The long awaited Nintendo Direct that just passed proved that ports and remasters are extremely popular right now. All kinds of remasters and remakes are on their way to the Switch this year, and other companies are working on big reboots likeFableandPrince of Persiatoo. However, one remake was notably missing from the latest Nintendo Direct. Last year, Atlus announced thatShin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturnewas coming to the Switch. During a time where theShin Megami TenseiandPersonafranchises are stronger than ever, this is great news for fans. It’s nice to replay old games to understand how new games got to where they are.
However, the fact thatShin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturnedidn’t show up at the Nintendo Direct might worry some fans. The Direct was specifically supposed to be about Switch games releasing in the first half of 2021, which is a categoryNocturnefalls comfortably into. However, Atlus and Nintendo didn’t have anything to say about the remaster. No news is supposedly good news, but fans in the west are still waiting on a proper release date for this game. If Atlus is being quite, does that meanNocturneis getting delayed? Alternatively, if it’s still on track for its previously scheduled release, why hasn’t it come up?
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An Uncertain Release For Nocturne
Atlus has typically releasedShin Megami TenseiandPersonagames in Japan months before they get an international release.SMT3: Nocturne HD Remasteralready releasedin Japan last year as scheduled. International fans ofShin Megami Tenseiare used to this schedule, and are more than willing to wait a little longer for the game to come out. However, one would expect that Atlus would roll out a more specific release date by now. About two months of 2021 have already gone by, so the remaster theoretically could be coming out any day now.
It’s possible that the international release might need more time than expected. It’s much easier for the game to release in Japan alone than it is to release all over the world. As the COVID pandemic continues to create complications for all kinds of industries, it’s hard to predict when it might suddenly become an obstacle.If Atlus needs more timeto getShin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturneto its international fans, they’ll will surely understand. The community would appreciate that kind of communication. If that’s what’s going on, though, then Atlus passed over an opportunity to update fans on the game’s status.
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SMT 3: Nocturne - A Bit More Patience
However, fans have reason to believe that this isn’t what’s going on withShin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne.Persona 5 Strikersis aboutto get its international release, which is happening right on schedule and seems poised to go off without a hitch. It’d be odd if Atlus had suddenly run into an obstacle releasingShin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne,especially considering the game has already seen partial release. It’s more likely that the game’s release date is just a little farther away than expected. Maybe its release date will be more closely tied to the equally mysteriousShin Megami Tensei 5,which plans to break franchise convention with a simultaneous worldwide release.
One of the best ways to keep hype for a game alive is to release information about it on the regular. Atlus has largely done the opposite, keeping quiet about the game and leaving fans full of uncertain anticipation. Even so, lots of people are waiting to hear something aboutShin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne.It’s really starting to push up against its promised release window,so Atlus should say somethingabout it soon. It may have skipped one recent opportunity to talk about the remaster, but that doesn’t mean Atlus can’t come forward with an announcement in the near future.
Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne HD Remasteris planned to release internationally for Switch and PS4 in spring 2021.
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