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About Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne
Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne dropped on January 29, 2004 as an expanded version of the Japanese Maniax release. Atlus crafted this dark role-playing game for the PlayStation 2 and later the PS3. The story kicks off when a mysterious event called the Conception wipes out Tokyo and spawns a twisted new world. You play as a nameless protagonist who wakes up in this ruined city to find demons running amok. This version includes the Labyrinth of Amala, extra boss fights against Fiends, and a secret True Demon Ending that most players never see without grinding. Dante from Devil May Cry even shows up as a guest character.
Gameplay
You explore the ruined streets of Tokyo while hunting for demons to recruit. The core loop involves walking through environments, triggering random encounters, and using magic or weapons in turn-based battles. You can fuse captured demons to create stronger allies with specific stats and skills. Combat feels weighty and tactical because you must analyze enemy weaknesses before attacking. A typical session involves grinding levels in the Labyrinth of Amala to unlock new fusion recipes or chase down that elusive Fiend boss. The game forces you to make moral choices that shift your alignment and determine which ending you get. Controls are straightforward but demand careful planning since one wrong move can wipe out your party.
What Players Think
Critics and players have given Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne solid scores across the board. Metacritic holds it at 82 out of 100 while IGDB lists an average rating of 82.2 based on 74 user reviews. The community moods lean heavily toward nostalgic appreciation for its grim atmosphere and challenging combat. Average playtime sits around 35 hours for a standard run, but completionists spending time hunting the True Demon Ending often log over 60 hours. Review snippets frequently mention how the fusion system creates endless variety. Some users note that the difficulty spikes sharply during Fiend encounters in the late game. The consensus suggests this is a title you return to after years just to master the mechanics.
PlayPile's Take
This game demands patience and a willingness to read every dialogue option carefully. It suits players who enjoy complex character building systems and don't mind grinding for specific fusion results. The price remains reasonable on older platforms despite its age. There are achievements tied to completing the true endings or defeating all Fiend bosses, which adds significant replay value. You should play this if you want a serious RPG with no hand-holding. Avoid it if you prefer fast action games or bright, cheerful worlds. The True Demon Ending is worth the effort but requires precise alignment management.
Game Modes
Single player
IGDB Rating
82.2
RAWG Rating
4.3
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