Why SMT Strange Journey is a HORROR Game

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Enjoy the video? Please consider subscribing! It helps out the channel a ton. Thanks for watching!

[@HattaTHEZulZILLA86]

Hey, you can even make a horror game using the RPG maker game so ANYTHING is possible. It all depends on HOW you use the tools you have on hand. That's what made the games made back in the 80s and 90s, because the devs back then can ONLY use what they have at the moment. The most recent and BEST example is like the creator of Stardew Valley. Today? Purdy graphics and microtransactions are the focus when people make games... smh

[@Luso1221]

What piece of media is the thumbnail from?

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

@@Luso1221 Strange Journey Redux had an anime intro. It was taken from that.

[@dddaaa6965]

@@HallowedBeThyGame i didnt enjoy it so i disliked

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

@@dddaaa6965 Thank you for letting me know.

[@smtfefanboy9137]

“Can the rpg genre have horror games?” Looks at darkest dungeon. “I don’t know man you tell me”

[@damlordTwendam]

I think ,shadow hearts is a horror Jrpg

[@MILDMONSTER1234]

@@damlordTwendam Koudelka was the only one that was horror, it’s resident evil while shadow hearts is like DMC

[@Frank-fv9qo]

Fear and hunger:Im going to end this whole man career

[@nova2754]

​@@Frank-fv9qo SMT released like 10 years ago

[@Frank-fv9qo]

@@nova2754 i know

[@peropero2208]

The emptiness of Antlia The secrets hidden within Bootes The familiarity of Carina The deadness of Delphinus The delusions caused by Eridanus The return and change in Fornax The agoraphobia of Grus And it was all too much in Horologium

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

This feels like a perfect summary to hand someone to help them process their feelings after beating SJ.

[@christopherbravo1813]

not to mention, the literal Hell that is the Womb of Grief. for what is Hell if not a prison and place of torment for demons and those who died rejecting God?

[@sidekic1109]

I am today years old that I realize the first letter of each of those spell out "ABCDEFGH"

[@RivanEXT99]

Eridanus was hell...just literal hell. Frikkin took me a month to get out of it.

[@Spungery]

Couldn’t agree more, Strange Journey’s atmosphere is so oppressive and cold compared to any other JRPG (and any other game in this series for that matter). The situation in the story is probably more dire than in any other SMT game because, unlike them, you aren’t playing in the aftermath of the end of the world. Playing an active role in trying to prevent global annihilation is thrilling and daunting. It’s such a fantastic game, thoroughly. I’d love to see whatever’s next for SMT make use of a similarly oppressive setting and story.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Strange Journey is just the top of the mountain for me in story. That Antarctic setting just sets the perfect mood. And yeah you’re right I do love that it is set when humanity still thinks it has hope for survival. So chilling

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

@Central Intelligence Agency my curiosity is about to get me in trouble 😬

[@Lonewulf321]

It’s a good ass game

[@loyalist1326]

Isn’t that just the plot of smt5

[@OsnosisBones]

@@loyalist1326 Not really because in SMT5 the apocalypse already happened there too, people just dont know because the major city that was wiped off the face of the earth had a fake perfect recreation made through a currently fading miracle. God is already dead in that one and the only reason the world hasn't been entirely written/reset is because the former gods cant come to an agreement and the angels are desperately trying to keep the alliance together, and the only reason Lucifer hasnt destroyed the world is because with the knowledge he took from God he essentially became a neutral observer wishing to be replaced. So not only is the fate of the world already a moot point, but the current chaos that is happening in SMT5 is only affecting Tokyo/The Fake Tokyo. They also didnt allow for a lot of this information to properly flesh out and digest because they took the same minimalist approach as 3 did, which in my opinion thematic portrayals aside both suffer from a lack of characterization and giving proper time to flesh things out. Because of this, the story idea doesnt have the same impact. Plus there's the fact you dont feel as powerless because in 5 you've essentially ascended to godhood so stuff doesnt feel as dire as here.

[@denkerbosu3551]

The Antartic setting at the very start is awesome, and the contrast when we get closer to the 1st boss is deservedly shocking.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

That 1st boss has the best buildup, very eerie!

[@snailthelostcow63]

I mean, in other SMT, it’s them going to our world. Not to mention the possibility of meeting other survivors made it feel a little at ease. There’s a familiarity that it was still your home despite the post apocalyptic situation In strange journey, we were both stuck AND had a mission to clear. We were easily disposable soldiers where the ones we tried to protect can take all the credits instead. Not to mention the environment is incredibly hostile because we are intruders in their eyes. All that added with the limited time we had before the end of the world, so we can’t even take a breather for too long. Man, I was honestly very impressed we were able to “kinda” keep our sanity nearing the end of the game.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Very well said. There wouldn't be enough therapy in the world to help me if I was a solider in Strange Journey.

[@nicholasmorgan7609]

The new neutral ending is one of my favorites. You become immortal and take it upon yourself to stop the schwarzwelt whenever it comes back...and Arthur comments on how many times humanity has triggered the schwarzwelt's return up to that point. I think it goes well with it.

[@ranarath906]

One thing SJ did so well was the sheer isolation. There are no towns; it’s only dungeon crawling. You are completely alone and no help is coming. And one thing I personally loved was, while it was heavily implied in the original, Redux confirmed that all the original endings were bad for humanity. Regardless of whatever you did, humans were f-ed. The only thing you did was make it happen faster or slower.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

That's extremely well said and yeah it is such an effective experience.

