doctrainAUM
Since: Aug, 2010
11/19/2012 00:00:00
Do you think this game deserves Japan's All Ages rating, Europe's 12+ rating, or America's M rating? This game is often the textbook example of Values Dissonance in that regard.
"What's out there? What's waiting for me?"Leave a Comment:
A very substantial JRPG that sucks you in and doesnt let go
Now let me start by saying two things regarding recommendation: 1: if youre looking for an RPG with a lot of story emphasis, look elsewhere. 2: the games difficulty is often overestimated; unless you play Hard mode, Nocturne isnt exactly going to be a particularly difficult game, especially if youve played Persona 3 or 4.
Now that I got that stuff out of the way...seriously, if you even remotely like JRPG gameplay, you need to give this game a try. Nocturne is addictive, fun and even somewhat edgy. While the story is not a big focus, I still believe that it plays just a big enough role to keep you interested. And the other areas of the game are nothing shy of superb. The environments are distinct, creatively crafted and a piece of artistic beauty. The colors are done well, providing great life to the environments like the dark sewers under Ginza or the very otherworldly Labyrinth of Amala. The world is lovingly crafted and provides tremendous atmosphere for the game. The soundtrack is spectacular with a number of memorable songs that provide all sorts of moods and cater well to the post apocalyptic environment without sounding as depressing as one would think. Many of the themes will get stuck in your head and fit well to their environment.
What Nocturne shines best in is its gameplay. Few JRP Gs offer as much user customization as Nocturne. Your choices shape the personality of your Silent Protagonist and you can make him whatever role you would like for combat in addition to choosing your party members. The demons in this game can be recruited and used alongside you, in a system often giving this game a description of "Pokemon with demons for adults" (which I believe is a misnomer because SMT preceded Pokemon and this game plays more like Dragon Quest Monsters). Your party is what you like it and can (and often should) be catered to situations. Often the strategy of the game lies in building and fixing your party around a situation, such as against particularly tough bosses. The combat system has a fresh twist with the press turn system, making strategy and planning that much more important than just offensive might. And dont underestimate buffs/debuffs either.
Nocturne is an adventure of atmosphere, mystery and loneliness. Even with your party members it still feels like "you versus the new world". And damn is it a long, fun adventure. Play it.