before I play this game I play SMT : Nocturne . I be impress with the game mechanic , as well as delighted with the difficulty of the game -lrb- unlike ff game , it be possible to be wipe out by even low level monster if you be not careful -rrb- . so , when I see another game sport the SMT engine be come to the ps2 I reserve it immediately . frankly I find this game to be better than SMT : n in most respects . true you do not get to create a `` army '' of monster as in SMT : n -lrb- probably one of the better feature of SMT : n -rrb- , but you do have a greater control of the growth of you character than you do in SMT : n -lrb- you no longer loose forever the skill that you replace -rrb- . so here be a breakdown of the game : plot : 4\/5 very good plot , somewhat confusing , but most of we who play japanese game and read Mangas be use to be keep in the dark about what be really go on -lrb- as well as spending much of the earlier moment confuse as hell ... big-o be a great example of this -rrb- . much like Xenosaga , there be a lot of information available that can be use to help figure thing out , but you have to pay attention and be ready to think a little outside the box . the only thing I dislike be the use of the `` silent protagonist '' . I hate this technique with a passion , where the main character be only give choice every once and a while , and in the meantime do not say a single word . some of you may be familiar with this technique , as it be be use in a lot of game , such as Chrono trigger -lrb- and cross as well -rrb- , SMT : n , the breath of fire game , and a couple of the Suikoden game -lrb- the first one for sure -rrb- . the reason I dislike this technique ? it cause the main character to be flat , shallow , and pretty much iconic . basically , it prevent a lot of possible character development for who should be the focus of the plot . but with the silent Protagonist character , you can only learn about the main character through other , and the other be of course allow to reach a depth the main character can not obtain . in SMT : dd the main character `` Serph '' be the allow only to reach a state that I would call `` robotic . '' there be a couple of moment where he be portray as have more depth , but those be flee and overall you be leave with a character who seem to lack a personality . this aside , the other character be develop fairly well , with enough left unknown to merit the sequel . graphic : 3\/5 good . this be make stright up use the SMT engine from nocturne . they even keep most of the demon from nocturne . the background and dungeon be somewhat drab , but that be do intentionally because of the setting in which the game take place . the only negative side to the graphic be that sometimes the resolution be somewhat low , which can lead to problem with position . sound : 5\/5 excellent . this be one of the few success in voice act I have see in a dub video game recently . while the voice acting be not the best in the world , it at least portray the character well , and the line be not give with a constant tone of wooden indifference . there be a couple of voice that do not quite hit the mark , but the core cast be very well do . the music be excellent , many of the tune fit the atmosphere , and the introduction reel by Etero Anime fit the intro scene . control : 5\/5 Great . the control be almost exactly as they be in SMT : N. The battle system use the same attack number determination as well . most control be straight forward , although the battle system be more complex for those use to ff turn base style combat . but if you pay attention and read up on the combat , it become second nature after a while . novelty : 2\/5 below average . this be the one low point of the game . it be unfortunate that they choose to keep so many of the monster from SMT : N. it make the game feel more like a mod than a actual self enclose game . by keep so much of the SMT : n system they pretty much lose all ability to consider the game a novel creation . although dd be a great game , if you have play nocturne , you 'll find yourself say `` hey wait a minute I have see this before '' quite a bit . the plot be quite original , as be many of the item and some new skill . but for the most part , it feel like you be play a game with 40 % new material and 60 % recycled material . overall : 5\/5 it be a great game despite a few flaw . if you like SMT : N then you 'll love this game . if you hate SMT : n or find it frustratingly difficult , then you 'll find this game much the same .