Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne : Neutral Ending

[dougarr]

so this is the normal ending with people going home and all ?

seems good .

[FarelTheGecko]

@dougarr It's my favourite and apparently it's canon :) Shame I didn't get it the first time!

[dekaidoku]

what i really want to know is the true ending of SMT 3 which i am still not Sure of

[FarelTheGecko]

@dekaidoku People fight over this a lot, but to me and the authors, this is the canon ending. It doesn't break continuity with the sequels, earth still exists the way it does and this ending was in the game from the very beginning, this is the way I see it

[jdotglenn]

Looks like the teacher had Apathy Syndrome...

[FarelTheGecko]

@jdotglenn Ppppposssible I guess, heh

[MetalestCross]

which is the final dungeon?

[FarelTheGecko]

@MetalestCross No matter which path/ending you take, the final dungeon is always the Tower of Kagutsuchi.

[ledah494]

I love how theres a very fine line between human and demon. In both neutral and demon ending you have to make everyone hate you, but the reasons are completely different.

Any guess as to who that voice in the end was?

[FarelTheGecko]

@ledah494 I feel a bit offended how thin that line is, and it's not even based on someone asking you whenever your a demon or not, it's based both of answering Aradia's questions with no, and that's already contradicting what Atlus tried to say about fear in their other title, Persona 3.

I'm pretty sure it was Lucifer, you, just like him, reject God and choose freedom. You don't side with Lucifer, but you still made the same choice as he did back then.

[jackleone]

@FarelTheGecko I think the voice in the end is of Hijiri/Aleph from SMT II. It's just a theory from the fans, but it is connected to the three endings of that game. I don't want to spoil SMT II ending for viewers.

[FarelTheGecko]

@jackleone Now that you mention it, it is a possibility too. Both Aleph and Lucifer did take a very similar route. Thanks for not spoiling, but then again I have my doubt I'll ever get to play it.

[jackleone]

@FarelTheGecko Atlus is doing a lot of remakes, it wouldn't surprise me a remake of the first two Shin Megami Tensei for 3DS or PSVita.

[FarelTheGecko]

@jackleone Perhaps it'd be a good idea, but I would suggest them to change more than they did with Persona 1. Bearing through the PSP remake of that one now, not too pleasant.

[MetalestCross]

*FarelTheGecko* reject God and choose freedom.<--Isn't freedom protected under god? or something like that :/

[FarelTheGecko]

@MetalestCross Look, no matter what ones beliefs when it comes to religion are... in the world of this game, it's set that God brings order, but he takes away the freedom, you must obey certain rules, Lucifer is for absolute freedom, the strongest rule. But that's the way this game sees it. I'm not saying this is the way things are, but if things REALLY would be this way, I would choose the neutral path too. If you believe that freedom is protected under God, that's ok :)

[MetalestCross]

*FarelTheGecko* I thought that was weird :P cause i rememeber reading the entire bios of every demon or angel or elemental in the game. Pretty much the game tells alot of truth but unforchantaly some things r made up i think. If u choose natural then is it true that u failed and/or betray Lucifer ? Cause the guy wanted u to become stronger and start the 2ed rebellion.

[FarelTheGecko]

@MetalestCross For me, it's like this.

Law: Serve God

Chaos: Have freedom and liberty and do what you want -> Anarchy

Neutral: Freedom exists, with democracy. Everyone can choose what they want. OF COURSE, this balance is shaky and breaks every now and then, which I guess is symbolized by new SMT games coming out, so to speak, but I still think this is the right road

[bastardrian]

I got the neutral ending, and after seeing all the other endings i find this one to be the most satisfying.

[FarelTheGecko]

@bastardrian Agreed :) I didn't get it the first time and replayed the whole game and only after getting this one did I feel happy

[chaotixninja5]

@FarelTheGecko well this is said to be the TRUE ending to the game so i'm satisfied that i got it as well. Especially since i had Dante help me out. hehehehe.