[@tokyomishizu008]

Actually in the ending where MC goes to the moon, he is preventing the apocalypse again and again everytime humanity screw something up and the Schwartzwelt grows up again. Technically he is the only hope until someone take his job(obviously no one) Assuming he dies of old age the world is again screwed, but let's no take that way and believe that he indeed has a daughter with we know who and she became the new hope opposing her mother wishes caring for her dad, assuming that all that was implying about their relationship is true, she is a half demon, and not only that, from the most powerful one. Or more simple, let's just say he never dies and his killing the demons inside schwarzwert every single time for all eternity because it's actually more fun that way and he is a badass brother of doomguy 🤣

[@keyos1091]

@@tokyomishizu008 I don't think he'll age. For 150 years, he still keeps on fighting hoping humanity will change

[@mywifesboyfriend5558]

Just like real life!

[@notafbiagent473]

One of the reasons why I hate the new endings. Every ending has massive consequences no matter what you pick. Sure Law is protected from the Shwartzelt but it's a world of complete stagnation and mindlessness. Sure Chaos is a free world where you have the choice to do whatever you want but you have to have power and heartlessly kill anybody in your way. Neutral is a return to form but it's just a redo, if humanity doesn't change then we'll have to do this whole rodeo again, possibly indefinitely. But the new endings completely undermine that. Now in Law, everyone is safe from the Shwartzelt but now they don't have to believe in God which destroys the basic concept of Law. Now in Chaos everyone can still do what they want but somehow needing power is less prevalent? Really the only ending that still has consequences is Neutral and even then it only effects a single person. It's almost as if they crossbreeded the alignments with each other to create an odd series of combinations.

[@NoyahFrequencies]

Going through Strange Journey Redux now, and I definitely feel this. The horror elements of it stand out so much. The creeping loneliness is amazing. Nicely said.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Thanks and I hope you have a blast with the game!

[@ironwolfosiris]

Yeah, going down into Bootes and the palace there is one of the most disturbing things I've ever seen in a game. How the bottom floors of the palace look like some kind of brothel with women behind silhouettes gradually morphs into people holding axes, iron maidens, people on torture devices.... it's so effing unnerving. And it gets worse from there.

[@REAPRinc]

The music in SMT Strange Journey attracts me as well as scares me. You do feel the sense of determination when listening to it but you also feel the level of danger and hopelessness when facing each battle. Quite different from the rock/cyberpunk aspects of SMT games

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Love that grandiose orchestra and vocals. Leaves a distinct mark on the series.

[@lucassworldofletsplays9270]

@@HallowedBeThyGame It certainly is different.

[@wiseman46237]

The change from the ost being something to fear as you get your ass handed to you into your own doom guy battle theme once you start to get the hang of the battle system is my fave along with the oppressive atmosphere

[@hariman7727]

The Music is GREAT. What's especially funny is playing The Fear Of God for people who don't know the game, watching them say "Is this the final boss music?!", and then seeing their reaction when you tell them it's the REGULAR battle music.

[@medstudentmama1422]

I love the haunting nature of this entry.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Definitely agree, it is the perfect amount of unsettling.

[@Miumiu0404]

Strange Journey is my favorite SMT game. I love how they were able to add some sci-fi vibes to it. I wish SMT VI would go back to this atmosphere.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

I hope they do that too.

[@luisbonilla1734]

The feeling of danger, the sadness, the shame from watching the acts from other humans, the characters, the music, the fiends, all the elements are combine in a great way...... I love strange Journey. Great video.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Ya know that's a really good point about the shame from watching the acts of other humans. Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed!

[@benmcgiggles7655]

For whatever reason, the sector Carina theme has stuck in my head as one of the most uncomfortable and unsettling pieces of music ive ever heard in a video game. It almost makes me sick to my stomach when I go through that level

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

It is oppressive, I was on edge through that whole area.

[@dandman9373]

particularly when you have to farm at carite 2

[@notafbiagent473]

It's a waltz of gluttony. Like the demon equivalent to a laugh track, emphasizing how funny it is in their eyes how we are boring, powerless and stupid creatures. Carina itself is essentially a parody of the food industry, everybody is working for minimal pay to feed a massive pig who only clammers for more when he's done with that meal. It's a joke on us, a criticism of our unavoidable humanness and it is brilliant.

[@zapato6071]

I always see the demons i recruited as my buddies in every megaten game i played (especially in the raidou duology), but not in this. In this game i only saw them as tools for survival

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Very well said, I mean Pixie in Nocturne is BFF confirmed.

[@zapato6071]

@@HallowedBeThyGame your right (only if Moh Shuvuu isn't in the game)

[@makotomachiyuki]

@@HallowedBeThyGame I see Pixie as gf and wife for demi-fiend

[@zaleww5824]

@@HallowedBeThyGame well in nocturne mc is not human so it kinda makes sense and you also make deals with demons to recruit them

[@KazShiro]

@@makotomachiyukiA Strong gf too

[@Noodlepunk]

I love Strange Journey. It's an amazing game, I suggest anyone who likes turned based rgs to play it.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Oh absolutely, it’s a classic in every way.

[@serenakawauso]

This was my first SMT game, and I didn't think you could actually choose to be 'evil' or mean, thinking it would just force the protagonist to be nice anyway like a lot of JRPGs - so when I was in that castle area of the game and you could choose to save a character from being experimented on, I chose not to and was so shocked when they really weren't... Strange Journey is still my most favourite SMT, as I had never felt such horror before!

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

It is such an impactful and eerie experience, thanks for sharing!

