Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance

96%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,169 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance Game Cover
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance has cleared up every issue I had with the original game and then added even more awesomeness to the package. Well worth the purchase.
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In "Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance" , players can explore two story paths: the "Canon of Vengeance," a tale of revenge centered around new characters and demons, or the original "Canon of Creation," an eternal conflict between angels and demons. The game features a modern-day Tokyo setting and multiple storylines that dictate the fate of existence. This definitive version includes new locations, demons, and choices.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,169 reviews
story127 positive mentions
grinding62 negative mentions
  • story751 mentions

    The story in "Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance" has received significant improvements over the original, with many players praising the new "Canon of Vengeance" storyline for its depth, character development, and engaging plot twists. While the original "Canon of Creation" was often criticized for being sparse and lacking coherence, the new content adds layers of complexity and emotional weight, making the narrative more compelling. However, some reviewers still find the overall story to be underwhelming compared to other entries in the series, suggesting that while the enhancements are notable, they may not fully elevate the game to the narrative standards set by titles like "Persona."

    • “The new story is actually really good, far better than the lackluster walk through deserts the original had.”
    • “The canon of vengeance storyline was a great addition, essence fusion needs to return in every game moving forward, and all of the quality of life changes really streamline the experience.”
    • “The vengeance story is up there with one of my favorite Megaten stories and it gives context for the canon of creation plot that was really needed.”
    • “The story is meh, there are a lot of plot holes making it almost unbearable to play.”
    • “What I'm saying is, ignore story...for basically all SMT (4 is okay story-wise but still wonky).”
    • “The story was awful, characters were unremarkable, forgettable and forced; the environment absolutely devoid of anything interesting, and full of meaningless sidequests that, when combined with the god-awful framerate, really was a chore to finish.”
  • gameplay266 mentions

    The gameplay of "Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance" is widely praised for its strategic depth and engaging mechanics, particularly the enhanced turn-based combat system and the introduction of new features like innate skills and the demon haunt system. Players appreciate the balance between challenge and accessibility, with many noting significant improvements over the original game, including quality of life enhancements and a more dynamic exploration experience. While some critiques mention a lack of narrative depth, the overall consensus is that the gameplay remains the standout aspect, making it a must-play for fans of the genre.

    • “The gameplay is very strategic and fun because the trait system gives you so much to optimize various builds.”
    • “The gameplay and mechanics have been vastly improved over the original in a variety of ways.”
    • “Gameplay is phenomenal as usual.”
    • “Boring gameplay, boring maps, boring story, boring OST.”
    • “My biggest issue, however, is that much like Persona (perhaps even worse), it devolves into nuke vs. nuke gameplay where there can be moments where you're just nuked because your party happened to be hard-countered by the next enemy without any indication that that would be the case.”
    • “The game primarily takes place across a few big areas, but the areas really lack in gameplay difference and don't make themselves stand out between each other.”
  • music216 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its diversity, emotional depth, and the quality of the soundtrack, which features a mix of genres and numerous standout tracks. While some players noted that certain tracks can become repetitive during extended gameplay, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack significantly enhances the game's atmosphere and experience. Ryota Kozuka's compositions are highlighted as exceptional, making the music one of the game's strongest aspects.

    • “The music is incredible.”
    • “The soundtrack is one of the best.”
    • “The music, character/demon designs, gameplay, all are just peak.”
    • “If I have one complaint, it's that you spend so much time in the overworld that you hear a lot of the same tracks without appreciating many of the better songs that only come by a couple of times.”
    • “The soundtrack is a questionable experience in dissonant tones.”
    • “Music is very forgettable, which is disappointing, as music is a big deal in games nowadays.”
  • graphics76 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers highlighting the significant improvements over the original Switch version, including higher framerates and stunning art direction. The visuals are described as breathtaking, with intricate details and a unique aesthetic that enhances the overall atmosphere, although some users noted technical limitations such as a lack of graphical options and occasional glitches. Overall, the game is praised for its beautiful character models and environments, making it a standout title in terms of visual presentation.

