Witness the epic clash of demons and angels in a post-apocalyptic world, set to a hard synth-metal soundtrack, all wrapped up in a challenging RPG experience – this is the essence of Shin Megami Tensei. After my initial praise for Shin Megami Tensei V in 2021 for staying true to the series while offering a modern twist, Atlus has now released Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, providing a refined and enhanced version of the game a few years later. While the core elements that made the original game great remain unchanged, the addition of a new separate storyline and various quality of life improvements make it worth diving back into this turn-based combat masterpiece with a demonic ambiance.
Upon starting the game, players must choose between the original route or the new Path of Vengeance, offering a unique journey with fresh plot threads, characters, and challenging battles. Opting for the Vengeance route does not require specific choices or alignments, simplifying the decision-making process. Having completed the original game with 100% completion over 80 hours, I focused solely on the Vengeance-specific campaign, which took me about 60 hours to finish while exploring new sidequests and content. Although I found the Vengeance route to be more enjoyable overall, the enhancements are not groundbreaking but still add value to the experience.
Embark on a familiar journey as a high school student in Tokyo discovered to be the chosen Nahobino, capable of supernatural powers and transformation into a demigod. The narrative unfolds in a crumbling Tokyo, alternating between present and post-apocalyptic futures, shaping the fate of the world. While the initial storyline remains consistent, the Vengeance route introduces a new group of villainous demons, the Qadistu, and a new ally, Yoko Hiromine, enhancing the depth and context of the plot with well-designed characters.
A notable aspect of the Vengeance path is the increased focus on human characters, involving them more directly in the events. Yoko becomes a playable party member early on, seamlessly integrated into the story and adding significant value to this route. Existing characters like Tao also receive more prominence, contributing to a richer narrative experience. Although the Qadistu members serve more as plot devices than fully developed characters, they introduce new story elements and adversarial dynamics.
The narrative takes a dramatic turn in the third region of the game, replaced by a new area that aligns with evolving story arcs. This transition introduces unique aesthetics and challenges in the mid-game dungeon, offering a refreshing twist while maintaining familiar design principles. Despite the detour, the Vengeance content seamlessly merges back into the main storyline, delivering some of the most memorable moments of Shin Megami Tensei V.
While the theme of revenge is not prominently featured, the game explores philosophical concepts through its narrative events, in line with the series’ signature style. The effort put into contextualizing the exploration of Tokyo’s dystopian landscape and challenging battles is commendable, despite some narrative pitfalls along the way.
Known for its unforgiving turn-based combat, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance retains the challenging gameplay mechanics of the series. Players must strategize around elemental affinities, demon negotiation, and fusion to build a formidable party. The enhanced version intensifies the difficulty, requiring meticulous planning and tactical thinking to succeed in battles, showcasing the game’s rewarding yet punishing combat system.
Negotiating with demons, capturing them, and fusing for stronger allies remains a core strength of Shin Megami Tensei V, offering a satisfying progression loop akin to collecting and evolving creatures in Pokemon. The addition of new perks and demons enhances the gameplay experience, providing strategic depth and variety in combat encounters.
Playing on normal difficulty reveals the strategic depth of the combat system, requiring players to master the mechanics to overcome challenging boss battles. Sidequests play a crucial role in leveling up and preparing for these encounters, offering a mix of engaging activities, from tough miniboss fights to item hunts and minigames. Embracing sidequests enriches the world-building and character dynamics, adding depth and charm to the overall experience.
The distinctive attitude of a Shin Megami Tensei game manifests in its dark and atmospheric world, supported by an exceptional art direction and soundtrack. The game’s deranged demon designs and post-apocalyptic setting create a sense of dread that permeates the environment, resonating with the series’ signature dark tone.
Complementing the immersive experience is the remarkable soundtrack that sets the mood for battles and exploration, blending synth-metal with ambient tunes to enhance the game’s atmosphere. The new battle theme and sound design elevate the gameplay experience, enriching the world with captivating melodies and thematic compositions.
Besides the captivating narrative and engaging gameplay, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance also enhances the visual experience on platforms like PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, offering higher resolutions, frame rates, and improved draw distances. While the game is still available on Nintendo Switch with essential features, the technical upgrades on other platforms elevate the overall presentation and performance.
In addition to technical enhancements, quality of life improvements streamline the gameplay experience without compromising the game’s challenging nature. Features like the Demon Haunt hub area and Magatsu Rails enhance exploration and progression while saving convenience ensures uninterrupted gameplay. These improvements contribute to a smoother and more enjoyable experience, making Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance a must-play for fans of the series.