[@nitomae5770]

I remember playing the NDS version back in 2012. The atmosphere of the game makes me feel uneasy, the background musics /soundtracks really helps to build that mysterious and life-threatening situation. It is really on a different level and nothing like Persona 4 or Desu 1-2. For personal rating on mainline SMT, i put Strange Journey over IV and even Nocturne because the settings of the story alone, like all of the cast in the game are adults and an experienced even expert on their field having that much trouble. The Journey in the Strange Journey realls is Strange.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Very well said, I completely agree. It’s unlike anything else in the series and story wise is by far and away my favorite. Thanks for sharing.

[@jebusauriorets]

My favorite part of the game was definetly eridanus. Seems like a calm and peaceful place after going through what feels pandemonium, just to get hit in the face with an endless warp puzzle, ouroboros and a plot twist. The music is goddamn perfect too

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

That music slaps as hard as ouroboros.

[@TrewDomko]

Anyone tryna tell me SMT isn't a horror game hasn't been chased around by Dante from the Devil May Cry series while his theme gets louder the closer he gets to you and shoots at you lol. It's the scariest moment specifically since you know your half demon and Dante is a demon hunter lol

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Haha it’s so true, that whole section is anxiety incarnate 😬

[@TrewDomko]

@@HallowedBeThyGame I honestly think the music and knowing who Dante is helped create the horror for me lol.

[@TheBrutalSax]

What makes it even worse too is the fact that it’s in the labyrinth level, the only level in the game that isn’t forgiving with save points. You’ll lose a lot of progress when you die.

[@TheSlammurai]

Strange Journey has the best Chaos theme in the whole series. It just sounds so EVIL. I'll also never forget that feeling of unsettlement I got when Sector Bootes's theme kicked in. I don't even know what it is about it that creeps me out.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

God, no joke. It is really unsettling.

[@RogerG085]

By far the most atmospheric smt game, I would love to see a new entry with a similar style

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Totally agree, would be amazing to see this style and setting continue on somehow.

[@jcol341]

The difficulty also comes from how SJ is an unofficial Etrian Odyssey. It is as unforgiving and as cold as the various biomes that are not afraid to chew you up. Except at least in EO you have emergency teleport items back to safety.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

I have got to play the Etrian Odyssey games. I've heard nothing but good things about them.

[@jcol341]

They are absolutely the best and I'd love to see you even make videos on them. I'd even dig a Let's Play due to how niche they are. Speaking as a franchise-long fan, I'd recommend the remake of 1 classic mode, remake of 2 classic mode, then 3 and onward. They aren't necessarily horror games but there is a very strong sense of isolation in them. I would say more but those games are best experienced blind and in full.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

I really appreciate that input, that’s good to know there’s interest in these series and playthroughs. I am gonna have to pick these up and dive into them. Thanks!

[@skyeguy7914]

@@HallowedBeThyGame The two etrian odyssey games I especially suggest are 4 and 5 for newcomers. 4 is the easiest to get into by far, and was where I started. 5 is kind of a return to form in a lot of ways without abandoning everything 4 introduced. 3 is a popular recommendation as the “best in the series” but it’s kind of a collectors item at this point, and it’s difficulty curve early on is… daunting. Even as a veteran of previous games, 3 can be a challenge. Oh you could also try the persona Q titles since they are technically etrian odyssey spin-offs, the Q being in reference to the series Japanese title.

[@frds_skce]

I can say that EO3 is the best out of all because of the classes available, the setting that's very beautiful, and I just love all the side quests and all the things you can do there.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

What’s your favorite story from SMT?

[@ffxiikd1426]

for me smt sj and smt iv and i'm waiting for smt v :3

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

@@ffxiikd1426 yeah samehere lol. Really stoked to see what V brings to the table!

[@jamespaxton2117]

Strange Journey and both Devil Survivors!!

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

@@jamespaxton2117 I see you are a gamer of culture as well 😎

[@jjpemfr8882]

Strange Journey (og)

[@jordan20910]

I played a lot of RPG and JPRG games and I can say story wise I love Strange Journey. It is very dark and tense compared to other RPG. You're not the hero of destiny, nor have your friends to help along the way nor trying to stop the world from impending doom (well world is already dead in most SMT but not SJ). You're just a soldier sent to a suicide mision on an unknown territory were one step and you'll join the unlucky who didn't survive (and even so the ones who do survive might even get worse). The only thing that is protecting you is you, your fragile equipment that if one scratch happens you're good as gone and the demons you managed to take control of. Every demons sees you as either food, experiments or toys to play with for their own amusent while also judging humanity as a whole for their mistakes. Even if you were to managed to stopped it, it would physically and mentally scarred you for life with a lot of PTSD and the whole world will change as you don't even get the recognition for putting your life on the line while people on earth will never know that the inside of the Schwarwelt was literally hell and that's not counting what we also were capable to do in that realm.

[@skyeguy7914]

Strange journey is certainly unlike any other SMT game. Even with 4 being my personal favorite, SJ is unforgettable even just for its first few hours. In fact, I want to talk for a little bit just about the Antlia section alone. You spend the whole introduction of this game having it sold to you that this world is the real world in every possible way. The parallels are all there. Then you set out. The best of the best, being told time and time again you’re the best of the best, that there is no way you could fail. The final question of the demonica case study especially emphasizes this in a very dark way. The only option the game lets you pick is that there is no way this mission will fail… and at that moment, the dread sets in. Failure literally isn’t an option, demonstrated in an excellent show don’t tell method. And from there, it all comes tumbling down. In a matter of minutes, the investigation team goes from the best of the best, armed to the teeth with the best technology humankind can offer, to a fast dwindling crew, with limited resources, trying to fight otherworldly monsters with what equates to kids toys. The fact that you only see a handful of a few familiar faces in the crew on the Red Sprite helps to emphasize that feeling of being just a few people who are “strangers in this swarzwelt.” The added layer of your first encounter with any demon being marked as an “unknown” only furthering that sense of dread. Constantly stumbling on enemies that could kill you with their eyes closed, all while you desperately try to figure out how to survive an encounter with them when you don’t even know what they are. You’re scrounging for whatever scraps of useful materials you can find… and then you reach the first major boss, Morax. And your conversation with it is when it hits you… you might not know the demons, but the demons know you. And you have created the very means of your own destruction in their knowledge of human kind. It leaves you with a lasting sense of existential dread. You are alone. You are a stranger in this schwarzwelt. And it will both figuratively and literally eat you alive…

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Excellently stated, and SJ just likes a titanic impact. Phenomenal and you explained it so well!

