Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster

Shin Megami Tensei is back on modern hardware and modern players will have their fair share of problems with it. I’d recommend this only to very patient, challenge-hungry JRPG veterans.

The same dark and demanding JRPG it was 16 years ago, Shin Megami Tensei III is still a pretty good first entry for newcomers to the license, despite a lazy remaster.

Shin Megami Tensei III HD Remaster is indisputably the best way to play this RPG classic, but it’s also rather clear that this nearly two-decade-old game is showing its age. An interesting story, enjoyable combat system, and engaging demon recruitment and fusion mechanics make Shin Megami Tensei III well worth your time, but the dated visuals, poor quality music, and occasionally unforgiving mechanics are hold it back from being excellent. We’d give this a recommendation to both longtime fans and newcomers, but with the caveat that you might want to wait for a sale before snapping this up.

Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne is rereleased as a HD Remaster in all but name. It is still the same great-but- niche JRPG from the past, though. (Issue #4, p.60]

Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster is an extremely important game that paved the way for the Persona series and other turn-based JRPGs. For that reason, it’s important that we give it credit where credit is due; without it and the SMT franchise as a whole, the genre would look mighty different. Though running around in circles and fighting battle after battle with samey demons can be more yawn than yay, Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne is a classic that anyone who values the genre should check out, even if it’s merely to delve into the roots of this complicated, intriguing universe.

Adding HD resolution, voice acting and proper localization does not change the fact that Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster is a product of its time. Be prepared for outdated level design, high random encounter rates and grinding battles in a relentless fashion in an otherwise dark, grim and moody post-apocalyptic Tokyo filled with demons, that engulfs a “catch ’em all” premise of pokemons in need of exorcism and plays like your everyday turn-based jrpg in a dungeon crawling structure.

Shin Megami Tensei 3 Nocturne HD Remaster has an intense, philosophical story with intriguing characters and fun combat. Unfortunately, the title definitely shows its age with outdated visuals and gameplay aspects.

As fascinatingly unique as it always was but this former PlayStation 2 game is showing its age and while it’s still one of the best JRPGs of its era, it pales when compared to more modern titles.