Megami Tensei Gaiden: Last Bible
Encyclopedia
The series is a spin-off series of Megami Tensei
that is told through four handheld
games and one Super Nintendo game. They have all been developed by Multimedia Intelligence Transfer and published by Atlus
, except for Last Bible Special, which was developed by Sega
. Only Revelations: The Demon Slayer was released outside of Japan, having a 1999 North American release.
The series serves as part of the Megami Tensei franchise targeted at younger players of the Game Boy console, a purpose later passed on to the Devil Children series. The "Last Bible" part is actually a misnomer, with the game having very little to do with the Holy Bible except for the major antagonist being named Lucifer
. The games are set in an imaginary world with strong fantasy elements. Last Bible is also far lower in tone compared to other Megaten games due to the use of the term "monster"(Majuu (魔獣)) instead of "devil/demon"(Akuma (悪魔)).
Similar to other games in the Megami Tensei series, players are able to recruit enemy monsters during battle and fuse them. Players can converse with enemies and by taking certain attitudes, can persuade the enemy to join the battle party. Unlike in most Megami Tensei games, monsters in the Last Bible games are not stored on a computer and there are no classifications or races of monsters, except for in Last Bible 3.
The Last Bible games use basic role-playing video game
mechanics, including turn-based, randomly encountered
battles, which award the player with experience points and gold after the enemies have been defeated. Also, as in the mainline MegaTen series, monsters can be asked to join the main party and will fight alongside the human characters.
To capture a monster, the player must start a conversation with one during battle. When the protagonist speaks to the monster, the player must answer a series of questions that the monster asks to attempt to appeal to its unique personality. If successful, the monster will join the protagonist. If not, the monster will attack. In Revelations, if any member other than El speaks, there is a random chance that the monster will join. The option of bribing is impossible and like all Megami Tensei games, there are some monsters that can never join the protagonist, such as any monster fought during a boss battle. Monsters can be fused together, usually, in order to create stronger monsters.
In Last Bible II, different phases of the moon affect the conversations with the monsters. Last Bible III features the ability to recruit monsters, but takes a step further and allows players to customize their monsters. Monsters can be equipped with items and level up just like human characters. A new feature during battle is a gauge that tells the player how close a monster is to being recruited. Recruitment of monsters requires correct answers of a few questions.
Another Bible features entirely different gameplay. Instead of the first-person
battles of the first three games, Another Bible is a tactical role-playing game
, allowing players to move their characters on a grid-like battlefield. Last Bible Special continues the first-person battle trend, but removes the overhead perspective of the previous games, having players instead explore first-person dungeons, similar to Shin Megami Tensei
.
(Revelations: The Demon Slayer in North America) was developed by Multimedia Intelligence Transfer and published by Atlus
and is part of the Megami Tensei
series. The game originally was released in Japan
in 1992. On March 19, 1999, the game was remade with updated graphics for the Game Boy Color
. This version would be localized for North America and released on August 27, 1999. Also, Sega
released an identically-titled port of the game for the Game Gear. This is not to be confused with the sequel released exclusively on the Game Gear and titled Megami Tensei Gaiden: Last Bible Special.
Megami Tensei Gaiden: Last Bible is a side-game (gaiden
) of the Megami Tensei universe. The humans in this game can call on the power of Gaia. The main hero, El, learns the art of Gaia and must save the world from an evil Gaia master (called Gaia Meisters in the original Japanese version), assisted by his friends Kishe and Uranus. The world in which this game takes place is a borderline-prehistoric world with many towns being named after mythological or ancient cities such as Atlantis
and Harappa
. This is unlike the other Megami Tensei games, which are set in modern or a futuristic Japan
.
In a review for the game on IGN
, Adam Cleveland awarded the game a 7 out of 10, noting that "Although it's not perfect for everyone, it should appeal to those of us who are constantly keeping our eyes open for hand-held with tons of battles based on choosing from menus." Revelations currently holds a 76.67% on GameRankings.
Megami Tensei Gaiden: Last Bible II (女神転生外伝 ラストバイブルII) is a Japan
-only RPG developed by Multimedia Intelligence Transfer and published by Atlus
. The game is the second in the Megami Tensei Gaiden series. The game was originally released for the Game Boy
November 19, 1993 in Japan. It was then rereleased for the Game Boy Color
on April 16, 1999, much like its predecessor was.