[@n-extrafries-surprise]

I really love SJ to bits. I never really looked at it as a horror jprg but I can see it now.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Straggle Journey is so freaking good, I love it.

[@EditDeath]

It's a bit of a cheat, but Live A Live does pretty well with the turn-based horror during the Distant Future story. You play a robot on a space ship where an alien beast has gotten onboard. The human crew is getting picked off one at a time, and you have to do everything possible to save the survivors, meanwhile the ship's computer has pulled a HAL-9000 on all of you. Furthermore, being caught by the alien is insta-death, and for the majority of the story it's the only thing you can face. What can be scarier in a turn-based game than going most of the story without getting a turn?

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

That's fascinating and honestly makes me want to pick up the game even more. Thanks for sharing!

[@EditDeath]

@@HallowedBeThyGame Glad it interests you! To be honest I'm not a fan of grid-based battle systems in rpgs, so a story in the game almost devoid of battles already caught my eye. Then the suspense set in despite it being sprites, and I found my favorite part of the game!

[@salsamonkey65]

Just finished the game. That chapter clearly influenced the section with the Ultimate Chimera in Mother 3. Honestly I think it even influenced the Tubba Blubba chapter in Paper Mario.

[@kaistephens2694]

YEEEEEAAAAAHHHHH I love Live A Live! I am so grateful its remake exists.

[@MinhLe19303]

I believe that game is a decontructed of JRPG adventure at the time, where the journey of a main character has a darker side and can take a dark turn.

[@M.G.F427]

The true horror starts when your team gets ass-whiped by a random encounter

[@megabyte01]

This game certainly made an impression on me. I could feel the game judging ME for wandering into the Lawful alignment with my choices before I understood what that really meant. By the time I did, it was too late: my soul had been measured and found wanting (unless I beat up goblins for 10 minutes)

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

I giggled pretty hard at the goblin farming. Quality comment!

[@ArmourBlanche]

Glad to see this game get much love, I thought i was the only one who found it better than the other entries and spin-offs. I can only hope they remaster it for PC and Consoles.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Would be incredible to get a port.

[@Jet-Black_Cat]

never actually thought of it as a horror game but yeah, I always feel cornered when I'm playing that game

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Me too!

[@omegaweapon116]

I've beaten both SMT Nocturne and SMTIV. I'm finishing up SMTV right now. Sounds like this should be my next SMT game.

[@TheShuuman]

I was still very inexperienced with SMT when I got Strange Journey. I had played little of Persona 3 and a great deal of 4 by the time I got Strange Journey as I was eager to play a mainline SMT game and I got the game day one. I remeber that night perfectly of when I put on my headphones and was litterally blow away by the normal battle theme of the game. I remember being so pulled into the story and the atmosphere of the game I couldn't put it down for months as I slowly worked my way through it. Easily made my top five games of all time and I got the remake as soon as I could and fell in love all over again. I would make a slight arguement against Nocturne and how it handled your friends with Isamu more or less wearing his contempt for you pretty quickly and generally becoming dismissive of you after his demon hodown and Chikai is just well too focused on gaining power to even remotely give a fuck about you so when it was time to put them down I honestly didn't feel much other than finally getting them out of my way because they became legit horrible people. With Jeminiz and Zelenin while not especially deep characters when it came down to take them out for the mission I still saw my allies that I had come to appreciate in the journey beinig twisted to shadows of their former selves. I legit did not want to fight either one of them, but I had to. I'm kind of meandering my way through SMT V right now and the atmosphere at least in comparison to Strange Journey is sorely lacking. Like I can tell what they were trying to go for and I really don't like comparing games to each other while I am playing them, but I can't shake how much Strange Journey did its world better. I'm not terribly far so SMT V still has plenty of time to warm up, but I'm not burning the midnight oil at both ends to find out what it has up its sleeve just yet.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Yeah Strange Journey just has such a colossal impact with its story and music. A glorious game to have in your top 5 of all time. And as much as I love the combat of SMTV, there was some other aspects of it that ultimately held it back for me in terms of my favorite in the series. Thanks for sharing!

[@TheShuuman]

@@HallowedBeThyGame I'll agree with the combat and the sheer amount of customization you can do with demons is staggering. Really want to recreate my final SMT team for it though I don't know if Demonee-oh is in V yet. Like I think the thing that hurts V (at least for me) is that you never truly feel on the backfoot like you did in Strange Journey. In SJ you are a crew of humans in a strange and horrid situation and desperately clawing for every victory you get and even learn to fight the demons well you don't ever get the sensation you can ever truly overwhelm them like they can easily do to you if you drop your guard even for a second. Sorry for rambling I don't get to gush and talk about SJ that much among friends.

