Shin Megami Tensei V Reviews
SMT V is a welcome return to home consoles for the series with an intriguing world to explore, filled with challenging encounters that are immensely satisfying to overcome. If not for the technical limitations of the Switch holding it back from being experienced in its best possible form, it could have been a new classic.
What we don't get are colorful main characters or an act that grabs us from the start. But if a challenging combat system and a darkly exciting world are more important than tough teenagers to save the world, then Shin Megami Tensei V is the game for you.
Review in Swedish | Read full review
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.
Ignoring some unpleasant technical hiccups like unstable framerate and poor asset streaming, and also a rather basic storyline, Shin Megami Tensei V is a big gift for the fans, and a great opportunity to jump into the series for new players.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Shin Megami Tensei V manages to improve on a supposedly perfect combat system by introducing new options that offer a welcome extra level of complexity. The storyline is a little less convoluted than usual, and the graphics engine struggles at times, but the end result is a truly impossible-to-drop RPG and one of the most successful exponents of the genre on Switch.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Shin Megami Tensei V is an incredible achievement. While it comes off as less of a horror game than previous entries in the series, its sheer scale and eerie presentation more than make up for the lack of dedicated scares. In some ways, I feel that gaming technology has finally reached the point that it’s able to convey the tone and feel that Shin Megami Tensei has been trying to capture since the 80s. There’s a lot packed into this game, especially if you play on a higher difficulty, which I definitely recommend doing. If you’re allergic to grinding, there is an optional Safety difficulty that will let you focus on the story instead, but you’ll still probably spend a lot of time exploring the expansive game world and getting lost between buildings.
If you like weird, deep, engaging and often challenging tactical combat, Shin Megami Tensei V is a devilishly good time that offers plenty to sink your teeth into.
Featuring a new approach to exploration and extremely solid gameplay, Shin Megami Tensei V masterfully balances innovation and tradition to offer an excellent JRPG experience. While the technical issues can get in the way, the game's quality is so high that most will be willing to look past them, as Shin Megami Tensei V is one of the best entries in the series and one of the best JRPGs released in 2021.
Shin Megami Tensei V is one of the best RPGs of the year. A memorable installment, and a good introduction to the series. Without a doubt, spectacular
Review in Spanish | Read full review
There are excellent RPG gameplay ideas powering Shin Megami Tensei V, but they’re left stranded in search of a worthwhile role to play.
Shin Megami Tensei V marks another excellent addition to the franchise thanks to an addictive demon collecting mechanic, a plethora of subquests and collectibles to find, and challenging battles that keep you on your toes. It can be overly grindy and the visuals can look dated at times. Its streamlined mechanics and a new character progression and skill system, however, helps keep things fresh while also keeping the core mechanics that SMTV fans have come to love. It's not Persona 5. And that's a good thing.
At the end of the day, I’m not so sure that Shin Megami Tensei V really pushes the envelope forward for the series. 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.
Shin Megami Tensei V revels in JRPG traditions and, while it does mark a leap forward for the franchise, its excellence is at odds with its approach.
It's not winning any awards for graphics, but Shin Megami Tensei V is a well-designed JRPG that has just a little too much combat. Even with such an interesting story and themes to explore, it instead focuses on grinding and fighting the same enemies over and over.
Shin Megami Tensei V is both an evolution and a twist in the formula that has made the Atlus saga famous all over the world. From the point of view of the combat system, it introduces new mechanics such as Magatsuhi Abilities and Essences, which complete a harmonious mosaic and give some of the most memorable boss fights ever.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Shin Megami Tensei V is the Japanese RPG equivalent of mid-century modern design, as the classic style and attitude of the series gets enhanced by—but never replaced with—simpler and sleeker refinements and modernizations. In a moment when Atlus could have given Persona’s sibling series a more market-friendly makeover, the company has instead given us a game that’s as weird, punishing, and mysterious as any previous SMT release that came before. As a longtime fan who wasn’t sure if the team at Atlus still had games like this in them, Shin Megami Tensei V is shockingly satisfying—well, as long as you don’t ask too much of its characters or story.
Shin Megami Tensei V on Nintendo Switch retains all the strategic combat elements the Atlus franchise is known for, all while radically revolutionizing its world design to create an adventure that is completely addicting and flawlessly complements the battle system. It's a truly remarkable achievement. In fact, while some people think SMT should borrow more from its spinoff Persona franchise, Shin Megami Tensei V makes me wonder if maybe Persona could learn a thing or two from its older brother.
Shin Megami Tensei 5 is yet another gem for the Nintendo Switch that every JRPG fan needs to check out.