Don’t Know Much About Shin Megami Tensei? No Problem, Here’s Why Fans are Excited about the Upcoming Switch Releases

            Monday’s Nintendo direct mini gave two big announcements for Shin Megami Tensei fans.

            First was the announcement of an HD remaster for the PS2 cult classic Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne, first released in 2003. The second was a new teaser trailer for the highly anticipated Shin Megami Tensei V, the next mainline game in the series.

Both games have dedicated fanbases. Many have been waiting for the release of SMTV, and SMT III: Nocturne has built up a cult following since the game’s Playstation 2 release back in 2003.

While this dual announcement was unexpected, SMT fans are excited for the 2021 release of both games on the Nintendo Switch.

Shin Megami Tensei V: The Long-awaited Main-line game

            Shin Megami Tensei: V will be the long-awaited follow-up to SMTIV, released in 2013 on the 3DS (and SMTIV: Apocalypse, also released on the 3DS, in 2016).

            Over the past several years, SMT fans have been given small teaser trailers, but have seen few in-game details. There have also been several release date push-backs. Fans have even made a joke of these delays, about whether SMTV will ever be released. But, fingers are crossed that the 2021 release date will hold true.

            The new trailer doesn’t reveal much, showing no actual gameplay. However, it does give a first look at the main character. It also teases the classic SMT set-up of a world come to catastrophic ruin, placing the main character in a position to mold the world based on their own ideals.

            The excitement over this short trailer shows just how eager Shin Megami Tensei fans are for the next mainline entry to the series.

            Along with this announcement, the HD remaster of Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne also has fans in a frenzy.

Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne, the HD Remaster

The SMT III: Nocturne HD Remaster for the Switch seems to be more a matter of accessibility rather than changing the game itself. The graphics will be greatly improved from its Playstation 2 days. Also, its Switch release will likely bring in new fans.

The effects of Switch accessibility will be interesting to watch. The cult following for Nocturne has quite a reputation. This comes from the game’s difficulty, and its stark contrast to the bright, happy-go-lucky spin-off Persona series. At this point, it’s become a joke that some Nocturne fans can be elitist and defensive on this point—though, unsurprisingly, this is partly exaggerated by the Internet.

Regardless of potential gamer culture wars, SMT III Nocturne’s HD remaster is exciting news. This is a quality game, as proven by a fanbase that’s been growing steadily since 2003. SMT III Nocturne is still a topic of discussion even in the past several years.

The upcoming releases of the SMT III: Nocturne HD remaster and SMT V are exciting both for established fans and newcomers. This will help gamers who still wonder what their first Shin Megami Tensei game should be. The hype and Switch accessibility promise to pull in droves of players, and will leave its mark on gaming for 2021.