Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne originally debuted on the PlayStation 2 in 2003, followed by a director’s cut (Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne Maniax) in 2004, to which that version of the game was made available to NTSC (American) and PAL (European) audiences. 18 years on from its original release, this beloved JRPG blast from the past is receiving a HD Remaster, complete with a Digital Deluxe version.

This neat package includes a ‘Maniax Pack DLC’ (featuring a certain hero from the Devil May Cry series), two map expansions, a background music DLC pack, newly introduced ‘Merciful’ difficulty setting (an easy-to-play in-game difficulty, focusing on the stories and endings), a ‘Suspend’ save feature (aka autosave) and re-recorded voice-acted cutscenes.

So, let’s take a look at the differences and review this edition of Shin Megami Tensei III: HD Remaster!

GAMEPLAY

It’s Tokyo, Year 200X. The world has devolved into chaos, led by a demonic force. All in-game choices you choose will alter the course of your story and will sway the demonic powers, some choices will strengthen them; other choices will dwindle their progress. As the demonic chaos swallows Tokyo whole, three young students are caught up in the power struggle; the character you play as and their two school friends, Isamu Nitta and Chiaki Tachibana.

As the protagonist lies unconscious, suffering from the effects of the demonic chaos, he is exposed to an element known as ‘Magatama’ (which becomes your demonic skill tech tree), giving him the ability to withstand further demonic possession. As a twist to the elemental exposure, the protagonist awakens from his comatose only to find himself as a demon…

As you begin to learn the controls and start exploring the demonic-style Tokyo, you discover that your two pals are alive and well in this hell hole, having been taken to the nearby hospital. Upon arrival, you do indeed find your friends and your teacher. Your teacher reveals that, sadly, many people appear to be gravely ill or dead, having been caught up in a power struggle-fueled battle between two ‘organizations’.

The game has, arguably, one of the best storylines in a JRPG. Like any good mystery novel, film, story, etc, new and exciting characters emerge, but what they say and how they carry themselves isn’t always as clear as they present themselves to be. But this isn’t a simple point-and-click game, there are also turn-based battles. Think Final Fantasy-style approach to battling enemies, and you’ll be set.

The big difference between Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster and Final Fantasy’s combat systems isn’t just about finding and lashing your way through the constant spawns of random enemies, you can negotiate (recruit) any character – friend or foe! Given that no other RPG with a turn-based battle system incorporates the ‘recruit anyone’ mechanic, it’s quite literally a game-changer!

To really enjoy the recruiting aspect of the game, it’s best to combine it with the newly added difficulty setting, “Merciful.” This easier difficulty setting lowers the enemy spawn/battle encounter rates, alongside reducing the overall damage in the game. For a returning or newcomer to the game series, this is a much-needed lifeline to understanding the gameplay and story, without being subjected to a thrashing before learning how to fight back.

GRAPHICS + SOUND

Overall, the HD Remaster graphical aspect is what we’ve come to expect from previous HD Remasters on other retro classics: Graphics are smoother & additionally detailed, overall brightness, tone, colours, and shading have been improved. Sometimes these HD Remasters completely change the look and feel of the original, therefore ruining what made the original fun and unique in the first place. Thankfully, this HD Remaster wash keeps the original feel of the game, whilst adding a much-needed modern-day coat of paint.

CONCLUSION

Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster takes the original classic, adds a new coat of paint, and smooths over any bumps that affected the original. It’s a fun, nostalgic, mystery JRPG that keeps you guessing, and fighting, until the better (or bitter) end!

Written by: Brutaleo