With RPGs slowly making the jump to more action-oriented combat systems, fans of turn-based combat are finding fewer titles to get their fix from. Enter Shin Megami Tensai: Nocturne, delivering an old-school, turn-based combat system along with a few new surprises.

Nocturne provides lots for players to look at. What makes the game successful visually isn’t the number of polygons the engine pushes or how real it looks. Instead, it is simply a matter of style and substance. Nocturne is more artwork than anything else. Environments are very dark and moody, but at the same time have an almost ethereal brightness that really helps to make elements stand out. Character designs are unique and really help to set the game apart from other RPGs. The game’s cel-shaded look may be a turn off for some gamers, but the style is just too sweet to pass up.

Sound is subtle, but sets the mood appropriately. Nocturne does not feature any voice work, which is one of the few disappointing aspects in the game’s overall presentation. The story never gets so complicated that you will tire of reading text (unless you’re incredibly lazy, that is), but it still takes some of the mood out of the game that everything else sets up so nicely.

Shin Megami Tensai may be a new name to gamers over here in the states, but in Japan, the series has been a virtual juggernaut in popularity. Like its predecessors, Nocturne offers more of a “real world” experience than other RPGs. You’re not in some far off magical land with fairies, but instead in modern day Tokyo which seems to be dealing with modern day problems. Very early in the game you see that the city’s problems are bigger than they first appear as the entire city is wiped out by supernatural forces in an event known as “The Conception.”

After this event, you, as well as members of your party, are left in a world filled with demons where you must survive and help rebuild the world. The choices you make during the game will influence how things work out -- opening up multiple endings.

Although Nocturne’s story is good once you really get into it, it also seems to loom in the background more than the typical RPG. This is a bit of a flaw since there are times when you’re just going through the motions of gameplay, not really sure of why you’re doing things. The story also tends to drag at times, making the game hard to play through.

Nocturne plays like a typical RPG, but with one minor twist. As you face demons in combat, you can try to pursue them to join your side. Some will come with a mere suggestion while others will take a little convincing. While in battle, you can even have monsters beg for their lives, often offering items or their services if you spare them.

In an interesting cross-genre (and cross company) twist, Dante from the Devil May Cry series also makes an appearance in the game. He’s a demon hunter and you’re in a world of demons -- it’s a natural match. Dante will pursue your character for a large part of the game, but, like every other enemy in the game, he can be persuaded to join your group.

Shin Megami Tensai: Nocturne is no walk in the park. In fact, I can say that it is easily one of the more challenging RPGs I’ve played in quite some time. Much of this is due to the length of battles and the strategy required within them. All characters have an elemental affinity that will dictate what they are strong and weak against.

While other RPGs allow you to place whomever you want in a party and go to town, Nocturne requires planning and forethought. Playing with a group of demons weak to fire in an area containing fire enemies isn’t a good thing. Learning to manage your team and rolling with a good mix of demons in town will make the game a much less painful experience.

Since Nocturne relies heavily on recruiting enemies to your side, it also brings up a problem that is common in many RPGs: what to do with all the excess members. One of my favorite elements of the game, Nocturne gives you something to do with the excess baggage by combining party members. While at special fusion shrines, you can take two party members and fuse them into a more powerful creature. Sometimes you can even get demons that are more powerful than anything you’ll see in battles.

Combat is turn-based, which as I already mentioned is becoming more of a rarity in RPGs. Teamwork is a major focus in Nocturne’s combat system. All movement is group based, meaning you move your party first, and then wait for the enemy to move its forces. Learning to use your characters as a team, rather than as a group of individual demons who happen to play for the same side, will allow you to chain together powerful combos. On the flip side, not thinking about who is in your party will sometimes result in big holes in your party -- holes that enemies, and especially bosses, are not shy about exploiting.

Shin Megami Tensai: Nocturne is an interesting entry into the PS2’s RPG library. The game’s story isn’t as enveloping as other games, but it still offers a number of unique concepts that make up for it. Nocturne is a must have for RPG fans.