Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance Review – A Modern Masterpiece Echoing the Golden Age of RPGs

The landscape of modern role-playing games is often a delicate balance between innovation and the cherished nostalgia of what came before. In this constantly evolving digital realm, certain titles manage to capture the spirit of bygone eras while forging their own distinct path forward. Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance stands as a prime example of such an achievement. While some might draw parallels to the fondly remembered PlayStation 2 era of RPGs, we find that Vengeance transcends mere reminiscence, offering a deep, challenging, and ultimately rewarding experience that feels both timeless and profoundly contemporary. Our journey through its post-apocalyptic Tokyo, now shattered and teeming with demonic entities, has been nothing short of phenomenal, a testament to Atlus’s mastery of the genre.

A World Forged in Ruin: The Unfolding Narrative of Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance

The foundational premise of Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance sees players assume the role of a high school student thrust into a devastated version of Tokyo, known as Da’at. The world as we know it has been violently overthrown by a cataclysmic event, leaving humanity in ruins and the divine and demonic realms in direct conflict. This is not a subtle invasion; it is an overt, brutal takeover. You awaken with amnesia and a curious ability: the power to absorb and command demons. This duality, the human caught between warring celestial factions, forms the very core of the narrative.

The Vengeance iteration significantly expands upon the original Shin Megami Tensei V narrative. It introduces a new storyline focusing on two distinct pathways: the Law route and the Chaos route, each with its own unique cast of characters, story beats, and ultimately, endings. This adds a layer of replayability and narrative depth that was present in the original but is now considerably amplified. The introduction of Adah, a powerful angel, and Yazata, a mysterious demon, as central figures in the new content provides fresh perspectives and compelling motivations that intertwine with the existing cast. We were particularly impressed with how these new narrative threads managed to enrich the overall lore, offering more context and emotional weight to the ongoing conflict. The choices you make are not merely tactical; they are moral and philosophical crossroads that shape the fate of humanity and the supernatural beings that now inhabit the world.

The Heart of the Battle: Mastering the Press Turn System and Demon Negotiation

At its mechanical core, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance retains the series’ signature turn-based combat system, refined and enhanced. The Press Turn system remains a brutal yet elegant mechanic. Each turn, your party gains a set number of actions, represented by Press Turns. Exploiting enemy weaknesses – whether through elemental attacks, physical prowess, or status ailments – grants you additional Press Turns, allowing for devastating combo attacks. Conversely, missing an attack or having a spell reflected will cost you valuable turns, leaving you vulnerable. This risk-reward dynamic is the beating heart of every encounter, demanding strategic planning and a deep understanding of your demons’ capabilities.

The demon negotiation system returns in full force, offering a unique avenue for acquiring new allies. Instead of simply defeating all foes, players can engage in dialogue with individual demons. These conversations are often a delightful mix of humor, intimidation, and persuasive arguments. A successful negotiation can lead to a demon joining your party, either for free or for a price in Macca, the game’s currency. However, failure can result in the demon leaving, attacking you, or even demanding more resources. This element adds a captivating layer of personality and unpredictability to the combat, making each encounter feel less like a rote battle and more like a strategic social encounter. The Vengeance edition offers even more dialogue options and interactions, further deepening this engaging mechanic. We found ourselves spending considerable time trying to recruit specific demons, often to great effect, transforming difficult encounters into manageable ones through careful negotiation.

A Symphony of Strategy: Party Building and Demon Fusion

The true depth of Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance lies in its demon fusion system. This is where players can truly sculpt their party to overcome the myriad challenges Da’at throws their way. By taking two or more of your allied demons to the Demon Consultation Room in the Great Underpass, you can combine them to create a new, often more powerful demon. The key lies in understanding demon inheritance, where specific skills can be passed down from parent demons to their offspring. This allows for an incredible amount of customization, enabling players to create demons with synergistic abilities tailored to specific boss fights or exploration needs.

We spent hours experimenting with different fusion combinations, meticulously selecting skills that would complement our party’s strengths and cover their weaknesses. The sheer breadth of available demons and skills is staggering, offering a near-limitless potential for strategic party building. Whether you need a demon resistant to fire for a particular dungeon, or one that can inflict status ailments to debuff a powerful boss, the fusion system provides the tools to achieve it. The Vengeance update further enhances this by introducing new demons and new fusion recipes, adding another layer of complexity and discovery for both new and returning players. Mastering this system is not just about making your party stronger; it’s about understanding the intricate web of demon affinities and resistances, a core tenet of the Shin Megami Tensei experience.

