Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance

Description

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance follows a high school student who is transformed into the “Nahobino,” a powerful being caught in the ruins of a post-apocalyptic Tokyo known as Da’at. It is an expanded and definitive version of the 2021 Nintendo Switch-exclusive original. It retains the original story (now designated as the Canon of Creation) and introduces a completely separate narrative path called the Canon of Vengeance. This new route diverges significantly from the midway point of the adventure, focusing on the themes of retribution and the consequences of the war between angels and demons.

Unlike the original Shin Megami Tensei V, Vengeance transitioned to a multi-platform release, allowing for significant technical upgrades on ninth-generation hardware. On the PlayStation 5 and PC, the game runs at a consistent 60 FPS with substantially higher resolutions and improved draw distances compared to the 30 FPS target of the original Switch release. The textures were refined, and the lighting engine was adjusted to take advantage of the more powerful hardware. Vengeance also introduces a wide array of gameplay refinements and quality-of-life improvements designed to address feedback from the original release. The addition of the Demon Haunt provides a dedicated space for players to interact with their recruited demons and allies, offering unique dialogue and stat-boosting opportunities. The level cap was increased to 150, and a Save Anywhere feature was implemented to reduce the friction of the series’ traditionally high difficulty. The bestiary was expanded with over 40 new demons, including the Qadistu, a group of four female demons who serve as the primary antagonists of the Vengeance route, and the new protagonist-ally Yoko Hiromine. Combat was further deepened by the inclusion of Inherent Skills, which are passive abilities unique to every demon in the game that can drastically alter team-building strategies.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance received a widely positive reception, with many critics and fans considering it the definitive version of the game. The improved technical performance and the more character-driven focus of the new narrative path were well received. The game was a commercial success pushing the total lifetime sales for Shin Megami Tensei V series overall, opening up to the PlayStation and PC markets. Critics praised the Canon of Vengeance for providing a more cohesive and emotionally resonant story than the original release, while the myriad of technical and mechanical updates were seen as a major facelift for the title. Despite the new accessibility options, the game remains on the difficulty side, with an oppressive atmosphere that is a hallmark of the core series.