Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne

Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne

North American cover art
Developer(s) Atlus
Publisher(s)
Distributor(s)
Director(s) Kazuyuki Yamai
Kazuma Kaneko
Producer(s) Tsuyoshi Tanaka
Designer(s) Eiji Ishida
Artist(s) Kazuma Kaneko
Writer(s) Shogo Isogai
Nakaji Kimura
Shigeo Komori
Kazuyuki Yamai
Composer(s) Shoji Meguro
Toshiko Tasaki
Kenichi Tsuchiya
Series Megami Tensei
Platform(s) PlayStation 2
PlayStation Network
PlayStation 3
Release date(s) Nocturne
Nocturne Maniax
  • JP January 29, 2004
  • NA October 12, 2004
  • EU July 1, 2005
Nocturne Maniax Chronicle
  • JP October 23, 2008
Genre(s) Role-playing video game
Mode(s) Single-player
Distribution Optical disc, download

Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne, known as Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne (Japanese: 真・女神転生III-NOCTURNE Hepburn: Shin Megami Tensei Surī Nokutān) in Japan, and Shin Megami Tensei: Lucifer's Call in Europe, is a post-apocalyptic role-playing video game for the PlayStation 2. It was developed by Atlus, published by Atlus in Japan and North American, and by Ghostlight in Europe. It is the fourth entry in the Shin Megami Tensei series, a spin-off from the Megami Tensei franchise, and the third numeric entry. Multiple versions of the game have been published: the original version was published in Japan by Atlus in 2003, while a director's cut was released in 2004 in Japan. The director's cut was localized and released in North America and Europe in 2004 and 2005 respectively.

Nocturne follows the player character, a high school student in modern day Tokyo, as he is transformed into a half-demon after the world undergoes Conception, an apocalyptic event triggered by a sinister cult to trigger the world's rebirth in a new form. With Tokyo transformed into a Vortex World filled with demons, the player character becomes instrumental to the schemes of the Reasons, beings who seek to remake the world in their image, and Lucifer, the lord of demons. The gameplay uses a turn-based battle system based on exploiting weaknesses, and a Demon recruitment system allowing the player to recruit demons found in the Vortex World to fight alongside them.

The game began development after the completion of Shin Megami Tensei II and Shin Megami Tensei if..., but was delayed as the team worked out what they wanted for the game, including making it appeal to a wider audience than previous Megami Tensei games. Unlike the science fiction setting of Shin Megami Tensei II, Nocturne returned to a contemporary setting similar to the original game. The setting and characters were inspired by multiple elements, including Gnosticism, Mahayana Buddhism, and modern popular culture. Among the things the team changed from previous entries were the camera perspective, which was switched from a first- to a third-person camera perspective, and using a cel-shaded art style to distinguish it from other games of the time. The music, primarily composed by Shoji Meguro, paid homage to earlier Megami Tensei titles while drawing on music of the 1980s.

The original edition of Nocturne released in Japan to strong sales and a positive critical reception, and the limited director's cut proved so popular that Atlus made a second print in response to fan demand. It also inspired a drama CD and light novel in Japan. The director's cut was the version chosen for localization, making Nocturne the first mainline Shin Megami Tensei game to be released in the west. The game was well received by video game publications, who praised its gameplay and atmosphere while its challenging difficulty was often a subject of criticism. It has been recognized by western publications as one of the best games of 2004.

Gameplay

In Nocturne the player controls a teenager who viewed from third person camera. The main character gains demonic skills through the use of Magatama. When a hero levels up and is equipped with a Magatama, he may learn a skill and the Magatama may go Wild. 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.

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.

Battle

A battle in Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne where the player is using the main character (now under control) and the demon Minakata. The blue images from the top right indicate how many turns the players have left.

