Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne

 PlayStation 2
User Score
6.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 399 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 252 out of 399
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 399
  3. Negative: 135 out of 399
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  1. BenV.
    Jul 1, 2005
    10
    The best RPG of this console generation and almost of all time.
  2. ScottV.
    Aug 20, 2005
    10
    The depth and replayability alone will hold your interest to the very end, which is determined by your actions. A great storyline, combat, music and audio, and graphics make this game the best of the best.
  3. JosephJ
    Aug 12, 2009
    10
    Simply the greatest RPG for the PS2. Unrivalled depth, unique story-telling and wonderful stylised visuals, not to mention a superb musical score all encompassed in a huge and challenging adventure for the more mature gamer.
  4. SamanthaA.
    Dec 8, 2004
    10
    what can i say, i loved it.
  5. Lazlo
    Jul 14, 2007
    10
    Possibly the most enthralling game ever created. Why it only has an average of 82 is beyond me, while games that have 90's and upwards fail to hit the mark. With the most original graphic design you'll ever see, a difficulty curve that kicks newbies in the ass and gameplay/storyline/existence that will make you cry Kagutsuchi's name in joy, if you miss this game, you suck at life.
  6. PlutoniumTiger
    Aug 25, 2010
    10
    Completely unrivaled in story, depth, replayability and totally original. Absolutely amazing - there still hasn't been anything quite like it in over half a Decade.
  7. SnowDay
    Jan 20, 2015
    10
    I don't always review a game with a perfect score, but when I do I love to submerge myself in the sinister atmosphere of Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne.
  8. Adonteon
    Dec 1, 2018
    10
    The only real downside is that we never a sequel to this style of Shin Megami Tensei game. I wish they take from the Persona variant and revisit this style.
  9. death12123
    Dec 18, 2019
    10
    One of the best RPGs you can get to date. The atmosphere, soundtrack and gameplay are all perfect and can be challenging. Possibly some of the best boss fights in the series and overall can make you better at all RPGs.
  10. SexyTractorDsco
    Nov 20, 2018
    10
    The best entry point into the Megami Tensei series. One of the best JRPGs out there and still holds up to this day.
  11. thehoohgames
    Aug 7, 2019
    10
    One of the hardest and most pleasant to play RPG's ever made. This game deserves more attention.
  12. Simoncino
    Mar 14, 2020
    10
    heh, pretty cool... but pretty hard too!
    feel free to try out smt nocturne! :)
  13. Wagneru
    Dec 4, 2016
    10
    This is one of the best RPG games ever made, now is a classic, if you like RPG play it, the atmosphere is awsome, the battle system, the way i got allies, everything is really very good.
  14. Asterite
    Jul 23, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The best SMT game in my opinion, One more god rejected, even god fears you. Enough said.… Expand
  15. Lognaros
    Sep 29, 2017
    10
    The best rpg of all time, i play a lot of games this year, but nothing can surpass this master piece.
    if you want to play a best game of megaten saga this is yo're game, in the past i was very impressive with persona, but this game show me the true, persona 4 is a normal game, and don't have anything especial, but for this game i meet nocturne, all was worth.
  16. HitoshuraDF
    Apr 20, 2018
    10
    One of the best RPG games i have ever played
    Great atmosphere and gameplay, this game is why i'm so interested in playing SMT franchise
  17. VendonJura
    Jul 22, 2019
    10
    Shin Megami Tensei Lucifer's Call is an amazing RPG game that I had the chance to play. It is a hard game but it makes allot of fun to play. You can catch demons same as Pokemon and train them, fuse them and much more you even can find the demon Dante from Devil may cry which is epic. This game has to be replayed on PS4 or PC. Hope it will be possible oneday.
  18. EevieRoseAmalee
    Nov 29, 2018
    10
    This is a brilliant game. Very fun game back on the PS2 back in the day that I played coincide with my Final Fantasy. This game is like the demonic version of Final Fantasy.
  19. FateXTenebris
    Nov 30, 2018
    10
