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.

91%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, stability

95% User Score Based on 4,836 reviews

Critic Score 87%Based on 30 reviews

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About

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is a single player role playing game. It was developed by ATLUS and was released on June 13, 2024. It received positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"Shin Megami Tensei V" is an expansive RPG on Nintendo Switch where players control the Nahobino, a powerful being caught in a struggle between gods and demons in a post-apocalyptic version of Tokyo. As the Nahobino, players can battle or befriend hundreds of demons and must decide the fate of a dying world. The game features a rich, dark story and strategic combat that will challenge players to make difficult choices with high stakes.

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Play Modes

Single-Player

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance screenshot

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95%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,836 reviews

story370 positive mentions

grinding169 negative mentions

The game features an engaging and strategic combat system that rewards players for exploiting enemy weaknesses and planning their moves carefully.
The graphics and art design are stunning, creating a visually captivating post-apocalyptic world filled with unique and interesting demon designs.
The addition of the 'Canon of Vengeance' storyline provides a more coherent and character-driven narrative, improving upon the original game's story.

The story can feel disjointed and lacks depth, with many characters not being fully developed or relatable.
The open-world design can become repetitive, with large areas that feel empty and similar in aesthetic, leading to a sense of monotony during exploration.
The game lacks an autosave feature, which can result in frustrating loss of progress if players forget to save frequently.

