Current Events > SMT Nocturne is the bleakest JRPG I've ever played

(+) Yeah! (+)

If there's an RPG that's bleaker than this one, I would certainly like to know about it.

I haven't finished it, so no spoilers plz. I started playing Persona 5 and it reminded me a ton of Nocturne, so I went back and continued my playthrough.

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You should try Digital Devil Saga 1/2 and Persona 3. Shadow Hearts is kinda bleak too, and Terranigma at times. Nocturne is the king though.

I played Persona 3 back in the day. I beat the final boss, but I dunno if I played through to the ending because I don't remember the MC dying in Aigis' arms in the roof of his school, if that's even what happens. I read the character profiles on TV Tropes years later.

I just remember kicking Nyx's ass, and playing through the scenario where your memory gets erased two weeks before the world ends.

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one of my favorite games.

my only real issue with it was all of the random encounters.

it was ridiculous how frequent they could sometimes be, but at least there's that one indicator thing on the bottom, iirc.

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I would say the first two shin megami tensei games are bleaker. Nier is also pretty bleak

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It's probably more visual novel than RPG per se, but there's absolutely nothing I've played more depressing than Actual Sunlight. The warning it gives the player at the beginning is no joke; would not at all recommend to anyone already in a dark place.

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This game is probably the most grueling RPG I've ever played too. JRPGs aren't exactly a walk in the park at the best of times, but this game is hard to the point of being actively hostile at points.

I'm at level 63, and there are still fights where I'm getting ambushed and clobbered - and enemies are spamming instakill spells, which miss like 95% of the time, but it only takes one spell hitting the MC to potentially lose an hour of gameplay.

Matador is truly a wake-up call boss for the history books. The game is fun, I really like merging new demons, but it's definitely made for enthusiasts.

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Mot can be a real pain too, if you're unlucky with the rolls:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIjVvnO5lgM

I managed to beat him first time though.

Yeah but I loved it for that. Initially I felt beat down because even the towns you go to have virtually no one in it, it's like you're all alone no matter what in this oppressing environment

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yeah, I'm not up to Mot yet :/

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MrMallard posted...

Matador is truly a wake-up call boss for the history books. The game is fun, I really like merging new demons, but it's definitely made for enthusiasts.

this boss fight is the first one ever to make me start using buffs and debuffs because I was tired of getting my ass kicked, lol

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Fog Breath and Dekunda/aja are lifesavers. Bosses later on get wise to buffs/debufs and start cancelling them out though.

You can make Matador a lot easier by cooking up a Nekomata or Nozuchi(you can recruit one right around Matador, actually), as they drain force, which shuts Matador down if he uses Mazanma.
Just a general pointer. Making tactical use of buffs/debuffs and turning the press turn system to your favor are the keys to SMT.

Nocturne's probably the darkest one, though SMT IV and Digital Devil Saga come close, particularly in certain segments. Make sure you're diligent about returning those candelabra!

luigi13579 posted...

Fog Breath and Dekunda/aja are lifesavers. Bosses later on get wise to buffs/debufs and start cancelling them out though.

making bosses clear buffs/debuffs makes them use press turns, that's a win in my book

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