Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne - PS2

Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne is a dark, post-apocalyptic JRPG from Atlus that redefined the series for the PlayStation 2 era. Set in a ruined Tokyo after a cataclysmic event known as the Conception, you awaken as the Demi-fiend, a human transformed into a half-demon being tasked with navigating a world reborn in chaos.

An ordinary Tokyo high-school student sees a strange dream. A mysterious woman warns him of an upcoming destruction, in which the sins of humanity will be purged. She tells him that her name is Yuko Takao. When the young man comes to his senses, he realizes that he is in the subway, on the way to Yoyogi Park, where he intends to meet his classmates and visit their sick teacher, Yuko Takao, in a hospital. Yoyogi Park appears to be off limits: recent riots have already claimed several victims, and Hikawa, the top executive of Cybers Communication, is missing.

The student heads to the hospital and meets his classmates; however, the hospital is overrun by demons shortly afterwards. After having fought his way to the roof, the studentwitnesses the Conception - a colossal destruction of the city, which destroys the world as we know it. Only the hero, two of his classmates, and a few other humans have survived. The rest of the world is populated by demons, and the hero is transformed into a demon himself. He must communicate with the demonic inhabitants of this horrifying realm, find out what happened to his classmates, and ultimately shape the future of the world.

Unlike traditional heroic fantasy RPGs, Nocturne embraces philosophical conflict, moral ambiguity, and stark atmosphere. Factions form around competing ideologies — and your choices determine which vision of reality ultimately reshapes the world.

⭐ Gameplay Highlights

• Turn-based combat using the Press Turn System

• Exploit enemy weaknesses for extra turns

• Recruit, fuse, and customize demons

• Deep demon fusion mechanics

• Challenging boss encounters / Never forget the Matador battle

• Multiple endings based on alignment choices

The minimalist storytelling, haunting soundtrack by Shoji Meguro, and desolate world design create one of the most distinctive atmospheres in the JRPG genre.

⭐ Notable Features (US Release)

• Includes a boss battle against Dante from Devil May Cry. He is a enemy early in the game, but can be recruited into the party if certain conditions are met. 

• Added hard mode

• New optional path called "True Demon". On this path the hero has to face several new powerful boss enemies known as the Fiends; the first of those appears in an obligatory additional fight early in the game, while the rest are optional unless the player aims to reach the new True Demon ending. 

The game is widely regarded as one of Atlus’s defining releases of the 2000s.

Product Details

Japanese Title: 真・女神転生III-NOCTURNE (Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne)
Platform: PlayStation 2 (NTSC-U)
Genre: JRPG / Turn-Based RPG
Players: 1 player
Language: English
Developer: Atlus
Publisher: Atlus USA
Release Year: 2004 (North America)

PlayStation 2 discs are region-locked. This NTSC-U copy requires a North American PS2 unless modified.