). It also makes me bummed that there are no more Devil Summoner games, aside from the Raidou games (which I've already finished). Anyway, thanks again for everything you do! And I hope your sanity is well...

You have no idea how much i love these videos

Marsh thanks for making the time putting my desk fun with you god like commentary, made it a lot more fun

After finding your content thanks to the SMT If... Experience video, I can only say thank you for making this kind of content with good narration, good explanations and good footage from a game that doesn't really have a lot of it. You're making a service to the entire Megaten community when you talk about these more "obscure"/classic games in the series. Already waiting for the Soul Hackers review!!

Dang bro, 2 months, that’s some dedication. Thanks for the content!

Dude I love your videos! As a big fan of SMT games it's always amazing to hear someone and their experiences with the franchise. Plus your videos are fun to watch with some amazing commentary!