Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne

Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne
North American cover art
Developer(s)	Atlus
Publisher(s)	JP Atlus NA Atlus EU Ghostlight
Distributor(s)	EU Ubisoft
Artist(s)	Kazuma Kaneko
Composer(s)	Shōji Meguro
Series	Megami Tensei
Platform(s)	PlayStation 2
Release date(s)	SMT III: Nocturne JP 20 February 2003 Nocturne Maniax JP 29 January 2004 NA 12 October 2004 EU 1 July 2005 Nocturne Maniax Chronicle JP 23 October 2008
Genre(s)	Role-playing video game
Mode(s)	Single-player
Media/distribution	DVD

Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne (Japanese: 真・女神転生III-NOCTURNE, Hepburn: Shin Megami Tensei Surī Nokutān) (Shin Megami Tensei: Lucifer's Call in Europe) is a role-playing video game for the PlayStation 2. It is the third main game in the Megami Tensei series. Shin Megami Tensei III was released nine years after Shin Megami Tensei II, and was the first Megami Tensei game in the series to be released into the United States using the "Megami Tensei" name. Revelations: Persona, though released in 1996 under the Megami Tensei name, is a spin-off of the primary series.

The player takes control of a half-human half-demon silent protagonist whom the player names. The protagonist is often referred to as the "Demi-fiend" (or "Hitoshura" in the original Japanese version) among fans to avoid confusion.

Gameplay

Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne is the product of a long period of development between Shin Megaten games.

1. No first-person viewpoint by default. Shin Megami Tensei and Shin Megami Tensei II both used fixed first-person viewpoints in dungeons. In Shin Megami Tensei III the first-person viewpoint is only usable after completing the game once, and can be turned on or off as the player desires; however, battles are always in third-person.
2. Fewer humans. The games released in between SMTII and Nocturne all had more of an emphasis on human action rather than that of demons.
3. A new battle system. Classic MegaTen games had a simple turn-based system where characters attacked in one round based on their speed rating. Nocturne has a different turn-based system in place called the 'Press Turn' system. In this system, the player is assigned Press Turns equal to the size of his party (although a special event allows the player to gain an extra press turn) and can re-use some of them by scoring Critical Hits or exploiting elemental weaknesses. In contrast, if the attack is nullified or reflected, the player loses some or all of his press turns based on the severity of the defense. This also applies to the opposing side.
4. A new alignment system. The previous Shin Megami Tensei games had two factions of Law and Chaos in opposition with the player choosing to ally one side of the conflict. The player could also follow the path of Neutrality.
   In Nocturne, the new alignment system allows the player to side with one of three Kotowari (Reasons) or with other factions, or none at all.
5. New setting. Shin Megami Tensei games have always centered on the power of gods waging war across Earth, with nuclear holocausts and religious oppression of demons. Nocturne does this differently by introducing the concept of a Vortex World, a world in a state of chaotic limbo that hasn't had its natural laws selected yet.
6. Cel-shaded graphics. The graphics in Nocturne are fully 3D and cel-shaded.

Battle

The battle system functions like traditional RPG turn-based combat, but with one key exception: Nocturne introduced a new element in the form of Press Turns. Each character participating in combat, friend and foe alike, provides one or more Press Turns (more usually denoting a boss) represented in the upper right-hand corner of the screen as icons. The rule behind this system is that any action, such as attacking, using skills, items, contacting demons and summoning commands, will normally cost one full turn. But if a combatant scores a critical hit, exploits their opponent's weakness, or passes on making an action, their turn will be considered 'half used', which is marked by a pulsating Press Turn icon. These half used turns allow a character to do anything that a regular turn can but will always expire, even if a "half turn" option is again selected. If an attack fails (either by missing, repelling, draining, or blocking,) however, it will penalize the combatant by losing multiple Press Turn icons.

Demon conversation

A key theme in Nocturne is that of demon conversation/negotiation. Since the Demi-fiend can only (normally) have one press turn by himself, he must gain allies to fight alongside him in order to have a better chance of survival. Demon negotiation is a unique system in which the speaker (usually, but not always, the Demi-fiend) tries to persuade an enemy demon to join their party. There are two restrictions on negotiation:

1. There must be at least one open space in the party stock.

2. There cannot be a demon of the same clan in the party (i.e. You cannot recruit a Power if you already have one in your party).