In Magoku (マゴク, lit. Demon Country), only one baby was born one night. This is a sign that the revival of a godly power called Gryas will occur. Fifteen years later, Yuri, the main character and student of the powers of Gaia is recruited by the King of Magoku to destroy the ever approaching Gryas.
Last Bible III (ラストバイブルIII) is a Japan-only RPG developed by Multimedia Intelligence Transfer and published by Atlus
. This game is part of the Megami Tensei Gaiden. It was released in Japan on March 4, 1995 for the Super Nintendo. Unlike the first two Last Bible games, this one was only released once, and for a non-portable system.
Another Bible (アナザ・バイブル) is a Japan-only RPG developed by Multimedia Intelligence Transfer and published by Atlus
. It was released for the Game Boy on March 2, 1995. The game is part of the Megami Tensei gaiden
series, although it is technically not a Last Bible game. A ROM
of the game has been unofficially translated into English
by AGTP.
The game's story begins years before the protagonist's birth, when there was a great war between humans and demons. After much conflict, peace was established. But in the present, a demon cult emerges and demons no longer wish to live in peace with the humans. The two main characters are the Hero and Heroine. Together, along with other party members, they must save the world. Also, the Heroine can speak to demons, which allows the player to collect them.
Unlike in the previous Last Bible games, Special uses first-person perspective dungeons, a staple among the Shin Megami Tensei games. The game features the turn-based battles which were featured in the main Last Bible games.
Megami Tensei
, commonly abbreviated as , is a Japanese console role-playing game metaseries which was originally based on the novel series Digital Devil Story by Aya Nishitani and has gone to become one of the major franchises of the genre in its native country...
that is told through four handheld
Handheld game console
A handheld game console is a lightweight, portable electronic device with a built-in screen, game controls and speakers. Handheld game consoles are run on machines of small size allowing people to carry them and play them at any time or place...
games and one Super Nintendo game. They have all been developed by Multimedia Intelligence Transfer and published by Atlus
Atlus
is a Japanese computer and video game developer, publisher, and distributor based in Tokyo, Japan, best known for developing the console role-playing game franchise Megami Tensei. The first Megami Tensei was a Nintendo Entertainment System video game published by Namco based on a trilogy of...
, except for Last Bible Special, which was developed by Sega
Sega
, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...
. Only Revelations: The Demon Slayer was released outside of Japan, having a 1999 North American release.
The series serves as part of the Megami Tensei franchise targeted at younger players of the Game Boy console, a purpose later passed on to the Devil Children series. The "Last Bible" part is actually a misnomer, with the game having very little to do with the Holy Bible except for the major antagonist being named Lucifer
Lucifer
Traditionally, Lucifer is a name that in English generally refers to the devil or Satan before being cast from Heaven, although this is not the original meaning of the term. In Latin, from which the English word is derived, Lucifer means "light-bearer"...
. The games are set in an imaginary world with strong fantasy elements. Last Bible is also far lower in tone compared to other Megaten games due to the use of the term "monster"(Majuu (魔獣)) instead of "devil/demon"(Akuma (悪魔)).
Similar to other games in the Megami Tensei series, players are able to recruit enemy monsters during battle and fuse them. Players can converse with enemies and by taking certain attitudes, can persuade the enemy to join the battle party. Unlike in most Megami Tensei games, monsters in the Last Bible games are not stored on a computer and there are no classifications or races of monsters, except for in Last Bible 3.
Gameplay
Role-playing video game
Role-playing video games are a video game genre with origins in pen-and-paper role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons, using much of the same terminology, settings and game mechanics. The player in RPGs controls one character, or several adventuring party members, fulfilling one or many quests...
mechanics, including turn-based, randomly encountered
Random encounter
A random encounter is a feature commonly used in various role-playing games whereby encounters with non-player character enemies or other dangers occur sporadically and at random...
battles, which award the player with experience points and gold after the enemies have been defeated. Also, as in the mainline MegaTen series, monsters can be asked to join the main party and will fight alongside the human characters.
