So after learning that Nocturne HD had a super easy mode, I picked it up on my Switch in prep for V. After the opening couple of hours (which I appreciate is basically a single raindrop in the context of a JRPG) my feelings are very mixed.
Firstly, from a technical standpoint, this is not good. I am not sure if it is to do with the Remaster itself or just specifically the Switch port, but not only has very little been done to really modernise those PS2 visuals, when docked, the Switch version is full of low res textures, jaggy, compressed, visuals and times when the game just feels very choppy and I can't work out if that is tanking framerates or something else. Luckily the game has a strong artstyle and given it is a turn based JRPG, while these things are annoying, they don't necessarily get in the way of what you are actually doing.
In terms of it as a game, I am also kinda mixed so far. I wish more turn based JRPGs were just allowed to be turn based JRPGs, but they usually throw some sort of crap gimmick into the mix, which I just never really like. I am happy to say that while there are twists in SMT, you can just play it like a proper turn based JRPG with the twists not really getting in the way of the core loop, thankfully.
However, a lot of the twists... I just dunno man? Like almost all of the ideas are good, but just implemented in a way to me that just makes them... less good.
Like, eating those worm things to give you different forms, stat boosts, different abilities, strengths and weaknesses. That is a pretty cool idea but so far, there has basically been no tutorialisation at all around these. So I don't know where they come from, how to get more, what qualifies as a good one or a bad one.
This happens with demons too. My pixie has changed form twice, the first time gave me an item, the second actually changed her appearance and one of her spells. This is all cool, but the game just says "do you want this to happen yes or no" but you actually have no clue what is going to happen if you say yes or what will happen if you decline. Maybe some will like the complete randomness of this seemingly, but I would prefer to make informed choices in an RPG.
I also think in the context of demons, the idea of having to form negotiations with demons is a cool idea but in practice this just sucks man? I don't get this mechanic at all. So far, I always get one of three scenarios "Give me all your stuff and then I'll run away." "I am really mad and won't talk to you" or "I don't understand the language you speak.". Like, they are demons, they'll trick you but is that the gag, that all of them will trick you? Because that is not fun at all. There seems to be no winnable scenario for any of these, I might occasionally get an item, but that is it. Luckily the game just hands you that Pixie early on, as I'd have no one without her.
I also got poisoned and ran out of magic really early on and then within like three hours, I still had no items to cure poison or restore my magic. I don't know what is going on here. There are like people you can talk to who will heal you and stuff, but I don't get why there aren't like magic potions and antidotes around?
In terms of difficulty, I mostly avoided this game because I always heard how brutal it was. However, on normal difficulty, the game has been mostly fine. Even with me basically having no MP for almost the whole session. I can see how the game can just cheat you and just chain weaknesses together if they wanted but so far it is honestly not nearly as hard as I was told it would be. Who knows, maybe the difficulty jumps really sharply up ahead. Luckily I can just switch it over to super easy at any time.
One thing I did notice, is the pace of progression on normal is really slow. You basically get barely a drop of XP after every fight, whereas on Super Easy you're levelling up and unlocking things basically after every fight, this makes the loop a lot more fun for me but I am sticking with normal for the time being to see how far I can get, even if it all feels a lot slower.
@Pizzamorg
It's an old PS2 jrpg, that's just how it looks. They didn't do much to change it. Switch version is basically the same as every other version, barring perhaps the occasional framerate issue.
It's a difficult series to get into today if you're going into that one first. If you played SMTIV or SMTIV Apocalypse on 3DS, that one is easier to get into (but even then, still not that welcoming to newcomers).
I liked what I played of Nocturne, but I also recognize it's an old PS2 era jrpg and is very rigid. It's basically like going back and playing the old Persona games on PSP.
SMTV is going to be much more modernized. I would have waited to start there. But, at least you know what to expect now.
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@Pizzamorg
It's an old PS2 jrpg, that's just how it looks. They didn't do much to change it. Switch version is basically the same as every other version, barring perhaps the occasional framerate issue.