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. 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. Leveling up particular Magatama can also affect demonic conversations with particular demon types. 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.[3]

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 join you without a moment's hesitation. These demons can also be fused to create stronger creatures and the state of the moon or "Kagutsuchi" can provide stronger creations.[4]

Synopsis

Setting and characters

Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne takes place in modern-day Tokyo before and after an event called the Conception, in which the the normal world is destroyed through the actions of a cult to prevent the world's stagnation and ultimate demise. Tokyo is transformed into a wasteland on the inside of a sphere inhabited by the spirits of humans who died in the Conception; demons who wage war with each other; and Reasons (コトワリ Kotowari), deity-like beings formed from the gathering of Magatama by people with a deity or demon sponsor. Those who possess Reasons seek to remake the world in their image by presenting themselves to Kagutsuchi (カグツチ), a semi-sentient manifestation of power which exists to perpetuate the destruction and rebirth of worlds through Conception, and proving their worth.[Quote 1] Another realm mentioned in the story is the Shadow Vortex, a limbo where dead worlds and the beings who created them linger.

The nameless main protagonist is the player character: generally dubbed the Demi-fiend (人修羅 Jinshura), he is an "everyday man" who represents the player. Several other characters survive the opening events of the game alongside him, many of them representing the various routes the player can choose to take. They are Yuko Takao (高尾祐子), his teacher and a key figure in future events; his classmates Chiaki Hayasaka (Chiaki Tachibana (橘千晶) in Japanese) and Isamu Nitta (新田勇); and Hikawa (氷川), leader of the Cult of Gaea and later the Assembly of Nihilo. Other characters include Jyoji Hijiri (聖丈二), a journalist the protagonist meets with prior to the Conception; and Futomini (フトミミ), a powerful Manikin seeking to create his own Reason. All the game's events are watched over by Lucifer (ルシファー Rushifā), ruler of the demons and the Divine Will's sworn enemy, who takes on multiple forms during the story.[5]

Plot

The game begins with the main character arriving in Tokyo to meet up with Chiaki and Isamu to visit Takao in hospital. While in the city, the player learns of a confrontation between two cults which resulted in several deaths, and learns details of it from Hijiri when he meets them in the park where the event took place. Finding the hospital deserted apart from Chiaki and Isamu, the main character searches it, is briefly accosted by Lucifer in his child form, and is almost killed by Hikawa. Saved from Hikawa by Takao, the main character is taken by her to the hospital roof and witnesses the Conception, with Takao saying the resulting Vortex World will remain until the next creation is triggered.[Quote 2] In the immediate aftermath, Lucifer contacts the player again and infuses him with a Magatama, wishing to see whether he can lead his armies against the Divine Will. This turns the main character into the Demi-fiend, a being with the powers of a demon and the heart of a human.[5][Quote 3] After escaping from the hospital, the player begins exploring the Vortex World with help from Hijiri.[Quote 4] He learns of two cults who seek to remake the world in their image: Hikawa's Assembly of Nihilo, and a separate organization called the Mantra. Hikawa manages to destroy the Mantras, with Takao as his assistant.[Quote 5][Quote 6]

The Demi-fiend goes in search for his friends and faces these groups. Both Chiaki and Isamu are distraught by the Vortex World and decide to move on their own rather than relying on their friend's power, while Takao realizes she is being used by Hikawa and decides to go on her own quest to create her desired world.[Quote 7] To do this, she allies with Aradia, a former deity from the Shadow Vortex. After this point, all the supporting characters are seeking to ally with a powerful entity from the Shadow Vortex and create their own Reason, a powerful inner philosophy of life that can be used to mold the new world. To do this, a large quantity of an energy called Magatsuhi is needed, which each character begins hoarding.[Quote 8] Hikawa's Shijima Reason wants a world of stillness and conformity in the service of a peaceful world; Chiaki's Yosuga Reason seeks a world where the strong rule supreme and destroy the weak; and Isamu's Musubi Reason wishes for a world where everyone is an individual who creates their own personal world without reliance on others. Others also attempt to form a Reason, including Futomini, who wishes to free the world's Manikins from their servitude, and Takao, who wants a world where people value life and have freedom. Both die before they can realize their wishes, and Takao gives the Demi-fiend an artifact that will enable him to remake the world.[Quote 9] Hijiri, revealed to be a manikin doomed to reborn and suffer repeatedly for an unspecified "sin", also attempts to gather enough Magatsuhi to remake the world, but is thwarted and sacrificed by Isamu.[Quote 10][Quote 11] Additionally, the Demi-fiend can fulfill a request from Lucifer to collect eight Candelabra from Fiends.[Quote 12]

