Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne

Playstation 2 Exclusive

Price: $29.99 to $39.99

1 Player

SMT: Nocturne or, what I like to call Devil May Cry: Nocturne, is a rare traditional Japanese roleplaying game that deals with mature content and some really dark overtones. SMT: Nocturne casts the player as a nameless high school student with an interest in the occult. The protagonist gets caught in the end of the world, The Conception. Luckily the silent protagonist escapes death, and Lucifer himself transforms him into a demi-fiend (heart of a human, body of a demon) and he is then given a great power to arm him in his journey.

Hit the jump for more information on SMT: Nocturne and its crossover with Devil May Cry.

The game’s battle system was old-school turn-based JRPG fare with a bit of a Pokemon flair to it. Players along with his/her party can take on a myriad of demon types. These enemy demons can actually be swayed to join the party by having conversations/negotiations with them. Successful negotiations result in less opponents and a stronger player party. These conversations/negotiations range from bribes and gifts, philosophical questions, or just flat out asking. Of course, these do not work on boss demons or during times when the moon is full and the demons are therefore more powerful.

The player can recruit a number of these demons as party members, and in a surprising crossover twist, fight the demon hunter Dante (of Devil May Cry fame). Dante is tasked by a nameless benefactor to hunt down and kill the protagonist and his party. As one of the most difficult enemies in the game, players will have to defend themselves from Dante’s occasional deadly encounters.

At a certain point in the game, players have a choice of playing through the optional Labyrinth of Amala dungeon quest; there they are given a chance to persuade Dante to join their party. Depending on player’s choices throughout the game, Dante will help or hinder his cause.

A very difficult game to find, Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne is a forgotten classic for the PlayStation 2. Box stores never carry it, so players interested in the game should get it from Amazon or eBay. It’s guaranteed to give players hundreds of hours of solid gameplay and replayability. The demon collection meta game really sets it apart from other JRPG’s from the PS2 era. Definitely recommended.