Info about Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster:

Official game description:
Digital Deluxe Edition
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About the Game
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Reawaken your inner demon in a modernized version of the acclaimed ATLUS classic, Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster.  
What begins as a normal day in Tokyo turns out to be everything but, when the Conception—an ethereal apocalypse—is invoked. The remains of the world are swallowed by chaos, as a demonic revolution descends into a broken city. Caught between a battle of Gods and demons, the choices you make can bring life, rebirth, or death, and determine who triumphs.  
This genre-defining, infamously punishing RPG is back and now includes:  
*   Remastered 3D models and backgrounds  
*   Additional difficulty settings  
*   Suspend save: save your progress whenever you need!  
*   Voiced audio: choose between Japanese and English VO  
*   Steam Achievements and Trading Cards

Release date: May 20, 2021

Categories: Turn-based RPG, Monster Fusion System, Press Turn Combat, Multiple Endings, Dungeon Crawler, Character Collection, Remastered Classic

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 65; verdict: Aggressive DLC Practices; summary: The remaster is criticized for selling previously included content (Maniax, Dante) as paid DLC and offering convenience DLC (exp/money maps) that alleviate intentionally slow progression. Combined with a high base price, these aggressive monetization practices go beyond standard cosmetic or optional DLC.
- Wiki: score 50; verdict: Moderate External Dependency; summary: User feedback highlights a strong dependency on external guides due to complex systems, unclear progression, and many irreversible missable elements. The primary complaint falls under Instructional Data needs, as players seek guidance on mechanics, quest outcomes, and secrets.
- Proton/Linux: score 60; verdict: Tinkering Required - Mods Needed; summary: Persona 4 Golden HD Remaster (or similar) has significant Linux compatibility issues including broken cutscenes, explicit lack of developer support, and warnings against Steam Deck use. However, community mods enable smooth gameplay on both Linux and Steam Deck, requiring tinkering to achieve a playable state.
- Steam Deck: score 55; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The game is locked at 30fps, burdened by Denuvo DRM that hinders Linux/Steam Deck compatibility, and suffers from compressed audio, resolution caps, and broken cutscenes on Steam Deck. Mods can resolve most issues but require tinkering, making the out-of-box experience significantly flawed.

- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: Both cohorts report that the game requires mods to fix performance and audio issues, but once modded, it runs well and is recommended by users.
  - Sample size: 32 (4% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM (positive, 17 reports): Game runs poorly at default 30 FPS with muted audio, but mods fix these issues; users still recommend.
  - Windows 12-15GB VRAM (positive, 7 reports): With mods, the game runs smoothly at max graphics and 60 FPS, even on Steam Deck at low TDP.
  - Caveats: 32 of 738 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $14.99 - $40.00
  - Reasoning: Reviewers consistently indicate the base game is overpriced at its current $50 price point. Many recommend waiting for a sale, with common sale prices around $14.99 to $20 for the base game. One long-time fan suggests $30 to $40 is a fair price, and $20 would be an absolute must-buy. This suggests the community considers a fair price range between $14.99 on sale and up to $40, with the majority indicating it is worth buying only at a significant discount from full price.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 100.0h
  - Story completion: 40.0h
  - Session length: 2.0h
  - Endgame: 30.0h
  - Reasoning: The 100-hour claim from a hard-mode true demon ending playthrough establishes game completion time. The 40-hour report from a playthrough that missed the true ending estimates story completion duration. The 'two hours in a hellish session' comment indicates a typical play session length. The 'journey of over 30 hours' for the Deep Labyrinth content provides a specific endgame time investment.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Players generally find the early and mid game enjoyable but the late game becomes a tedious, overlong chore, causing a drop in fun after a certain point.
  - Stance: Fun then drops
  - Anchor: N/A
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: N/A
  - Unlock drivers: N/A
  - Conditions: N/A
- Player Archetypes:
  - Hardcore Challenge Seeker (sale)
    - Motivation: Mastering the Press Turn battle system and overcoming brutal difficulty.
    - Playstyle: Strategic, uses buffs/debuffs, plans demon fusion, accepts grinding as part of the challenge.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: longtime fan; masochist
    - Reference games: Shin Megami Tensei; Persona; Metaphor: ReFantazio; Final Fantasy
  - Nostalgic Longtime Fan (sale)
    - Motivation: Reliving a classic JRPG experience and appreciating its atmosphere and story.
    - Playstyle: Plays with nostalgia correction, tolerates outdated mechanics, may use mods for quality of life.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: fan of the saga; nostalgia
    - Reference games: PS2 version; Shin Megami Tensei
  - Persona Refugee (no buy)
    - Motivation: Exploring the darker roots of Atlus games after enjoying Persona.
    - Playstyle: Struggles with difficulty, learns to use buffs and strategy, may rely on guides or mods.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: new player; Persona fan
    - Reference games: Persona 5 Royal; Persona 3; Metaphor: ReFantazio; SMT V
  - Mod Enthusiast (sale)
    - Motivation: Fixing the remaster's technical issues like compressed audio and 30fps cap.
    - Playstyle: Mods the game extensively, follows guides, seeks optimal performance and audio quality.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Excellent turn-based combat (weight 0.4): Players consistently praise the strategic, deep, and satisfying turn-based combat, specifically the Press Turn system. Mechanics like exploiting enemy weaknesses to gain extra turns and the challenge of the battles are highlighted as addictive and rewarding.
- Addictive demon fusion system (weight 0.18): Players love the demon fusion and recruitment systems, finding them satisfying and addictive. The ability to catch, converse with, and fuse a wide variety of demons offers endless customization and strategic depth.
- Outstanding and catchy soundtrack (weight 0.12): The soundtrack receives high praise for being magnificent, catchy, and outstanding. It is frequently mentioned as a key element that enhances the game's atmosphere and emotional impact.
- Meaningful choice-based story (weight 0.11): The game offers a good story with multiple endings that depend on player choices. This system provides high replayability and engages players with thoughtful, philosophical decisions.
- Faithful to PS2 original (weight 0.1): The game is praised for being nearly identical to the PS2 version, offering a faithful and nostalgic experience. This consistency pleases fans who wanted to revisit the original.
- Manual skill inheritance choice (weight 0.09): A quality-of-life improvement in the remaster allows players to manually choose which skills to inherit after demon fusion. This change is greatly appreciated as it adds more control and depth to the fusion system.
- Dante from Devil May Cry (weight 0.09): The inclusion of Dante from Devil May Cry is highlighted as a major highlight. His presence adds unique crossover appeal and memorable moments to the game.
- Great voice acting quality (weight 0.09): Voice acting is highlighted as a major enhancement, adding character and gravitas to the story. It brings the characters to life and improves narrative delivery.
- Charming and unique atmosphere (weight 0.08): The atmosphere is described as charming, unique, and impactful. The game's environments and overall vibe contribute strongly to its immersive and captivating experience.

Common complaints:
- Compressed audio quality (weight 0.28): Audio and music are heavily compressed, often carried over from the PS2 version, resulting in low quality that sounds awful compared to modern standards. This is a common complaint across many reviews.
- Too many random encounters (weight 0.26): Random encounters occur every few steps, making dungeon exploration tedious and the game frustrating, especially in later playthroughs. Players find them outdated and a major waste of time.
- Lazy and disappointing remaster (weight 0.26): The remaster is consistently labeled as lazy, minimal, and disappointing, with no significant effort to improve the original. It is considered one of the laziest ports available.
- Overpriced for an old remaster (weight 0.19): The game is considered overpriced for an 18-year-old title, with a base price of $50 that does not match the quality of the remaster. Even on sale, many feel it is not worth the cost.
- Intrusive Denuvo DRM (weight 0.13): The inclusion of Denuvo DRM is criticized as intrusive and problematic, with some players refusing to play because of its performance impact and always-on verification.
- Tedious and monotonous gameplay (weight 0.1): The gameplay is described as tedious and monotonous, feeling like chores rather than fun. This makes the game feel like work, reducing enjoyment.

