Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster Reviews
Considering how much ground the Shin Megami Tensei franchise has gained in its efforts to court fans in North America since Nocturne first released, the game, in retrospect, feels like a harbinger of things to come that went unheeded. Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster pushes the game to new levels in terms of quality and accessibility, allowing fans the chance to fully appreciate its heady, post-apocalyptic, coming-of-age story on their terms. That's an opportunity they should not miss.
Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster may still have some rough edges for a remaster but a number of improvements as well as combat and recruitment systems that hold up strong help this classic JRPG remain just as worthwhile today as it was in 2004.
Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne is a perfect example of the elaborate gameplay that defies the passage of time. Although the original game was released in 2003, the gameplay is still wonderful and addictive. In addition, the variety of stages and the difference in how to finish them, with enemies and bosses designed differently for each stage, Each enemy has its own behavior and the way to eliminate it is different. They are not a tool to receive damage, but an enemy that makes you think about all your steps. I wish Atlus paid more attention to the remaster, as there is no change to the cinematic scenes despite their small numbers, and using the music of the PlayStation 2 version even though there is a pure version on the Youtube platform is a shame. Despite that, Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne is a unique and wonderful experience that is different from the rest of the JRPGs that fans of this genre should try.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
This game has been on my “GOAT” list for almost two decades, and revisiting it in 2021 hasn’t changed a thing.
If you are a guy who likes hard times, then this title may be one of the best RPGs you have ever played.
Review in Greek | Read full review
Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD is a great way to experience the game for newcomers as well as die-hard SMT fans.
Overall, Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster was more of an average experience, especially for a newcomer to the series. It’s by no means a terrible game, as the unique story with multiple endings is interesting enough to follow. The demon recruiting system even had the same drive to catch them all, allowing you to tailor-fit your party to deal with the various fiends throughout the game.
Yes, I love the game! Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster does so many things right that a Japanese role-player would want. First, an exciting story that takes a bit to get going, but picks up tremendously as the game progresses. With a total of six different endings, you can dive more than a hundred hours into the game. Secondly, the combat system, despite its age, is not boring. No two battles are alike, and in the most marginal fights you have to be careful not to die. Only by cleverly using the press-turn system can you survive. But this level of difficulty has been greatly alleviated with the "Gracious Mode". This means that a wider audience can now have fun with the title. Only the annoying random battles dampen the euphoria. Last but not least, the collecting urge is more than satisfied in the title. With far more than a hundred demons and monsters, there are endless possibilities to put together your dream team. Also, many monsters can evolve as well, giving a real "Pokémon feeling". I'm confident that Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster will be a big seller. Perhaps this will see more Shin Megami classics get a re-release on the current generation of consoles. Also, this spin-off is the perfect preparation for the hopefully soon to be released fifth part!
Review in German | Read full review
In short, due to its design coherence, importance in mechanics, high artistic personality and conceptual depth, Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster is, of course, a must-have game for experienced dungeon crawlers or fans of the Shin Megami Tensei series who haven't played it yet. Due to its high difficulty and strenuous pace, both for combat and exploration, the title is not recommended for first-timers in the series, much less for those who have not played any RPG of the type.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
This is the game that set my standards for a turn-based JRPG, and revisiting it showed me why. Make no mistake, I loved Shin Megami Tensei IV, Apocalypse, and Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE as well. But this one stands triumphantly as the best of MegaTen (although TMS is a solid second, salty Fire Emblem fans be damned). At least for now. Shin Megami Tensei V is on the way, and it’s coming for Nocturne‘s crown. May the best God-rejecting simulator win.
Shin Megami Tensei is a memorable sign of what the series represents. Atlus has done a great job when it comes to updating the title to the current dynamics of video games. Still it is to be noted that there are significant points that should have been improved. Mainly with regard to videos and soundtrack, which could provide a significantly improved experience. Nevertheless, it is the best version of the game and the easiest way for current players to experience the series and learn about the origins of the mechanics, designs and themes of its Spinoffs.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster is an unforgiving, borderline nihilistic tale of ruin that doesn't even let me have fun when I try. The updates to this fourth different version are not enough to justify the price. You either see it as iconic or moronic. Either way, you would be right.
Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster is a good step forward to introduce newcomers to the series, but there is not much incentive for fans to return to it again.
There is a lot to love about Nocturne. The story is relevant and timeless, the characters engaging. The Vortex World of post-apocalyptic Tokyo is eerily beautiful, the dungeons varied. The voice acting is all around pretty solid (I played using the Japanese cast, since I prefer original language to dubs). Even the game’s vaunted difficulty, for all the anguish and frustration it caused, has its own charms. Some of the game design choices feel distinctly of their era and returning to them 20 years on feels archaic and cumbersome, but despite those flaws, Nocturne stands the test of time and remains one of gaming’s best RPGs. You owe it to yourself to play it if you haven’t before, and to revisit it if you have. The HD remaster is a fantastic addition to the SMT library.
It has a couple blemishes, but Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster is still the best way to play one of the best JRPGs around.
Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne aged quiet well and despite the weak effort put into the remaster, gamers that are looking for atmospheric and difficult titles should still pay their attention to it.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster offers enough improvements and added content to show that a classic, turn-based RPG is still worth playing. Whether you’ve already played the original PlayStation 2 version or are a newcomer, ingest a Magatama and get ready for a wild, post-apocalyptic ride.
Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster is the remaster of one of the best RPGs until date with an incredible story and demanding combat mechanics (although now there is an easy mode), but on a graphical level leaves something to be desired. This is a title that needs a lot of polishing as a remaster, but that anyone who likes RPGs, has time and patience, should play.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
It’s a love letter that will undoubtedly tug on emotions, and make those question their morals and ambitions. Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne will always be, one of the greatest of all time.