It's a difficult series to get into today if you're going into that one first. If you played SMTIV or SMTIV Apocalypse on 3DS, that one is easier to get into (but even then, still not that welcoming to newcomers).
I liked what I played of Nocturne, but I also recognize it's an old PS2 era jrpg and is very rigid. It's basically like going back and playing the old Persona games on PSP.
SMTV is going to be much more modernized. I would have waited to start there. But, at least you know what to expect now.
I get it is a PS2 game, but this is meant to be a remaster. At the very least, they could sort out the framerate. How is this game not a rock steady 60 fps on the Switch?
I don't own any Nintendo hardware outside of the Switch. I could have played this on PC perhaps for better performance, but I am looking to be out of the country for the rest of the year potentially, so I just need everything on the Switch lol
I still plan on picking up V as well, I have heard some mixed things on the performance based on some of the previews but hopefully some of the other things have been fixed. Like better tutorialisation and clearer mechanics.
@Pizzamorg Having played SMT Strange Journey / IV / Persona 5, I can tell you that there's absolutely no way that the game won't be better explained than Nocturne. Nocturne is an incomprehensible mess. And while I do love it for that, it's hard to figure out what's going on even as a series veteran at times.
@Pizzamorg Nocturne HD isn't even 60fps on PC, lol.
It's pretty barebones as far as remasters go (although apparently still better off than something like the Switch version of Sonic Colors), but I'm still glad it's on here, given this was the only mainline SMT game that never appeared on a Nintendo system at any point.
Nocturne HD is one I struggle to recommend to newbs to the series, though, because it is on the old and clunky side versus modern entries like IV/IV: Apocalypse and SMT V. Deeply influential and still a lot of fun once you get into it, but missing out on decades worth of QoL improvements.
Negotiations will probably work broadly the same in SMT V, but expect the RNG to be kinder and for demons to have more varied responses. Some of it is going to be learning what sort of responses particular types of demons respond well to, and part of it is just going to be pure chance.
A few tips:
For healing items, life stones are going to very quickly pile up, and you'll often use those when you want to conserve your demon's MP. But, in general, you're going to want demons with healing abilities. It sounds like you haven't actually found any demons outside of that starter Pixie, so, to be clear, you're going to want to negotiate with demons as much as possible in order to have a full party ASAP. Some of them will, of course, run off with your stuff or trick you into dropping your guard, but others will agree to join you.
There are actually items in this game you'll be able to buy in towns and whatnot that'll heal status effects, like dis-poisons.
The magatamas (the worm things you ingest) can be found throughout the game in a variety of ways. Some need to be purchased in shops, others are special rewards for completing side events, etc. There are no "good" or "bad" ones. Just pay attention to how they change your resistances, weaknesses, and stat distribution. For example, if you're going up against a boss that uses force magic, you'll want to switch away from a magatama that makes you weak to force.
Additionally, keep in mind any skill you forget to learn other skills is gone forever.
Buffing and debuffing makes or breaks a lot of the boss fights in this game, so you'll want those. Skills that increase your accuracy/agility (same stat) are especially important, as well as skills that debuff that stat for enemies.
The game probably doesn't tell you, but you can 'stack' buffs in this game multiple times. So, for example, to fully increase your agility stat, you'll want to cast a spell that increases agility at least three times or so.
Don't get attached to the demons in this game. As soon as they've learned their skills, you'll want to fuse them away into newer, more powerful demons. The exception is when demons are going to evolve. Any time the game tells you the demon's body is showing "signs of change," that means they're going to evolve soon. Evolved demons are often significantly stronger than most other demons in that same level range, and some can only be obtained by evolving them.
Sometimes demons will want to randomly change a skill after evolving. Just keep in mind this can be beneficial or disastrous, so if they have a skill you really don't want to lose access to, maybe think twice before allowing them to change it.