    • “The game's art direction is nothing short of stunning, with intricate details and a unique aesthetic that sets it apart from other RPGs.”
    • “It boasts stunning visuals and a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere of the game.”
    • “The improved performance and visuals alone make this game a treat to play, transforming the stuttering cutscenes into visuals that actually do justice to the team's art style.”
    • “Graphically, SMT:V is a bit of a mixed bag.”
    • “The only disappointing aspect so far is the lack of graphic options, but unfortunately that is consistent with most Atlus PC ports.”
    • “Like all Atlus games... amazing game but absolute dogshit tier PC port (no graphical options, no ultrawide, limited audio options, crap video quality).”
  • grinding64 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and excessive, particularly in the late game and for completionists. However, some appreciate the strategic elements that reduce the need for grinding, especially with the introduction of quality-of-life improvements and DLC options that can alleviate the grind. Overall, while grinding is a significant part of the experience, players who focus on strategy and exploration may find it more manageable and enjoyable.

    • “Once you understand that this game is about strategizing and not grinding for hours until you're overleveled, you'll have much more fun.”
    • “The game is quite grindy since you get underleveled really quick as you progress the story.”
    • “Grinding is definitely a part of the experience, but there is so much loot to collect, quests to complete, and upgrades to manage that I found myself naturally gaining all the experience I needed without having to hang around in one place for too long.”
    • “Let's be honest - this game is really, really poorly balanced, grindy, and has very little plot compared to other SMT series games.”
  • optimization62 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game has received positive feedback, with many players noting significant improvements in performance compared to the original Switch version. Users report smooth gameplay at higher resolutions and frame rates, with no major stuttering or performance issues on various PC setups, including the Steam Deck. The remastered version is praised for transforming the experience, making it feel like a definitive edition that enhances both visuals and gameplay.

    • “Amazingly optimized and plays beautifully on Steam Deck.”
    • “The improved performance and visuals alone make this game a treat to play, transforming the stuttering cutscenes into visuals that actually do justice to the team's art style.”
    • “Playing with significantly better performance has made a world of difference over the original (and I loved the Switch original).”
    • “The performance on the Switch was miserable, but playing on the Steam Deck, all of the pop-in and slow down that you had on the Switch is non-existent.”
    • “Exponentially better version of a game that was unfortunately hampered by its initial release on Switch with awful performance issues.”
    • “My main problem with the original was performance, which was just barely playable.”
  • atmosphere28 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning art direction and haunting soundtrack, which effectively complements the dark and immersive storytelling. Many reviewers highlight the oppressive and morbid ambiance that enhances the gameplay experience, although some note a lack of charm compared to previous titles in the series. Overall, the combination of visuals, music, and thematic elements creates a compelling atmosphere that resonates with fans of the genre.

    • “The atmosphere is still incredible, and has improved substantially in the new story.”
    • “The atmosphere of this game clicks all the right notes for me, and led me to playing every other game in the SMT mainline and spin-off series on actual game consoles I went out and got for the authentic experience, on tube television.”
    • “It boasts stunning visuals and a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere of the game.”
    • “It was just missing the atmosphere and charm that Nocturne and IV had.”
    • “It goes a long way in undermining the brooding isolated atmosphere SMT once had.”
    • “Where Nocturne builds a constant atmosphere of dread with tinges of a strangely punk style of irreverence, V feels very unfocused in this regard, with its aim seeming to sway from one arc to the next.”
  • stability19 mentions

    The game's stability is mixed, with many players reporting smooth performance on platforms like Steam Deck and Linux, while others experience significant issues, including frequent crashes and graphical glitches. Some users have successfully played for extended periods without problems, but others face persistent loading and freezing issues, particularly during critical moments in the game. Overall, while the game runs well for some, it is marred by bugs and stability concerns for others.

    • “The game runs great on Linux and is very well optimized.”
    • “Runs great on my Steam Deck and gaming PC.”
    • “A fun game that runs great on Steam.”
    • “I made it about 10-12 hours into the story, and now on a boss fight (after two cutscenes) the game freezes and crashes every single time I make it to the post-battle results screen.”
    • “Game is good, but it is also very buggy and crashes almost every time I try to load into the game. I have to do it like 20 times before I can actually play. The community also claims it's my PC's fault that the game is crashing.”
    • “So through various troubleshooting and reinstalling the game, I figured this would resolve the issue until I was given an error and sent to a Denuvo page saying the game could not be reauthenticated for 24 hours.”
  • character development17 mentions

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the improvements made in the "canon of vengeance" update, which offers more depth and pacing compared to previous installments. However, many still feel that certain quests lack sufficient drama and character building, leaving some character arcs feeling rushed or unresolved. Overall, while character design is praised, the actual development and growth of characters remain a point of contention among players.

