I think the most hardcore of the mainline games is the original release of strange journey, it is absolutely cruelYep, especially with an arc this intense
Lol I played Nocturne years ago and I remember it being fucking tough, haha. So that part is entirely accurate, though I'm sure they'll be options to make things more manageable. Nocturne is hardcore, though I guess that describes mainline SMT in general
Tho I think the most fun is apocalipse because even if the story isnt very good and the game is on the easier side (for SMT, it is still very hard), the gameplay is the best