You can probably cheese through the game on Safety if you want, but my suggestion, if things get tough, is to strategize and change tactics instead by altering skill loadouts, fusing new demons, etc. The magic in SMT is the way it forces you to engage with the mechanics instead of blindly ploughing through the story like in FF, DQ, Pokemon, etc.
Try not to get too frustrated. Nocturne is a dark game that doesn't explain itself well and plays coy with its story. I do think at least part of that is intentional: the main character is thrust into a brutal, incomprehensible world, and the player is often just as mystified by it as the characters are. Adapting to it is part of the process of learn to appreciate the game.
But, if it gets too frustrating, know SMT V will probably be leagues more accessible.
I'm just sick of everyone complaining about everything with this N64 stuff. Just leave it if you don't want it. Stop expanding on this like it's some core of Nintendo's morality. Most of the stuff from that click-bait NL article isn't even objectively true.
Thanks for the detailed response. I can assure you this won't put me off V and I'm not saying I am even disliking SMT 3 overall, I just feel as a remaster it is pretty ***** but the core of the game clearly still shines despite that.
I have tried to negotiate on every encounter and every attempt has been a failure - sometimes I get an item or something, but the demons never agree to join.
My Pixie actually lost her healing ability when she evolved the second time and actually changed form. I wouldn't have lost that spell, but as far as I could tell, there was no indication that that would happen when I accepted the evolution.
Honestly, on normal, the game has been fine so far. Like I say, it just feels slow. When I can get like a new power or something every time I level up, going back and getting like a millimetre of progression on my XP bar per encounter when I switch back to Normal mode just feels sad.
@rallydefault Look, I know what's it's like to hate reading the comments due to people complaining too hard and too much about something you like and support, and feeling alienated from the rest of the community. Believe me, I'm a Pokémon fan.
But honestly, in its current state, the N64 app does not give a good impression for people who are familiar with those games. They could have done better - but we can hope that at least some things will be improved soon.
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@link3710 I've just played Sin and Punishment and any complains about the controls are BS. The controls are basically symmetrical with the dpad/face buttons assigned to strafing, the bumpers assigned to jumping, the triggers assigned to shooting and the analog sticks assigned to aiming. As @JaxonH mentioned, you can easily use the dpad to strafe and the right stick to aim, and it works fine.
I sometimes feel like people are finding excuses to complain at this point x_x
@Pizzamorg Oh yeah, it's definitely not a great remaster. There are framerate hitches (far fewer in portable mode, btw), compressed audio in battles, and minimal work done on the presentation itself. Although being able to choose which skills are inherited during fusions still makes it the definitive way to play the game, IMO. I'd sell my PS2 copy if I wasn't keeping it for collection purposes.
You'll get the hang of negotiations if you keep at it. I've obtained several of them on the first try! A lot of it is very random, though. And while it's probably not an option at the moment, keep in mind that various demons throughout the game will have negotiation skills they can learn that can make it much easier to sway a target.
@Ryu_Niiyama SMT NINE is bizarre. Basically everyone involved with it tries to pretend like it doesn't exist. It barely even gets mentioned in the same breath as other obscure, Jp-only MegaTen games.
@Buizel I sometimes feel like people are finding excuses to complain at this point
This happens with basically everything.
Something will release and there might be a couple legitimate criticisms (for N64, price is fair criticism if not on family plan, lack of Ghost data in Mario Kart 64 is legitimate criticism, lack of fog emulated properly is legitimate criticism, etc) and people become dogmatic based on their snap judgements based on such instances, at which point a narrative forms, and they let confirmation bias confirm any wild, fraudulent criticism as it supports the narrative. Any claim to the contrary of the narrative is ignored, while any claim supporting the narrative is recklessly adopted as more "proof".
Nothing exemplifies this more than the NintendoLife article which was posted, where the headline clearly revealed the adopted narrative. In said article, it was claimed Sin and Punishment controls were broken and the author could "100% confirm".
100% confirm... that was the claim.
And yet, it was quickly pointed out that, no, the controls are not broken, they're perfectly fine. The article had to be amended and changed. How does something "100% confirmed" get amended within the hour?