To capture a monster, the player must start a conversation with one during battle. When the protagonist speaks to the monster, the player must answer a series of questions that the monster asks to attempt to appeal to its unique personality. If successful, the monster will join the protagonist. If not, the monster will attack. In Revelations, if any member other than El speaks, there is a random chance that the monster will join. The option of bribing is impossible and like all Megami Tensei games, there are some monsters that can never join the protagonist, such as any monster fought during a boss battle. Monsters can be fused together, usually, in order to create stronger monsters.
In Last Bible II, different phases of the moon affect the conversations with the monsters. Last Bible III features the ability to recruit monsters, but takes a step further and allows players to customize their monsters. Monsters can be equipped with items and level up just like human characters. A new feature during battle is a gauge that tells the player how close a monster is to being recruited. Recruitment of monsters requires correct answers of a few questions.
Another Bible features entirely different gameplay. Instead of the first-person
First person (video games)
In video games, first person refers to a graphical perspective rendered from the viewpoint of the player character. In many cases, this may be the viewpoint from the cockpit of a vehicle. Many different genres have made use of first-person perspectives, ranging from adventure games to flight...
battles of the first three games, Another Bible is a tactical role-playing game
Tactical role-playing game
A tactical role-playing game is a type of video game which incorporates elements of traditional role-playing video games and strategy games. In Japan these games are known as , a designation which might seem peculiar to native English speakers...
, allowing players to move their characters on a grid-like battlefield. Last Bible Special continues the first-person battle trend, but removes the overhead perspective of the previous games, having players instead explore first-person dungeons, similar to Shin Megami Tensei
Shin Megami Tensei
is a console role-playing video game from Atlus that was originally released on October 30, 1992 and later on several platforms, although no installment was released outside of Japan. It was originally released on the Super Famicom and was later ported to the PC Engine Super CD-Rom and Mega-CD...
.
Revelations: The Demon Slayer
Atlus
is a Japanese computer and video game developer, publisher, and distributor based in Tokyo, Japan, best known for developing the console role-playing game franchise Megami Tensei. The first Megami Tensei was a Nintendo Entertainment System video game published by Namco based on a trilogy of...
and is part of the Megami Tensei
Megami Tensei
, commonly abbreviated as , is a Japanese console role-playing game metaseries which was originally based on the novel series Digital Devil Story by Aya Nishitani and has gone to become one of the major franchises of the genre in its native country...
series. The game originally was released in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
in 1992. On March 19, 1999, the game was remade with updated graphics for the Game Boy Color
Game Boy Color
The is Nintendo's successor to the 8-bit Game Boy handheld game console, and was released on October 21, 1998 in Japan, November 19, 1998 in North America, November 23, 1998 in Europe and November 27, 1998 in the United Kingdom. It features a color screen and is slightly thicker and taller than...
. This version would be localized for North America and released on August 27, 1999. Also, Sega
Sega
, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...
released an identically-titled port of the game for the Game Gear. This is not to be confused with the sequel released exclusively on the Game Gear and titled Megami Tensei Gaiden: Last Bible Special.
Megami Tensei Gaiden: Last Bible is a side-game (gaiden
Gaiden
is a Japanese-language word meaning "side story" or "tale", used to refer to an anecdote or supplementary biography of a person. This use of gaiden is commonly used in popular Japanese fiction to refer to a spin-off of a previously published work that is neither officially considered a sequel nor...
) of the Megami Tensei universe. The humans in this game can call on the power of Gaia. The main hero, El, learns the art of Gaia and must save the world from an evil Gaia master (called Gaia Meisters in the original Japanese version), assisted by his friends Kishe and Uranus. The world in which this game takes place is a borderline-prehistoric world with many towns being named after mythological or ancient cities such as Atlantis
Atlantis
Atlantis is a legendary island first mentioned in Plato's dialogues Timaeus and Critias, written about 360 BC....
and Harappa
Harappa
Harappa is an archaeological site in Punjab, northeast Pakistan, about west of Sahiwal. The site takes its name from a modern village located near the former course of the Ravi River. The current village of Harappa is from the ancient site. Although modern Harappa has a train station left from...
. This is unlike the other Megami Tensei games, which are set in modern or a futuristic Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
In a review for the game on IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
, Adam Cleveland awarded the game a 7 out of 10, noting that "Although it's not perfect for everyone, it should appeal to those of us who are constantly keeping our eyes open for hand-held with tons of battles based on choosing from menus." Revelations currently holds a 76.67% on GameRankings.