Some demons can be bribed with money or items, while others may only ask a philosophical question ("Do you envy how plants live?"). Some can be seduced by a beautiful speaker, some can be flattered, and some will even join you without a moment's hesitation. However, some may refuse to join you, based on opposing ideals, higher levels, because they don't feel like it, or because they simply can't understand you.

Demon negotiation, however, is radically altered when the "moon" Kagutsuchi is full, as it causes demons to be agitated and drunk with power. Demon conversation will always fail against bosses, any demons inhabiting the Labyrinth of Amala, and any demons fought in the Amala Network (though they will sometimes join you of their own accord).

Magatama

The main character gains his skills through the use of Magatama. Magatama are living parasites (though they can be viewed as actually symbiotic) that grant the host demonic powers which reflect as access to a variety of skills. There are a total of 25 Magatama in the game. Leveling up particular Magatama can also affect demonic conversations with particular demon types. Magatama works in the following way:

1. When a hero levels up and is equipped with a Magatama, he may learn a skill and the Magatama may go Wild.
2. In order to learn a skill, the hero must have the prerequisite level or higher that is listed on the Magatama. (Example: In order to learn Rampage you must be level 10 or higher when you level up with its Magatama.)
3. After leveling, the Magatama may go Wild. This will be a random effect such as healing or stat boosts. There are also bad effects such as getting negative status ailments.

The main character is only allowed up to 8 skills. If he has reached his limit and wishes to learn a new skill, he must replace one of his previous skills with the new one learned.

A unique facet of Magatama is the ability to alter the main character's "Title". The area where a demon's race (or family) is listed, the main character's is "Fiend" by default; however, through mastery of some Magatama, this title changes. For the main character, however, it isn't his race changing, but merely his title, as he is regarded as the story's Fiends (though he is half one) regardless of the title. All Magatama are affiliated with one of three types: Dark, Neutral, and Light. As the main character masters Magatama, the type he has mastered the most of is selected as his title. For the most part, the main character's title is cosmetic and does not affect gameplay. The only exception is during the Third Kalpa of the Labyrinth of Amala, where the main character's title determines which of three doors he may enter.

Reasons

The Vortex World is merely a fetal stage of the world, created by the Conception in preparation for its eventual rebirth. For a person to create the new world, they must possess a powerful inner philosophy that encompasses a set of natural laws that the new world would be based upon: this is called a Reason (Kotowari in the original Japanese version).

The laws of the Vortex World dictate that it is forbidden for a demon to create a Reason; thus, most demons in the game follow one of the three Reasons created by key characters throughout the course of the game.

• Shijima

"All at one with the world."

Shijima is a Reason based on stillness and oneness, influenced by Buddhism and the concept of Nirvana. It is a world of perfect harmony, where there is no 'self' whatsoever, and no passion to cause dissent, conflict and destruction. Individuality is eradicated, and replaced with a collective inner peace where everyone is equal to a god, all working together as cogs in the giant, stable machine that is the Universe. This Reason is most closely associated with the Law alignment of previous Shin Megami Tensei games. The Reason Shijima shares similarities with the philosophical beliefs of nihilism.

Fallen angels and beings who are feared side with this reason.

• Musubi

Musubi is a Reason based on solitude and isolation, where the Self is absolute. Every single person would live in his or her own independent world, completely sealed from any other living being. Using one's mind, a person could shape their world at will into their own personal paradise, living free from the unwelcome interference of others. This Reason is most closely associated with the Neutral alignment of previous Shin Megami Tensei games. The Reason Musubi closely resembles René Descartes' idea of solipsism, a philosophy of the solitary self which is based in individualism and solitude.

• Yosuga

Yosuga is a Reason based on elitism and survival of the fittest, where only the chosen elite would possess the right to live. The useless and weak elements of society would be purged from the world, leaving only the powerful and strong. Power is acknowledged as being the only thing of true worth, and only the strongest of the strongest would have the right to rule. This Reason is most closely associated with the Chaos alignment of previous Shin Megami Tensei games. The Reason Yosuga closely resembles Darwinism and can be seen as a type of social Darwinism.

