Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance

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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,227 reviews

story245 positive mentions

grinding116 negative mentions

story
1,429 mentions
17 % positive mentions
77 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The story in "Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant improvements over the original "Canon of Creation." The new storyline offers more character development and engaging plot points, making it feel more cohesive and interesting, although some still find it lacking compared to other entries in the series. While the gameplay and aesthetics are praised, the narrative remains a divisive aspect, with some players feeling it still falls short of expectations despite the enhancements.
- “The new added 40+ hour story I think is worth the price alone, as the story of vengeance is solid, the new characters are great as well as some of the added changes they made for some of the characters' individual stories in comparison to their story from SMTV is a nice change.”
- “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 new canon of vengeance storyline gives some much-needed focus on characters that got very little attention in the original storyline (called canon of creation in this version) and generally feels more complete.”
- “Tl;dr: gameplay/soundtrack/aesthetics are all absolute perfection, story is utter garbage.”
- “My biggest criticism is that the story sucks.”
- “The story in the canon of creation was poorly written and extremely underwhelming, so keeping the canon of vengeance tied to it could only hinder its potential.”
gameplay
514 mentions
37 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance" has received widespread acclaim for its strategic depth and engaging mechanics, building upon the already strong foundation of the original game. Players appreciate the introduction of innate skills, quality-of-life improvements, and a variety of new demons, which enhance the combat experience and encourage experimentation. While some critiques mention a lack of narrative depth, the overall consensus is that the gameplay remains the standout feature, offering a rewarding and challenging experience for fans of turn-based RPGs.
- “Gameplay-wise, not much has changed; the original gameplay was already great and probably the best in the series, but with the addition of innate skills, it just made the gameplay better. Some demons that were kind of mid in the original are now quite useful, and demons that were already great were made even better. We also got more unique skills and a bunch more demons to play with.”
- “Game runs nice and smooth, and all the mechanics are super fun: the press-turn system is a blast to master, demon negotiation is always fun (even when it goes wrong), essences make experimenting so accessible and exciting, and the demon haunt is cool and allows for some interesting interactions. There's a lot to love here.”
- “The gameplay is superb, a delight, a supreme display of turn-based design excellence in a modern game.”
- “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.”
- “You can save everywhere now, so there is essentially no more tension, especially as the game is laughably easy on normal if you are familiar with SMT mechanics.”
- “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.”
music
413 mentions
48 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in "Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its diverse and expansive soundtrack, which features over 100 tracks, including new boss and battle themes that enhance the gameplay experience. Composed by Ryota Kozuka, the soundtrack is described as exceptional, unique, and capable of evoking strong emotions, making it a standout aspect of the game. While some players noted a few repetitive tracks, the overall consensus is that the music significantly elevates the game's atmosphere and enjoyment.
- “The soundtrack is not just background noise; it speaks to you, drawing you deeper into the game’s world.”
- “The music in the game is amazing, the eeriness and intensity it brings to the table really make this game a great experience through and through.”
- “The new music is going to go down in Megaten history as some of the best in the series, like I'm serious.”
- “The soundtrack is a questionable experience in dissonant tones.”
- “Another really bad point is battle music.”
- “Music is very forgettable, which is disappointing, as music is a big deal in games nowadays.”
graphics
150 mentions
33 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning art style and improved performance compared to the original Switch version, showcasing intricate details and vibrant environments. While the game runs smoothly on various systems, some users noted a lack of graphical options and minor technical glitches. Overall, the visuals are considered a significant highlight, enhancing the game's atmosphere and complementing its engaging soundtrack.
- “The game’s art direction is nothing short of stunning, with intricate details and a unique aesthetic that sets it apart from other RPGs.”
- “The demon designs in this are the best the series has ever been, and the crisped up graphics make Da'at and all of its bizarre, dream-like vistas positively stunning.”
- “It boasts stunning visuals and a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere of the game.”
- “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 option, no ultrawide, limited audio option, crap video quality).”
optimization
128 mentions
27 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
The optimization of "Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance" has received widespread praise, with many users noting significant improvements over the original Switch version. Players report smooth performance, with the game running at 60fps and higher resolutions, even on lower-end hardware, making it a compelling upgrade for those who experienced performance issues on the Switch. Overall, the remaster is considered well-optimized, enhancing both visuals and gameplay, and transforming the experience into a more enjoyable and fluid adventure.
- “Honestly, Atlus probably could have got most people like myself who already owned the game on Switch to buy it again on Steam just from the performance improvements alone (no FPS limit, higher resolution, etc.), but they went out of their way to provide so much more value that I don't even feel gipped buying it at full price again.”
- “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.”
