Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance Reviews
While we find the policy of re-releases questionable, we must recognize that Atlus has shaped this time what will surely go down in history as the definitive version of Shin Megami Tensei V, a title that on Switch was too limited by the lack of power of the hardware.
Review in Italian | Read full review
In short, Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance is an absolute gem, which not only leaves its exclusivity aside, but is now within the Xbox catalog and should not be missed. Also, if you are a JRPG lover, this game is for you.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
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
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance feels like the version of the game ATLUS always wanted to make. It's fixed most of the issues from the original release, and despite still having a few flaws, is a deeply rewarding experience.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance adds enough new content and fixes enough problems to more than justify this update. It's a much better experience overall, and is an easy recommendation for JRPG gamers…especially if you lost your way during the original release.
While the Vengeance re-release doesn't fundamentally change what Shin Megami Tensei V is, numerous adjustments and improvements allow SMTV to be the best version of itself.
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.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance has cleared up every issue I had with the original game and then added even more awesomeness to the package. Well worth the purchase.
Overall, Shin Megami Tensei V Vengeance is all about building a more streamlined and player-friendly experience. While the game’s difficulty hasn’t gone anywhere, it feels like Vengeance is doing its best to make you enjoy that experience and remove as many roadblocks as possible. The new Canon of Vengeance story is big, exciting and entirely unapologetic about taking a different path to the original story – giving returning SMTV players just as much to enjoy as new players. Playing on PS5 rather than the original Switch also let me enjoy the game’s world in much greater fidelity, and Vengeance takes full advantage of that to show just how gorgeous its huge maps are. While its combat is not for the faint of heart, the game’s rich, branching story offers plenty to enjoy over multiple playthroughs.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance adds numerous quality-of-life improvements and drastic changes to the story and exploration that make the original game seem outdated. Plus, since the original campaign is still available in the Path of Creation, you are technically getting two games in one package. The new characters give you more reasons to care about the narrative, the new exploration options are thrilling, and the Press Turn combat system is as rewarding as ever. The series's eccentricities may not be for everyone, but no other franchise provides an experience quite like Shin Megami Tensei.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance eclipses its predecessor in every way, making it one of the best turn-based JPRGs of the year.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance doesn't just feel like the definitive version of Shin Megami Tensei V, it also feels like a new potential template for ATLUS's future re-releases. Between a much improved narrative, the same addicting gameplay loop, heightened visuals and a smorgasbord of content, it's hard to find a lot to dislike in this package.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is a radical upgrade of the original.
Review in Chinese | Read full review
While giving players the option of a core and arguably 'fixed' SMTV experience, Atlus delivers the most approachable core Megaten title worthy of all JRPG fans' attention.
Vengeance is for Shin Megami Tensei V what Royal was for Persona 5 some years ago: the best possible version of one of the more refined and fascinating JRPGs of the last decade. This is the version to choose if you haven't played it before and the one to replay if you've already dived into the original title.
Review in Italian | Read full review
SMT V: Vengeance is a definitive version of a catchy RPG title. Coming to more platforms, bringing much more content, demons, new characters and even gameplay enhancements, this is the one version to play. Even Switch players can enjoy the new storyline and enjoy features like never before.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Just as Persona 5 Royal added something meaningful enough to actually be worthwhile, without being a full sequel or changing anything that people liked about the first game, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance really does deserve the moniker “ultimate version of the game.” You’re going to need a ridiculous amount of time to play it (again), but if you enjoyed it on any level the first time around, you’re going to love what the development team has done to it this time.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is easily the definitive version of the game. Almost every gameplay change is an improvement that makes the game more fun to play, and the addition of the new storyline means that even returning players have plenty of fresh encounters to experience. At its core, it is still the same game but polished and improved enough that I found the entire experience to be a delight. It's a must-have for fans of the franchise, and even those who prefer the more plot-heavy Persona titles will find a lot to enjoy in Vengeance.
That said, I've learned my lesson and will be waiting until the enhanced version for Metaphor: ReFantazio - which hopefully will come out on the Switch's successor.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is set to become the definitive edition of Shin Megami Tensei V. Some of its changes may be insufficient to fix the original's biggest problems, but it does an incredible job of elevating it and bringing it that much closer to reaching its potential. ATLUS did it again and delivered a re-release that's worth checking out regardless of whether you finished the original game or if it's just your first approach.
Review in Spanish | Read full review