Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is The Definitive RPG

The Shin Megami Tensei series might not be for everyone but the latest “V: Vengeance” release is likely the best game in the franchise to date. This re-release of the 2021 Shin Megami Tensei V game on Nintendo Switch doesn’t drastically change the recipe but offers some cool new content to enjoy. This makes it great for newcomers and even for those who are returning to the game after playing the original.

I also reviewed Shin Megami Tensei V back in 2021 when it launched on Nintendo Switch. You can read that review here, however, if you’re looking at getting into the game, this version is likely the better edition.

Essentially speaking, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is a definitive edition and includes new content and various quality-of-life features that make the experience much better the second time around. The game still follows the iconic war between the demons and angels and the story structure can remain intact. However, when you start Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance for the first time, the game asks if you would like to go down the route of “Vengeance” by “taking her hand” or to “not take her hand”.

Depending on your choice will determine which campaign you experience. Taking her hand will provide the remixed Shin Megami Tensei V game with new story chapters, characters, side missions, battles and overall a fuller, beefier package. The story is almost the same as the player is born as a demigod and has to explore an apocalyptic version of Tokyo which is infested with demons and angels.

The Vengeance route does introduce a number of new characters into the game. There’s a new companion named Yoko Hiromine and a new group of demons led by a number of main antagonists. Of course, new characters come with the opportunity to explore backstories and develop friendships. Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance doesn’t shy away from exploring this and I enjoyed how these humans were fleshed out across the game.

If anything, it was baffling to know that an entire game version existed before Vengeance without Yoko seeing as how she is given so much screen time. She also plays quite a crucial role in the story. Atlus did a great job weaving her into the lore. The bad guys, on the other hand, work as more support plot points than anything else and don’t really add much to the story. They do, however, deliver some epic battles which is enough for me.

Without spoiling anything, the Vengeance path also comes with a few changes to the flow of the game much later down the line. Given how the story changes, some areas and open-world hubs are switched out to accommodate these new plot points. Some of these changes are quite drastic such as the open-world hub area which is completely replaced with a new one. Again, Atlus did an excellent job weaving all this new content into a pre-existing gameplay structure.

The whole process sort of reminds me of Kingdom Hearts. Similar to how Kingdom Hearts II ReMIX acted as the “definitive” game with new bosses, story beats and areas to explore, the same is said of Vengeance. It goes without saying that you need to be a die-hard fan to replay this game again. I would jump on a new KH ReMIX instantly. A new SMT game, however, wouldn’t be my first choice. But I am glad I did it anyway.

That’s because Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance does have some stellar moments during its 40+ hour campaign. There are some wonderfully crafted battles and story moments to experience. The game still suffers from some major plot holes in the original but they don’t take away from the climactic ending here at all. They just left me scratching my head (for the second time).

If you haven’t played an SMT game or need a refresher, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance follows the series’ usual turn-based combat. Throughout the game, you can obtain daemons to help fight alongside your party and build a team with various elemental affinities to counter your enemies.

Vengeance relies heavily on its tactics mechanics in combat too. This means buffing your party with stats changes and debuffing enemies is crucial to victory. It also helps that certain elemental exploits can grant extra turns in combat so you’ll want to focus on the deeper layers at play here.

I often found myself stuck during some boss fights because I strayed off the “tactical” path. After a few retries and a number of changes to my team and attack patterns, I then came out victorious. These defeats forced me to take a step back and rework my plan. In a way, it provided the deep RPG experience I was craving. If anything, these features are sorely lacking across some games today.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance does stray off the path when it comes to its padding. Side quests lack depth and excitement but are important to the game’s progression and levelling up. Some quests saw me fight off some cool bosses which were obviously optional to that set quest. Some quests also delivered a few decent story beats here and there. But you need to really care about the overarching story and world to stay invested here.

There’s also no denying that this is an SMT game. It comes with all the adult themes and dark humour you would expect from it. Sometimes an enemy would look like a sexy toy because it was designed after one. Often, female monsters would have some crazy boob physics as they flew around the screen. You can’t question these design choices. Just enjoy them and move on. Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance doesn’t lack personality, that’s for sure.

After finishing Shin Megami Tensei V for the second time now, I can’t recommend Vengeance enough. Not only does the game run better on PS5 but the new content here makes this experience worthwhile. If you’re a fan of the series, this is a no-brainer. However, if you’re new to the series and you’re craving a good and detailed RPG, this is that and more.

This Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance review is based on a code sent to us by Atlus. The game is now available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Switch.