Launched in 2021, Shin Megami Tensei V, designed by SMT IV director Kazuyuki Yamai, featured the return of a number of gameplay options and a storyline all concerning the conflict between angels and demons. Being initially introduced as a Change unique in 2017, it suffered fairly a couple of improvement issues, popping out solely 4 years later. Now SMT V is again, with a re-release bringing a brand-new storyline, a couple of QoL options, and, after all, a PC/console launch. However is it value your time or is that this just for hardcore followers? Let’s head to the Netherworld and discover out.
Shin Megami Tensei V brings the basic JRPG vibe that you simply may be conversant in should you’ve ever performed a Persona title. Discover an enormous location, remedy quests, get into fights, and stage up your character and his celebration. Whereas the story begins in the identical manner as the unique, with an extraordinary Japanese scholar being transported into the Netherworld and fused with a god to type a brand new being known as the Nahobino, after a couple of hours the sport will begin bringing within the new storyline.
This choice between new and outdated is true on the conclusion of the intro sequence, the place the participant can select the unique storyline or the brand new “Canon of Vengeance”. The brand new story brings new demons to the forefront: the Qadištu, 4 demonesses of the feminine selection which is able to trigger us fairly quite a lot of hassle, as they’ll attempt to cease us from interfering within the warfare. Whereas total, the narrative does probably not carry a lot new to the desk for followers of the sequence, it’ll positively present sufficient new story bits (they’re intertwined with the unique, it’s usually exhausting to inform them aside) to be of curiosity.
![Nuwa looking at the player](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shin-megami-tensei-v-vengeance-review-2.jpg?resize=991%2C557)
However after all, that’s not the place the brand new options in Vengeance finish. The Netherworld we’ll traverse, particularly the D’Aat desert (which is meant to be “New Tokyo”), is now a lot simpler to navigate, because of extra teleportation factors, together with with the ability to return at any time to the final “save” column we visited. Plus a ton of latest sub-quests which carry up the entire gameplay to 160 hours, should you plan on experiencing each narratives. For these fearing the issue can be sacrificed, don’t have any worry; SMT V continues to be as exhausting as ever. You may by no means let your guard down for a second and going again and killing demons to stage up continues to be the principle mechanic to progress.
Very like Persona 5 Royal did for Persona 5, no main gameplay options have been altered in SMT V: Vengeance. There are new demons to satisfy, for a grand whole of 270 (additionally accessible within the non-Vengeance story), however the recreation is actually the identical expertise you might need performed again in 2021. The excellent news is that, since this launch hits all main platforms, Vengeance additionally solves one of many largest followers’ complaints, particularly the poor Change efficiency of the sport. Sadly, Vengeance doesn’t supply any improve recordsdata or a strategy to port over your celebration from SMT V, even on Change, so you’ll have to begin over the sport in any case.
![Talking with a demon in Shin Megami Tensei V](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shin-megami-tensei-v-vengeance-review-3.jpg?resize=991%2C557)
All the things else within the gameplay is just about intact, and anybody conversant in the sequence will really feel proper at house. Discover, get into fights with demons, befriend them to get them to affix you, and use their essence to strengthen them whereas fusing their essences along with your Nahobino type. Fight takes place in acquainted turn-based format, with bodily assaults and magic expertise to carry out, which must be used to hit the enemies’ weak factors. The Magatsuhi gauge continues to be additionally vital; an influence that you simply replenish slowly whereas preventing and you could unleash when stuffed up for highly effective expertise. Bosses are fairly frequent, with minor bosses being comparatively straightforward, even when moving into unprepared. Storyline bosses, just like the Qadištu demons, require fairly a bit extra planning.
You could have the selection of deepening your relationships along with your demons, plus gifting them gadgets, which makes you entry new spells and affinities. However after all, that is a lot much less thrilling than the friendship system within the Persona sequence, as you aren’t actually uncovering “tales” however simply having conversations. A number of the demons’ dialogue, particularly when attempting to get them to affix our aspect, is kind of humorous, and sexy at instances, which is a welcome respite to the harshness of the abandoned Netherworld.
Total, SMT V is the proper entry level into the sequence for newcomers. Nonetheless, as talked about, the brand new “Canon of Vengeance” story doesn’t carry related narrative context to the desk, sadly skipping on the potential of offering new particulars on the human characters of SMT V. As an alternative, it prefers to deal with the brand new demonesses who’re after all menacing and Luciferian, however don’t have a lot of a character in any other case.
![The Matador talking with the main character](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shin-megami-tensei-v-vengeance-review-5.jpg?resize=991%2C557)
This model of Shin Megami Tensei V does look extremely fairly in its new Vengeance bundle and runs with none hiccups. The character design nonetheless shines by means of, particularly now in larger resolutions, and the body price is secure in all conditions. Additionally, let’s not overlook that Shin Megami Tensei V continues to be probably the greatest Atlus RPGs of the previous few years, regardless of its improvement issues. Vengeance is unquestionably one of the simplest ways to expertise its demons vs angels story and thrilling turn-based battles. Should you can adapt to its totally different narrative taste, from the extra “human” and up to date tales of Persona, you will see that a lot to discover and uncover.
![The start of a player turn in the combat in Shin Megami Tensei V](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shin-megami-tensei-v-vengeance-review-4.jpg?resize=991%2C557)
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance doesn’t carry something new to the desk, not even with its new narrative, so in case you have not “vibed” with the sequence earlier than, this gained’t do a lot to alter your thoughts. Nonetheless, contemplating Vengeance additionally combines all of the DLCs beforehand accessible for SMT V, should you’re a hardcore fan of the sequence, likelihood is your pre-order is already being processed as you might be studying this. As for newcomers, properly, with its robust fight, nice graphical efficiency, beautiful soundtrack, and plenty of demons to sedu- uhm, persuade to affix our celebration, Shin Megami Tensei V is just a unbelievable RPG throughout.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance brings a brand new story and new content material to an already intensive recreation, however this new model will not do a lot to alter your thoughts concerning the sequence.
Execs
- A lot improved graphical efficiency from the Change model
- The brand new demons have an ideal character design
- Flip-based battles are nonetheless as thrilling as ever
Cons
- The brand new story doesn’t add a lot element concerning the characters.
A duplicate of this recreation was offered by the writer for overview. Reviewed on PC.