The Japanese role-playing game (JRPG) genre has built up a strong and dedicated following over the years, with each core lineup bearing its own brand of charm. As one of the longest-running players in the field, Atlus’ Shin Megami Tensei franchise continues to find expertise in artistic direction, gameplay, and music, carving out a spin-off along the way that many have come to love – the Persona series.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance marks a return to the fifth mainline installment, three years after its exclusive launch on the Nintendo Switch. Hitting all major platforms on 14 June, it furnishes familiar elements with a fresh coat of paint, offering different experiences for returning players and newcomers alike, particularly Persona enthusiasts looking to embark on a new journey.
After all, the latter series has inherited some defining features from its parent. Turn-based mechanics form the essence of combat in this latest game, and players get an extra turn if they inflict elemental weaknesses, similar to the workings of the One More system in Persona 3 and subsequent entries. Creature designs in Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance share the same surrealistic allure, joined by environments that serve as recreations of their real-world counterparts in Japan.
Likewise, gameplay spans two different worlds. Eschewing the modern-day, high school setting of Persona titles for two parallel versions of Tokyo, the enhanced re-release includes a present-day version and an apocalyptic alternative known as the Netherworld, where angels and demons are engaged in a never-ending clash. The presence of these recognisable elements makes the leap easier for Persona fans, while offering a different take on the genre.
Indeed, the signature flair of Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance makes itself known elsewhere. The title aligns more with the traditional JPRG experience, placing a heavier emphasis on combat and leaving out contemporary additions like social links. Where it tempts, though, is exploration. As the franchise’s first foray into open-world design, it gives players the opportunity to play around in a sandbox brimming with many quests. There are, of course, standard dungeons and smaller areas, but Atlas’ latest is a suitable alternative for individuals who love the combat system in Persona, and crave a little more beyond confined urban environments.
For enthusiasts looking to revisit their adventure, the world is more than a mere welcome return. Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance naturally inherits all the features and gameplay elements of its Nintendo Switch progenitor, sprucing up the experience with a slate of updates and several fresh key additions.
The biggest draw here is the brand new Canon of Vengeance story path. Available at the beginning as one of the two must-pick options, it follows the original Canon of Creation scenario before branching off midway, leading to significant changes in the middle and later stages of the story. The 80-hour gameplay experience adds a layer of replayability, allowing fans to relive the best parts of the game and embark on a new adventure at the same time. Together, both routes take around 160 hours to complete.
At the core of this narrative is a mysterious new character called Yoko Hiromine, who becomes one of the protagonist’s allies upon an encounter in Da’at, the first area that players access, and fights alongside him in battle. Within Da’at, things aren’t quite the same as well – there’s now a new region with Shinjuku and its corresponding dungeon Shakan, alongside numerous new quests and sub-quests. Notably, the latter involves time-sensitive events and individuals taking control of various demons.
On the note of these inhuman creatures, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance welcomes 40 additional demons into its ranks, raising the total to over 270. The Nahobeeho, a Jack Frost who resembles the main character, is set to make its debut, with Amabie, a Japanese yokai believed to have appeared in the Higo province during the Edo period, also joining the roster.
There are also greater evils lurking in the shadows, with the Canon of Vengeance storyline introducing a new demon group Qadištu headed by Lilith. In battle, returning players can expect a very comprehensive list of improvements, but some notable ones include Innate Skills, additional Magatsuhi Skills, and a new maximum level.
The first grants passive skills to all demons, allowing them to use power up attacks, strengthen certain types of them, aid in negotiation, and more. Like its predecessor, players will be able to unleash special abilities known as Magatsuhi Skills when the Magatsuhi Gauge is full, except there are now over 50 of them to work with, from dealing heavy damage to healing and buffing parties.
Of the selection, more than 20 newly-added abilities are exclusive to specific demon types, with allies who share the same alignments able to access more abilities. Outside of battle mechanics, navigation is made more convenient with Magatsu Rails – connections between the points that allow for faster travel within Da’at and access to hidden areas.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance may pack new content in spades, but it doesn’t forget its roots. Franchise veterans who are new to the Shin Megami Tensei V experience will find returning features here, such as raising and fusing demons, multiple endings, elemental coverage, and exceptional soundtracks both in and out of combat.
For JPRG traditionalists, this enhanced version includes an easier difficulty option that makes it more accessible for newcomers – a particularly nifty addition, considering that challenging gameplay is one of its defining traits. Much of its core mechanics are built on genre fundamentals, such as a party system, with some welcome tweaks to the formula. The Auto-Battle mechanic, for instance, has been separated into Auto-Attack and Auto-Skill, which triggers normal attacks and targets enemy weaknesses respectively.
From longtime fans to fresh blood, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance satisfies various JPRG tastes with its own spin on the well-worn genre. Unlike before, the game can be found on all major platforms, marking a good start for individuals wanting or looking to hop on the familiar-yet-different experience.
PC owners won’t have to worry too much about hardware specs, either, for Atlus’ latest can run on entry-level requirements – namely, 6GB RAM and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti or AMD Radeon HD 7750 graphics card. It’s never too late to embark on a new journey, and the wide availability offers the best reason to do so now.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is available now on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and the Microsoft Store.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
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