- “Amazingly optimized and plays beautifully on Steam Deck.”
- “This is a fantastic game, but the performance and experience on PC has been poor.”
- “The switch performance was awful and it completely ruined the experience of the original.”
- “My main problem with the original was performance, which was just barely playable.”
grinding
119 mentions
1 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
97 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and excessive, particularly when it comes to collecting items and leveling up. While some appreciate the introduction of DLCs that can alleviate grinding, others feel that the game still requires significant time investment to progress, especially for completionists. Overall, the balance between grinding and strategic gameplay has improved, but many players still find certain elements of the game overly grindy and repetitive.
- “Once you understand that this game is about strategizing and not grinding for hours until you're overleveled, you'll have much more fun.”
- “Backtracking through the whole game to collect all 200 'miman' every playthrough is one of the most tedious things ever.”
- “If you're not a streamer or a content creator, don't waste hours, days of your life grinding a video game, especially if you have lots of better things to do.”
- “Let's be honest - this game is really, really poorly balanced, grindy, and has very little plot compared to other SMT series games.”
atmosphere
52 mentions
46 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and oppressive qualities, enhanced by a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack and striking visuals that complement the art style. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke a dark, post-apocalyptic setting, with some noting improvements in atmosphere compared to previous entries in the series. However, a few critiques mention a lack of focus in the atmosphere, particularly in comparison to earlier titles like Nocturne and IV.
- “I think it's a must-play for anyone who wants a darker story and an immersive atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere is unmistakable.”
- “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.”
- “Lackluster atmosphere”
stability
38 mentions
53 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
47 % negative mentions
The game's stability is mixed, with many users reporting smooth performance on platforms like Steam Deck and Linux, while others experience significant issues such as frequent crashes and graphical glitches. Some players have encountered game-breaking freezes during critical moments, leading to frustration, while others have had no problems at all. Overall, the game's stability seems to vary widely depending on the system and individual user experiences.
- “Runs great on steam deck.”
- “The game runs great on Linux and is very well optimized.”
- “It runs great on my PC as well.”
- “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, and 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 development
31 mentions
48 % positive mentions
39 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
Character development in the latest installment has seen significant improvement compared to its predecessor, with many reviewers noting a more engaging and meaningful narrative that addresses previous shortcomings. The addition of the "canon of vengeance" route enhances character growth and alignment representation, although some quests still feel rushed and lack depth. Overall, while character designs are praised, the development itself is a mixed bag, with some aspects feeling underwhelming or too rapid.
- “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.”
- “That being said, smt:v, after its vengeance update, includes two routes the player can go through: the original canon of creation, which in many ways once again mimics the structure of smt:iii nocturne, as the player is primarily focused on the ideal of how the world should be rebuilt after its destruction, and the newly added titular canon of vengeance, which in some ways feels like a callback to earlier smt entries due to the stronger focus on alignment representatives and genuine character development.”
- “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.”
- “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).”
replayability
22 mentions
45 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptional replayability, with players praising its vast content, self-imposed challenges, and the freedom in team building and character progression. Many reviewers highlight the extensive hours of entertainment and the introduction of new quests and demons, making it a standout title in the JRPG genre. Overall, it offers a rich experience that encourages multiple playthroughs.
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “Tons of replayability that will keep you entertained for hours.”
- “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.”
humor
19 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a whimsical and often absurd tone, with clever references and amusing characterizations, particularly of the demons. Players appreciate the genuinely funny jokes and dialogues, which enhance the experience without detracting from the game's darker themes. However, some find the humor to be corny or reliant on clichés, particularly in the storytelling.
- “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 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.”
emotional
15 mentions
87 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a rich and engaging narrative that drives players to completion, with music enhancing key moments. However, some reviews note a lack of emotional payoff in certain character arcs, particularly with Nuwa's death, and criticize the integration of new story elements with the original, which can detract from the overall emotional impact. While there are moments that evoke attachment and emotional responses, the gameplay and story elements are described as inconsistent, leading to mixed feelings about the emotional depth of the experience.
- “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.”
monetization
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that Atlus's monetization strategy, particularly in re-releasing games at full price, is viewed as exploitative and greedy, with many users labeling it as a cash grab. Despite the quality of their games, this approach has drawn significant criticism from the gaming community.
- “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.”