There are few RPGs that have quite the prestige of Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne. The game was originally released on the PS2, and while reception at the time was somewhat more mixed, over time it’s been looked at as one of the prime RPGs of the era. It will make its grand return with an HD remaster for both the PS4 and Switch next year (or later this year if you live in Japan), and it looks like the team behind it wants to preserve its grim world.
In an interview with Famitsu, director Kazuyuki Yamai talked about several aspects of the upcoming title, including that original mixed reception, and said that they do want to improve the visuals, but want to do so subtlety. Nocturne was known and remembered for its stark and grim look, a huge contrast to the traditionally more colorful RPGs from Japan (especially during that era), and it seems the aim is to keep the spirit of that original in tact (thanks to Siliconera for translations).
“We’re also subtly improving the visuals, but just enough to not get noticed,” he said. “When it comes to remastering games, more than anything, we focus on the respect to the original work. In any case, we strongly felt that we shouldn’t do anything unnecessary.”
Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne HD Remaster will release for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in the west in 2021, and in October of this year in Japan. The next entry in the series, Shin Megami Tensei 5, is aiming for worldwide release in 2021 exclusively for the Switch.