Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne [OFFICIAL THREAD]

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"Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne" is the third "core" game in the Shin Megami Tensei series, released to the US on October 12, 2004.

Originally named "Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne" in Japan, it was later released as a director's cut under the title "Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne Maniax", which contained a bonus dungeon w/ a new final boss and ending upon it's completion, as well as a large amount of new bosses and a guest appearance by Dante, star of Capcom's "Devil May Cry" series. American's received this director's cut under the title "Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne", while the European audience received it under the title "Shin Megami Tensei: Lucifer's Call".

Notably, it has become quite the rarity, running for prices as high as $100+ on auction sites such as Ebay .

- STORYLINE -

The following is the plot analysis from the official Atlus website:

Quote:

- THE STORY OF SHIN MEGAMI TENSEI: NOCTURNE -

In Tokyo, Japan, a high school student on his way to visit his teacher at the hospital meets a reporter who tells him a bizarre story about a recent clash in a local park, which the man believes is tied to the occult.

After the strange run-in, the boy arrives at the hospital in Shinjuku only to discover that the hospital is empty and his teacher is nowhere to be found. After wandering around the deserted building, the boy encounters a mysterious man in the basement. Shortly after, from the rooftop, he witnesses a catastrophic event--the Conception. The earth shakes and a bright light engulfs everything on the horizon. When the boy awakens, he finds his appearance drastically altered. As he wanders the hospital halls, he comes to realize that he has been turned into a demon.

In the aftermath of the destruction, the boy sets forth on a journey where he must battle against demonic forces to bring order to the chaos. The world awaits its rebirth, but will it ever be the same again?

- SCREENSHOTS -
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- CHARACTERS OF "SHIN MEGAMI TENSEI: NOCTURNE" -
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- THE DEMI-FIEND / PROTAGONIST / HITOSHURA -



The nameless hero of "Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne".

The game starts with the Protagonist visiting a hospitalized high school teacher of his, Yuko Takao, along with two of his friends - Chiaki Hayasaka and Isamu Nitta. But upon arriving at the Shinjuku Medical Center, the trio finds the building empty, and the Protagonist chooses to investigate.

While searching the grounds, he finds a strange man in the basement (Hikawa) who informs the Protagonist of his plans for the Conception, then threatens to kill him. But Yuko (his teacher) intervenes at the last moment, threatening to not go along with her part in Hikawa's plan if Hikawa does not spare the child. Of course, Hikawa lets the Protagonist go free, and the Conception takes place as planned.

Shortly afterwards, the Protagonist wakes up in a strange, deserted world (The Vortex World) - with an old woman and a young blonde boy hovering over him. The woman explains to him that he will play an important part in what is to come, and the boy inserts a demonic parasite into the Protagonist's body. This parasite turns him into a half demon, granting him vast power.

From this point on, his every action is dictated by the player. How will he choose to change the world? WILL he choose to change the world? These questions are up to the player to choose.

REASON: The Protagonist technically can't have a Reason, though one possible ending was to not remake the Vortex World at ALL, and leave it as be without change. This is commonly referred to as the "Demon Ending".

- YUKO TAKAO -



A High School teacher of the protagonist, and "Maiden" of the Vortex World.

Yuko Takao, according to the official Atlus website, is well respected by her student's for "emphasizing logical reasons over memorization". She is a follower of Hikawa's religion, and follows his desire to remake the world. As the "Maiden" of the Vortex World, she plays a major role in the world's rebirth.

In the beginning, Yuko is a character plagued by self-doubt. She feels that she, as an individual, would never have a chance to significantly change the world...so she completely follows somebody who has such an ability (Hikawa). But later on, after learning about Hikawa's true desire in remaking the world, she changes her mind - she decides that if the world were to go back to how it was, an individual such as her truly WOULD have the opportunity to change the world...this is the message she gives to the Demi-Fiend as she becomes a source of Magatsuchi (life energy required to fulfill a "Reason") for Hikawa.

REASON: Yuko can't technically have a Reason, though one possible ending was to return the world to how it was before the Conception took place. In this ending, the Protagonist and Yuko seem to retain their memory of The Vortex World, while every other character forgets about the time they spent there. Additionally, it seems as though Hikawa has forgotten about ever finding the "Scriptures of Miroku", or learning how to remake the world.

This ending is commonly referred to as the "Freedom Ending".

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- REVIEWS AND AWARDS -
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- REVIEWS -

G4's (TV Channel) "X-Play" - 5/5 stars

IGN: 8.6/10

Gamespot: 8.5/10

- AWARDS -

X-Play's "Best Role-Playing Game of 2004"