Topic: Shin Megami Tensei IV Difficulty: Fair or Not?

I'm sure something similar to this was created a while ago, but I'm not much in the mood for digging through past pages on the forums... I apologize all the same.

I got Shin Megami Tensei IV a while ago, back when the eShop promotion was going on...but I kinda was put off by the difficulty even early on, so I put it on hold. Now that I'm back...I really must wonder if I can even get through it. I may be new to the franchise but overall the game seems to be somewhat cheap. Like, walking into a room and an enemy spawns on me, getting the first hit and killing me kinda cheap. Or how you have to completely guess in order to learn weaknesses/resistances. Does anyone else feel this way at all, or is it perhaps me balking a tad too early (I'm really only just past the basic tutorial)?

That said...would switching to the easier difficulty help tremendously? I appreciate any feedback!

It's fair once you get into the city. The first few hours are really cheap, though.

Insta-death is the way of Shin Megami Tensei, my friend.

Going to an easier difficulty would help, but... can your dignity handle it?

It is fair. Just keep a pool of all attack types on you to exploit weaknesses and you should be fine. Working for me, I've died thrice but never dropped the difficultly either

I have heard the beginning is rather hard on you. I suppose I could toggle the difficulty to easy until I get to the city...I should know better, though. I mean, this IS what Atlus is partially infamous for. I couldn't even get through Catherine's tutorial on Normal! Appreciate the feedback.

How difficult is it compared to Devil Survivor? And are there multiple endings with specific ridiculous requirements?

Im having a hard time near the end but after the first say 5 to7 hours things begin ti click and get way easier!

@DarkwingLz Compared to Devil Survivor, I'd say SMT IV is far more fair, since you can actually become pretty decently strong fairly early on. Not only that, but the combat mechanics and strength of enemies v. you is less cheap, and there are only 4 endings, which are all based on your alignment.

I'm struggling towards the end but I remember having a tough time early in the game. DON'T GIVE UP!!! The trick is to raise powerful monsters then make your monsters give cool skills to you. Then you gotta fuse monsters to create better monsters. Also... use those app points to gain cool bonuses in the "App store" in the game.
The bosses are tough, though.
I'm glad I have the official guide... even though the guide randomly stops giving advice.

Wait...you're still not done the game?

Shut it!! Its in the system though if that helps any.

aaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahahahahaha! Having it in the system is 1/2 the battle!

So what WII U games are you playing?

I'll give you one guess. Just go home and check Epic Quest! On my second ball at 1.6 billion with 5balls left!

The difficulty is similar to Earthbound. Its pretty easy to fall flat on your face in the beginning, but sooner or later, you'll get the hang of it.
Only Earthbound doesn't have much of a punishment system to it, as opposed to SMT4, in which you have to pay up, but that itself is an option of its own.

You have got to be kidding! What are you...a pinball master?

The first few hours are pretty cheap but once you start getting some of the Tier 2 and 3 skills most monsters become a breeze. My character knows Luster Candy (increase all states by +1 for everyone in your group) and Debilitate (decrease all enemies' stats by -1). Ever since I learned those two most monsters can barely touch me.

How many people who think the game is fair used guides, FAQs, or forums to find out vulnerabilities, the best monsters to fuse, etc.? Some people think playing a game that way is fun, rewarding, and worthwhile. Some people (<-- me) don't.

@MERG Well it takes a lot of practice to get good at any table. It will take me months to crack the top 10 on all tables though!