With the Nocturne HD Remaster I'm very torn. I do want to pick this up as my PS2 isn't getting any younger and I know eventually I'll have to start emulating the games I have again. I really want to have an updated physical copy to have for several more years to come.

At the same time, there's something to be said about how Atlus has just treated SMT kind of messily. I understand that this is a remaster and NOT a remake. As a result, the core game isn't being changed. However, some of these decisions are so ODD.

So much effort was put into QOL(quality-of-life) changes like switchable difficulty, Merciful mode, Quick Saving & voice acting, but has a clear lack of polish compared to other remasters. At least Strange Journey: Redux despite no dubbing, still had major improvements.

Why does the remaster use the ORIGINAL compressed soundtrack? I'm not an audiophile by any means, but it's really noticeable and jarring (especially with headphones on!) The original OST is already readily available and uncompressed online. Why go with a worse sound quality?

That's also not considering how the fusion system, a main complaint with the game is not fixed, but they had the time to go and make an easier difficulty mode that completely uphauls the game's structure? It's utterly laughable.

Don't get me wrong, this is still SMT: Nocturne. The remaster is still faithful and it's not a waste to pick it up if you're interested. This is not the worst remaster I've seen. (far from it) But man, I just wish it wasn't so half-baked.