Summary
- Release Year: 2003
- Genres: Role-playing game (RPG)
- Platforms: PlayStation 2
- Developers: Atlus
- Publishers: Atlus, Ghostlight Ltd.
Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne (2003)
Introduction
Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne is a post-apocalyptic role-playing game developed by Atlus for the PlayStation 2. It was first released in Japan in 2003, and was later released in North America and Europe in 2004. Nocturne is the third installment in the Shin Megami Tensei series, and is a direct sequel to Shin Megami Tensei II.
The game follows the story of a young boy who is caught up in the apocalypse while visiting his sick teacher with his two classmates. The world is consumed by a vortex of darkness, and the boy is transformed into a Demi-fiend, a being with the power to summon and control demons. The boy must then journey through the Vortex World, a strange and dangerous place filled with demons, angels, and other supernatural beings.
Gameplay
Nocturne is a traditional turn-based RPG with a strong emphasis on demon summoning and fusion. The player can recruit demons by talking to them in the Vortex World, and can then fuse them together to create more powerful demons. Demons have their own unique skills and abilities, and the player can use them to their advantage in battle.
The game also features a morality system, which allows the player to align themselves with one of three different factions: Law, Chaos, or Neutral. The player’s choices throughout the game will affect which ending they receive.
Story
The story of Nocturne is dark and complex, and it explores themes of death, rebirth, and the nature of good and evil. The game begins with the boy and his two classmates visiting their sick teacher, Yuko Takao. While they are there, the world is consumed by a vortex of darkness, and the boy is transformed into a Demi-fiend.
The boy then journeys through the Vortex World, where he meets a variety of demons, angels, and other supernatural beings. He learns about the nature of the apocalypse, and the role that he must play in shaping the future of the world.
Characters
The protagonist of Nocturne is a young boy who is never given a name. He is a quiet and introspective character, and he struggles to come to terms with his new powers and responsibilities.
The boy is joined on his journey by a variety of companions, including:
- Dante from the Devil May Cry series
- Raidou Kuzunoha the XIV from the Devil Summoner series
- Chiaki Hayasaka, one of the boy’s classmates
- Isamu Nitta, one of the boy’s classmates
- Yuko Takao, the boy’s teacher
Setting
Nocturne is set in a post-apocalyptic world that has been consumed by a vortex of darkness. The world is filled with demons, angels, and other supernatural beings, and the boy must journey through it to find a way to save humanity.
The game’s world is divided into several different areas, each with its own unique look and feel. The areas include:
- The Vortex World, a strange and dangerous place filled with demons
- The Cathedral of Shadows, a place of safety and refuge
- The Amala Network, a network of ley lines that connect the different areas of the world
Themes
Nocturne explores a variety of dark and complex themes, including:
- Death and rebirth
- The nature of good and evil
- The role of the individual in shaping the world
The game’s story is full of twists and turns, and it challenges the player to think about the nature of reality and the choices that they make.
Legacy
Nocturne is considered to be one of the best RPGs of all time. It was praised for its dark and complex story, its challenging gameplay, and its memorable characters. The game has been ported to several different platforms, and it remains popular with fans of the Shin Megami Tensei series.
Nocturne has had a significant impact on the RPG genre. It helped to popularize the use of demon summoning and fusion, and it inspired a number of other games, including the Persona series. Nocturne is a classic RPG that is still enjoyed by fans today.
Review Score
9/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
