Chronicle Edition swaps Dante for Raidou Kuzunoha in Nocturne Maniax. Same density, same intensity, same magic. The best version to discover today without hesitation.
Your verdict
Category
RPG1 player16+
Description
An Atlus RPG released in 2008, the Japanese Maniax Chronicle Edition of Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne. A reissue of Maniax where Dante from Devil May Cry is replaced by Raidou Kuzunoha (Devil Summoner) as a playable character. A licensing adjustment for the Raidou sub-franchise launch. Late Japanese PS2 exclusive for collectors.
A post-apocalyptic Tokyo emptied of humanity, demons of venomous design by Kazuma Kaneko and an austere palette: the universe breathes a chilling strangeness. The sober cel-shading and oppressive framing settle a singular unease. This visual direction, stripped-down and disquieting, marks the peak of the Megami Tensei style.
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"Mild"
Addictiveness
"Captivating"
Difficulty
"Difficult"
Lifespan
"Massive"
An enriched version of the demonic odyssey, Maniax adds a new dungeon and a notable guest to an already long, merciless adventure. Fusing demons, taming the difficulty and aiming for the multiple endings fills dozens of hours. That extra content, grafted onto a demanding JRPG, makes it the version fans prize most.
Technical info
💾2 GB📅23/10/2008
Published by Atlus
Shin Megami Tensei III - Nocturne Maniax - Chronicle Edition (PS2) price, value & rarity
Complete: box, manual and disc/cart very clean. Lightly handled.
Q1 damagedQ6 completeQ10 new
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Collector interest
The Japanese Chronicle Edition re-release of Nocturne Maniax, which replaces the Dante crossover with Raidou Kuzunoha for licensing reasons, issued later and tied to the launch of Devil Summoner 2. Its appeal lies in this unique guest-character substitution, making it a distinct content variant hunted by collectors after both versions of the dungeon. A sharp target for Nocturne specialists.
A questionable morality
Recruiting demons by chatting them up has an almost diplomatic charm, until you grasp their real purpose: raw material. You coax them, collect them, then fuse them two at a time to forge a stronger ally, dissolving the previous ones without ceremony. Survival in a ruined world easily excuses this faintly cynical little alchemy.
Is Shin Megami Tensei III - Nocturne Maniax - Chronicle Edition still worth playing in 2026?
Released in 2003 on PS2 and known under various titles including Lucifer's Call in Europe, Atlus' project plunges a high schooler turned half demon into a Tokyo devastated by a silent apocalypse. The turn based combat, built on the Press Turn system that rewards exploiting weaknesses, keeps a rare tension. Demon fusion, the cold art direction and the freedom of moral alignment give the game a strong identity. The merciless difficulty and the austerity turn away hurried players. A major piece of the dark Japanese RPG, recommended for demanding fans of the genre who value strategic depth and a bleak atmosphere over comfort.