[@imthesourceofallyourproble6537]

Honestly it took a bit of adjusting to get used to the FPS dungeon crawling, I don’t really make it a secret that i am not a fan of the FPS dungeon crawling megaten games (the only exceptions being soul hackers and this game) but after getting used to it, this genuinely became one of my favourite jrpgs of all time, with the oppressive atmosphere, the tough as balls difficulty, and with the absolutely incredible music, strange journey still holds up so well and is absolutely one of the best jrpgs of all time and one of the best games ever made

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Yeah it was my first fps dungeon crawler too. Really an incredible experience!

[@kira-dk2mx]

I do love what Redux does with its extra neutral ending. Not exactly destroying the Schwartzwelt, but just pushing its influence back for a time, leaving the protagonist as the sole protector of the Earth with the knowledge on how to deal with it.

[@Yeaster]

Probably my favorite setting and cast in all of SMT. This is the creepiest RPG I’ve ever played; it actually scared me a little

[@aeiiys7081]

SMT series was always game with horror [light to medium at most] story though, even persona is a bit horror or dark sometimes. Not just this one. That's their selling point after all.

[@cherubibimon1875]

I've been playing it for the past few days now and its been such an experience I wouldn't say its scary but its lonely and Ominous The plot story rooms with "No one's here" The Music and visuals bringing a almost Intense need to hide and watch the horror walk right past I'd say so far my favorites have been Mitra's castle and Carina I just think the ladder would have a more mysterious music to convey the feeling of being lost with the sheer size of the mall. P.s: the only character i care about is Demonee-ho, humanity can get consumed for all i care

[@yasinqazi8025]

What I like about strange journey is that at the end you so don’t feel powerful, your equipment is better sure but your still just a man and you have to beat impossible odds. mem aleph was an oppressive boss and when you beat her it feels earned in a way that other games can’t give you. Also the main character becoming smt doom guy at the end is cool

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Very well said. Also smt doom guy just sounds epic haha

[@MILDMONSTER1234]

In every other megaten your player character is your strongest asset where as in SJ he’s basically just a glorified item dispenser

[@widchaponjearaphunt5452]

I remember when I go to stage where Zelenin got kidnap, I feel kind of sick when try to imagine when happen to those guys who got kidnap

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Yeah that scene solidified the tension for me as well.

[@Lynrowen]

Just finished this game this morning. Man. What a fucking game. Story was amazing.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Congrats! What a ride.

[@Lynrowen]

@@HallowedBeThyGame Right up there with SMT Devil Survivor for the 3ds. Such a great connection with everyone, and the story gripped me.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Devil Survivor really is just the crown jewel for me with gameplay and story. DeSu 3 when Atlus?

[@Lynrowen]

@@HallowedBeThyGame Ain't that the truth brother. My mans knows what's up. What i'd give to see a third.

[@liamnehren1054]

I've only played part of this SMT game, they tend to be really long games and brutally difficult compared to most RPGs but I do remember a few times early on that due to the structure of the areas, it constantly locks you into an area where you have no idea how long it will take you to reach a safe zone since you can no longer retreat.... on top of this which was just the atmosphere, every story beat I came across was just a slap in the face for the main character with hope being whittled away, not strange for an SMT game but if that continues indefinitely then it is a little strange even for SMT.

[@cybersosis]

It’s one of the finest examples of cosmic horror.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

I completely agree.

[@Cadychan]

SJ continues to be one of my all-time favourites in terms of story, and I've played a lot of entries in the overall SMT umbrella. The maturity of the story and setting is leagues beyond many others. I never got or played Redux; I got and beat the OG version at release (true neutral, baby!) and put close to 70 hrs in, so I dunno if I'd want to reply it lol.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Way to go! Yeah I would be the same way, but had an incredible time through my playthrough as well. It is easily my favorite story and setting for the SMT games.

[@kyuven]

The only thing that kinda took me out of Strange Journey was the esoteric naming system. Like, these are ostensibly military guys, right? If so, they would probably have given each area more down-to-earth and easy to remember names. Like, Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, etc. I know, I know. Symbolism. But still.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Haha that’s a good point

[@blaze595]

A bit of a tangent, but I think if nothing else the recent rise in popularity of games like Fear and Hunger has proven to a lot of people that you can absolutely have horror turn based games; which is good. I'm hoping that Strange Journey (and the other 3DS/DS SMT games) get the recent Atlus port treatment; to expose them to more people and be playable on modern systems.

[@DN_123]

Strange journey doesn't even feel like your typical jrpg once you pass the first boss. As you've said, it's more of a horror and survival story about the future of mankind towards extinction against the unknown.

[@Zushikina143]

Played and finished almost all the smt and persona games yet for me, SMT SJ is still my most favorite from them all, from the atmosphere and storytelling alone, it's already the best for me, and that damn battle theme "fear of god" is the most memorable for me to all the smt battle themes period.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

That track hits really hard, just like the bosses lol

[@AlonzoTompkins]

I’ve seen a mature games made for free on flash that are turn based RPGs and horror. Hell, I’ve see cute mascot platformers turn into horror games. Horror is a genre broad enough that it can fit any other genre in it. Except racing games. But I could be wrong there. Lol

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

A racing horror game could be the next new genre 🤔 But I agree there’s so much more to horror than jump scares.

[@chillinon3263]

Demons n Drag Racing let’s go 👀

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

@@chillinon3263 😈🏎

[@mechatengu7368]

Played through strange journey just recently and yeah, every step is dreadful and the music, the atmosphere, everything just feels uneasy. Though some EX missions (everything the dwarf has to offer in carina), teleport mazes and annoying pitfall traps takes away the feel of dread and replaces it with sheer annoyance

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Strange Journey can troll mega hard haha.

