Despite having one of the longest runs in the genre, Shin Megami Tensei has never gained the same level of recognition as other genre mainstays. Even its spinoffs, most notably Persona, have become so insignificant in comparison to the core series that they have discarded the SMT branding from their names. Every new Shin Megami Tensei release is heralded by fans as the potential turning point for the mainstream franchise in the West, and Shin Megami Tensei V in 2021 seemed to be the series' greatest opportunity to expand its viewership.
Though Shin Megami Tensei V's release amid an unusually busy Christmas season and its confinement to the Nintendo Switch didn't help it, the game is back and better than ever. In keeping with Atlus's custom, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is an improved and enlarged version of the first role-playing game that incorporates a tonne of new features, fixes issues raised by the first release, and—most importantly—is available on many platforms. But in many respects, this goes well beyond just being an enhanced port; rather, it seems like SMTV was always supposed to be.
Retaliation in Full
The Canon of Vengeance, an entirely new plot, is the primary new feature of SMTV: Vengeance. At the beginning of the game, you have the option to choose the Canon of Creation, which is the original Shin Megami Tensei V plot. This isn't the Persona game extended edition where a new chapter is tacked on at the conclusion of the regular tale. Even though their opening hours are identical, the Canon of Vengeance and the Canon of Creation are quite different.
It was justified to criticize Shin Megami Tensei V's original plot for being too light, even by SMT standards. Characters were terribly underused, and the storyline lacked sufficient substance to keep the action moving beyond the essential elements that led to the credits. Fortunately, the storyline of the Canon of Vengeance is stronger.
Along with the new plot twists, human individuals may now temporarily join your party and converse with you and your demon collection in the brand-new Demon Haunt hangouts. Though it's not as developed as something like Persona, the primary plot of the Shin Megami Tensei series isn't actually focused on that.
Greetings from Hell
Primary Vengeance is a master at both excellent fighting and horrible atmosphere, which are the hallmarks of SMT. Shin Megami Tensei V has the best atmosphere, no matter which narrative path you choose. In a manner that is unmistakably Shin Megami Tensei, the game is isolating and lonely, and it's great to see that Vengeance has not only refused to back down from its harsh side but has strengthened its identity.
You'll spend the first several hours of the game exploring the deserted remains of what was once Tokyo, getting to know a new world that is callous but not necessarily bad. The sound of an electric guitar being shredded periodically breaks up the discordant murmurs. You begin out in quest of answers, without direction. Then a demon demands twenty dollars from you. Vengeance is Shin Megami Tensei at its best when it comes to moods. It's so sure of itself that it won't mind if you talk about haircuts with a wandering demon.
Push for the Benefit
Combat and partying still make up the majority of the SMTV experience, however, and Vengeance improves upon these staple elements of the beloved franchise. The primary press-turn combat system is still in place; extra turns are awarded for hitting targets or making critical strikes, and rounds are subtracted for assaults that miss.
In Vengeance, after you win in a battle in a crowded location, other waves of opponents may emerge. In order to make grinding less painful, you may now accelerate the animations. Additionally, there are new auto-attack and auto-skill settings that allow the game to take control. With these little adjustments, the turn-based combat in Vengeance seems much more lively.
Furthermore, as long as you use the proper strategies, a number of adjustments have been made to experience and level scaling to lessen the severity of encounters with powerful opponents. Boss battles will not allow you to auto-attack, but if you have the correct buffs, debuffs, and party composition, you may defeat powerful demons at lower levels.
Catch 'Em All
Is RequiredThe party structure and strategic aspects of Vengeance's battle have undergone the most substantial modifications. The basic objective of SMT games is to assemble a demon ideal squad, and Vengeance adds many more levels to the process of team creation. Demons now possess inborn passive abilities that are nontransferable, encouraging you to use some demons over others. Additionally, while assembling your army, keep in mind that similar-type demons might band together to launch potent group strikes during combat.
Dyad Compendium fusion has been added to make fusion even simpler. This allows you to merge a demon that is in your possession with one that is registered in your compendium, saving you the hassle of summoning a demon just to abandon it in a fusion. The actual heart of Shin Megami Tensei V is in gradually expanding your demon roster and combining them to create hybrid movesets like some kind of scientific concoction; Vengeance only adds even more weapons to your arsenal.
Furthermore, Shin Megami Tensei V's basic edition differed from its predecessors in that it placed more of an emphasis on side content and exploration. That's made much greater by vengeance. Even with the addition of Magatsu Rails, which let you swiftly travel over the world and even find new places, Vengeance has improved the fun factor of running about, gathering recovery orbs, and looking for hidden Minami and other valuables. Strong new enemies known as Magatsuhi demons may also emerge at random, and fresh Aogami Husks may be gathered to provide the heroine access to new abilities only she can use.
I like being unfair.
SMT's combat is at an all-time high because to these new features and enhancements to the quality of life. Nonetheless, don't assume that the game has been simplified. While Shin Megami Tensei V is a cruel game, its appeal lies in allowing you to return the favor. Shin Megami Tensei may seem intimidating at first, particularly for those who are unfamiliar with the series, but the real appeal lies in gradually becoming proficient in the game's mechanics and using your power over demons to subdue them.
Granted, the new save anywhere function does make it less unpleasant when you miss attacks, lose turns, and get rolled by a random demon in a matter of seconds, but you can also do the same to them. The press turn system makes it seem like bullying to attack eight times in a row and to use a strong Magatushi talent that makes all eight of those assaults critical hits, but that's what makes SMTV so exciting.
The Conclusion
When everything is considered, Vengeance seems remarkably unfinished in compared to the original Shin Megami Tensei V. It's undoubtedly the most extensive game redesign that Atlus has ever created, with so many new elements that work so beautifully together that can hardly believe they weren't there in the first place. Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is the perfect addition to the series, bringing a plethora of fresh material to the already excellent skeleton that SMT is renowned for, along with several much-needed quality-of-life upgrades.
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