Shin Megami Tensei V Reviews

Vengeance provides a host of additions, improvements, and quality-of-life adjustments that transform an already-great RPG into a classic.

“Shin Megami Tensei 5 is yet another gem for the Nintendo Switch that every JRPG fan needs to check out.”

Shin Megami Tensei V’s advancements in combat and demon fusion make for an incredible RPG with some minor problems that do little to tarnish the full experience.

In the time between Shin Megami Tensei V’s announcement and release, three different versions of Skyrim came out. Six Call of Duties were released. As did a torrent of phenomenal JRPGs that reinvigorated and changed the foundations of the genre. Xenoblade Chronicles, Tales of Arise, Persona 5, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Nier: Automota, Dragon Quest XI, and of course the return of the king with Final Fantasy VII REMAKE. Shin Megami Tensei V is releasing to a different world than the one it w...

Shin Megami Tensei V, or SMTV for short, is the most high profile release the series has ever had, period. Up until now it has been one of those series that, while being popular in Japan, was still a niche interest here in the West. I am reminded of the massive success seen by Fire Emblem: Awakening, which brought the then-waning franchise into a worldwide spotlight that renewed interest in the Fire Emblem series for years to come. It feels as if this was ATLUS’ attempt at the same trick Wh...

If you're in for a challenge and got time on your hands, then Shin Megami Tensei V has a lot of content for you to enjoy. Certain parts might seem a little dragged out, but it's a fantastic RPG on the Nintendo Switch with in-depth gameplay systems that is equal parts punishing and rewarding.

A console sequel to the Shin Megami Tensei series that I wish the game had stronger hardware to utilize. The combat is still enjoyable and is the reason to play the game, everything else is just an afterthought and it shows.

It’s been a while since I’ve played a JRPG quite as captivating as Shin Megami Tensei V. Its dangerous world is a pleasure to explore, and recruiting a small army of demons is shockingly addictive. Some may be disappointed by the lack of story scenes, but I enjoyed the fact that it just lets you get on with developing your party without any fluff; the focus here is on the journey. If you’re a Shin Megami Tensei fan or into RPGs that favour gameplay over storytelling, consider this a must-have.

Shin Megami Tensei V brings players an old-school challenge with some modern concessions.

Not as popular as its spin-off Persona, Shin Megami Tensei returns to deliver one of the best RPGs on the Switch – even if it may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

Shin Megami Tensei V demands players be patient, pay attention, and learn from their failures, but it's never unfair. It balances the series' difficulty with enough tools to make it accessible to franchise newcomers.

Once again, Tokyo is plunged into chaos as the apocalypse draws near and it's up to an unlikely protagonist to save the day.

The Shin Megami series has always reflected the darkness and cruelty of the world we live in, offering a reminder that the odds are often stacked against us, and unfair circumstances can cause great loss. But it also captures the beauty of rising up against those daunting challenges to stand tall – even when things seem impossible, we somehow persevere. That’s what makes the Shin Megami Tensei franchise shine, but the road to these victorious highs is filled with demoralizing lows. Voluntarily putting your energy into something that requires extra fortitude, commitment, and patience may not seem that appetizing at first glance, but no game has made me feel the rush of victory and satisfaction of testing my skill quite like Shin Megami Tensei V.  SMT V sticks close to the franchise’s roots, meaning if you’ve played any entry in the series, you know what to expect: confronting a world in ruin, taking on extremely challenging bosses, and feeling the rush of getting more powerful by recruiting demons to fight at your side. Shin Megami Tensei V is content giving fans more of the same while making a few improvements along the way, mainly in the scope of the world and customization available for your protagonist and demons’ skill sets. These are worthwhile enhancements, and the core formula remains wildly entertaining, but I’m disappointed that Atlus didn’t take more risks and shore up more of the series’ weaknesses, such as confusing map layouts, archaic save points, and maddening difficulty spikes.  Even with these frustrations, the stellar gameplay and progression loop kept me engaged. The turn-based combat is at its best in SMT V, and it’s reminiscent of III’s Press-Turn system. It requires a lot of thought to optimize your turns, which comes down to a mix of buffs/debuffs and exploiting elemental weaknesses. Watching your bonus actions pile up each turn by landing critical strikes or hitting an enemy’s weaknesses is a delight. Special “Magatsuhi skills,” which can be used once you fill a gauge by doing things like blocking or landing attacks, only add to the fun. These special skills drastically change the tide of battle, doing everything from refilling your party’s MP to guaranteeing critical strikes. I experimented more than I ever have with finding complementary skills to increase damage, and I loved coming up with new tactics based on my demons’ powers.