Choosing to support a Reason will result in a different ending depending on who is chosen, but in each the world is reborn in the image of the chosen Reason after the Demi-fiend fights Kagutsuchi to prove his resolve. Chiaki and Isamu die before the Demi-fiend begins and give him their blessing in spirit form, while Hikawa accompanies the Demi-fiend into their new world. If Takao's wishes are followed, the Demi-fiend fights Kagutsuchi and the world is returned to its pre-Conception state, resurrecting and restoring all the main characters. If the Demi-fiend rejects Takao's wishes, Kagutsuchi curses him for allowing the world to die and leaves, leaving the Demi-fiend as the only survivor in a barren world of demons, trapped as it is until another Conception can happen.[Quote 13] If the player fulfills Lucifer's request of collecting the Candelabra from the Fiends, Kagutsuchi will attack the player and is eventually destroyed, breaking the Divine Will's control over the worlds. After this, Lucifer fights the player to test his strength, then declares him to be the ultimate weapon in the upcoming war against the Divine Will.[Quote 14]

Development

Nocturne was originally proposed by Kazuma Kaneko and others after the completion of the previous two installments, Shin Megami Tensei II and Shin Megami Tensei if....[6] Nocturne expanded on the general Megami Tensei theme of people lacking excitement in their everyday lives, with Nocturn focusing on the extraordinary events people could not experience in real life. Despite the release of the PlayStation and Sega Saturn consoles, the team took a while to decide what they wanted for the game, the team spent time deciding to create a different kind of game that would appeal to a wider audience than its prequels. Eventually, the team decided that they needed to develop for the PlayStation 2 to realize their vision.[5] Because of this delay, Atlus shifted development focus onto Megami Ibunroku Persona and Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner.[6] While the option of making a direct sequel to Shin Megami Tensei II was considered, Kaneko wanted to return to the contemporary setting of the original Shin Megami Tensei as opposed to the science fiction aesthetic of its sequel. As it was felt that the game was more than just the third numeric installment, the subtitle "Nocturne" was added.[6]

The game was designed to appeal to a hardcore demographic due to its challenging gameplay.[7] The game uses a third-person camera perspective rather than the first-person dungeon crawling of earlier installments. One of the reasons for this change was that the developers wanted to focus on the protagonist, who would stand out for being a half-demon. Another factor was many reports of people getting a condition similar to car sickness called "3D sickness" with first person shooters in Japan: the developers wanted players to have something to focus their eyes on. Despite setting the game in contemporary Tokyo, the team chose a cel-shaded art style as they wanted their game to stand out and enable Kaneko to bring the game as close as possible to his original vision.[8] One of the earlier ideas was to make the Vortex World a vast battlefield where players could see distant scenery on the horizon and in the sky, but performance issues meant the idea had to be scrapped.[8]

In keeping with previous entries, the story focused on a single protagonist rather than a group as in other role-playing games of the time to promote full player immersion.[5] So as to include a feeling of "digitality" in the game, the main character was designed as something akin to a human computer. This approach was inspired by the special make-up used in David Cronenberg's 1983 horror film Videodrome. While the protagonist was originally designed with keyboards growing from inside him, but as Kaneko felt uncomfortable with that design, he redid the protagonist with full-body tattoos. The tattoos were intended to convey the character's demon powers, act as an obvious stigma in place of wings or horns, and be a reference to real-world shamans who commonly make themselves stand out using tattoos.[5][6][9] Kaneko's main inspiration for the main character's design was the American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers: according to Kaneko, he "imagined [the main character] running around the desert naked."[5] As he was the character controlled by the player, more focus was given to embodying and reflecting his world view rather than developing a personality. In keeping with the game's theme of energy remaking reality, Kaneko dressed his character in comfortable shorts to balance against his tattoos. The spike growing from the main character's neck, the Magatama fused with him at the beginning of the game, was inspired by the theory that a person's aura appears as a shark fin sticking out of the back of their neck when viewed from the side.[9]