The angelic castes, traditionally associated with Law, side with Chiaki against Shijima.

As a demon, the main character is forbidden to create his own Reason. However, he can choose to defy the laws of the Vortex World and follow no Reason, which leads to either the Neutral (Light) which restores the world to the way it was before the game or Demon (Dark) endings, depending on which Magatama the player fully liberated. By completing the optional Labyrinth of Amala dungeon in the Maniax version of the game, a sixth ending- 'True Demon'- can be gained instead where Lucifer succeeds in shaping the main character in his image to help mount an attack on heaven.

Plot

Characters

Main character/Demi-fiend (Naoki Kashima)

The Demi-Fiend

The main and only player character, he rarely speaks and his personality is shaped by the player's decisions. While he has no default name in the game, he is named Naoki Kashima (嘉嶋 尚紀, Kashima Naoki) in the CD drama and Shin Managi (間薙 シン, Managi Shin) in the novel Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne Konton by Toumon Boogey.

The protagonist is an average high school student with some interest in video games and in the occult. He becomes involved in the Conception — the end of the world — when visiting his teacher, Yuko Takao. His journey in the resulting Vortex World begins once he has been granted demonic power from a Magatama given by a mysterious boy (whom is actually an important figure, revealed later in the game). He is referred to as the Demi-fiend (人修羅, Hitoshura) by many: having the body of a demon and the heart of a human.

The protagonist's and the other human character's backgrounds are kept ambiguous on purpose. The writers of the story have mentioned that they wanted the individual player to draw their own interpretations on each character.Interview with Kazuma Kaneko

Yuko Takao

A teacher at the high school that the main character attends.

She is popular with the students because she emphasizes logical thinking over note memorization. She joins forces with Hikawa to bring about the Conception because she is tired of the world, which she sees as full of people meaninglessly wasting their potential, without the energy or drive to make a difference. As the Maiden of the Vortex World, she is expected to be the cornerstone of a world of freedom, but finds herself betrayed by Hikawa and used as a mere tool in his quest for a world of stillness.

Her failing is a lack of self-esteem in her own power and ability to change the world. This causes her to be easily swayed by those who possess the confidence and conviction that she lacks, such as Hikawa. In her mind, she was only one small person unable to make a significant difference to a big world. In reality, she was well respected by her students and was already influencing their lives in a positive way: a good example of this is Chiaki's desire to ask Yuko for advice on what she should do after graduation.

She worships a 'goddess' named Aradia, a being who comes from a world that is not quite real and can only give hope to her followers, as she has no real power. In the labyrinth of Amala, the player learns that Aradia is the Goddess of Falsehoods and thus cannot bring real hope to the world even if she were given power. She possesses Yuko from time to time in order to speak with the Demi-fiend. During possessions, Yuko's face is replaced with an odd shape that looks like a neon purple Rorschach inkblot, and her body sways side to side, twitching sometimes.

Chiaki Hayasaka

A classmate of the main character.

Born and raised in an upper-class family, she has a habit of talking down to people. Like Isamu, she is also drawn to the Conception. Though she is confused and scared at first, she later adapts to the law of the Vortex World and follows the path of creation. Calling the previous world too cluttered and full of unnecessary things, she eventually resolves to create a primal world where the strong reign supreme and the weak are disposed of or enslaved. Thus, she establishes the Reason of Yosuga.

Chiaki's descent begins when she is thrust from a world where she loses everything she knew. She mentions this by stating she no longer even knows where her house use to be because the world is mostly devoid of anything but demons. She resolves to create a beautiful world to outlast the previous one but she is nearly killed and seriously injured. Chiaki eventually seeks the help of a fallen demonic spirit of Power. The result is the Reason of Yosuga; a world without weak people in control.

However, in such a world, people must always strive to be the strongest similar to the idea of 'survival of the fittest'. The only way for Chiaki to avoid the fate of death is to be the strongest of the strong. Chiaki doesn't seem to believe that she will always be the strongest because in the Yosuga path she congratulates the protagonist for defeating her. Chiaki simply wants a world where everyone strives to be strong.