Shin Megami Tensei 5 is finally here. Five years have passed since the last non-reboot entry in the series was released, and in that time, franchise spinoff Persona has gone from a cult hit to an international blockbuster. It was hard to figure out where Atlus would take SMT in a post-Persona 5 world. Would it take on its progeny’s slice of life and story-centric elements or attempt to reinvent itself some other way? The answer is neither. Shin Megami Tensei 5 sticks to the familiar formula of dungeon crawling and demon negotiating that the series has used for decades.

Shin Megami Tensei V understands its roots in RPG combat, demonic friendships, and plotlines about toppling gods. This new entry takes advantage of the next generation of Nintendo console and improves vastly in look, feel, and in world exploration.

Humanity has lived on Earth for thousands of years, leading simple lives while unaware of the true nature of the world and of the forces that have been waging war since time immemorial for its control. Things, however, have started taking a bizarre turn lately, and some people in Tokyo have started seeing strange creatures roaming the city, kidnapping people, and generally causing trouble. The vast majority of the population doesn't believe in these rumors, but as more time passes, it becomes clear that the world is changing. And so is the Shin Megami Tensei series with Shin Megami Tensei V.

Atlus has never made a game like Shin Megami Tensei V before, for better and for worse. Despite some changes, the fifth entry is a solid continuation of a long-lived series.

Shin Megami Tensei V is a masterfully made JRPG and fascinating work of art. While the characters could have used more fleshing out and the leveling curve is wildly uneven, it’s still incredibly fun with thrilling combat and a gripping plot.

A staggering scope of ambition paired with a frankly absurd amount of mechanical depth make Shin Megami Tensei 5 one of the most impressive role playing games ever, and a must play for any and all fans of the genre.

While Shin Megami Tensei 5 is rough around the edges, fans of the series will be satisfied. However, newcomers and those not impressed by the previous entries best approach with caution.

Shin Megami Tensei V is a triumph, boasting a stellar narrative and combat system with unique style all its own.

It doesn't have the emotional brevity of the excellent Nocturne, nor does it present the same kind of moral quandaries that IV did. It certainly looks better and plays incredibly well, and from a gameplay perspective, this would easily be the most accessible entry of the bunch. It won't disappoint series fans, especially those who have been waiting for a series comeback for years, but it might be time for Atlus to think about where the series is headed next.

The Shin Megami Tensei games have often been some of the most mechanically inventive and unique, and that remains the case with SMT5. Combat is challenges and dynamic, and the party-building options are limitless. My only issues with the game boiled down to JRPG tropes that likely won’t bother hardcore fans. It’s not only an excellent JRPG, but a wonderful new entry in one of the genre’s most influential games.

Shin Megami Tensei V is one of the best RPGs of 2021. It has an immensely-enjoyable combat system, some of the best and most varied battle music we’ve heard in a long time, and all the demonic creatures we’ve come to love from the series. It’s not without its flaws, though, as the pacing is slow and unrewarding, the plot is barely there for most of the game, and there are sharp difficulty curves. Regardless, this is a lengthy 50+ hour adventure that will have you enthralled through most of it, traversing the fractured world and collecting every single demon in the process. Even with a number of issues, Shin Megami Tensei V is a standout Nintendo Switch game that should not be passed up on.

Although it's been a while since the last mainline game, Shin Megami Tensei V lives up to the hype. This is a JRPG you won't want to miss.