    Absolutely stunning game for it's time and worthy of being classified as one of the best Jrpgs of all time right up there with Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. Darker in tone than it's more lighthearted cousin Persona series, it creates a chilling atmosphere with an alignment system that will keep you coming back for more. It's innovative press-turn combat system paired with demonAbsolutely stunning game for it's time and worthy of being classified as one of the best Jrpgs of all time right up there with Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. Darker in tone than it's more lighthearted cousin Persona series, it creates a chilling atmosphere with an alignment system that will keep you coming back for more. It's innovative press-turn combat system paired with demon interactions makes it feel like a darker version of Pokemon going through a rebellious teen phase. Graphics can be a little muddy sometimes, but when you look at the package at full value, you will find a strange sense of charm there. The soundtrack ranges from the deep atmospheric rock of the map theme to the straight up pleasure that is the town battle theme. All-in-all there is something here for any Jrpg fan to make themselves feel right at home.… Expand
  20. WakeUpJeff
    Jun 8, 2020
    10
    Don't be scared away from this game just because people say it's hard. In reality, it's a game that's only challenging because of how strongly it encourages you to think about every new encounter. If you can put the effort into devising and putting together clever strategies, you'll certainly be able to make it through to the end. Also don't approach the game expecting it to be storyDon't be scared away from this game just because people say it's hard. In reality, it's a game that's only challenging because of how strongly it encourages you to think about every new encounter. If you can put the effort into devising and putting together clever strategies, you'll certainly be able to make it through to the end. Also don't approach the game expecting it to be story based. The story present is very effective at what it tries to convey, but i should make it clear that, while it is the star of the show in it's own right, the focus is still on the gameplay.… Expand
  21. CleopatrainCali
    Jul 16, 2019
    10
    Masterpiece. That is the only word that comes to mind when I think of Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne. The best RPG of all time.
  22. Ghost7100
    Nov 2, 2019
    10
    Art style & story & soundtrack are unrivaled, & most importantly the gameplay which is fantastic, the gameplay mechanics are excellent & leveling up just feels right & it gets really addicting & it's at times very challenging but fair (except for a certain boss fight that is kinda of **** & it's one of the game's few flaws) & the level design is sometimes really annoying & it's way tooArt style & story & soundtrack are unrivaled, & most importantly the gameplay which is fantastic, the gameplay mechanics are excellent & leveling up just feels right & it gets really addicting & it's at times very challenging but fair (except for a certain boss fight that is kinda of **** & it's one of the game's few flaws) & the level design is sometimes really annoying & it's way too cryptic at times, although the good things about it outweighs the bad by quite a lot & it's easily one of my favorite jrpgs, it's a must play!… Expand
  23. Cafe_8bits
    Aug 26, 2020
    10
    One of the most unique and crazy experiences i had with JRPGs. Probably one of the most challenging games i ever played.
    Its not for everyone, but its a masterpiece. Its dungeons are amazing, the atmosphere, the plot, endings, game systems, everything.
  24. MnameJeff
    Feb 23, 2020
    10
    Great combat. Great world building. Great music. Interesting characters and story. Great game.
  25. Daoxin
    Jun 28, 2020
    10
    An underrated JRPG gem on the PS2 that is sadly overlooked many times. Yes, it is dark and gritty with its dark atmospheric themes but Nocturne does what any SMT game does best and gives the users choices that will affect the route and ending while being fun and challenging. It is an experience like no other JRPG has done in the PS2 era. Rarely have a JRPG that starts and embrace theAn underrated JRPG gem on the PS2 that is sadly overlooked many times. Yes, it is dark and gritty with its dark atmospheric themes but Nocturne does what any SMT game does best and gives the users choices that will affect the route and ending while being fun and challenging. It is an experience like no other JRPG has done in the PS2 era. Rarely have a JRPG that starts and embrace the apocalypse and chaos in it.