Her final words to the protagonist are congratulations if you join Yosuga. Rejection of Yosuga results in Chiaki giving the protagonist a heartfelt goodbye to the friendship they once shared as humans and she encourages the protagonist not to hold back because they are both acting in accordance with Reasons they strongly believe in.

In the original Japanese version, her default name was "Chiaki Tachibana". This was changed in the English localization due to the limited number of characters allowed in each main character's name.

Isamu Nitta

A classmate of the main character.

He has a lazy personality; however, he has a tendency to be self-centered. He is also very fond of his teacher, Yuko Takao. Before the Conception, he is a bit selfish and cowardly, shown by him taking orders from Chiaki and forcing the protagonist to check the basement of the hospital because he is too afraid to do it. In the immediate aftermath of the Conception, however, he struggles to cope with the new world and instinctively seeks out Yuko and the main character for support and help.

He fails to find Yuko and loses all faith in other people, severing all ties to his friends and drawing upon himself for comfort and strength. He resolves to create a world where the Self is absolute, and no-one can interfere with anyone else, thus creating the Reason of Musubi.

Isamu does not seem to be aware of the inherent contradictions between his philosophy and actions. He proclaims that individuals should be inherently isolated, but constantly relies on other characters (the player in particular) for emotional support, help, and power in establishing his Reason. Isamu is ultimately spoiled; his desire for a world of Musubi is not because he believes in individuality, but simply because he wants a world where he can live in solitude forever.

If the protagonist joins Musubi then Isamu is killed by another deity in the final dungeon and provides no support. If you reject his path, then Isamu whines about how the protagonist is always in his way and speaks openly about his desire to kill the protagonist.

Hikawa

Chief Technical Director of a large communications company called Cybers, and a high-ranking officer of the Gaea cult.

He is said to be the one responsible for the occurrence of the Conception. After the emergence of the Vortex World, he organizes the Assembly of Nihilo, which becomes one of the two strongest demonic forces. His dream is a world of silence, where the dangerous passion of man is neutralized, and everyone is at one with the world: this, he calls the Reason of Shijima.

Hikawa is a mysterious man because he deliberately stays underneath the radar. He was able to hold a powerful position in a prominent communications company without leaking a hint as to his true belief. After the Conception occurs, many believe it to have been the work of the ancient Assembly of Nihilo; no-one suspects that it was actually Hikawa.

He is a man devoted to the Reason of Shijima from the very beginning and acts accordingly. Every move he makes is calm and calculated as he swiftly moves his way towards realizing his vision of a new world. But also like Shijima, he is utterly emotionless in his actions, using Yuko as his pawn and destroying all resistance with no hesitation and minimal effort.

The only variable in his plan is the Demi-fiend; he is the only character to which Hikawa shows any hint of respect, expressing his disgust at the previous world and his hope for a future of silence.

Joining Shijima earns the prtagonist the demon Samael for free. Rejecting Shijima results in a fight against Hikawa's chosen deity.

Jyoji Hijiri

Hijiri, a writer for an occult magazine, meets the main character while collecting data for an article on the riot at Yoyogi Park. Even after the Conception, his sense of duty as a reporter pushes him to investigate further. He considers himself too weak to survive in the Vortex World, so he stays within the Terminal Room, studying the Terminals and their connection to the mysterious Amala Network.

Hijiri's main motivation is to discover the truth. Even after the Conception, this goal does not change. He does not pursue Hikawa out of a sense of moral righteousness, but simply because he wishes to learn the meaning behind the Vortex World. Soon, knowledge becomes everything to him, from him disregarding the worth of human life in the Vortex World to bribing the Demi-fiend with the facts that he has discovered through the Amala Terminals. With knowledge comes power, and with power comes corruption.

Hijiri does not seem to realize that he could create a new world until he learns this information through the Amala Terminal. It is also notable that he never mentions the dream that the Demi-fiend, Chiaki and Isamu all share upon entering the Vortex World.

Completing the optional Fourth Kalpa dungeon reveals that Hijiri actually died when the Conception occurred, having failed to reach the hospital in time. However, he continues to exist in the Vortex World as his punishment for committing the "ultimate sin". Hijiri's punishment is to be trapped in an endless cycle of suffering, death and rebirth, being forced to witness the creation and destruction of each world without having any chance to affect the outcome.

