Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance emerges as the definitive and substantially expanded edition of Atlus’s critically acclaimed fifth numbered entry in the revered Shin Megami Tensei series. This action-packed demon-collecting RPG is not merely a re-release; it’s a meticulously enhanced experience that breathes new life into an already robust foundation. Designed to appeal to both veterans of the SMT franchise and newcomers alike, Vengeance offers an unprecedented wealth of content, narrative depth, and refined gameplay mechanics that elevate it beyond its original iteration.

The Shin Megami Tensei series has long been celebrated for its challenging difficulty, intricate narratives steeped in philosophical and mythological themes, and its iconic demon negotiation and fusion systems. With SMT V, Atlus delivered a sprawling post-apocalyptic vision of Tokyo, known as Da’at, where humanity clings to survival amidst a brutal war between angels and demons. Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance takes this compelling premise and expands upon it dramatically, introducing an entirely new storyline alongside the original. This ambitious undertaking provides players with a fresh perspective on the cosmic conflict, allowing them to explore the familiar yet altered landscape of Da’at from a truly different angle.

While the series is no stranger to expanded versions – previous examples include Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse and Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster – Vengeance distinguishes itself by being exceptionally content-rich and remarkably approachable. It addresses previous criticisms and capitalizes on the strengths of the original, delivering a package that feels comprehensive and thoughtfully executed. This expanded edition isn’t just about adding more; it’s about perfecting the formula and offering a more engaging and accessible entry point into the demanding world of Shin Megami Tensei.

Two Paths, One Apocalyptic World: Canon of Creation vs. Canon of Vengeance

At the heart of Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance’s appeal lies its groundbreaking narrative structure, offering players not one, but two distinct story paths: the original “Canon of Creation” and the all-new “Canon of Vengeance.” This dual narrative approach is a significant enhancement, providing unprecedented replayability and an enriched understanding of the game’s lore and characters.

The “Canon of Creation” remains untouched, providing a polished and familiar experience for those who adored the original Shin Megami Tensei V. In this path, players assume the role of the protagonist, a seemingly ordinary high school student who is suddenly thrust into the otherworldly realm of Da’at after a catastrophic event. Merged with a mysterious entity to become a Nahobino – a powerful being capable of wielding demonic powers – the protagonist navigates the desolate landscapes of a ruined Tokyo, making profound choices that will ultimately shape the fate of both humanity and the divine. This path explores themes of creation, order, and the established struggle between Heaven and Hell, offering a classic Shin Megami Tensei philosophical journey. Veterans of the series will appreciate the chance to revisit this intricate tale with the added benefit of Vengeance’s various gameplay refinements and visual upgrades.

However, it is the “Canon of Vengeance” that truly defines this expanded edition. This brand-new storyline introduces a fresh perspective, throwing players into the shoes of the fallen who seek retribution against those responsible for their demise. This path features new characters and an enigmatic cohort of demons known as the Qadištu, an ancient group whose motives and origins add layers of intrigue to the existing narrative. The Qadištu’s presence introduces new factions, alliances, and moral dilemmas, promising a darker, more personal tale of revenge and consequence. Players will find themselves questioning established notions of good and evil, justice and retribution, as they uncover the secrets behind the Qadištu’s vendetta and their place in the grand cosmic war. The shift in perspective from upholding the established order to challenging it from the viewpoint of those wronged offers a compelling contrast, making both storylines feel essential to fully grasp the complexities of the world.

The inclusion of these two parallel narratives ensures that Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is far more than just an expansion; it’s a re-imagining of the core experience. Each path provides unique insights into the motivations of key characters, revealing previously unseen facets of the Angels, Demons, and even the mysterious entity that grants the protagonist their power. The choices made within each canon resonate differently, encouraging multiple playthroughs to witness the full scope of Atlus’s storytelling ambition. This innovative narrative design enriches the overall experience, establishing Vengeance as a benchmark for how to successfully expand upon a beloved RPG.

Evolved Gameplay: Accessibility Meets Depth

One of the most significant triumphs of Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance lies in its fully evolved gameplay, which strikes an impressive balance between maintaining the series’ signature layered design and offering increased accessibility. Atlus has meticulously refined core mechanics and introduced quality-of-life improvements that make the journey through post-apocalyptic Da’at more engaging and less daunting for a wider audience, without compromising the deep strategic combat and intricate demon management that fans expect.

The improved battle system stands as a testament to this evolution. At its core, SMT V: Vengeance retains the celebrated Press Turn Battle System, where exploiting enemy weaknesses grants extra turns, while hitting resistances can cost them. Vengeance refines this system, making turn economy feel even more dynamic and strategic. Player feedback from the original SMT V has been incorporated, leading to tweaks that streamline combat encounters, perhaps through clearer UI, more intuitive skill descriptions, or adjusted enemy AI. These improvements ensure that every battle, from skirmishes with common demons to epic boss fights, feels impactful and demands thoughtful execution, rewarding players who master the system.