Gameplay feedback:
- Labyrinthine dungeon design (weight 0.27): Dungeons are labyrinthine mazes filled with random teleport traps, invisible walls, dead ends, and puzzles, creating oppressive exploration.
- Demon fusion and collection (weight 0.24): The game features a deep demon fusion system with skill inheritance, allowing extensive customization, along with a large collection of over a hundred unique demons to recruit and fuse.
- Press Turn combat system (weight 0.23): Turn-based combat uses the Press Turn system, where hitting weaknesses grants extra actions; buffs and debuffs are essential for success.
- Challenging difficulty modes (weight 0.21): The game offers multiple difficulty settings, including a notoriously hard mode, with Normal and Hard options plus an easy mode for accessibility.
- Multiple narrative endings (weight 0.16): Player choices throughout the game lead to multiple endings, including a special True Demon Ending based on alignment and moral decisions.
- Choice-driven storytelling (weight 0.09): Choose-your-own-adventure style decisions affect the world and story creation, giving players meaningful narrative agency.
- Manual skill inheritance (weight 0.08): Skill inheritance has been changed to a manual system in the remaster, allowing direct selection of inherited skills during fusion.
- Infamous Matador boss (weight 0.07): The Matador boss is notoriously challenging and often serves as a difficulty spike for new players.
- Multiple game versions (weight 0.06): The game includes multiple versions such as Nocturne, Maniax, and Chronicles, offering different content and starting options.

Performance notes:
- Mods required for 60 FPS (weight 0.34): Players report that achieving 60 FPS or higher requires mods, as the base game does not support higher frame rates. Some mods may introduce issues like broken encounter rates.
- 30 FPS frame rate cap (weight 0.29): The game is locked at 30 FPS, which many players find unacceptable for modern gaming. This is the most frequent complaint across the feedback.
- Frequent crashes and freezes (weight 0.26): The game crashes or freezes frequently, especially during cutscenes, combat with multiple enemies, or specific progression points, causing progress loss.
- Poor audio quality (weight 0.25): Audio quality is heavily criticized as compressed, low quality, or damaged, requiring mods to improve. Music and sound effects are notably poor.
- Low quality cutscenes (weight 0.16): Cutscenes are low resolution (often 480p, 4:3 aspect ratio) and look outdated, resembling the original PS2 version rather than a proper remaster.
- Visual glitches and graphical issues (weight 0.12): Players report graphical weirdness such as screen flickering, soap filter effect, blurry graphics, and visual distractions from glitches.
- Compatibility issues with Steam Deck (weight 0.07): The game has compatibility issues with Steam Deck, including lack of camera control and WMV cutscenes not working on Linux.
- Controller and input problems (weight 0.06): Some players experience controller issues, including the right joystick not working until Alt+Tab, lack of camera control on Steam Deck, and general controller non-functionality.
- Animation and gameplay bugs (weight 0.06): Players encounter animation freezes, skill-skipping bugs during demon level-up, and lag when using certain spells or items in combat.
- 1 FPS when using buffs/debuffs (weight 0.04): A specific bug causes the game to drop to 1 FPS when applying buffs or debuffs during combat, severely impacting gameplay.

Recommendations:
- Wait for a sale (weight 0.43): A large number of reviews suggest waiting for a sale before purchasing, as the game is considered not worth the full price but is a good value when discounted.
- Highly recommended for JRPG fans (weight 0.21): Many reviewers highly praise the game and specifically recommend it to fans of Japanese role-playing games, especially those who enjoy classic JRPGs with grinding elements.
- Good for Persona and SMT fans (weight 0.17): Fans of Atlus' other series, such as Persona or Shin Megami Tensei, will likely enjoy this game due to its similar turn-based combat and demon-collecting mechanics.
- For challenging RPG and series roots (weight 0.12): The game is recommended for players who want a challenging RPG, especially those interested in the origins of the Shin Megami Tensei series and classic grinding mechanics.
- Use performance and audio mods (weight 0.1): Players recommend using mods to unlock 60 FPS and restore uncompressed audio, as the PC port has technical limitations that these mods significantly improve.
- Not for first-time Atlus players (weight 0.1): Several reviews caution that this game is not a good entry point for newcomers to Atlus or Shin Megami Tensei, recommending starting with newer titles like Persona or SMT V instead.
- Encouraged to try the game (weight 0.08): Some reviewers enthusiastically encourage everyone to try the game, calling it a hidden gem that is worth experiencing despite its age or flaws.
- Consider original PS2 version instead (weight 0.08): Some reviewers suggest that players may be better off buying a physical PS2 copy and playing it on original hardware or an emulator, rather than this port.
- Not recommended by some (weight 0.08): A few reviewers explicitly state they do not recommend the game, advising others to think twice before purchasing.
- Download free DLC Chronicle Pack (weight 0.06): Reviewers advise downloading the free DLC Chronicle Pack and starting a New Game Chronicle to avoid missing exclusive content.
- Recommended despite negatives (weight 0.06): Some reviewers would recommend the game despite its negatives, noting that although it has tedious aspects, it still offers a worthwhile experience.
- Hard mode for challenge seekers (weight 0.06): Hard difficulty is recommended for experienced players seeking a genuine challenge, but not for newcomers due to its punishing nature.
- Definitely recommend (weight 0.06): A few reviewers give the game a strong, unreserved recommendation, calling it a definite must-play.