    • “The character development is solid, and the story is interesting.”
    • “Canon of Vengeance does a good job addressing the original story's shortcomings in character development.”
    • “It's significantly better than Canon of Creation in terms of character development and pacing.”
    • “There are some new quests added in Vengeance that really had the potential to be good, but they wrap up really quickly. I wish there were more drama or character building (I'm talking about Alice and Nahobeeho quests; they should've been questlines with character development).”
    • “Character development that goes nowhere (or goes too quickly).”
    • “The biggest issue with the previous game was its real lack of character development with the main cast and their overall lack of importance to the story.”
  • replayability11 mentions

    The game boasts exceptional replayability, with a wealth of content, challenges, and freedom in team building that encourages multiple playthroughs. Players appreciate the extensive hours of entertainment and the potential for self-imposed challenges, making it a standout title in the JRPG genre. Overall, the combination of a solid story and new content enhances its replay value significantly.

    • “Love the huge amount of replayability and extra challenges because lord knows we aren't seeing another proper mainline SMT release in the next 6 years.”
    • “Great game with hours of content and high replay value.”
    • “This is a fantastic direction for the series due to this newfound freedom in designing your party and therefore offers amazing replay value, even for someone like myself who tends to only really play RPGs for a single run.”
    • “The vengeance story has a ton of new things, quests, and demons to discover, which gives the game more replayability.”
    • “There is also plenty of replayability and potential for self-imposed challenges, so I might do something like that sooner or later as well.”
    • “Now I love it even more; the new content is great, the new OST is fantastic, and there are several hours of content and replayability.”
  • humor10 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of whimsical characterization and clever dialogue, often drawing laughs through absurdity and unexpected references. Players appreciate the comedic elements, such as the amusing portrayal of demons and the lightheartedness that contrasts with the game's darker themes. Overall, the humor is well-received, with many finding it genuinely funny and a pleasant surprise amidst the game's serious undertones.

    • “The sense of humor and whimsy in the characterization of the demons and the strange world they live in is lovely, and it doesn't ever undermine the haunting, otherworldly, ethereal feeling that hangs over your time exploring the world of vengeance.”
    • “Their jokes are actually funny for the most part, which was a very pleasant surprise.”
    • “The story is incredibly corny, borderline shonen manga stuff, and at one time I was like 'holy, is that a FFXIV reference?' I joked around up until I saw the SMT V vengeance equivalent of the Bahamut super saiyan Jesus punch cutscene and I started laughing.”
  • emotional8 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its rich narrative and extensive research into global lore, which creates a compelling and engaging experience that drives players to completion. While some players appreciate the deeper character connections and impactful moments, others feel that certain story elements, particularly regarding character deaths, lack emotional payoff, leading to mixed feelings about the overall emotional resonance of the game. The integration of new story elements with the original content has resulted in a disjointed experience for some, detracting from the emotional impact.

    • “The narrative is rich and emotionally engaging, driving me to complete the game with an unwavering determination.”
    • “Every note and rhythm adds to the emotional weight of the story, making key moments even more impactful.”
    • “A stunning super extended edition of the original with a much more involved, heartfelt story that will linger in the mind for a long time.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    Reviewers criticize Atlus for their aggressive monetization strategies, labeling their practice of re-releasing games at full price as greedy and exploitative. This has led to perceptions of the company prioritizing profit over player experience.

    • “Atlus can make good games, but my god, are they ever so greedy when it comes to the monetization of their games.”
    • “Atlus re-releases a game and sells it at full price, which feels scummy and like a cash grab as always.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Critic Reviews

87% average critic score

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Play time

49hMedian play time
61hAverage play time
3-123hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 10 analyzed playthroughs

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