The team wanted Nocturne to feel like a "journey into hell" comparable with Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy and Francis Ford Coppola's 1979 film Apocalypse Now. Kaneko was mainly responsible for creating the inverted bubble structure of the Vortex World. This design choice was primarily inspired by similar ideas in Gnostic traditions, early science fiction, and the Heart Sutra, an important scripture within Mahayana Buddhism.[5][8] In contrast to previous games which offered three routes for the cast, Chaos was the only affiliation of the characters. This was due to the fact the staff saw the Chaos route offered more to the player, and that it would be boring to have the same designs as previous games. It also gave the team more development freedom.[10] The supporting characters' personalities were deliberately kept ambiguous to reinforce the desire for player immersion, and giving the game multiple possible story routes to emphasize the importance of the player's decisions. Alongside this, the staff wanted to portray demons not only as enemies but as characters the player could relate to and grow attached to when inviting them to their party.[5] The character of Lucifer was not conceived as a standard villain, but rather as a gentlemanly observer who sets tests for the player. To reflect his omnipotent status as God's opposite, he is portrayed in a number of forms, including a child and an old man.[9] The Reasons were inspired by the team's want to show several styles for living. The Manikins were created as a representation of the "Vortex" and the war between the Reasons, acting as a mass pressuring for the birth of a new world. They mirrored the mechanisms of a country with a high population, and were based on the idea of people being overwhelmed by numbers and acts in accordance with a common norm.[8]

Music

Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne Original Soundtrack
Soundtrack album by Shoji Meguro, Kenichi Tsuchiya, Toshiko Tasaki & Tsukasa Masuko
Released March 5, 2003
Recorded Sony Music Studio Tokyo
Genre Video game soundtrack
Length Disc 1: 1:01:02
Disc 2: 54:14
Total: 1:55:16
Label SME Visual Works

The music for Nocturne was composed by Shoji Meguro, with additional work by Kenichi Tsuchiya and Toshiko Tasaki. Mixing was done by Meguro, Tsuchiya, and Tasaki. The soundtrack included tunes from previous Shin Megami Tensei titles composed by Tsukasa Masuko.[11] While composing the music, Meguro attempted to express his feelings when he saw the world while remaining true to the styles established by the original Megami Tensei games. Taking inspiration from the game's dungeon-battle transitions, and the cutscenes' combination of current graphics with classic use of subtitles for storytelling, Meguro created modulating tunes which included elements from 1980s music. Meguro also introduced orchestral elements which were absent from previous Megami Tensei scores, using it to emphasis the gameplay's constant shifts between movement and stillness. Meguro generally worked solo on the original version, but for the director's cut, he had help composing new tracks.[12]

The majority of tracks from the game were released in an album, Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne Original Soundtrack, on March 5, 2003. The album, published by SME Visual Works under the catalog number SVWC-7173~4, contained 49 tracks and was 1:55:16.[11] A second album containing the tracks composed for the director's cut, Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne Original Soundtrack extra version, was released on October 26, 2005. Again published by SME Visual Works under the catalog number SVWC-7308, it contained 21 tracks and was 39:04.[13] In North America, selected tracks from the game were released on a promotional CD exclusive to the game's Limited Edition.[14][15]

Release

The game was first hinted by an Atlus spokesperson in November 1999.[16] However, the game was announced much later in September 2002 by the gaming magazine Famitsu where it was clarified it was a sequel to previous Shin Megami Tensei games rather than an entry in the the spin-off Persona series.[17] Atlus had high hopes for Nocturne‍ '​s success, preparing shipments totalling 500,000 units.[18] The original release in Japan had to have some planned features cut out. Because of this, the developers released a director's cut titled Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne Maniax (真・女神転生III-NOCTURNE マニアクス - Maniakusu), containing added features and the cut content.[5] This edition was released in January 2004, one year after the original, as a limited release. Due to fan demand, it received a second run in February 2005.[19] Among the additional features is an optional dungeon that leads to a sixth ending. The main character from Capcom's hack and slash series Devil May Cry, Dante, appears as a guest character. His inclusion in the game was suggested by a member of the Atlus staff who was a fan of the Devil May Cry series. This idea was approved due to how Dante's job as a demon hunter would fit the setting of Nocturne and thus Atlus created a movie where Dante confronted the game's hero. Capcom was satisfied with this video and allowed Altus to use the character.[20] A second version of the director's cut, 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), was released as part of the Japanese limited edition of Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon. The most notable alteration is the replacement of Dante with Raidou Kuzunoha, the protagonist of the third Devil Summoner title.[21]