Other player notes:
- Remaster of PS2 classic (weight 0.42): The game is an HD remaster of the 2003 PS2 cult classic Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne. Many reviewers describe it as a basic port with minor improvements, lacking the enhancements expected of a proper remaster.
- Free DLC missable (weight 0.34): Free DLC content, including the Chronicle Pack and True Demon Ending, must be manually downloaded from Steam before starting the game. If not selected at the new game screen, this content and the related ending are permanently missable.
- Mods fix FPS and audio (weight 0.33): Mods are essential for a good experience, fixing the 30fps cap, adding 60fps or higher framerates, and improving compressed PS2-era audio. Tools like MelonLoader and modpacks such as 'Quality of Death' are highly recommended.
- Paid DLC for characters (weight 0.23): Paid DLC packs add characters like Dante from Devil May Cry or Raidou Kuzunoha, and include difficulty-lowering options. The Maniax Pack or Chronicle Pack are needed for additional content and easier gameplay.
- Few quality-of-life improvements (weight 0.13): The remaster adds widescreen and HD resolution, but lacks modern quality-of-life features. Many reviewers feel it is a minimal upgrade, more of a port than a full remaster.
- No autosave (weight 0.07): There is no autosave feature, requiring players to manually save frequently to avoid losing progress.
- Game length 50-100 hours (weight 0.05): The main story takes about 35-50 hours, with 100+ hours for completionists aiming to collect all demons or see all endings.
- High difficulty level (weight 0.05): The difficulty is notably high compared to other games in the genre, with a sharp curve that may turn off some players.
- Tedious puzzle mini-games (weight 0.04): The game includes 'Puzzle Boy' mini-games, which some players find tedious.
- Rare modern SMT option (weight 0.04): This is one of the few early Shin Megami Tensei games available on modern platforms, making it a rare option for fans of the series.
- Great new voice acting (weight 0.04): The new English voice acting is considered a major improvement and a positive addition.
- Nietzsche and Schopenhauer themes (weight 0.04): The story incorporates philosophical themes from Nietzsche and Schopenhauer, adding depth to the narrative.
- Six possible endings (weight 0.04): The game has six possible endings, offering replayability.
- Cult classic Atlus JRPG (weight 0.04): The game is widely regarded as a cult classic JRPG from Atlus, beloved by longtime fans.
- Lags behind SMT4 (weight 0.04): Reviewers compare this remaster unfavorably to later titles like SMT4, noting little improvement.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.22): Players are frustrated by the poor PC port quality, including a 30 FPS lock, compressed audio, frequent crashes and black screens that cause loss of progress. The high random encounter rate, maze-like dungeons with teleport traps, and unfair difficulty spikes with instant death skills further compound the irritation. Additionally, the confusing DLC structure, lack of quality-of-life features like autosave, and the need for mods to fix basic issues are major pain points.
- Disappointment (weight 0.1): Disappointment stems from the remaster being a lazy port with minimal improvements, retaining a 30 FPS cap, compressed music, and low-resolution cutscenes. The high price for an old game with missing content locked behind paid DLC, combined with technical bugs and no meaningful quality-of-life additions, leaves players feeling that the game does not do justice to the original classic.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.08): Players express satisfaction with the core game itself, praising its deep turn-based combat, rewarding Press Turn system, and challenging difficulty that requires strategic adaptation. Overcoming tough bosses and mastering demon fusion provides a sense of achievement, and the game's atmosphere and music are still highly appreciated.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.07): Enjoyment comes from the satisfying combat, deep demon customization, and addictive demon fusion system. The game's dark atmosphere, good soundtrack, and engaging difficulty create a fun dungeon-crawling experience that fans of the genre appreciate despite technical shortcomings.
- Excitement (weight 0.05): Excitement is driven by the dark atmosphere, challenging combat, and the deep demon fusion system that allows for extensive customization. The Press Turn system makes battles feel quick and strategic, and the anticipation of unlocking new demons and overcoming difficult encounters keeps players engaged.
