Shin Megami Tensei V Reviews

Shin Megami Tensei V is ranked in the 95th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
May 20, 2021

While this remaster is slightly underwhelming, and certain aspects of the game have become a little dog-eared, Shin Megami Tensei 3 is still worth checking out. It's a rather unique experience that stands out even in an age where its spinoff series has diluted many of its more interesting facets.

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4.5 / 5.0
Nov 4, 2021

It’s not a stretch to say that Shin Megami Tensei V has set a new standard for JRPGs. It’s amazing to see how far along this series has come since the initial inception of Megami Tensei, and the fact that ATLUS can continue to improve the series without compromising its core features. Shin Megami Tensei V has been a long time coming, but the wait has absolutely been worth it—and I’m more excited than ever to watch the SMT franchise continue to grow.

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9 / 10.0
Nov 4, 2021

If I could describe the latest MegaTen joint with one phrase, it would have to be “a lot.” This game is a lot.

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8 / 10
Nov 4, 2021

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.

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9 / 10.0
Nov 4, 2021

Shin Megami Tensei V is pretty much the sequel that fans have been waiting for. There are a few potentially controversial decisions, such as the emphasis on an open-world area instead of the franchise classic dungeons, but they ended up working out in the end. The gameplay was fun from start to finish, and the 40-hour runtime seemed to fly by thanks to excellent pacing. If you liked Nocturne but wished it were more modern, SMT5 is the game you've been waiting for.

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IGN
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Nov 4, 2021

Shin Megami Tensei V's excellent JRPG combat and deeply rewarding customization shine bright, even when it sometimes feels like Persona without the heart.

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9 / 10.0
Nov 4, 2021

I have now spent over 50 hours playing Shin Megami Tensei V — a game that I adore, but also one with a few faults. This RPG on the Nintendo Switch will bind you in its tangled, storied web of angels versus demons, of power struggles to see who will take the Throne of God, but the web is marred by some unfortunate navigation and technical issues.

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8.5 / 10.0
Nov 4, 2021

Shin Megami Tensei V has a deep and satisfying combat system making every fight a challenge, as well as an engaging story and great visuals.

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9 / 10
Nov 4, 2021

Shin Megami Tensei V is a modern masterpiece. It successfully delivers on all the aspects that have made the series thus far so popular with fans-namely through its high difficulty, heavy narrative themes, and expansive team-building options-while polishing up and tightening the weaker aspects. Things like a more easily navigable map and more difficulty options to cater to players of all skill levels comfortably make this the most approachable entry in the series, and it feels like there's more things to do in the world than ever before. If you are at all a fan of RPGs or have been looking for a good entry point into this oft overlooked series, we would strongly encourage you to pick this up as soon as you can. Shin Megami Tensei V was worth the wait, Atlus has successfully stuck the landing with this one.

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90 / 100
Nov 4, 2021

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.

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9.5 / 10.0
Nov 4, 2021

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.

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Nov 4, 2021

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

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9 / 10.0
Nov 4, 2021

Now that we've finally closed the book on the 2017 Switch presentation, I think Shin Megami Tensei V might be my favourite game to emerge from that show. That's not a comparison I make lightly given the other games that appeared that night, but for my money and time it was worth the wait. Pokemon might be ending the year of RPGs on Switch, but SMT V is the best monster catcher for your buck yet.

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CGMagazine
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
Nov 4, 2021

Shin Megami Tensei V is an excellent Switch exclusive worthy of its name, with the game feeling like the natural next step in the long-running series while introducing new elements that elevate it above even its contemporaries while not straying too far from its roots, offering fans a must-play experience and for everyone else, a JRPG worth jumping into.

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4 / 5.0
Nov 4, 2021

Shin Megami Tensei V is one of the best RPGs of 2021.

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8.7 / 10.0
Nov 4, 2021

Shin Megami Tensei successfully builds over the third entry in the franchise, upping the ante with a great combat system and more freedom to explore. One of the best JRPGs in the last few years and a great exclusive for the Nintendo Switch.

Review in Italian | Read full review

9 / 10.0
Nov 4, 2021

Shin Megami Tensei V succeeds in not just living up to that legacy, but being a glorious RPG in its own right.

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9.5 / 10.0
Nov 4, 2021

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.

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Unscored
Nov 4, 2021

There are more quality-of-life updates that go beyond combat. While roaming through areas, you will now stumble upon orbs that can recharge your health, SP (mana for magic attacks), or Magatsuhi gauge. The return pillar allows you to return to the last checkpoint you interacted with on a whim without any penalization (perfect to save your game, restore health to your party for a small fee, visit the merchant, or fuse demons). Loot is fairly generous as well; a companion character who follows you around pinpoints item spots that sometimes lead to fights, but more often than not just grants you an item.

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9 / 10.0
Nov 4, 2021

Shin Megami Tensei V feels like a natural symbiosis from Nocturne and Apocalypse, packs on it a lot of new features and solves some of the problems of the older games. The verticality and collecting are extremly fun, the story is great and offers interesting characters. It only suffers a bit from being exclusive on the Nintendo Switch

Review in German | Read full review