The original Maniax is the version that was translated and released in North America, as the main director Kazuyuki Yamai believed the enhanced difficulty and the other new features would appeal to the western audience.[5] The localization was announced in February 2004.[22] This made Nocturne the first main Shin Megami Tensei title to be released outside Japan.[20] It was speculated that this was the reason the numeral III was dropped from the title.[23] For its release in North America, it was give an "M for Mature" rating by the Entertainment Software Rating Board. In response to this, Atlus' western branch issued a statement saying that they were ensuring that the localized version of the game was true to the Japanese version, including its mature themes and content, as toning anything down "would [have been] a disservice to the gaming public.".[24] Due to backlogs at Sony Disc Manufacturing, Atlus delayed the release of the game by over three weeks. In compensation, DoubleJump Books offered free priority shipping worldwide for their Nocturne guidebook.[14][25] The publishing rights in Europe were picked up by Midas Interactive, who published the game through their then-newly formed subsidiary Ghostlight under the title Shin Megami Tensei: Lucifer's Call.[26]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
AggregatorScore
GameRankings83.75%[27]
Metacritic82 out of 100[28]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Eurogamer8/10[29]
Famitsu35/40[30]
G45/5[31]
GameSpot8.5/10[32]
IGN8.6/10[33]
RPGamer5/5[34]
RPGFan92/100[35]

During its first week of release in Japan, Nocturne sold 185,000 units which are equal to 75.7% of its shipment.[36] By the end of 2003, it had sold 245,520 units becoming Japan's 49th bestselling game of the year.[37] The Maniax edition was also popular, reaching 5th place in Japanese sales charts in its first week, and remaining in the top ten for a second week.[38][39] The game has reportedly suffered low sales in North America together with fellow PS2 release Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga, with Kaneko noting in an interview that the franchise had little popularity overseas.[40]

Critical reception to the game has been positive. The GameRankings average review score of Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne is 83.75% while the average score in Metacritic is of 82 out of 100.[27][28] The Japanese video game magazine Famitsu gave it a score of 35/40, earning the magazine's Platinum award.[30] It received perfect reviews, from both G4TV's Darryl Vassar and RPGamer's Michael Beckett who praised the balance between cutscenes and gameplay, giving the player several areas to explore and the multple challenges, as well as the multiple paths the player can take across the story resulting in high replay value.[31][34] The game has been praised for its challenging AI and combat system, alongside game labyrinths.[31][35]

The modern setting and dark storyline from Nocturne has also been found refreshing for contrasting common RPG storylines.[32][29] Similarly, Jeremy Dunham from IGN noted its "bizarre" story as one of the reasons to play it due to its post-apocalyptic setting.[33] Beckett also praised the visual style employed by Atlus including Kaneko Kazuma's character designs as well as the design of the Vortex World.[34] On the other hand, the highly challenging battle system has bothered reviewers with Rob Fahey from Eurogamer ultimately finding as a flaw that stopped him from giving the game a near perfect score.[29] GameSpot's Bethany Massimilla shared similar feelings noting that despite these drawbacks the game will feel rewarding to players.[32] Despite also noting the game was quite challenging, Beckett found it significantly easier during its last third with the total play time depending on the players' choices when leveling up and obtaining new skills.[34]

Besides good critical response in reviews, Nocturne received recogniztion by publications. Jeremy Dunham from IGN listed it as the seventh best game from 2004.[41] G4TV also awarded it best RPG from the same year.[42] In RPGamer's awards from 2004 it was listed as the third best PS2 game,[43] and had honorable mentions in the categories of best storyline, graphics and best overall.[44][45][46] Gamasutra listed Nocturne as one of their "Essential 20" role-playing games, noting how challenging the title could be.[23]