[FarelTheGecko]

@chaotixninja5 Even Dante? Oh, so you got that deep into the Amala Labyrynth, don't know, but Dante's cameo never did sit with me right, but mah, whatever! :p

[chaotixninja5]

@FarelTheGecko Well according to the DMC storyline, this game is supposed to take place right after DMC2. It kinda makes sense since the world ended. If t was any other Dante, the plot would probably screw up. Also, this is basically the main reason anyone would still play DMC2.

[FarelTheGecko]

@chaotixninja5 Not good enough of a reason for me hehe

[nejiharuno]

@FarelTheGecko Meh, I got the anniversary edition which came with DMC 1 to 3, started out with 2 so I wouldn't be like "Oh my goooood. This sucks!"... Even though I still stop playing (after finishing Dante's side, didn't finish Lucia). Though with the logic Nocturne had about multiple worlds, I accepted Dante's appearance in this game and can still be considered as a possible canon even if Raidou replaces Dante in the second remix/remake (can you even call the two versions remakes?) of 3.

[Keyon1991]

could of had that ending but i just had to fight lucifer

[FarelTheGecko]

@Keyon1991 I see, you have regrets over that?

[Keyon1991]

@FarelTheGecko nah for some reason i was really dead set on fighting the devil..

[FarelTheGecko]

@Keyon1991 He is the ultimate boss, I understand the temptation, but this was the real ending I wanted to get.

[VaatiOfDarkness]

Neutral seems to be the best route you can take. Choosing both freedom yet law to protect that freedom, it may be hard to maintain but ultimately will lead to a better future than either Law or Chaos ever could.

[FarelTheGecko]

@VaatiOfDarkness That's what the games are trying to teach. Neutral does mean a hard struggle, but it's the right way. That's what Lucifer meant by "Path of Thorns" in the end.

All SMT games I knew so far seems to have this. When you pick neutral, you got to beat almost everyone there is to beat. Your alone, the one character who's for neutral "falls out" in this case Yuko and it's up to the main character to take over. There is something beautiful about all this.

[VaatiOfDarkness]

@FarelTheGecko By the way, what's the music called that plays during this ending?

[FarelTheGecko]

@VaatiOfDarkness It's called Reincarnation and it's on the 2nd cd. Right between the final boss songs and the credits. AGAIN, a proof this is meant to be canon.

[WolfoftheDM]

I support this ending! Best ending in the game. XD

[FarelTheGecko]

@WolfoftheDM Thank you, I entirely agree :)

[jakb17]

can you help ive been looking for a full on ending guide because i want to get a happy ending so far the nuetral ending is the most but ill get the other ending in new game plus so how do i get this ending

[FarelTheGecko]

@jakb17 Didn't I write that in the description? Ah well. You cannot agree with any of the 3, but what matters mostly is the second time.

When Chiaki or Isamu tell you to kill "someone", disagree with them, otherwise you'll get the reason. And when Hikawa asks you to just do nothing and let him finish, also say no. This way you cancel all 3 reason endings. You also have to (when asked about) say that your not afraid (in the park), with Amala not beaten, your clear for the neutral ending.

[jakb17]

@FarelTheGecko ok so im now in the asebly of maka i think its called its the place after you get the party exspand from that huge dude and i sayed no to him is there anything else i need to look out for

[FarelTheGecko]

@jakb17 What place? Assembly of Nihilo with Hikawa or Ikebukuro where you meet Gozu-Tennoh? It's important. I told you everything that matters, the main choices are coming now. You'll have the first choices

-when returning to Ikebukuro

-when in the prison

-when returning AGAIN to Ikebukuro

I kinda think that, haven't played in a while

[604blueice]

Also, it'd be great if you could do a walkthrough sometime. I looked around on youtube and googled it, but I found English info. scattered around. You have to go to the forum to ask questions and wait for sbd to answer.

