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Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne And Tokyo Culture

Posted by simoniker on from the curiouser-and-curiouser dept.

Thanks to QuarterToThree for its article discussing the cultural relevance of forthcoming PS2 RPG Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne, being released later this year in the States by creators Atlus. The author notes: "As some movies and novels are undoubtedly based around the various subcultures which spring up in these popular cities, MegaTen's soul is firmly based in Tokyo and some of the subcultures therein", and continues with regard to the mature plots of the series: "MegaTen games [which include U.S.-released side-story Persona 2], but more specifically the main series in Shin Megami Tensei, are concerned with weighty, thematic, thick, convoluted moral themes. It organizes modern and old religions and mythologies into areas where people insecure in their beliefs might be uncomfortable." In a related article, 1UP has an interview with MegaTen series composer Shoji Meguro, including samples of his work for Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne.

3 of 16 comments (clear)

  1. It's a shame... by ShinSugoi · · Score: 2, Informative
    ... that more Megami Tensei games haven't come out over here. We almost got Soul Hackers at one point, but of course it was canned at about 80% translated. While I've been a fan of the series for quite a few years now, most of my experiences with it have been via fan-translated ROMs of the originals.

    Perhaps MegaTen games are just a bit too gothic and niche to warrant the popularity many (including myself) feel they deserve.

  2. Good to see this coming over by Gorelab · · Score: 3, Informative

    It's good to see this series finally getting another chance to come over. Persona 2 was an interesting and unique game, and the main series has always been famous for giving an unprecedented amount of choice to players, it's really too bad it hasn't been released in America.

    (Although those wishing to play Shin Megami Tensei I and II with emulators can look over at agtp.romhack.net)

    My only fear for the game is that it'll be censored into oblivion for it's American release.
    I've heard some of the scenes in the game are quite bloody and gory, and well, the theme's of the series arn't something I can imagine flying well in America... I mean this is a series where you can literally kill God. If all turns out alright it should be a wonderful RPG release though.

  3. Re:Okay... so.. by Lynxara · · Score: 2, Informative

    Dante is a bonus character from the "special edition" of Nocturne called Nocturne Maniacs (the version being translated). He's not particularly important to SMT3's storyline and wasn't originally in the game. Playing SMT3 to see Dante strikes me as a waste of time, as his appearance is basically an in-joke like Cloud appearing in Final Fantasy Tactics.

    You only fight God in SMT2, that I'm aware of. SMT3 is supposed to have an unrelated storyline, but what I know of it suggests the implication that it takes place after the sort of total apocalypse that formed the basis of SMT2's plot.

    As for recruiting angels, well, you can, but they're only one type of creature. I can also recruit werewolves, Jack Frost, several bodhisattvas, and Chu Chulain if I feel like it. You can also generate Angels by fusing lesser demon forms-- I recall one game where I got one by fusing a pixie and a goblin, and another where I turned an angel into a sort of flying winged magic boat called Ame-no-Torifune.

    Agreed that not enough time was spent discussing the games, though. The information about the Tokyo subcultures was interesting but it has never struck me as important to understanding SMT as having a grasp of Japanese religious thought in general. More worth reading than the Wikipedia article about SMT, though.