Related media

There is a light novel of the game known as Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne Konton (真・女神転生III: NOCTURNE 混沌, lit. "Shin Megami Tensei III: NOCTURNE Chaos"). It is written by Boogey Toumon and illustrated by HACCAN. The light novel was published by Enterbrain's Famitsu Bunko imprint in August 2003. In this novelization, the main character takes the name of Shin Managi.[47]

A CD Drama of the series has also been released by King Records on April 23, 2003. In this case the protagonist is named Naoki Kashima and there is an original character named Ryougo Okiura voiced by Takahiro Mizushima who is able to fight demons like Naoki.[48]

References

External references

  1. ↑ "Atlus Products" (in Japanese). AtlusNet. Retrieved 2012-05-28.
  2. ↑ "Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne Is Now A PS2 Classic For PlayStation 3". Siliconera. 2014-05-06. Retrieved 2014-05-07.
  3. ↑ "Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne Development Report #2 (PS2)". IGN. 2004-09-24. Retrieved 2014-02-21.
  4. ↑ "Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne Development Report #1 (PS2)". IGN. 2004-09-14. Retrieved 2014-02-21.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 "Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne Interview". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on 2015-04-15. Retrieved 2014-02-21.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "Kazuma Kaneko Art Book III Plus Booklet". 金子一馬画集 III [Kazuma Kaneko Art Book III]. Shinkigensha. 2008-02-28. pp. 2–4. ISBN 978-4775306093. Translation
  7. ↑ Aihoshi, Richard (2005-02-05). "Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga Interview". IGN. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 "An Interview By You". Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne: The Official Strategy Guide. DoubleJump Publishing. 2004. pp. 384–387. ISBN 978-0974170046. Transcript
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Maragos, Nich (2004-09-20). "In Character: Kazuma Kaneko". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on 2015-04-15. Retrieved 2015-04-28.
  10. ↑ Kemps, Heidi (August 2008). "Game King: An Interview with Kazuma Kaneko". Otaku USA (Sovereign Media) (Vol. 2, Issue 1): 120–123.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne Original Soundtrack". Game-OST. Retrieved 2015-04-30.
  12. ↑ "A Little Night Music: A Conversation with Shoji Meguro on the Sounds of Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on 2015-04-15. Retrieved 2014-04-29.
  13. ↑ "Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne Original Soundtrack extra version". Game-OST. Retrieved 2015-04-30.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Young, Billy (2004-09-19). "Nocturne Sees a Small Delay". RPGamer. Retrieved 2014-04-30.
  15. ↑ Zalbag. "Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne OST". RPGFan. Retrieved 2015-04-30.
  16. ↑ Zdyrko, Dave (1999-11-29). "Atlus Announces PS2 Plans". IGN. Retrieved 2014-02-22.
  17. ↑ "Shin Megami Tensei III Screens". IGN. 2002-09-06. Retrieved 2014-02-22.
  18. ↑ "Shin Megami Tensei III Shipping Estimates". IGN. 2002-12-10. Retrieved 2014-02-23.
  19. ↑ Guisinger, Elliot (2004-12-28). "Atlus to Re-release Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne". RPGamer. Retrieved 2015-04-30.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Bedigian, Louis. "Devils May Cry when Dante Enters the World of "Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne"". Game Zone. Archived from the original on February 22, 2010. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