Btw, here's the Japanese fanmade strategy guide incl. all the maps and even guidelines for all the demons and such! I would prob. never finish the maze and all that if I didn't find this site.

I wish we have the same thing in Eng...

[FarelTheGecko]

@604blueice I plan to try out Digital Devil Saga when I get my chance.... I might as well send you a link via message

[604blueice]

@FarelTheGecko

sure! Give me a shout when you are doing it. Though there are already walkthroughs and even complete CG collection for DDS, it's always a great game to play.

I wish they make this kind of games more...

[FarelTheGecko]

@604blueice That's the thing about masterpieces, they don't come in bundles and sometimes, it's just that that makes them masterpieces.

[604blueice]

I just finished the game yesterday and damn why did I go for the hidden true demon ending...=_=

I love this ending more than anything else!

I watched all the endings thanks to you, and honestly now I think the true demon ending I got is the worst!! Stupid Maniacs version...orz

[FarelTheGecko]

@604blueice God Bless you... oh shoot, in the context of this game that sounds kinda awkward :S

I just feel so excited, cause your the first person to agree with me on this. That the ending the authors themselves said was the canon one, is the best. But to be honest this is the only ending I like at all, the reason and demon endings are so simplistic and... dumb

I am very glad I could help you with this. I guess these 6 videos serve better purpose than a rant video about ending selection,ey?

[604blueice]

@FarelTheGecko

Yes, I'm amazed you actually spent the time to finish all the endings. I wanted to, but I just didn't have enough time...I started the game back in 2007, stopped and continued in the summer of 2009, stopped again after summer and just managed to finish it. I wish I could have more time to finish all the endings, but I guess if I had so much time I'd move on to Digital Devil Saga cuz I love Shin Megami Tensei series setting and such...

Thanks again, and I hope you keep going! :)

[604blueice]

Also, it'd be great if you could do a walkthrough sometime. I looked around on youtube and googled it, but I found English info. scattered around. You have to go to the forum to ask questions and wait for sbd to answer.

Btw, here's the Japanese fanmade strategy guide incl. all the maps and even guidelines for all the demons and such! I would prob. never finish the maze and all that if I didn't find this site.

arl.sakura.ne.jp/dds/ (add h.t.t.p in front)

I wish we have the same thing in Eng...

[dailymateur]

But my... THIS is the best ending! Kagutsushi was reluctant but it sounds so peaceful and nice in the end.

I did not get this one yet, I thought it was some kind of "bad ending" to refuse any reasons,..

[FarelTheGecko]

@dailymateur Bah, this is the best ending... and it's canon! I love it! And it's the only ending to future Yuko Takao!!!

[zhaixdragon]

i thinks thi is the good ending of the game

[FarelTheGecko]

@zhaixdragon It's considered the canon ending... it features all characters and yeah... makes sense, we're back to normal... although a LOT people disagree with me on that. They claim the True Demon Ending is the true one.... yeeeeeeeah the ending that was added on later and features NONE of the cast members aside from Lucifer and his servant.... that's the REAL one..... RIGHT!

[codysonic1]

@FarelTheGecko ....I agree with you there but here what I think this basically is a prequel to IMAGINE...though I am Kind of sad that your demon buddies didn't turn into humans at the end

[FarelTheGecko]

@codysonic1 Imagine... I did a review video on that one (a poorly made one yes, but it even had a follow-up) and didn't really like it. I'd hate to think that SMT 3 was just leading up to that!

And the idea with demon buddies becoming human, interesting, never thought of that

[snafzg]

By the way, what's that message at the end supposed to mean, the one with the "path of thorns"? Anybody have a clue?

[FarelTheGecko]

@snafzg Certainly. The thing with the Chaos/Lucifer ending is that you defy God and help the evil, while the reason/Law endings (although each reason ending can have one of the 3 alignments applied to it) serve God. He seems to have profit from all this change.

