Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance Reviews
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.
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.
Vengeance combines the fresh, familiar, and the fiendish into one incredible RPG.
Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance is what happens when you take a very good game, tackle every one of its flaws, and add far more content than anyone could ask for. It is a joy to play, devilishly difficult in all the right ways, and replayable to a fault - it’s proving hard to find the motivation to play anything else.
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.
Vengeance provides a host of additions, improvements, and quality-of-life adjustments that transform an already-great RPG into a classic.
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.
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 is an absolutely wonderful RPG, with loads of new features that you'd be foolish to miss.
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
Atlus has managed to make a new version that surpasses the original work in everything (again, because they always do this well with their games). Not only with the obvious improvements at a playable and visual level, but because the new content turns Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance into a product that borders on the label of "new game" and not "new version." One of the best JRPGs of the year and, possibly, the best SMT of the series.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
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.
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
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.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance makes one of the best open-world RPGs around even better.
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
However, Atlus certainly knows how to create an engaging challenge and an ending that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance requires a substantial time commitment and is geared more toward those in search of a hardcore JRPG, meaning it isn’t going to be a hit with everyone. Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance offers more than enough to encourage both returning and new players with an interest in visiting this new addition to the SMT lineup and is the definitive way to experience this grandiose tale of the powers of good, evil, and revenge.
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.
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 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.