  21. ↑ Yip, Spencer (2008-10-23). "Raidou Replaces Dante In Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne Maniax Chronicle Edition". Siliconera. Retrieved 2014-02-22.
  22. ↑ "Shin Megami Tensei Coming to PS2". IGN. 2004-04-02. Retrieved 2014-02-22.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Kalata, Kurt. "A Japanese RPG Primer: The Essential 20 (page 8)". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2014-03-14.
  24. ↑ Young, Billy (2004-05-09). "Shin Megami Tensei Gets Mature Rating". RPGamer. Retrieved 2015-04-30.
  25. ↑ Young, Billy (2014-03-12). "Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne Sees Another Delay". RPGamer. Retrieved 2004-10-02.
  26. ↑ Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne gets Euro release (2005-04-24). "Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne gets Euro release". Eurogamer. Retrieved 2015-04-30.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 "Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne". GameRankings. Retrieved 2012-05-28.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 "Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne MetaCritic". Metacritic. Retrieved 2013-08-14.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 Fahey, Rob (2005-07-11). "Shin Megami Tensei: Lucifer's Call Review". Eurogamer. Retrieved 2014-02-24.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 "Japandemonium - Horror of Yig". RPGamer. 2003-02-28. Retrieved 2015-04-30.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 "Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne". G4TV. 2004-09-29. Archived from the original on March 28, 2006. Retrieved 2014-02-24.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 32.2 Massimilla, Bethany (October 7, 2004). "Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne Review". GameSpot. Retrieved May 28, 2012.
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 Dunham, Jeremy (2004-09-23). "Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne - PlayStation 2 Review". IGN. Retrieved 2012-05-28.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 Beckett, Michael. "Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne - Review". RPGamer. Retrieved 2014-02-24.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 Mattich, Ryan (2004-10-01). "Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne". RPGFan. Retrieved 2014-03-14.
  36. ↑ Sahdev, Ishaan (2013-05-31). "Shin Megami Tensei IV Sold Through 80% Of Its Shipment". Siliconera. Retrieved 2014-02-23.
  37. ↑ "2003年テレビゲームソフト売り上げTOP300" (in Japanese). Gemini. Archived from the original on 2015-03-15. Retrieved 2014-02-23.
  38. ↑ Jenkins, David (2004-02-06). "Latest Japanese Sales Charts - Week Ending February 1". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2015-05-01.
  39. ↑ Jenkins, David (2004-02-13). "Latest Japanese Sales Charts - Week Ending February 8". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2015-05-01.
  40. ↑ Payton, Ryan; Mielke, James (2005-09-12). "Devil Summoner: 1UP Interviews Kazuma Kaneko". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on 2014-04-29. Retrieved 2014-04-30.
  41. ↑ "IGNPS2 Editor's Favorites 2004". IGN. 2004-12-20. Retrieved 2014-02-21.
  42. ↑ "X-Play's Best of 2004 Winners Announced!". G4TV. 2005-02-27. Retrieved 2014-02-22.
  43. ↑ "Reader Results > Staff Results". RPGamer. Retrieved 2014-02-22.
  44. ↑ "Best storyline". RPGamer. Retrieved 2014-02-22.
  45. ↑ "Best graphics". RPGamer. Retrieved 2014-02-22.
  46. ↑ "Best overall". RPGamer. Retrieved 2014-02-22.
  47. ↑ "真・女神転生3 NOCTURNE 混沌" (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved 2014-02-25.
  48. ↑ "Shin Megami tensei III NOCTURNE: Drama CD". CDJapan. Retrieved 2014-03-08.

