User Score
8.7 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 35 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 35
  2. Negative: 2 out of 35

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  1. JosephJ
    Aug 12, 2009
    10
    Simply the greatest RPG for the PS2. Unrivalled depth, unique story-telling and wonderful stylised visuals, not to mention a superb musical score all encompassed in a huge and challenging adventure for the more mature gamer.
  2. Aug 25, 2010
    10
    Completely unrivaled in story, depth, replayability and totally original. Absolutely amazing - there still hasn't been anything quite like it in over half a Decade.
  3. EmilC.
    Sep 9, 2004
    9
    Game in spirit of Final Fantasy games. Turn based combat, inovative gameplay in term of fighting and spellcasting, good graphics and sound efects and add to that storyline that is not completley set and depends on you and all of this make this a very good game.As always there are a few shortcomings that are not so important but for me only BIG shorcoming was that there are NO voiceovers so dialogs are textual. Surley worth playing!!! Expand
  4. BenV.
    Jul 1, 2005
    10
    The best RPG of this console generation and almost of all time.
  5. [anonymous]
    Jan 24, 2010
    9
    Story's really good, but it's extremely hard. I can handle it, but it really over does it and screws up the pacing. Character development is slow, too. Also, the puzzles are so tediouse that you need an faq. The game is really atmospheric and has really good music, so I could even reccomend this to survival horror fans. The combat and story are both so good that it makes up for most flaws it suffers from, though. Expand
  6. ScottV.
    Aug 20, 2005
    10
    The depth and replayability alone will hold your interest to the very end, which is determined by your actions. A great storyline, combat, music and audio, and graphics make this game the best of the best.
  7. SamanthaA.
    Dec 8, 2004
    10
    what can i say, i loved it.
  8. Bj
    Aug 27, 2004
    9
    Try it! A different rol game. Great action and summons, good techinichal graphics. Very good game.
  9. Lazlo
    Jul 14, 2007
    10
    Possibly the most enthralling game ever created. Why it only has an average of 82 is beyond me, while games that have 90's and upwards fail to hit the mark. With the most original graphic design you'll ever see, a difficulty curve that kicks newbies in the ass and gameplay/storyline/existence that will make you cry Kagutsuchi's name in joy, if you miss this game, you suck at life.
  10. CassieB.
    Jan 17, 2008
    9
    I'm a huge Shin Megami Tensei fan and let me tell you I went through a lot to find this rare game. But it was well worth it. The games strays from the typical RPG "save the world" story line and sends you strait into the end of the world. One thing I will warn about to people who are not used to the Shin Megami Tensei series is the fact that this is a very difficult game. You won9;t be able to sail through battles, which is a great thing because every battle you win feels like winning a major battle. So over all, it's one of the hardest in the series, but also one of the best games in the series (even though there is no voice acting). Expand
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 42 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 42
  2. Negative: 0 out of 42
  1. One of the best and most refreshing console RPGs to come out in years, and is definitely a worthy candidate for RPG of the year.
  2. 70
    Most of the gameplay aspects are solid, the graphics are beautiful, and the quest is long. However, the relative lack of narrative elements prevented me from truly enjoying the wonderfully bizarre world Atlus has created.
  3. 100
    Behind the cool art and bizarre story is a fun, addictive and challenging RPG with great gameplay systems and a lot more variety and choice than most of today’s, cinema-heavy RPGs. Games rarely stray this far off the beaten path and actually work out so well, making Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne a must for the adventurous RPG fan.