The answer, of course, is that it was never "100% confirmed". The narrative took over to the extent evidence no longer needed to be thoroughly vetted. Confirmation bias allowed the one testing the claim to simply reproduce the ridiculous control scheme the claim suggested, without taking 2 seconds to check the button mapping screen to see there are multiple ways to adequately control the game.
Multiple complaints follow this same pattern. And the problem is, there really are some legitimate ssues, and the lies get mixed in with the truth, making it very difficult to discern fact from fiction or embellished exaggeration.
I've found roughly half the complaints to be genuine and the other half to be complete hogwash. I played over half the games and was like huh? What are you talking about? There's no discernable lag. The first thing I noticed was the games did not feel like the Genesis collection which was ruined by it. Huh? What are you talking about? Sin and Punishment controls fine. Huh, what are you talking about, the western release if Mario 64 never had rumble in the first place- its not a "bug" it's how the game was.
And this leads to the inevitable result of some ppl seeing the false claims for what they are and then wrongly (sometimes willfully) assuming all complaints are invalid, while others see the real claims and then gullibly (sometimes willfully) assume all complaints are valid.
It becomes a circus, made even worse by those with agendas, on the prowl like a lion searching for its prey, who pounce on any claim (be it valid or not) and parade it as evidence of some massive catastrophe and label anyone interested as some stupid fanboy or sheep. Some get defensive in response to being insulted (and who can blame them) and thus begins the back and forth between the "it's a scam and you're an idiot" ppl and the "it's fantastic and you're a troll" ppl.
That's the Nintendo community in a nutshell. It makes having honest, adult conversations very difficult.
Never heard of Blue Reflection before. I saw it’s a new game coming from Koei Tecmo, and seemed like random VN stuff I wouldn’t care about.
But when my brother stopped by to grab his OLED, he mentioned he was buying that game. I guess it’s an anime that he watches. I then noticed the game has a demo on the eShop. So I downloaded it. And…
This game is actually kinda interesting. It looks pretty good in handheld mode, it runs well, and the premise is… unique. I finished watching the prologue that you can choose to watch from the main menu and then started playing the demo. I actually kinda like it. I’d even say it feels as good to play as something like Atelier Ryza.
Idk. If anyone is curious, you should download the demo and check it out. If nothing else you get a taste of a new experience for free.
@JaxonH There was an anime and also a previous game (which, I believe, skipped out on the Switch). I'm interested, but, tbh, this couldn't have released at a worse time for me. My gaming schedule is pretty much planned out for the next half year or so. I'll be snapping pictures of ghosts on Hikami Mountain, exploring the demon-filled wasteland of Da'at, investigating planet ZDR, revisiting the Sinnoh region in both the modern day and the distant past, fighting robots in the Forbidden West, and, hopefully, leading the Orange Star army to victory.
It came to mind that with the exception of a 1.5 month gap in 2018 there has always been upcoming DLC known for a Nintendo game in the Switch era.
BotW - Expansion Pass announced on February 14th 2017 (prior to Switch launch) and final DLC was on December 7th 2017
XC2 - Expansion Pass announced on November 7th 2017 and final DLC was on September 14th 2018
September 15th 2018 - October 31st 2018 had no known upcoming DLC though there were known free updates like Mario Tennis Aces and Splatoon 2
Smash Ultimate - Piranha Plant and Fighters Pass 1 were announced on November 1st 2018, Fighters Pass 2 was announced before Byleth released and final Smash Ultimate DLC was on October 18th 2021
Animal Crossing - Happy Home Paradise announced on October 15th 2021 and is releasing November 5th 2021
A lot of other DLC for other Nintendo games released among these, I used the 4 examples because they showed the same results as mentioning all the DLC released over the Switch era (that between the Switch launch and now there's only been 1.5 months where there's been no known upcoming DLC).
Makes me think Nintendo's going to announce something in November to continue the streak.
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