story
2,023 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
75%
7%
The story in "Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant improvement over the original "Canon of Creation." While the new storyline offers more character development and engaging plot points, some still find it lacking compared to other entries in the series, particularly in terms of depth and emotional resonance. Overall, the game is praised for its gameplay and quality-of-life enhancements, but the narrative remains a secondary focus, appealing primarily to those who prioritize combat and exploration over a compelling story.
- “The new storyline in the vengeance path was a bit better than the original but still nothing mind-blowing or entirely new for the SMT series.”
- “The vengeance storyline significantly improves the narrative, adding depth to characters and choices.”
- “The new story is much more interesting and makes a perfect entry point for persona fans, though it does miss out on some important plot points.”
- “The story is sparse and pretty predictable, especially if you've played other SMT games.”
- “The story is delivered in fragments — ideological position papers disguised as characters.”
- “The story disappointed me the more I got into this game and it made me realize how important it is when the story is driving you forward and encouraging you to play more of the game.”
gameplay
782 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
60%
2%
The gameplay of Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is widely praised for its depth and strategic turn-based combat, featuring the iconic press-turn system that rewards players for exploiting enemy weaknesses. Many reviewers highlight the addictive nature of demon collection and fusion mechanics, alongside significant quality-of-life improvements that enhance the overall experience. While the story may not be as compelling, the gameplay remains the primary focus, making it a highly recommended title for fans of challenging RPGs.
- “The gameplay is challenging yet fair and very fun.”
- “The gameplay loop and demon collecting is some of the most fun and addicting I've seen, I can say many hours were spent just in the world of shadows creating demons through fusion, customizing builds and catering to strengths and covering weaknesses of your many demon allies.”
- “The gameplay is superb, a delight, a supreme display of turn-based design excellence in a modern game.”
- “The gameplay loop is just 'run forward, fight a demon, repeat' for dozens of hours with no interesting variation.”
- “Gameplay: super repetitive, you fight the same 6 mobs per area until you're leveled enough to defeat the area's miniboss, which isn't challenging but just requires you to be at a suitable level.”
- “Your first 15 minutes will be the introduction to the story, then, for the next ten hours or so (assuming you're a completionist like me) it's just one giant semi-open world gameplay segment with nothing breaking it up.”
music
620 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
48%
2%
The music in "Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its diverse and innovative soundtrack that enhances the game's atmosphere and gameplay. While some tracks are considered weaker compared to previous entries in the series, the overall quality remains high, featuring a mix of haunting ambient pieces and adrenaline-pumping battle themes. The addition of new music tracks, including unique themes for bosses and areas, has been highlighted as a significant improvement, solidifying the soundtrack's status as one of the best in the franchise.
- “The music is what is, in my view, one of the high points of the game.”
- “The soundtrack is a powerful mix of haunting ambient tracks and adrenaline-pumping battle themes that perfectly encapsulate the game's apocalyptic vibe.”
- “The music is the embodiment of what a game soundtrack should have been, a true representation of the game with its identity using what I can only describe as industrialized experimental electric with a hint of chant and instrument.”
- “Honestly, outside of the OST I found myself wondering why I was even bothering when there are other RPGs in my backlog that are probably more fun.”
- “The music is kinda dull but I do love the character designs and the world, but the world is badly designed, large open spaces with your character just light jogging around, no sprint or any other form of rewards when exploring, can't tell how many times I fell asleep just by going from one place to another.”
- “The music went silent as I approached a bridge and I was like 'nuh-uh!'”
graphics
221 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
56%
5%
The graphics of the game have received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many praising the stunning art style, character designs, and improved visuals on modern platforms compared to the original Switch version. While some players noted that the graphical fidelity may not match that of recent AAA titles, the unique aesthetic and atmospheric presentation were highlighted as standout features. However, criticisms included a lack of graphical options and some technical limitations, which detracted from the overall experience for certain users.
- “The graphics are gorgeous and it's a real treat to see your favorite demons looking so good, and the soundtrack is absolutely rockin' (especially battle music).”
- “The game runs super smoothly on PC, with switch graphics scaling beautifully and the art direction holding up fantastically.”
- “The graphics overhaul is really noticeable and it runs so much better than it did on Switch.”
- “The graphics are somewhat lacking, perhaps due to the Switch origin.”
- “The visuals are, in my opinion, awful... and I'm not talking about the graphics; it's simply that you'll spend many hours in a red wasteland with the same assets of broken buildings, cars, and streets over and over. It's kind of tiresome and completely uninteresting.”
- “The only disappointing aspect so far is the lack of graphic options, but unfortunately, that is consistent with most Atlus PC ports.”
grinding
173 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
1%
98%
The grinding aspect of Shin Megami Tensei V has received mixed feedback from players. While some find the extensive grinding necessary for leveling up and demon fusion tedious and time-consuming, others appreciate the strategic depth it adds to gameplay, especially with the introduction of quality-of-life features like the Magatsuhi rail system. Many players recommend utilizing DLC to ease the grind, as it can significantly reduce the time spent farming experience and resources, making the overall experience more 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 frequently forces grinding to progress, breaking the pacing and sapping the sense of momentum.”
- “Grinding is just too time-consuming.”
- “The last ~15% of the game feels a bit like a slog as well due to some forced grinding.”
optimization
151 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
57%
19%
The optimization of "Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance" has received widespread praise, particularly in comparison to its original Nintendo Switch release, which suffered from significant performance issues. Players report smooth gameplay across various platforms, including high frame rates and improved visuals on PC and Steam Deck, with many noting that the game runs flawlessly even on lower-end hardware. Overall, the enhancements in performance, graphics, and quality-of-life features make this version a definitive improvement over the original.
- “The performance is solid and smooth on my 6700k+rtx3070, just needed to install a simple ultra-wide mod.”
- “It has excellent combat, amazing visuals, and stellar optimization on PC.”
- “The performance on PC is a night-and-day difference... it runs buttery smooth with absolutely zero frame dips or stuttering in my experience.”
- “The performance often struggles to keep up, with frame rate drops and pop-in that distract from the otherwise immersive presentation.”
- “The original one was already good, but the Switch's poor performance dragged it down.”
- “The switch performance was awful and it completely ruined the experience of the original.”
atmosphere
89 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
40%
3%
The atmosphere in Shin Megami Tensei V is a mixed bag, with many praising its dark, immersive settings, stunning visuals, and a haunting soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. While some players appreciate the game's unique blend of oppressive and eerie tones, others feel it lacks the depth and intensity found in previous entries of the series. Overall, the game successfully creates a compelling world filled with diverse demon designs and atmospheric soundscapes, though opinions vary on its effectiveness compared to earlier titles.
