Our Verdict
Providing a surprising visible improve, an excellent new story, and a vastly rewarding fight system, Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance is formally the perfect and solely option to play Atlus’ beloved JRPG.
In November 2021, the Nintendo Swap noticed the launch of Shin Megami Tensei 5 – the most recent mainline entry in Atlus’ JRPG collection that led to the extra extensively recognized – and arguably extra well-liked – Persona video games. Regardless of optimistic evaluations, the bold SMT 5 was inarguably held again by its launch platform of selection, with efficiency woes and different points stopping it from incomes the widespread mainstream recognition it deserved consistent with its spinoff counterparts.
Virtually three years later, Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance is excess of only a visually enhanced and extra technically steady model of the unique launch. An equal to the likes of Persona 4 Golden and Persona 5 Royal, Vengeance is an almost-perfect entry level to Shin Megami Tensei for each JRPG newcomers and longtime followers alike. All of the whereas, veteran SMT 5 gamers can re-enjoy the unique and expertise one thing fully new multi function package deal – really being the perfect of each worlds.
Vengeance shines brightest on two fronts: the large visible and efficiency upgrades over the unique, and the abundance of additional content material within the new Canon of Vengeance storyline. At its core, SMT 5’s story stays the identical in Vengeance. You begin as a younger excessive schooler who out of the blue will get transported to an alternate post-apocalyptic Tokyo overrun by demons. Earlier than being slaughtered by its inhabitants, you’re out of the blue fused with the mysterious demon generally known as Aogami to change into a Nahahino – a strong god-like hybrid who can even recruit, summon, and management demons within the typical SMT/Persona trend. Alongside allies outdated and new, you quickly be part of Bethel, a longstanding group on the heart of the continuing conflict between angels and demons.
Whereas newcomers and returning SMT 5 lovers can nonetheless select to dig into the unique model’s story and spiritual allegory, the namesake Canon of Vengeance presents an excellent higher 50-70-hour marketing campaign of its personal. Together with twists like the brand new accompanying human character, Yoko Hirmomine, and the antagonist demon foursome known as the Qadištu, Vengeance rapidly helps SMT 5 overcome its most notable weaknesses.
The authentic model’s forged felt extra cookie-cutter and consistent with JRPGs of the previous. Within the Canon of Vengeance, nevertheless, not solely do the Qadištu deliver new life to in any other case unimportant scenes with participating boss battles, however Hiromonie’s character, fight capabilities, and function within the group dynamic make key story moments play out in wildly completely different and extra satisfying methods. When all’s mentioned and achieved, SMT 5 newcomers can nonetheless return to the unique model right here to see how in a different way issues play out, that means Vengeance presents two distinct alternate-reality adventures.
It’s clear from the soar that Vengeance is the glow-up SMT 5 all the time wanted. Watching the sport’s dramatic cutscenes, battles, and exploring Da’at in a excessive decision at 60fps, it’s unattainable to conceive of going again to the unique. With added gloss on the semi-realistic character fashions, steel surfaces, glistening waters, shimmering sands, and even the duller ruins of each Tokyo cities, SMT 5’s presentation has come a good distance.
You too can count on full controller assist, which works much better than mouse and keyboard with regards to exploration. Then again, Vengeance’s added quality-of-life options don’t really feel like they go far sufficient. Whereas the new choice to manually save at any time as an alternative of simply at quick journey factors is trigger for celebration, an autosave operate would have granted higher peace of thoughts to these frightened about shedding progress to the sport’s hardest battles. Sadly, the demon recruitment mechanic can nonetheless be unnecessarily annoying in the event you enter negotiations with a full social gathering, as you may solely liberate slots exterior of battle.
What’s extra, the sport’s humble Swap origins stay pretty apparent in elements. Even when enjoying on a 16GB Razer gaming laptop computer, which is above really helpful specs, you’ll nonetheless see occasional situations of pop-in and body fee drops. However, no matter immersion breaks you would possibly expertise can be rapidly forgotten because of this improve’s added cinematic enchantment.
Regardless of which story path you choose at the beginning of your playthrough, Vengeance’s turn-based fight is simply as satisfyingly troublesome as ever with out threatening to make you pull your hair out. Persona followers could have the simplest time adjusting because of the acquainted creatures, gadgets, and mechanics, however the tutorials will rapidly assist even Atlus newcomers discover their means.
Maintaining the identical comparability, the only option to describe SMT 5’s fight is ‘Persona on onerous mode.’ Together with grinding by way of aspect quests and experimenting with its affinity system to change social gathering abilities and weaknesses, you’re additionally inspired to discover and platform round Da’at. If you happen to neglect the sport’s warnings to organize for highly effective bosses, know that Vengeance isn’t above one-hit-kill assaults that may blow your total social gathering away.
However by forcing you to contemplate and plan your builds, social gathering composition, and technique, the sport makes each success really feel all of the higher – much more so when your fights are paired with an epic rock soundtrack and punctuated with splendidly cinematic assaults. Finally, you’ll come away from Vengeance feeling grateful for the depth of its programs and the way they pushed you to change into higher. For all these causes, this is formally the perfect and solely option to play Atlus’ beloved JRPG.