Mysterious Old Man

A mysterious individual in a wheelchair who appears before the main character throughout the story.

His purpose and true identity are unknown for the majority of the game. When the player completes the optional Fifth Kalpa dungeon in the Maniax version, the Old Man is revealed to be Lucifer.

The Young Nurse

A mysterious individual in a black mourner's garb who acts as the attendant and mouthpiece of the Mysterious Old Man.

Mysterious Young Boy

A mysterious young boy who appears before the main character throughout the story.

He is the one who bestows the power of a demon upon the main character, and observes him throughout the events of the Vortex World as a means of entertainment. By completing the optional Fifth Kalpa dungeon in the Maniax version, his identity is revealed to be Lucifer.

The Old Nurse

A mysterious individual in a black mourner's garb who acts as the attendant and mouthpiece of the Mysterious Young Boy.

Development

A director's cut version, Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne Maniax (真・女神転生III-NOCTURNE マニアクス, - Maniakusu), was also released in Japan. This version has additional features such as the Labyrinth of Amala (an optional multi-layered dungeon), a sixth ending, and Dante from the Devil May Cry series. This is the version that was translated and released in North America as Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne. This version was also released in Europe in June 2005, with the addition of French and German language options, renamed to Shin Megami Tensei: Lucifer's Call Featuring Dante from the Devil May Cry Series due to trademark issues.

Those in the US who preordered copies of the game also received a music CD containing 33 tracks from the game's soundtrack.

Devil Summoner: Kuzunoha Raidō Tai Abaddon Ō Plus, the limited edition of Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon released on October 23, 2008 in Japan, contains a new version of Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne titled Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne Maniax Chronicle Edition (真・女神転生III-NOCTURNE マニアクス クロニクル・エディション, - Maniakusu Kuronikuru Edishon) and featuring Raidou Kuzunoha from the Devil Summoner series in place of Dante.

Audio

The soundtrack was composed by Shōji Meguro, Kenichi Tsuchiya and Toshiko Tasaki. Some tracks are reprises from earlier Shin Megami Tensei titles composed by Tsukasa Masuko. It was released as a 2-disc Original Soundtrack on March 5, 2003 in Japan by SME Visual Works Inc. However, the OST is incomplete missing virtually all dungeon music and battle music variations as well as music played during certain scenes such as when Hijiri first mentions the Obelisk.

The tracks for Shinjuku Hospital After Conception and Amala Temple are available as bonuses (as well as 3 wallpapers) by inserting either disc 1 or 2 of the OST into a computer and visiting http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Animation/gamemusic/SHIN3/index.html.

Meguro, Tsuchiya and Tasaki returned to compose new music for the Maniax version. A soundtrack containing the new music was released February 4, 2004 by SME Visual Works Inc.

North American preorders of the game contained a CD containing all tracks from the Maniax soundtrack plus a selection of tracks from the 2 disc OST.

Reception

According to GameRankings, the average review score of Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne is 83.75%. The Japanese video game magazine Famitsu gave it a score of 35/40.

“

Best Role Playing Game of 2004 X-play

”

“

The role-playing genre has its share of sword-wielding heroes and huge epic adventures set against the dark reaches of space, but it doesn't have nearly enough modern-day demon catastrophes. Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne is a refreshing, challenging change of pace in a genre that all too often treads the same well-worn, well-loved territory. — Gamespot, 8.5/10

”

“

Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne isn't just good because it's different. It's good because it offers some refreshing gameplay, lots of variety, and a sublime world in which to conquer or destroy. It may even represent the evolution of the role-playing game genre, which has needed a shot in the arm for years now. But, historical significance or no, this is a game you need to play. — Yahoo! Games, 4.5/5

”

“

Role-playing fans in the hunt for cutting edge AI, a unique combat engine, or next-generation graphics definitely shouldn't look in Nocturne's direction. But if getting involved in a terrific storyline with nearly limitless character customization and some truly adult themes sounds like your cup of tea, then you can't do much better than this. — IGN.com, 8.6/10

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External links

• Official website (English) (North America)
• Official website (Japanese)
• Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne at MobyGames