The neutral ending means nothing changes, which all in all is the world Lucifer wanted. "Path of thorns" means suffering, but it also means freedom from God and the ability to choose your own fate. This is the path I'd take!

[snafzg]

Great ending. This ending really put a smile on my face. I really liked Hijiri and Yuko, and I was sad when they died. Seeing them and alive again made me feel all happy inside. Seeing Chiaki and Isamu who I a moment ago hated and murdered, alive again was a pretty cool surprise too.

Great game. Too bad the final boss is so easy and short though. Baal avatar was way harder. A final boss is such an important part of a game and they dropped the ball there, too bad. Well, off to play Persona 4!

[FarelTheGecko]

@snafzg Well, Yuko didn't really die, Aradia just send her into a "safe place" if I recall right. As for Chiaki and Isamu, guess they got possesed by the power they obtained. I'm not sure I'd be able to stick around with them, but I guess those events never happened really and it's best be forgotten. Yeah, the final boss part wasn't perfect sadly.

[Keihzaru]

I actualy think that the True Demon ending is the canon one, supported by the Hito-Shura's reappeareance in DDS. He has the Ubber Pixie and all.

[FarelTheGecko]

@Keihzaru I understand where your coming from, but

-The TDE was added in later on

-This ending lacks any characters really...

But your right, his reappearance in DDS would suggest otherwise.... ah well, who knows!

[Karoku2100]

@FarelTheGecko I'd say the TDE can be a possible alternate reality, if anything...But Neutral is canon. It leads to Strange Journey :)

[FarelTheGecko]

@Karoku2100 Ahh Strange Journey.... I thought of trying that, but I realised it was a DS only release

[YosukeComicRelief]

Man god has an ugly face. XD

But its interesting though, neutral can be evil when it focuses on the freedom aspect?

[FarelTheGecko]

@YosukeComicRelief Hey, he's old, what do you expect :p

That's the thing, freedom is... FREEDOM. Be evil, be good. It's up to you. I'd say it's how SMT works. Humanity has freedom, but some will abuse it and it'll leave to unbalance, but then it'll calm down like water in a glass. Like in real life, first there's peace then comes war... Some call this WRONG and would wish for a different world as in Nocturne, but regardless of all, I think the way of freedom is the right one

[MasakadosMagatama]

My favorite ending.

[FarelTheGecko]

@MasakadosMagatama THANK YOU! I love it too!

[LIONREV7]

I WANT TO GET THIS ENDING BUT I GET THE "TRUE DEMON",DAMMIT,I WANTED TO FIGHT THE TRUE FINAL BOSS BUT THAT ENDING SUCKS,THERE S NO OTHER WAY TO FIGHT LUCIFER WITHOUT GET THE TRUE DEMON ENDING RIGHT?

[FarelTheGecko]

@LIONREV7 Well the true demon gets unlocked if you enter the very bottom of the Labyrinth of Amala. That's all there is. And yeah the True Demon Ending sucks, but that's the only way to fight the ultimate boss.

[link33813]

The one ending where all your friends "get better" after you murder them.

[FarelTheGecko]

@link33813 Indeed, but hey ... they were the ones that started being violent and eager to kill you just because you didn't have the same views as them!

[link33813]

Finally an ending where all your friends come back to life after murdering them.....

[Rashomon1989]

This was my favorite ending,but i never get it TwT

[FarelTheGecko]

@Rashomon1989 Sure is my favorite! Had to get it when replaying it cause of the stupid demon ending

[GarlyleWilds]

I'm kind of curious as to why you think this is the canonical ending, as I don't believe there was ever a statement on any of the endings being specifically canon.