- Admiration (weight 0.05): Players admire the game for its unmatched atmosphere, world-building, and art direction, considering it one of the greatest JRPGs ever made. The deep philosophical story, challenging gameplay, and iconic demon designs contribute to its status as a masterpiece in the series.
- Appreciation (weight 0.04): Appreciation is directed at the original game's timeless art, music, and innovative fusion system, which still hold up well. The oppressive atmosphere, creative dungeon design, and strong narrative are praised, along with the community mods that help elevate the remastered version.
- Anger (weight 0.04): Anger is directed at the high price of the remaster for what is considered a lazy port with minimal improvements, including a 30 FPS lock and compressed audio. The decision to lock content like Dante behind paid DLC and the lack of basic quality-of-life features and bug fixes are seen as greedy and disrespectful to fans.
- Annoyance (weight 0.03): Annoyance is caused by the excessively high random encounter rate that interrupts exploration, along with confusing teleporting dungeons and a lack of clear guidance. Poor performance, lag during combat, and outdated design choices like tedious puzzles and backtracking also contribute to the irritation.
- Love (weight 0.03): Love for the game is rooted in its core SMT experience, including the challenging gameplay, deep demon recruitment and fusion system, and the unforgettable atmosphere and soundtrack. Many players consider it the best in the series and a holy grail of monster-collecting RPGs.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.03): Nostalgia is strong for players who first experienced SMT III on PS2, with the game's unique atmosphere and classic Atlus gameplay bringing back fond memories. The presence of Dante from Devil May Cry and the desire to return to the Vortex World also evoke a sense of longing for the past.
- Amusement (weight 0.02): Amusement comes from the game's quirky and dark humor, such as demons treating the player poorly, quick deaths after dramatic openings, and humorous comparisons to Pokemon. The bizarre encounters and clever writing provide ironic enjoyment even during frustrating moments.
- Immersion (weight 0.01): Immersion is achieved through the game's thematic experience of apocalypse and emptiness, with a dark and atmospheric post-apocalyptic setting that connects mechanically and emotionally. The story of searching for one's own reason amidst desolation and philosophical conflict deeply engages players.
- Regret (weight 0.01): Regret is expressed by players who feel they cannot give a positive review due to the awful port quality, or who missed content because of unclear DLC structures or poor game design choices like wrong difficulty modes. Some regret purchases of cosmetic DLC or missing the True Demon ending.
- Boredom (weight 0.01): Boredom arises from repetitive gameplay elements like slow-paced exploration, few monster types, and tedious dungeons. The game is described as feeling like chores, with boring areas and infrequent story events failing to maintain interest.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Enthusiasm is high among players who praise the game as a phenomenal introduction to mainline SMT, with a masterclass in atmosphere and challenge. The combat system is celebrated as one of the best in turn-based RPGs, and the remaster's addition of an easy mode is welcomed.
- Joy (weight 0.01): Joy is derived from specific features like having Dante as a guest character, the excellent character design and story, and the satisfying process of raising and fusing demons. The game's soundtrack also brings happiness to many players.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion stems from the game's lack of clear direction, cryptic narrative, and aimless wandering, making it easy to get lost. Unclear explanations for mechanics like physical skill differences and non-functional controls like the POV button add to the disorientation.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Surprise is experienced by players who initially worried about outdated graphics but found the game more fun and engaging than expected. The game exceeded expectations despite its age, offering a compelling experience that holds up well.
- Interest (weight 0.01): Interest is sparked by the dark story, philosophical themes, and the unique world of the SMT series. Dungeon crawling with cool puzzles and the exploration of meaningful choices keep players invested in the narrative and gameplay.}