Demon interactions have also been significantly enhanced. The iconic demon negotiation system, where players engage in dialogue with enemy demons to recruit them, is more robust than ever. New dialogue options, more varied demon personalities, and potentially a more forgiving system for unsuccessful negotiations could be among the improvements. Furthermore, demon fusion – the process of combining two or more demons to create a new, often more powerful one – remains central. Vengeance likely introduces new fusion combinations, more transparent skill inheritance mechanics, and perhaps even easier ways to manage and sort through one’s growing demon army. These enhancements make the core gameplay loop of collecting, negotiating, and fusing demons feel deeper and more rewarding, allowing players to craft truly personalized and powerful rosters.

Field exploration in Da’at has been expanded and refined, transforming the desolate landscapes into more engaging environments. The “wider field exploration” suggests not just larger areas, but potentially more verticality, hidden pathways, and secrets to uncover. Movement mechanics might be smoother, platforming more precise, and the integration of traversal abilities (like gliding or high jumping, already present in SMT V) could be more seamlessly woven into level design. New areas are certainly part of this expansion, offering fresh puzzles, unique environmental hazards, and previously unseen demon habitats. This enhanced exploration encourages players to meticulously comb through every corner of Da’at, discovering valuable items, Miman (collectible sprites), and powerful hidden demons.

Despite these layers of complexity, Vengeance is designed to be more accessible. This doesn’t mean easier; rather, it implies better tutorials, clearer explanations of mechanics, and more forgiving early-game progression that eases newcomers into the series’ demanding nature. Perhaps the difficulty settings are more finely tuned, or there are new optional assists that can be toggled without trivializing the experience. The aim is to lower the barrier to entry without diluting the hardcore appeal, ensuring that new players can learn the ropes without feeling overwhelmed, while veterans can still challenge themselves with higher difficulties and intricate strategies.

The seamless integration of these refinements ensures that the core gameplay loop – negotiating with demons, fusing them to create new allies, and engaging in turn-based combat – remains as solid and engaging as ever. Vengeance elevates this foundation, making every aspect of the experience feel more polished, intuitive, and ultimately, more satisfying.

Visual Enhancements and Unforgettable Da’at

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance sets a new benchmark for visual fidelity within the series, presenting the post-apocalyptic realm of Da’at with breathtaking clarity and intricate detail. The leap to 4K resolution visuals is not merely a technical upgrade; it’s a transformative experience that amplifies the game’s unique aesthetic, making the haunting landscapes and grotesque demon designs more impactful and immersive than ever before.

Da’at, the desolate version of Tokyo ravaged by a cosmic war, is a character in itself, and Vengeance allows players to experience its ominous beauty in unparalleled detail. Rendered in stunning 4K, the environmental design shines through. From crumbling skyscrapers swallowed by endless desert sands to infernal caverns pulsating with otherworldly energy, every vista is “breathtaking and rich in details.” The improved resolution brings out the subtle textures of ruins, the eerie glow of ambient light, and the vast, oppressive emptiness of a world abandoned by its gods. The draw distance, environmental effects, and overall graphical fidelity are significantly enhanced, creating an atmosphere that is both visually striking and emotionally resonant.

The artistic direction, a hallmark of the Shin Megami Tensei series, is given its fullest expression in Vengeance. The “haunting landscapes” are imbued with a profound sense of isolation and danger, expertly conveying the narrative’s themes of survival and existential struggle. The contrast between the familiar vestiges of modern Tokyo and the alien flora and fauna of Da’at is more pronounced, emphasizing the profound transformation the world has undergone. Players will find themselves stopping to admire the sheer scale of the ruins or the intricate details of a forgotten shrine, all brought to life with renewed graphical prowess.

Equally impressive are the “grotesque demon designs,” which are a cornerstone of the SMT franchise. Legendary demon artist Kazuma Kaneko’s iconic creations, along with new additions, are rendered with astonishing fidelity. The intricate musculature of a fierce physical attacker, the ethereal glow of a divine being, or the horrifying visages of chaotic demons – all are presented with sharp details and vibrant colors. The 4K resolution allows players to appreciate the nuanced textures of scales, fur, armor, and flesh that make each demon unique. This visual upgrade ensures that every encounter with a demon, whether in negotiation or combat, is a feast for the eyes, highlighting the series’ unparalleled creature design. The enhanced visuals also benefit spell effects and combat animations, making each ability unleash with greater visual flair and impact, contributing to a more dynamic and satisfying battle experience.

The refined graphics pipeline extends beyond resolution, likely encompassing improved lighting models, shadow rendering, and particle effects. These subtle yet crucial enhancements contribute to a more cohesive and believable world, despite its fantastical nature. The visual polish ensures that Vengeance not only retains the distinctive stylistic identity of Shin Megami Tensei but elevates it to new heights, making it an unforgettable visual journey through a world on the brink of oblivion.

Beyond the Core: New Demons, Features, and the Early-Purchase Bonus

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is more than just a graphical update or a new storyline; it’s a comprehensive package designed to expand and enrich every facet of the original experience. Beyond the core narrative paths and gameplay refinements, Vengeance introduces a plethora of additional content and features that solidify its status as the definitive version of Shin Megami Tensei V.