[@bloodybladenum1920]

Strange journey was my introduction into smt and turned based dungeon crawlers as a whole and I have to say I LOVED it the whole vibe kept me on edge even when I could end battles in 1 or 2 turns just because of the damn music it does such a good job at touching that part of your brain that says "DANGER WATCHOUT!" but manages to tone it down so you're at a mild unrest that said Bootes has amazing music

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

It was my intro into first person dungeon crawlers too and it left a heck of an impression haha. But yeah Bootes music is legit.

[@KingAges]

I'm thinking about getting this game on my 3DS (Strange Journey Redux) mostly because the gameplay heavily reminds me of the Etrian Odyssey games. Another franchise by Atlus that I so love. Hoping I can actually finish this game unlike other RPGS that I've picked up before.

[@giantdad1661]

I at first found the battle music underwhelming but then I hit "Battle". The beginning makes you feel up against it like you could die at any minute.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

That’s a really good way to put it too lol

[@giantdad1661]

@@HallowedBeThyGame I mean it still feels that way farther in but its a lot less pressure halfway through.

[@Motavian]

Strange Journey was very easy for me due to how INVESTED I was in the unrelentingly bleak story. I sucked at Nocturne and I'm always surprised when I hear people say how ST is the hardest of the series.

[@CallofDutyBlackOps28]

anyone who says SMT can't/couldn't be a horror game; there's literally demons that can change into humans; lure you into trap and eat you. SMT1 was such a game where your characters mom has that fate. the series has some really good "0 to 100" moments in games i never thought could be so good.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

SMT 1 is a game I have to make time for. It has such a nightmarish feel and look to it. Very haunting from what I've seen.

[@LainWithSweetTea]

Even modern entries have heavy horror elements. Despite apocalypse toned down atmosphere later events and the Flynn shesha scare still managed to make me jump.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

@@LainWithSweetTea yeah that scene made me jump too lol.

[@zomboids2100]

The red pills and reverse hills of IV says hello. ☻️ 💊

[@frds_skce]

We SMT fans are desensitized to gore and murders, ayy

[@zapato6071]

Reading the comments im surprised no one recommended the manga of strange journey its pretty good and the artwork is amazing.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Uhhhhh I did not know about this. I’m gonna have to check this out!

[@snailthelostcow63]

The manga made me feel our protagonist is quite lucky than the other squad

[@tartoflan]

9:39 Damn, Yukiko really became badass for some reason

[@umbertodeclemente]

I couldn’t agree more. SJR was my first approach with a ‘mainline’ SMT and god I loved it!

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

That’s an epic entry to the series too haha, such an amazing experience!

[@umbertodeclemente]

@@HallowedBeThyGame yeah, a real nightmare! After it I played nocturne (the remastered) and it was a piece of cake. I’ve recently finished SMT V too

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

I love them all but yeah SJ is just another level of difficulty lol. Terrifyingly so 👻

[@dantederi5062]

Hey, I really would love to see your video of exploring the full story of this game. It's so intriguing to hear you explain it, yet this video just left me with the feeling of wanting more. Pleaseee do a full analysis video, pleaseeeee

[@GenerationPixel]

Outstanding video buddy 👏👌

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Thanks! So glad you enjoyed!

[@JimmyJacksOfficial]

The game really feels like a journey…. A strange journey

[@psiphorplaysagame]

Intriguing... I've not played this but, in principle, I'd agree that of course, such games can be 'horror' and from what you describe, the story, setting/themes and atmosphere indeed sound horrific (In a good way). I note from the footage, this isn't purely a turn-based game? The 3D/first-person exploration sections would help to plant you 'In the moment'. Great video buddy. 👍😎

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

It’s a lot of fun and yes it is definitely spooky at times. You’ll have to let me know if you ever try it out. For sure one of the eeriest turn-based games I’ve ever played. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@psiphorplaysagame]

@@HallowedBeThyGame Hi bud. I doubt I'll go back this far, but I enjoy hearing from other gamers all about their game experiences, whatever the period/genre/platform. 😎

[@useless1]

And i always thought i couldn't play horror games...

[@roastingnerd8545]

Its my personal favorite in the smt franchise. Definitely because of the europian Zelenin gal, her final design is just really good lol and the atmosphere as you watch people die around you is really depressing at times.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

It’s an excellent favorite to have and yeah I agree Zelenin’s design is my favorite as well.

[@camharkness]

I remember playing strange journey after playing 1,2,3,4, and the devil survivor games, and just feeling this dread I didn't feel in the other games. And I loved it so much. It's an amazing game.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

They just hit in such unique ways. Incredible series!

[@blazingswordchad3384]

Just beat Strange Journey (the OG, not the remake), and I can't really agree with this video's points. The game was pretty easy, save for a few bosses and especially the final boss (Which was a massive difficulty spike out of nowhere, I don't blame you for saying that its the hardest boss you've ever experienced as I totally understand that). IMO there isn't really enough in the game to truly draw one in and believe its a horror game imo, save for the beginning and a few moments in the game like what happens to Jimenez for example. I see what you're trying to say, and I agree in the sense that there are dark elements to the game, but those don't automatically translate to being horror imo. There isn't enough immersion, not enough infliction of terror, not enough of an atmosphere of despair and fear of everything to truly feel like I can call it akin to a horror game. Plus the lack of truly terrifying entities going after you definitely doesn't help things either. Something like Diablo 1, I'd be willing to call like a horror game. Its got everything. The atmosphere is oppressive, the monsters and demons you face are crafted to be terrifying and horrible, the visuals are excellent. Things are genuinely terrible in that game. Strange Journey... it just doesn't reach that level imo, I think the visuals definitely hurt it a lot in that respect, the music is pretty part for the course and rarely inspires a feeling of horror. In Strange Journey, they rely largely on an intro sequence to tell you that the world outside is terrible, and then use an approach in the game to beat you over the head that "humans are bad"... which is kinda "eh" with regards to horror. What doesn't help things is that if "humans bad" is one of your messages, its hard to really be all that frightened of the game if humans were able to cause these kinds of issues in the first place. I mean the Schwartzwelt is literally stopped by humanity if you choose to do so. If the entities are complaining about humans (and yet simultaneously rely on them), it becomes harder to take them seriously as threats. It just lacks enough truly scary elements, if I can be honest. I think JRPGs can be like horror games, but I don't think Strange Journey reaches that level. If it had more work put into it to make the player feel the way that you would for a horror game, I might be inclined to agree, but... I just can't.