    Gets philosophical at times but overall it has many fun moments with its adventure to recreate the Earth in the choices the player makes.

    The music is wonderful and memorable which is unique to the game. Usually, other games try to use minimal or none existing music to the apocalyptic settings but Nocturne doesn't and has a colorful and great soundtrack spread out through the game.

    Nocturne is really a great game with many challenges and does not forgive with its lack of explanation and that is good. If you are tired of hand-holding tutorials and long intros in JRPG, Nocturne does not do that at all. Gets to the point and just straight out let you die in the tutorial if you are not careful. Very challenging at times but that what makes it fun and enjoyable.    … Expand
  26. Shin_megami
    Nov 29, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game is AMAZING. The art style is beautiful. The atmosphere is VERY fitting and the gameplay is addicting. You play as the Demi-Fiend. He is half human and half demon. In the game you are in your way to meet some friends at the shinjuku medical center and then you notice that only you, and your friends (chiaki, and Isamu) are at the hospital you go downstairs to find something but then you see a man named hikawa has summoned demons and performed sacrifices on humans to collect magutsutchi for his machine which destroys the world and every living thing on it except for you And your friends . And hikawa himself. Then demons take over and Lucifer turns you into a half demon half man. (The Demi-Fiend) and you then have to kill demons and escape the vortex world. I’m not gonna say anything else because I want you to enjoy the game for yourself. I will say though the game can be challenging sometimes and your friends chiaka and isamu… Expand
  27. Jimbowheeler
    Feb 28, 2021
    10
    SMT 3 is hyper based and is unironically one of the best turn based rpgs of all time, play it.
  28. EmilC.
    Sep 9, 2004
    9
    Game in spirit of Final Fantasy games. Turn based combat, inovative gameplay in term of fighting and spellcasting, good graphics and sound efects and add to that storyline that is not completley set and depends on you and all of this make this a very good game.As always there are a few shortcomings that are not so important but for me only BIG shorcoming was that there are NO voiceovers Game in spirit of Final Fantasy games. Turn based combat, inovative gameplay in term of fighting and spellcasting, good graphics and sound efects and add to that storyline that is not completley set and depends on you and all of this make this a very good game.As always there are a few shortcomings that are not so important but for me only BIG shorcoming was that there are NO voiceovers so dialogs are textual. Surley worth playing!!!… Expand
  29. [anonymous]
    Jan 24, 2010
    9
    Story's really good, but it's extremely hard. I can handle it, but it really over does it and screws up the pacing. Character development is slow, too. Also, the puzzles are so tediouse that you need an faq. The game is really atmospheric and has really good music, so I could even reccomend this to survival horror fans. The combat and story are both so good that it makes up for Story's really good, but it's extremely hard. I can handle it, but it really over does it and screws up the pacing. Character development is slow, too. Also, the puzzles are so tediouse that you need an faq. The game is really atmospheric and has really good music, so I could even reccomend this to survival horror fans. The combat and story are both so good that it makes up for most flaws it suffers from, though.… Expand
  30. Bj
    Aug 27, 2004
    9
    Try it! A different rol game. Great action and summons, good techinichal graphics. Very good game.
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Awards & Rankings

37
#37 Best PS2 Game of 2004
17
#17 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2004
8
#8 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2004

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 42 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 42
  3. Negative: 0 out of 42
  1. BonusStage
    89
    One of the best and most refreshing console RPGs to come out in years, and is definitely a worthy candidate for RPG of the year.
    Read full review
  2. GameSpy
    70
    Most of the gameplay aspects are solid, the graphics are beautiful, and the quest is long. However, the relative lack of narrative elements prevented me from truly enjoying the wonderfully bizarre world Atlus has created.
    Read full review
  3. G4 TV
    100
    Behind the cool art and bizarre story is a fun, addictive and challenging RPG with great gameplay systems and a lot more variety and choice than most of today’s, cinema-heavy RPGs. Games rarely stray this far off the beaten path and actually work out so well, making Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne a must for the adventurous RPG fan.
    Read full review
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