No. They are within one multiverse, but different universes. It's possible that IV follows up on Strange Journey's neutral ending, but that's still just a theory. Nocturne is pretty much its own beast altogether, but it introduces the Amala network, which explains that the games do indeed connect together. SMTIV kind of makes it even more canon with its confirmation of multiple timelines. There's one sequel chain that we know for sure happened. SMT I -> SMT II -> Raidou Kuzunoha goes back to the past to prevent the apocalypse -> Raidou Kuzunoha and the Soulless Army -> Raidou Kuzunoha and King Abaddon -> one ending leads back to the SMT I timeline; while the other leads into SMT if..., and from if... you get the Devil Summoner and Persona series.
So, are all the main SMT games canon with each other? Does SMT IV follow up from what occurs after Nocturne?
They are that. The Persona series is actually canon to the SMT multiverse, except it's a split timeline from the main series where the apocalypse never happened. The demons in SMT come from the Amala network - that is a plane that is actually the center of the entire SMT multiverse, so even though there are no more humans in the Nocturne world, the demons come from there. Amala is also built on the human collective, but it's actually built from the unconscious of people from the entire thing, which explains why some demons reference people and events that did not happen in the particular timeline you are playing.
So, the demons are actually kind of just shadows? Representations of humanities psyche, rather than true demons in the traditional sense? But, in SMT 3, doesn't the world get wiped out except for, like, 5 people in the hospital? So how are there so many demons left?
On a lighter not, look! I'm Beast now
Sorry. Accidental double post.
Demons exist because humans exist. They're a force that is born off the collective unconscious, which is why they take the forms people have thought of. This is what Kaneko and the others mean when they say that God is not the ultimate adversary of the SMT multiverse. His nature is the way it is because that's what humans in the game world want - a vengeful judge with no mercy for sinners. This makes him the Old Testament God in this universe, true, but not the creator deity. In that way, humans are the real monsters of the SMT multiverse. Demons are only representations of aspect of humanity, which is why the have static alignments, with each alignment having a most powerful representative, whereas humans have always been shown in the games to be unique in that they are capable of change. Still, I understand why you don't like it. Hope this just clears out a bit why I find it so fascinating, though.
If the myths were researched so in-depth, why is God so evil? And the name makes it pretty clear that it is supposed to be a representation of our God, at least. What is the games' explanation for demons that you speak of?
Because, by virtue of the explanation the games give for demons, he isn't exactly our God, and more like a representation, or rather an exaggeration, of certain traits of humanity. I like the games for that - they're an interesting insight into humanity, their vices, their virtues, and ideals. While I may not agree with every answer they present, I really appreciate that there is a series out there that really goes there and tries to deal with this topic in a unique way, on top of having very satisfying gameplay and not just relying purely on that to get sales. Plus, all the myths are researched in a stupidly in-depth way, which really helps the theme of looking at the different facets of humanity all the stronger.
Well, there's no reason to be depressed, really. You're more involved already and I know for a fact that there are people around here that do care about you and want to see more of you here
