Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance Reviews
Vengeance combines the fresh, familiar, and the fiendish into one incredible RPG.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance offers a lot for players, both old and new; an impressive enhanced art style, multiple story paths, and a definitive sense of the series progressing from what it once was. There may not be a ton of new things to justify purchasing the game again, but the additions that are here are excellent at keeping fans intrigued about what's going to happen next. Long-time fans will likely already know what they're getting into, as the game hasn't changed its turn-based combat and capture loops in a while. Still, those same fans have kept these games going until now, and Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is another in a long line of enjoyable titles in the long-running series.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance doesn't necessarily make drastic improvements upon the 2021 original, but its new storyline and content additions are reason enough to revisit an already great RPG, or start fresh if you missed it the first time.
A reincarnation of the 2021 Japanese role-player, that addresses every flaw of the original – and even if some issues remain it's still a very enjoyable alternative to the Persona series.
This remixed approach could be confusing to a newcomer. Luckily, Vengeance accounts for that too, and the choice of which version to pursue is presented in-game in a way that’s practically seamless. It simply feels like yet another option in a game and series full of choices that impact where the narrative goes. There isn’t special attention drawn to it, nor does it feel like an awkward attempt to replace or undermine the original. It’s just more SMT V to dive into, which for an already jam-packed RPG full of narrative agency and monster-collecting action, is more food on the table for the feast. And it was a hell of a feast to begin with.
I, like many others, used to describe the Megami Tensei series as “Pokémon for adults,” but I no longer believe that shorthand is entirely accurate. Megami Tensei is Pokémon for the ruthless, those able to exchange compassion and attachment for the cold reality of spiritual warfare. Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance’s “save anywhere” feature, overworld shortcuts, and shallow storyline, however, result in a too-frictionless and therefore flat experience. The moment-to-moment gameplay may still be as fulfilling as any previous Megami Tensei game when it strikes a delicate balance between new and old mechanics, but Vengeance’s overall lack of texture fails to live up to the important narrative themes of struggle, loss, sacrifice, and rebirth established by the franchise over the last 40 years.
Vengeance provides a host of additions, improvements, and quality-of-life adjustments that transform an already-great RPG into a classic.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is an excellent addition to the franchise that's a must-play for franchise fans, and well worth picking up for those curious about dipping their toes in the water. The difficulty level is still there, but it has become a lot more manageable thanks to quality of life updates. Just don't be disappointed if you show up expecting Persona, as the narrative and story qualities of the latter is a world apart.
Thanks to a ton of changes, additions, and improvements, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance has gone from being a great RPG to one of the best. Even if you played it (and finished) it back in the day, it's worth returning to this wonderful post-apocalyptic world of demons, angels, and challenging turn-based combat.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
A refined edition not to be missed, which however could have done better in terms of plot and level-up balance.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Atlus has done more than just a port with some improvements. Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is a successful game that surpasses its predecessor, a challenge to the conventions of the SMT saga itself and a more accessible gateway for new players, but one that veterans will enjoy as well
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is an absolutely wonderful RPG, with loads of new features that you'd be foolish to miss.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is a stellar example of an enhanced re-release done right. Its comprehensive approach to improving the story and various gameplay systems of the original release makes for an experience that's even more engrossing than the already excellent original game. Though we were disappointed by the lack of any performance gains here, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is still an extremely easy recommendation for any RPG fans. Some may consider SMT to be "Persona without the heart," but SMT V: V cleanly demonstrates that this old Atlus stalwart still has an abundance of fantastic gameplay and unique appeal.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance makes one of the best open-world RPGs around even better.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is the definitive way to experience SMTV. The new story is much more interesting and makes a perfect entry point for Persona fans, though it does miss out on some important plot points. The tweaks to combat make things feel that much tighter and strategic. With new bosses that even veterans will struggle with, Vengeance feels like an entirely new game.
All in all, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is an excellent revision of a game I already liked. It’s still more sci-fi than horror, but a delightfully cynical tale nonetheless. And Yoko is a very engaging heroine in all her bitter glory. If you liked the original Shin Megami Tensei V, or even just thought about playing it, check Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance out. You won’t regret it.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is the definitive way to play Atlus' devilish game of demon fusion, with a new suite of bells and whistles to smooth over what can, at times, still be an abrasive gameplay experience. It's incredibly combat-heavy, which can become oppressive, but working towards raising that perfect demon remains as engaging as ever.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance breaks the shackles that initially bound it to a far too modest hardware to finally shine on a range of systems capable of enhancing its visionary beauty. On top of that, a resounding series of additions makes the handling of demons even deeper, while an alternative story line will keep even those who lost sleep over the Switch version happy.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is a brutal experience where every decision you make feels impactful. The world is brimming with personality, and the demons are fun to talk to and play with. Vengeance has a lot going for it, and the quality of life improvements make it one of the best JRPGs released on the PlayStation 5.
If you played the original Shin Megami Tensei V, Vengeance offers more of what made this installment special. Canon of Vengeance is an entertaining story with a series of twists that will surprise you, while those who will enter this world for the first time will be able to enjoy the definitive version of this title, with two campaigns and a lot of content. Just as it was in 2021, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is positioned as a must-play game, and something that JRPG fans have to play no matter what, even in a year when this genre has not stopped giving us some of its best modern exponents.
Review in Spanish | Read full review