[@nova2754]

Literal estas en mundo con criaturas desconocidas, entes que van más allá de la compresión humana con decisiones que dirías cuestionables pero para ellos es muy normal acabar una vida y hacer otra. Que si no van más profundo de ese mundo y detener la aniquilación completa de la humanidad, no quedaría nada. Incluso si se toma en cuenta que al enviarlos a una misión no saben si volverán con vida o si durante la misión morirán de maneras horribles. Como el segundo piso, experimentan con los humanos a ver a donde llegan sus capacidades, incluso llegan a disfrutar el experimento, torturas de todo tipo. También mostrando un futuro terrible para la humanidad. He leído libros donde la imaginación te podría dar más o menos como podría ocurrir una escena y en eso SJ lo hace bien

[@blazingswordchad3384]

@@nova2754 Considering I already played SMT IV before I played Strange Journey... I already know that the SMT demons are strange, violent, and have unusual thought patterns, but saying they "go beyond human understanding" is a stretch, when you can literally negotiate with them in the game and rely on them in battle. Humans also had periods of time in history where it was very common for violence to occur. As for dying in horrible ways... you rarely see that. You usually just see a corpse of a crew member on the ground randomly throughout the game, that's it. People die, but its not surprising considering the mission was bound to be dangerous from the start. Torture and experimentation... it wasn't really enough if I can be perfectly honest. Not enough was shown generally. Nothing to really inspire terror or fear either. Plenty of works have torture and human experimentation. Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood had a guy turn his child daughter into a chimera abomination, but nobody's calling that a horror anime lol. Regarding a terrible future for humanity... There are plenty of works that have this. Nearly any post-apocalyptic work for example, and many sci-fi works. I wouldn't say all of them are horror though. Heck, in a very popular old mecha anime series which I won't spoil the name of, pretty much the entire planet Earth gets nuked from what I remember. As for books... different mediums have different standards. Video games are a visual and audio medium, and standards and feelings are different for those compared to something like books.

[@SEGAblocks]

First I wanna stress that anyone who says SMT isn’t a horror series? They are sadly mistaken. Definitely a horror series! I never had the opportunity to play Strange Journey as of yet but from your review and seeing others gameplay, I can definitely see that it is in fact a horror turnbased rpg. Cosmic Santa 🤣 Love it! Dude you are seriously helping me Find a new interest and love in a series! Thanks for sharing and influencing my want to check out more in the series!

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Thanks so much man. Honestly one of my greatest pleasures is introducing people to these games. I’m so happy you enjoyed and yeah Strange Journey is freaking fantastic haha 😂 you rock brother!

[@theshaggs4023]

No smt is not a horror series, anyone who thinks this doesn't know how horror works or is as a concept.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

@@theshaggs4023 Zoinks!

[@formerlostcause3573]

I mean horror should scare you or give you a scence of stress right? i never felt scared while playing smt games or felt stressed except some parts of devil survivor 1 and it was because of the difficulty and the fact that it took me 30 minutes to get to this point of the battle and i dont want to repeat it.

[@theshaggs4023]

@@formerlostcause3573 nahh not really, sure I guess some people would get scared because of that. However horror isn't what I would Label this series.

[@indranilroy4822]

Strange journey is one of the few games ive played where i actually felt a sense.of unease and fear throughout. The bootes sector in particualar stuck out to me with the palace torture sequence where the demons casually described how they killed your crewmen as the game shows their still images which leaves a lot to the imagination, not to mention mastema's introduction- there's just that uncanny thing about his design which didnt really sit right with me.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

This is extremely well said.

[@EternallyBlu]

A couple other turn-based horror games are Koudelka and Shadow Hearts. I personally consider a few SMT games full on horror games. SMT 3 and 4 in particular. SMT V has some freaky story beats and a lot of creepy tracks, but has too many moments of levity for me to consider it a genuine horror experience.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

I want to play Koudelka and Shadow Hearts bad.

[@drparadox7833]

I love this game because it is unique EVEN for SMT it is not in tokyo and Japan IS NOT center of the world AND Main cast are mature Army men instead of teenagers and JRPG BS Oh and it is also an absolute BLAST FOR A JOJO FAN

[@Tulase]

I'd love to see this game being adapted to another media just so non-gamers could experience this masterpiece!

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Yeah a miniseries anime of this would be goat

[@ASHURAHEN]

When the journey Is truly STRANGE 😳

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Coo coo bananas kinda strange 🤣

[@n-extrafries-surprise]

What an odd odyssey

[@fall5923]

Strange journey should be remade with the RE engine.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

I'd be there day 1 haha

[@Darkcelestrian]

Smt as a whole can be argued to be horror to some degree

[@galloviking4766]

I came to Strange Journey for its Etrian Odyssey-esque gameplay. I remained for literally everything else. As for the difficulty: once again, it comes from where Strange Journey finds its roots, Etrian Odyssey. These games are completely unforgiving.