Primary references

Atlus (2004-10-12). "Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne". PlayStation 2. Atlus.

  1. ↑ Lady in Black: Kagutsuchi... It is the light whose sole purpose is to empower the one who will oversee creation. Creation is the act of bringing a new world into existence, made possible by the annihilation of the old world. Kagutsuchi will allow a life form of its choosing to determine the course of the new world. There must be those in Tokyo who yearn to be chosen by Kagutsuchi, in order to realize their vision. The shape of the world to come depends on who is chosen...and what their Reason is. In the vast Amala Universe, this Vortex World is not the only place where creation occurs. Kagutsuchi rises, matures, and falls in countless other places. There are millions--no, billions of worlds that you are unaware of, and they all experience the cycle of death and rebirth. That is the way of Amala, as determined by the Great Will.
  2. ↑ Yuko: You heard what Hikawa said, right? The world is about to be engulfed by chaos. It's called the [Conception]... The rebirth of the world, an event which no human has ever witnessed. Everyone outside of this hospital will perish. I doubt anyone would approve of such a terrible thing... But, even if we let this old world continue to exist, it would eventually lose all of its power. The world must first die, for it to be born again... And I alone will carry the burden of its sin...No, I don't have any regrets.
  3. ↑ Woman in Black: It is my honor to tell you that my little master has shown an interest in you. Poor human, he wants to give you a special gift. It is vital that you receive this gift...Please do not move.It will only hurt for an instant ...This will make you a demon... Magatama, the essence of demonic power... You have now joined the ranks of demons.
  4. ↑ Hijiri: Hey, wanna work together? If we're gonna have any hope of getting out of this mess, then we've got to find Hikawa. I heard there's a group in Ginza that's vying for control of shaping this infant world, and its leader is a human. That leader's gotta be Hikawa.
  5. ↑ Hikawa: Mantra believes they've destroyed this base, but as you can see, the core is fully functional... Nothing more needs to be done. The targeted amount of Magatsuhi will be reached shortly. However, they deserve to be punished. We'll use them as an example...of what happens to those who oppose the Assembly of Nihilo. This is a good opportunity. Witness what is about to take place. Using the Magatsuhi stored here, I will call on my new strength. The time has come... Activate the Nightmare System.
  6. ↑ Hikawa: ...Oh, I forgot to mention. Yuko Takao plays a key role in this system. She's been a great help to me. Her abilities as the Maiden have been invaluable...Are you worried about Yuko?
  7. ↑ Yuko: I just do Hikawa's bidding. 'I would like you to become the pillar of the new world.' That's what he told me. In the end, I was nothing but a tool for collecting Magatsuhi... It's true that the Conception did take place, and I assisted in making it happen. The world is about to be reborn, but as it stands now, the new world is going to be a far cry from what I had hoped for. I dreamed of an ideal world where people were grateful to be alive...
  8. ↑ Hijiri: To create a new world, you must have a strong idea of what kind of world you want to create. This idea is commonly referred to as a Reason. Now, to acquire a Reason, you must receive divine protection from a god, and this is where the Magatsuhi comes into play. You need a large quantity of Magatsuhi in order to summon a god. That's why Hikawa, a human, was collecting Magatsuhi.
  9. ↑ Takao: All possibility has dried up in this world... But, there must be a world out there where freedom prevails. I wasn't strong enough, but... it seems your will is greater. ...Use this and create the world that you want. Hurry... to Amala Temple. This will show you the way to Kagutsuchi...
  10. ↑ Lady in Black: The man I am referring to was known as Hijiri in your previous world. He died, but as fate would have it, he carried on in the Vortex World. Think back to when you first met him, to when the Conception occurred. ...Yes, he did lose his life like all the others. As he was heading to the hospital where you already were, the Conception began and his life ended. Did it not seem odd to you, that he was in the Vortex World unaffected, unchanged? It was all because of the mortal sin which he committed... He was a being toyed with by fate, condemned to carry the burden of atonement forever.
  11. ↑ Isamu: See that? The Magatsuhi he's gathering will give power to my Reason. To be honest with you, [player], I'm not the one who came up with this brilliant idea. He did. Of course, he planned to use the Matatsuhi himself... and it would have been you or me hanging up there!!
  12. ↑ Matador: ...Only one of us will escape this domain alive. The victor shall claim the loser's candelabrum, and return in triumph. You hold a candelabrum...Then, like me, you must be seeking supreme power.
  13. ↑ Lucifer: A demon born in exchange for the world... There's no other quite like you. Kagutsuchi may have cursed you, but I give you my blessing. Light no longer shines upon you. But, you can do without it, can't you? Darkness is the source of your power now... I'm afraid I have to go now. I won't forget you, though. We'll definitely meet again... You should get going, too. Chaos will reign, as you desired, since no new world was forged. Indeed, it shall be the millennial kingdom of demons...
  14. ↑ Lucifer: All of you who have lurked in darkness and waited faithfully for this day, hear me... A new demon of darkness has been born...The time has come. Together, let us march onward! To the final battle... where our true enemy awaits! ...You have created a new demon in your heart's likeness, fallen angel? Then, doom shall set us apart... now and forevermore...

External links