One of the most exciting additions for long-time fans and demon collectors is the inclusion of “over 40 new demons to collect and battle.” This significant expansion to the demon roster means more diverse enemies to encounter, more unique challenges to overcome, and a vast array of new fusion possibilities. These new demons are likely drawn from various mythologies and spiritual traditions, enriching the already extensive compendium and offering fresh strategic options for party building. Discovering and recruiting these new entities adds substantial replay value and encourages players to delve deeper into the game’s intricate demon fusion system.

Accompanying the new demons are a “host of gameplay tweaks” that further polish the experience. While specific details might vary, these tweaks often include quality-of-life improvements such as streamlined menu navigation, faster load times, improved UI elements, and perhaps adjustments to experience gain or item drop rates. Such subtle but impactful changes can significantly enhance the overall flow and enjoyment of the game, making the journey through Da’at smoother and more engaging. These tweaks also extend to the balance of combat, potentially re-balancing skills, spells, and demon affinities to provide an even more refined and fair challenge.

Furthermore, players who purchased the game in advance were entitled to a special early-purchase bonus: the DLC 2 Sacred Treasure Sets. This bonus includes two highly useful items: the Haraedo Bead and the Gleam Grenade. The Haraedo Bead is a invaluable asset on the battlefield, serving the crucial purpose of restoring your allies’ health. This item can be a lifesaver during challenging encounters, providing much-needed sustainability. The Gleam Grenade, on the other hand, is an offensive tool designed to cause damage to enemies, offering a tactical advantage in the early stages or when facing a tough group of foes. Both items are available for permanent use, ensuring that early adopters have a consistent edge throughout their journey. For those who didn’t pre-order, PhanMemFree confirms that the DLC could still be obtained by purchasing a copy on or before June 21, 2024 (12:00 am EST), ensuring a wider window for players to claim these helpful bonuses.

It is worth noting one point of contention: the impossibility of upgrading and transferring complete save files from the original Shin Megami Tensei V. While this was a disappointment for many fans who had invested significant time into their original playthroughs, it highlights that Vengeance is a “self-contained” experience. This decision likely stems from the extensive changes, new content, and altered systems implemented in Vengeance, making a direct save transfer incompatible with the new architecture. While initially frustrating, this also encourages players to fully immerse themselves in the new edition, experiencing both the “Canon of Creation” and “Canon of Vengeance” as fresh, complete narratives. This design choice underscores the ambition of Vengeance as a distinct and fully realized product rather than a mere patch or add-on.

Ultimately, these additions – new demons, gameplay refinements, and valuable early-purchase bonuses – collectively contribute to an even richer and more comprehensive Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance. They demonstrate Atlus’s commitment to delivering a truly expanded and improved experience, ensuring that both returning players and new adventurers have ample reasons to explore the depths of Da’at.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance stands as a testament to Atlus’s commitment to refining and expanding one of its most celebrated RPG franchises. More than just a simple makeover, it is an ambitious and substantial expansion that breathes vibrant new life into the original Shin Megami Tensei V. The introduction of an entirely brand-new storyline, the “Canon of Vengeance,” alongside the refined “Canon of Creation,” offers longtime players a compelling reason to return and experience the cosmic war between angels and demons from a fresh, thought-provoking perspective. For newcomers, the meticulously refined gameplay mechanics provide a more forgiving yet equally deep entry point into the challenging and rewarding world of Shin Megami Tensei.

The enhancements are undeniable across the board. The narrative depth is unparalleled with the dual story paths, offering significantly increased replayability and a richer understanding of Da’at’s lore. Gameplay has been polished to a sheen, featuring an improved battle system, enhanced demon interactions, and wider field exploration that makes traversing the ruined landscapes of Tokyo more engaging than ever. Visually, the jump to 4K resolution transforms the haunting environments and grotesque demon designs into breathtaking spectacles, immersing players fully in the game’s unique aesthetic.

Despite the singular drawback of unavailable save file transfer from the original game – a minor inconvenience when weighed against the sheer volume of new content and refinements – the overall package of Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance exceeds expectations. It successfully broadens the game’s appeal while simultaneously deepening its core mechanics and narrative.

Pros:

• Two captivating story paths: Offers immense narrative depth and replayability.
• Substantially expanded content: Over 40 new demons, new areas, and significant narrative additions.
• Balanced and refined gameplay: Improved combat, demon negotiation, and exploration mechanics.
• Impressive 4K graphics: Visually stunning presentation of Da’at and its inhabitants.

Cons:

• Unavailable save file transfer: Players cannot carry over progress from the original SMT V.

In conclusion, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is not merely an expanded edition; it is the definitive way to experience Atlus’s epic demon-collecting RPG. Its blend of innovative storytelling, polished mechanics, and breathtaking visuals ensures that it will captivate both veterans and newcomers, cementing its place as a monumental achievement in the Shin Megami Tensei legacy. Whether you seek to revisit a familiar apocalyptic struggle or embark on an entirely new quest for vengeance, this expanded edition promises an unforgettable journey through a world on the brink.