[FarelTheGecko]

@GarlyleWilds I heard it somewhere, the neutral ending is ALWAYS the canon one, I mean... no other ending promises anything to continue.... if the neutral ending wasnt there, no new smt game could come out

[GarlyleWilds]

@FarelTheGecko

Unfortunately, there's no confirmation there, as none of the other SMT games are directly linked to Nocturne's events (Except DDS, where Hitoshura is still a demon, suggesting True Demon Ending if anything). It's even been said Nocturne is its own contained alternate universe (SMT has these, that much is canon), so until something confirms otherwise, there isn't one canon ending to Nocturne.

[FarelTheGecko]

@GarlyleWilds ok maybe there's no 100% one, but I'll still stand by claiming that this one is the closest to being that... no other ending features that many cast members... it's the only with Yuko...

[GarlyleWilds]

@FarelTheGecko Considering as how in the original SMT, the canonical ending (Neutral) involved as many characters as possible dead, including allies that would've joined you during Law/Chaos, that kind of logic doesn't flow within the series.

[FarelTheGecko]

@GarlyleWilds .... well true, this was the first PURE SMT game I played, maybe I don't have the right to express my opinion there

[GarlyleWilds]

@FarelTheGecko It's alright. If you're coming from no experience with the series, it's easy to think that this, being the most traditionally "Good" ending, is the canon one; but SMT hardly thinks like your regular game.

My personal inclination is to trust the True Demon Ending, due to Lucifer's heavy involvement (He's all over the place in the series) and the reoccuring theme of challenging YHWH/God/The Great Will. He isn't the first nor last main character to go on to fight God.

[FarelTheGecko]

@GarlyleWilds True true... but I still prefer the neutral ending and it's the one I'd pick if I were to be the MC.

[GarlyleWilds]

@FarelTheGecko Understandable; it's definitely the happiest.  I'm kind of partial to Musubi myself, because I enjoyed Isamu's dichotomy of loneliness and desperation for freedom, and that it was captured in that ending made it work strangely well for me.

Anyway, I hope you go on to play more SMT games.

[FarelTheGecko]

@GarlyleWilds Well if I had to pick one of the reasons then it'd be Musubi as well, I would probably have picked it right away when I was younger... but now I changed.

The Persona games did especially nicely express how we need one another to become stronger and wiser... hence I think Musubi is isolating itself too much... While others can bring harm, they can also bring improvement to one's life.

[Rashomon1989]

@GarlyleWilds sadly atlus dont exisy anymore..

[GarlyleWilds]

@Rashomon1989 For all intents and purposes, it still does; really, the 'death' of Atlus was kind of overblown for all the impact it'll actually have.

It has been absorbed into its parent company, but the Atlus brand and development crew still remains as its own entity within the company. Really, right now, very little has actually changed except that you can't directly invest in "Atlus".

[Rashomon1989]

@GarlyleWilds and whats gonna be the name of the company?

[GarlyleWilds]

@Rashomon1989 The same thing it always was. I want to say "Idea Engine" or something like that. They always actually owned Atlus, it was just that they dissolved it as its own corporate, investiable entity.

Atlus games are still going to be released with Atlus branding, made by the Atlus team. Chances are you won't even notice a change.

[AmayirotAkago]

Definitely a more satisfying ending than the Demon one. At least you get to see what happens next, after beating a big boss no less.

You got mail!

[FarelTheGecko]

@AmayirotAkago Oh? Mr. "Blah saving the world is so normal and boooooring, it'd be more interesting to be evil" actually admits that the neutral ending is satisfying? HAHA! I GOT YOU!

This ending was satisfying and not 100% fortellable and unoriginal. Also it seems to be the only ending to feature Yuko. She opens the game and you chase after her through the whole game... and she's present in all (expect the true demon ending) credit scrolls. Shame she's only seen from the back...

[AmayirotAkago]

I never said saving the world is boring, just that Singularity's endings sucked.

[FarelTheGecko]

@AmayirotAkago Ah, I really thought you were saying that me wanting the neutral ending was boring. Well, it is the canon ending and from what people say, it's the only "happy ending", but I'll have to catch the last 3 endings to say that for sure.