The Unforgiving Gauntlet: Difficulty and Progression

It is crucial to address the notorious difficulty of the Shin Megami Tensei series, and Vengeance is no exception. This is a game that demands respect. As the initial prompt succinctly puts it, “You’re going to die. Just accept it.” This is not hyperbole. Early encounters can be surprisingly brutal, and even seemingly minor demons can inflict significant damage if you are unprepared. Boss battles are often multi-phased tests of endurance and strategy, requiring you to analyze attack patterns, exploit weaknesses, and manage your resources meticulously.

The game encourages a deliberate approach to progression. Saving often is paramount, as a single misstep can lead to a devastating loss of progress. Grinding for experience is often a necessity, not a sign of inefficiency. This involves venturing into areas with suitable enemy levels to level up your protagonist and your demons, acquiring new skills, and strengthening their base stats. Exploration is intrinsically linked to survival. Sticking your nose into everyone’s business, meaning exploring every nook and cranny of Da’at, speaking to every NPC, and engaging in every optional battle, is rewarded with valuable experience points, items, and crucial lore.

The Vengeance edition introduces a new “Return” feature, allowing players to rewind a limited number of turns in combat. While this does offer a small concession to the unforgiving nature of the original, it does not fundamentally alter the game’s core challenge. It serves more as a safety net for minor errors rather than a complete overhaul of the difficulty curve. Batten down the hatches, gird your loins, watch out – these phrases perfectly encapsulate the mindset required to succeed in Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance. The satisfaction derived from finally overcoming a particularly challenging boss after numerous attempts is immense, a testament to the rewarding nature of perseverance and strategic mastery.

A Visual and Auditory Masterpiece: Art Direction and Sound Design

Beyond its challenging gameplay, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is also a visual and auditory triumph. The art direction is nothing short of spectacular. Character designs, demon designs, and the environmental artistry of Da’at are all meticulously crafted. The desolate, ruined landscapes of Tokyo are rendered with a haunting beauty, punctuated by the stark, often grotesque designs of the demons. The character models are detailed and expressive, while the demon designs are a captivating blend of the familiar and the utterly alien, a hallmark of the series’ artistic identity. The Vengeance content introduces new character designs and demon variations that seamlessly integrate with the existing aesthetic, further enhancing the game’s visual appeal.

The sound design is equally impressive. The orchestral score is epic and evocative, shifting seamlessly between atmospheric exploration themes and pulse-pounding combat tracks. Each piece of music contributes significantly to the overall mood and atmosphere of the game, amplifying the tension during difficult encounters and the sense of wonder during moments of discovery. The voice acting is also commendable, with performances that breathe life into the diverse cast of characters and demons. The crunchy sound effects during combat, from the impact of physical attacks to the crackle of magical spells, provide a satisfying auditory feedback loop that reinforces the visceral nature of the battles.

Beyond the PS2 Comparison: A Modern Evolution

While the initial comparison to PS2 RPGs might stem from a shared sense of deep systems, challenging combat, and a focus on player agency, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance represents a significant evolution of these elements. The graphical fidelity, the intricate world design, and the sheer scope of the narrative are far beyond what was achievable in the PS2 era. However, the spirit of those classic RPGs – the emphasis on strategic depth, rewarding exploration, and a willingness to challenge the player – is undeniably present.

The Vengeance edition, with its expanded story and gameplay mechanics, further solidifies this game’s position as a modern classic. The added content not only provides more of what made the original great but also introduces new layers of strategy and narrative that will appeal to both seasoned fans and newcomers. The sheer depth of customization, the unforgiving yet fair difficulty, and the compelling narrative create an experience that is both reminiscent of the golden age of RPGs and distinctly its own.

Conclusion: A Definitive RPG Experience

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is an uncompromisingly brilliant RPG. It respects the player’s intelligence and rewards their dedication with an incredibly deep and satisfying experience. The game does not hold your hand; it expects you to learn, adapt, and overcome. From the intricate demon negotiation and fusion systems to the strategic intensity of the Press Turn combat, every element is designed to engage and challenge.

The addition of the new storyline, with its expanded cast and branching paths, elevates an already excellent game to new heights. The narrative choices have genuine weight, and the journey through Da’at is filled with memorable moments and difficult decisions. While the difficulty may deter some, those who embrace the challenge will find a profoundly rewarding adventure that lingers long after the credits roll.

For fans of challenging JRPGs, demon-collecting mechanics, and rich, dark narratives, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is an absolute must-play. It is a game that demands your attention, your strategy, and your perseverance, but the rewards for doing so are immense. It is a testament to the enduring power of well-crafted RPG systems and a powerful reminder of why the genre continues to captivate players across generations. This is not just a good game; it’s a defining experience in the modern RPG landscape.