Megami Tensei Gaiden: Last Bible II
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
-only RPG developed by Multimedia Intelligence Transfer and published by Atlus
Atlus
is a Japanese computer and video game developer, publisher, and distributor based in Tokyo, Japan, best known for developing the console role-playing game franchise Megami Tensei. The first Megami Tensei was a Nintendo Entertainment System video game published by Namco based on a trilogy of...
. The game is the second in the Megami Tensei Gaiden series. The game was originally released for the Game Boy
Game Boy
The , is an 8-bit handheld video game device developed and manufactured by Nintendo. It was released in Japan on , in North America in , and in Europe on...
November 19, 1993 in Japan. It was then rereleased for the Game Boy Color
Game Boy Color
The is Nintendo's successor to the 8-bit Game Boy handheld game console, and was released on October 21, 1998 in Japan, November 19, 1998 in North America, November 23, 1998 in Europe and November 27, 1998 in the United Kingdom. It features a color screen and is slightly thicker and taller than...
on April 16, 1999, much like its predecessor was.
In Magoku (マゴク, lit. Demon Country), only one baby was born one night. This is a sign that the revival of a godly power called Gryas will occur. Fifteen years later, Yuri, the main character and student of the powers of Gaia is recruited by the King of Magoku to destroy the ever approaching Gryas.
Last Bible III
Atlus
is a Japanese computer and video game developer, publisher, and distributor based in Tokyo, Japan, best known for developing the console role-playing game franchise Megami Tensei. The first Megami Tensei was a Nintendo Entertainment System video game published by Namco based on a trilogy of...
. This game is part of the Megami Tensei Gaiden. It was released in Japan on March 4, 1995 for the Super Nintendo. Unlike the first two Last Bible games, this one was only released once, and for a non-portable system.
Story
The game opens with a man, Alek, wandering around in a snowy wasteland, convinced of his death. He eventually finds an entrance to the Demon World and collapses. As he collapses, he remembers his friend, Glenn, and the news of a child. This child is the main character, a blue haired boy named Ciel (Shieru). He begins his adventure by leaving his hometown and gets caught up in a large RPG story. Ciel must fulfill an ancient prophecy and defeat a great evil, with the help of his friends and recruited monsters. Last Bible III takes place in a fantasy world, but the game differs in that the setting is a 19th Century-style world with steampunk elements instead of a modern Japanese one.Another Bible
Atlus
is a Japanese computer and video game developer, publisher, and distributor based in Tokyo, Japan, best known for developing the console role-playing game franchise Megami Tensei. The first Megami Tensei was a Nintendo Entertainment System video game published by Namco based on a trilogy of...
. It was released for the Game Boy on March 2, 1995. The game is part of the Megami Tensei gaiden
Gaiden
is a Japanese-language word meaning "side story" or "tale", used to refer to an anecdote or supplementary biography of a person. This use of gaiden is commonly used in popular Japanese fiction to refer to a spin-off of a previously published work that is neither officially considered a sequel nor...
series, although it is technically not a Last Bible game. A ROM
Read-only memory
Read-only memory is a class of storage medium used in computers and other electronic devices. Data stored in ROM cannot be modified, or can be modified only slowly or with difficulty, so it is mainly used to distribute firmware .In its strictest sense, ROM refers only...
of the game has been unofficially translated into English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
by AGTP.
The game's story begins years before the protagonist's birth, when there was a great war between humans and demons. After much conflict, peace was established. But in the present, a demon cult emerges and demons no longer wish to live in peace with the humans. The two main characters are the Hero and Heroine. Together, along with other party members, they must save the world. Also, the Heroine can speak to demons, which allows the player to collect them.
Last Bible Special
Last Bible Special was the only other game in the series to be developed by Sega, along with a remake of Last Bible, both of which were released only in Japan for the Game Gear. This game was released in 1995 and was closer to other Megami Tensei games in terms of gameplay.Unlike in the previous Last Bible games, Special uses first-person perspective dungeons, a staple among the Shin Megami Tensei games. The game features the turn-based battles which were featured in the main Last Bible games.