Name Japanese In-game Description

Explore the world of Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster with our comprehensive guide to items, including gems, Kagutsuchi phases, and Terminals.

Hey there! So, you're diving into Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster, huh? Awesome choice! Let's break down some of the key elements you'll encounter, from the shiny gems you can find to the ever-important Kagutsuchi phases and how Terminals work. Think of this as your friendly heads-up on some of the game's unique systems.

Items: Gems

You'll come across various beautiful stones throughout your journey. They're not just for show; each one has a symbolic meaning. Here's a quick rundown:

• Agate (メノウ) — A beautiful shining stone. Symbolizes truth.
• Amethyst (アメジスト) — A beautiful shining stone. Symbolizes loyalty.
• Aquamarine (アクアマリン) — A beautiful shining stone. Symbolizes fortune.
• Coral (コーラル) — A beautiful shining stone. Symbolizes wisdom.
• Diamond (ダイアモンド) — A beautiful shining stone. Symbolizes pure love.
• Emerald (エメラルド) — A beautiful shining stone. Symbolizes marriage.
• Garnet (ガーネット) — A beautiful shining stone. Symbolizes friendship.
• Jade (ヒスイ) — A beautiful shining stone. Symbolizes good luck.
• Onyx (オニキス) — A beautiful shining stone. Symbolizes trust.
• Opal (オーパル) — A beautiful shining stone. Symbolizes joy.
• Pearl (パール) — A beautiful shining stone. Symbolizes purity.
• Ruby (ルビー) — A beautiful shining stone. Symbolizes passion.
• Sapphire (サファイア) — A beautiful shining stone. Symbolizes kindness.

Gameplay: Kagutsuchi

Alright, let's talk about Kagutsuchi. This is the moon in the center of the Vortex World, and it's a pretty big deal. It cycles through 8 phases, from Silent (0/8) to Full (8/8), and its light output changes constantly. You need to keep moving for the phase to change; standing still won't do anything. Also, Kagutsuchi changes phases faster when you're on the overhead map because you're covering more ground.

Kagutsuchi's phase affects a few key things:

• Combat: When Kagutsuchi is brighter (closer to Full Moon), demons get more antsy. They're more likely to talk to you and less likely to attack during darker phases. During a Full Moon, they can get pretty wild! Brighter phases also make demons a bit tougher – they hit harder and take less damage, which can be noticeable, especially in boss fights. Some demons even change their combat behavior based on the moon phase.
• Magic Boxes: These are special treasure chests. Their contents depend on the moon phase. Closer to a Full Moon means a better chance of getting good loot instead of Maseki (which are basically junk items). If it's a Full Kagutsuchi, you're guaranteed good treasure (100% chance!). If it's a Silent Kagutsuchi (New Moon), you'll always get Maseki (0% chance of treasure). Keep an eye out for items with an asterisk (*) in the walkthrough – that usually means it's the good treasure from a Magic Box.
• Story Events: Some optional events only happen during specific moon phases, and the game usually gives you hints. Other events might trigger after a certain number of moon phases have passed.

Gameplay: The Terminal

Terminals are your lifeline in the Vortex World. You'll find these big, runic magic stones scattered around. They function like save points and also allow you to fast travel.

• Saving: Use them to save your game progress, just like in other RPGs.
• Teleportation: You can teleport to any other Terminal you've already visited. So, make sure to activate every one you find!

There's also a special type called Sub-Terminals (marked 'S-Terminal' on screen). They work just like regular Terminals for saving, but their teleportation is limited. Each Sub-Terminal is linked to a specific Main Terminal, and you can only teleport back to that linked Main Terminal, not anywhere else.

Gameplay: Shops

Traditionally, SMT games don't really have towns like you'd find in other RPGs, and SMT3 sticks to that. You won't be wandering into a bustling city center to shop. Keep an eye out for what vendors you do come across!