[@CallMeG99]

i still haven't tried this one, but honestly is has been one of the game that i have always been waiting to play, the atmosphere of kinda space and snow really fits for a horror style and because of this i always blame myself to not start playing it (mostly because i always start a new game before even taking my DS and play Strange Journey)

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

You’ll have to let me know if ya ever dive in. Have fun!

[@CallMeG99]

@@HallowedBeThyGame probably soon, i started Crash 4 two days ago and as soon i finish it gonna start with Strange Journey (i also bought SMT V and 3 HD that same day but honestly speaking, haven't used my DS for a long time). Any tips for it? I only played SMT 4 and Devil Summoner (the 3DS version) as well the first Devil Survivor (the remake one)

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

@@CallMeG99 oh you got plenty of experience under your belt for this. The most jarring transition is the game’s alignment system. You are encouraged to use demons of the same alignment as the choices you make. That is till the end but that’s a different trial.

[@FirstLTRipvanWinkle]

Awesome video. This game plus, digital devil saga, Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 1 & 2 are my favorites. I still play them.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

My favorite SRPGs by far.

[@TheDenssy]

This game really doesn't gives you a break, I remember the first time I played strange journey the only area I felt safe was right at the end in horolomgium with my "broken" team of demons just to get absolutely CLAPPED by mem aleph

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Mem aleph dunked hard 🤣

[@igodreamer7096]

Exactly what I thought, this game really is an unique experience!

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

It really is, so good!

[@gazer3713]

at first i didnt really like stange journey on nds. but after playing it on 3ds.it was so good, i cant stop. Wish they make this kind surreal horror adventure more

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

I'd love more entries like Strange Journey. Incredible atmosphere

[@4pplypr3ssure]

Title of main battle theme is "fear of god" that explains a lot

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Haha good point

[@4pplypr3ssure]

@@HallowedBeThyGame even the most hardcore athiest will indeed develop a fear of god once they been thrown into hellscape

[@karolis.burzinskas]

Best SMT game. Loved IV and Apocalypse, Raidou Kazunoha stories was alright. Devil Survivor 2, Soul Hackers & Persona series was great, especially P3Fes, but there is no game that can beat Strange Journey. DS version is TOP, but i personaly think 3DS version is way more flashed out. It's a perfect adventure 100%.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Completely agree. Strange Journey is one for the history books.

[@Sithno]

i have played ..and to this day many people say i "over level" for boss fights ...i say "no ..i'm not even close to being over leveled" this game never fails to remind me ..if the MC dies GAME OVER so yeah ..i'm not over level ..i'm standing a chance against the boss

[@Jips907]

All this game needed was jump scares and it would've been even more perfect

[@persona2bestpersona891]

its the only smt game where i truly didnt know which route to pick

[@andreassewell7413]

One of the first survival horror was Sweet Home an RPG game. Survival horror is intrinsically given over to the RPG genre because one is role playing as a survivor against impossible oppressive odds and anticipating with fear the many consequences of failure/death not failure/death in of itself.

[@thepaper888]

Since 3ds eshop sale is going away I got all megaten games I missed out on. This one I never played but always heard good things.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Hope ya have a blast with it!

[@donaldxavier2056]

I finished this game recently. It was good! Great review!

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

That’s awesome! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@khangchu57]

Great video! SJ is my favorite turn-based JRPG ever, amazing cosmic horror experience.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Couldn't agree more! I highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of cosmic horror.

[@kira-dk2mx]

I can never not imagine a chorus of Jack Frosts singing the game's kick-ass soundtrack.

[@vinigmoura]

I love the SMT series, played a lot but its amazing how SJ surprised me, its even better than I ever thought, I wish I had played SMT IV after this one, but still amazing knowing the possible terrifying result of the mission.

[@realkingofantarctica]

What makes Strange Journey stand out, even compared to other SMT games, is just how out-of-the-loop you feel within the narrative. Major events transpire around you with you barely even witnessing them. Once rational allies suddenly start to become untrustworthy, brooding, and bastardised. The labyrinthine hallways never seem to end and make you lose sight of your mission; a mission you can't even begin to picture the ending of. It's scary because it's horror beyond your comprehension. You feel like a spectator, being pushed along towards the end while watching everything and everyone else crumble behind a two-way mirror.

[@ali-yunsworld2538]

Shoutout to the algorithm for making me discover this channel 🙏🏿 love your megaten videos 💯

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

So happy you enjoyed!

[@napoleonfeanor]

But in SMT, the magical sky daddy is real. He just decided to let the world end.

[@ryuzxa]

Played strange journey and my god the sudden change from a cave to a WW2 is terrifying (I'm fighting the boss rn and holy shit its hard as hell)

[@joshuamedina6807]

Every smt game has a sense of horror for me every time you get to a boss you normally are and should be soiling your pants in fear for what fresh hell awaits you the story builds this fear be it the Amala network in nocturne Tokyo more specifically the Asuka Kai lab from 4 the setting of this game the normal world with the demonic underworld that controls everything of the devil summoner series the junkyard eating itself alive in Digital devil saga and of course this game and the hopeless nature of weakness of this game

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

I completely agree, and that feeling they create is what keeps me coming back for me.

[@p3p07]

yeah id be scared shit whenever i see matador hanging out at my mall

[@NsEndandFriends]

Really hope I can play this sometime in the future with how you've bult it up.

[@HallowedBeThyGame]

Hope you have a blast with it!

[@Pduarte79]

I'm at it seems, the last strata, I think is called sector Eridanus. I stop there, because SMTV finally came out.

[@DuyNguyen-bk1zv]

yea, it's fairly scary. At least until your character turned into a literal Demon Slayer with a taste of Matricide