- “It's eldritch themes, rich portrayals of diverse pantheons, incredible atmosphere and visuals, rocking soundtrack, and addictive battle system really make this one of the best JRPGs you can get in the modern era.”
- “The dark, atmospheric settings combined with beautifully horrifying demon designs create a compelling world that is both enticing and menacing.”
- “The atmosphere nails the oppressive, desolate feel of a post-apocalyptic city that is part of all Megaten RPGs and retains the addictive gameplay aspect of capturing and fusing demons.”
- “Unfortunately, the atmosphere, which is otherwise one of the many things that draws me to the SMT franchise, leaves much to be desired in this entry.”
- “It was just missing the atmosphere and charm that Nocturne and IV 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.”
character development
57 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
47%
11%
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing a desire for deeper and more meaningful growth for the main character and supporting cast. While some improvements were noted in the "canon of vengeance" route, many felt that character arcs often stalled or reverted to blandness, lacking emotional engagement and depth. Despite the stunning character designs and visuals, the overall narrative and character interactions were criticized for being underwhelming and not fully realized.
- “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.”
- “I did want more in-depth character development and more transformations for the main character, but I understand it was never something they focused on.”
- “In the end, all the character development fades away and it just reverts back to a rather boring dichotomy.”
- “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.”
emotional
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
93%
8%
The emotional aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it deeply moving and engaging, particularly through character development and impactful story moments, while others criticize it for underdeveloped narratives and lack of emotional connection. Highlights include a more grounded and character-driven narrative in the "canon of vengeance," which resonates more with players compared to the original. However, many still feel that certain emotional scenes fall flat due to poor dialogue and insufficient buildup, leaving a sense of exhaustion rather than fulfillment.
- “Went in for a beautiful blue thing, came out with heart-wrenching sadness.”
- “Yuzuru's development was just amazing and extremely emotional; his relationship with his sister just touched me so much.”
- “The narrative is rich and emotionally engaging, driving me to complete the game with an unwavering determination.”
- “I came from SMT4 on 3DS, and there's literally no comparison; it's as if they stripped all that made the series amazing and left it with a bunch of busy quests while cutscenes try to tell you a very boring story.”
- “Boring gameplay, boring maps, boring story, boring OST.”
humor
39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its chaotic and clever dialogue, with players enjoying the quirky personalities of the demons and the absurdity of various situations. Many find the negotiation mechanics and character interactions to be hilariously unpredictable, contributing to a lighthearted contrast against the otherwise bleak setting. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with its darker themes, making for an entertaining experience.
- “The demon contracting and negotiation mechanics are fun and lead to some hilarious moments.”
- “Every demon has their own personality, and they are all hilarious.”
- “Dialogue is hilarious and shockingly clever.”
replayability
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
45%
8%
The game boasts exceptional replayability, with multiple story paths, six different endings, and a wealth of content that encourages players to explore various team formations and strategies. Many reviewers highlight the addictive gameplay, diverse challenges, and the ability to experience the game in different ways, making it a standout title for those who enjoy extensive replay value. Despite some players feeling fatigued after multiple playthroughs, the overall consensus is that the game offers a rich and engaging experience that invites repeated exploration.
- “This gives the game a ton of replay value, which made me immediately fire up a new game plus playthrough upon finishing the game for the first time.”
- “There's a great amount of replayability that inspires you to revisit and get different endings, an infinite amount of team formations, and so much more that the game offers.”
- “The game's replayability is high!”
- “I really appreciated the replayability built into the game, though playing 6 times—even accounting for reborn (a new game plus option) speed runs is beyond my personal tastes.”
- “There are two distinct story paths and six endings between them with seemingly endless optional bosses leading to a massive amount of replay value.”
- “The vengeance story has a ton of new things, quests, and demons to discover, which gives the game more replayability.”
stability
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing frequent crashes and freezes, particularly during cutscenes and boss fights, while others report smooth performance on platforms like the Steam Deck and Linux. Many users noted graphical glitches and frame rate issues, but a significant number also praised the game's overall stability on their systems. Overall, while some players face serious stability issues, others enjoy a largely trouble-free experience.
- “Also runs great on the Steam Deck!”
- “Runs great on Linux and is very well optimized.”
- “It runs great on my PC as well.”
- “Just to find that the game crashes/freezes at the cutscene where the bridge collapses (apparently it's the first combat? I don't know, I never got to see the battle screen).”
- “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 are a bunch of shills saying it's your PC's fault the game is crashing.”
monetization
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
57%
The monetization practices of the game have received mixed reviews, with some praising its lack of intrusive microtransactions and fair pricing, while others criticize Atlus for aggressive DLC strategies that significantly impact gameplay and progression. Players express frustration over the company's tendency to re-release games at full price and the inclusion of exclusive, powerful content in paid DLCs, which they view as exploitative. Overall, while the core game is appreciated, the monetization tactics have left a sour impression on many.
- “No stupid souls-like mechanics, no ridiculous microtransactions, just a quality game designed to challenge you without being irritating and is easy to play but hard to master.”
- “This game has put me in the incredibly fortunate position of being amazing, worth the asking price, and released from the prison of Switch.”
- “Atlus can make good games, but their monetization practices can be quite greedy.”
- “I hate Atlus and its agonizing monetization of newer releases, SMT5 and Soul Hackers 2 as the standout examples, but this game has put me in the incredibly unfortunate position of being amazing, worth the asking price, and released from the prison of Switch.”
- “But I need to also talk about the very bad monetization practices with DLCs that heavily alter the flow of progression, and two of them even have exclusive demons which are extremely powerful, Konohana Sakuya being the literal strongest healer in the game.”
- “Atlus can make good games, but my god are they ever so greedy when it comes to the monetization of their games.”

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87%Critics’ scoreBased on 30 critic reviews

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37h Median play time

78h Average play time

5-119h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 35 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is a role playing game.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

On average players spend around 78 hours playing Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance was released on June 13, 2024.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance was developed by ATLUS.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is a single player game.

Similar games include Metaphor: ReFantazio, Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster, Octopath Traveler 2, Soul Hackers 2, DRAGON QUEST® XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age™ and others.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance

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