Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster Reviews

Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster is ranked in the 71st percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
May 19, 2021

Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne was one of the first games I ever reviewed as a game critic, back on the PlayStation 2. I was mesmerised by it then, because I found it to be a deeply challenging, but also deeply rewarding JRPG, and its dark, genuinely adult theme wasn't so common for JRPGs back then. 18-odd years later, my interest in games has shifted slightly, and I'd like to think my capabilities and depth as a critic has matured. However, this game continues to compel me. It is thought-provoking, deeply creative, and a genuinely serious JRPG. Oddly enough, one of the qualities that drew me to the original has drawn me back to the remaster: we still don't get so many of those.

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98%
May 18, 2021

Nocturne isn’t just a classic to be admired from afar; it is “required reading” for any RPG fan and a modern-day masterpiece. This was true before Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster existed, but this version makes it easier and smoother than ever to experience. The journey you undertake as the Demi-Fiend is one you don’t want to miss and certainly one you will never forget.

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9.5 / 10.0
Jun 20, 2021

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.

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9 / 10.0
May 18, 2021

Straight up, Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster could have used more technical improvements. The subtle mechanical changes make it a better game without fundamentally changing it - which is a great thing because Nocturne never needed to be changed. I just wish the "remaster" part had a little more oomph to sway people who might find it dated.

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90 / 100
May 21, 2021

Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster is a potent mixture of cosmic horror, religious horror, JRPG action, and pitch-black comedy. As long as you’re prepared to embrace your inner monster, it’ll be a hell of a time.

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9 / 10.0
May 18, 2021

SMT 3 Nocturne HD Remaster is a trip down nostalgia lane, one new and returning players will sink hours into for the full experience. Whether you stick to the main story or chase down every side quest in pursuit of power, you won't be disappointed.

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Renan Fontes
Top Critic
9 / 10
May 18, 2021

Between the steep difficulty curve and unconventional story, Shin Megami Tensei III won't appeal to everyone - but those who can stomach strategizing through even random battles while reading between the script's lines will be rewarded with an outstanding RPG. Tokyo's warped state post-Conception leads to a hostile atmosphere that's carried all the way to the credits, and dungeons are elaborately designed and make use of consistently fresh gimmicks. Multiple endings keep the story replayable, with Hard Mode offering series veterans even more challenge. There's nuance to every aspect of gameplay, from the Press Turn battle system to Demon fusion and recruitment. As true in 2021 as it was in 2003, Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster is nothing short of a must-play RPG.

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9 / 10.0
May 30, 2021

Shin Megami Tensei III is still one of the best games from Atlus, and one of the greatest jRPGs. Dark, unforgiving, but unbelievably hard to turn off. And this great journey now available on new platforms thanks to the remastered version.

Review in Russian | Read full review

9 / 10.0
Jun 9, 2021

Conception'an ethereal apocalypse'is invoked and you should be nearby and and determine who triumphs.

Review in Slovak | Read full review

9 / 10
May 26, 2021

Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster is dated, has technical issues and unforgiving however its also one of the most fun games I've played this year.

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4.5 / 5.0
May 18, 2021

Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster is the return of a top-class game for new generations and old-timers who want to reawaken their inner demons on newer platforms with some quality-of-life enhancements.

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May 26, 2021

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.

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May 18, 2021

Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD is a great way to experience the game for newcomers as well as die-hard SMT fans.

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9 / 10.0
May 18, 2021

This game has been on my “GOAT” list for almost two decades, and revisiting it in 2021 hasn’t changed a thing.

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8.5 / 10.0
May 18, 2021

For me, Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne HD Remaster is worth the premium, if only because I hope it encourages Sega and Atlus to remaster more of their catalogs (Panzer Dragoon Saga, please). However, players who think they’re going to find another Persona here will be disappointed. Nocturne is one of the great traditional JRPGs, but potential buyers should know what they’re getting into before they pull the trigger.

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8.5 / 10.0
May 18, 2021

Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster is as great now as it ever was, but doesn't have much new for returning fans.

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85 / 100
May 18, 2021

Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster is a fantastic game at its core, but does little to justify the HD Remaster part of its title. The visuals are improved greatly and being able to choose between Raidou and Dante is nice, but there are few improvements the base game desperately needed like better dungeon design.

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8.5 / 10.0
May 18, 2021

Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD draws players into an interesting world with deep combat and interesting monsters, while some aspects like late-game combat do leave a bit to be desired. Even 18 years later SMT 3 earns what praise it's been given.

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BaziCenter
Kamyab Ghorbanpour
Top Critic
9 / 10
Jun 7, 2021

The HD Remaster of Shin Migami Tensi III offers a lot of fun, probably paving the way for more games from the series to come to the new generation. That said, no matter how much we love revisiting this beautiful adventure, the pricing and the choice of content of this remaster is just outrageous.

Review in Persian | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
May 18, 2021

For the core Shin Megami Tensei games, Nocturne is still the finest the series has to offer.

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