Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance Review – Femme Fatales and Demon Hunting

I wouldn’t blame anyone for thinking Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is a simple re-release of the 2021 classic. After all, it isn’t the first time Atlus has done something like that. The best example that comes to mind is Persona 5 Royal. It included new story beats and a whole new semester to explore at the end. But that’s not what SMT V: Vengeance is. This iteration is essentially two games in one package. It is the ultimate version of this JRPG. Vengeance is brimming with many QoL features, more accessible combat, and two 80-hour routes to pursue.

As soon as I started a new game, I couldn’t help but see Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance as a Persona 5 Royal situation. Initially, I expected this new version to push its new content almost to the end. It didn’t. Vengeance smacks you with the new story beats in its first few hours and essentially changes most of the first chapters. It then ramps up a bit in the middle with new areas and encounters and changes the last half of the plot entirely. Despite the familiar characters, demons, and locations, I felt like I was playing a completely different game at every turn.

All Routes Lead to Doom

When you start a new save, you can pick between the Canon of Creation, the game’s original route, or the Canon of Vengeance, this version’s new story. I went with the latter, of course. As someone who already made a hundred-hour journey in 2021, I expected the first hours to be the same. Instead, I was dazzled at the minuscule yet relevant changes. For example, the Jouin High School part changes drastically, thus modifying almost everything you experience at Shinagawa. This continues throughout the game as you progress through seemingly familiar locations. Encounters vary, dialogue choices change, and you even get new companions to join you in this demon-riddled version of Tokyo.

Beyond the changes, what matters most in the Canon of Vengeance route is its focus. The heaven versus hell type of narrative takes a bit of a backseat and instead introduces its group of villainesses: The Qadištu. A group of femme fatales with their own agenda wreaking havoc in an already dilapidated Tokyo. Sadly, that’s as far as I can go because, let’s face it: even the tiniest detail about a JRPG’s story can spell spoilers. But let me tell you something: if you thought the stakes were high in the first game, wait until you meet this doom quartet.

Frankly, one thing I loved about Vengeance is that it never lost its gritty and dark setting in the new route. I dare say all of that was enhanced even further. There were moments throughout the story, even in the first few hours, that made my jaw drop. Contrary to the first route, the pacing isn’t an issue here. In Canon of Creation, I felt the narrative’s pacing was a bit tedious. But not here. Every part is perfectly told. In Shin Megami Tensei V, I put my controller down to take a few breaks between certain main objectives. Meanwhile, on this route, I lost track of time while trying to learn what was happening.

A Demon Fusion a Day Keeps the Angels Away

The one thing I’ve always loved about Shin Megami Tensei V, which applies to Vengeance, too, is how it plays like an unhinged Pokemon. Fluffy creatures aside, I love being able to convince some of the world’s most wicked minions to do my bidding. I may not have a loyal yellow mouse that calls lightning down on everyone, but I have a Succubus ready to whip everyone into submission. And you know what? You get attached to those hellish fiends, even more so with the new features that come with this package.

To begin with, the turn-based system didn’t get a complete overhaul. It didn’t shift to allow more player inputs in real-time or an ATB system like Final Fantasy. Instead, it improved upon it by adding new skills that require certain combinations of demons, increasing the demon Pokedex repertoire, and even giving you new temporary allies. It felt fresh to justify a new 80-hour grind fest but familiar enough not to confuse those who played the 2021 release.

What I can tell you is my absolute favorite thing about Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance — and this goes for newcomers, too — is the fusion mechanics. At all times, I was playing a teenage Victor Frankenstein trying to create the perfect creature. Putting Demons into the grinder is more satisfying than it sounds. It’s great to see all the skills you can make them inherit and the wacky combinations you can pull off. For example, one Demon that should be a healer turned into a glass cannon for my team. Meanwhile, a tank-like fiend became a physical DPS for my party.

Furthermore, there are many things for the non-combat side of things. The one I enjoyed the most was the Demon Haunt feature. Since there isn’t a social aspect à la Persona where you can romance your human companions, Vengeance opted for a feature to let you socialize with your Demons. Yes, you can even give them gifts. And no, there isn’t a romance option for the fan-fiction writers out there. Instead, as your affinity with them raises, they get stat boosts or new skills, which you can use to create the ultimate fighter.

On top of that, there is a plethora of QoL features that make exploring and playing much easier. Due to how challenging the game is, save points being far away was always an issue. Not anymore. You can save anytime and anywhere. Or the addition of Magatsu Rails. A sort of fast-travel option that takes you to a save point or secret encounters. Overall, Vengeance offers a balanced experience for everyone. It is still what die-hard fans want from the series, but accessible enough to welcome new players into these chaotic lands.

Post-Apocalyptic Tokyo Never Looked So Good

All Atlus games remain, at least for me, some of the most original anime-themed games in the market and some of the easiest to recognize. The eyes, the facial expressions, the gruesome creature design; it’s all here. Also, since Vengeance is coming to modern platforms, the graphics look crisp. The textures pop out even more, and the framerate is quite smooth. Throughout my journey on PS5, I never experienced stutter or pop-in. I faced a few UI glitches, but most of them disappeared after reloading the game.

By now, we know that Atlus’ soundtracks feel like the most random Spotify playlist. That’s not me saying it’s of poor taste. On the contrary, the soundtrack is marvelous! You have your combat music with techno beats and the occasional church-like choirs for epic battles. If there’s one thing I’d say I didn’t enjoy much, it is certain voice acting. Sometimes, it feels like there’s no emotion where it should be. A plot twist happens meant to surprise everyone, and they act as if they had missed their bus. That’s not on the voice actors but rather the direction. Still, there are only a few moments like that, and I can count them with one hand, so it isn’t too bad.

The Ultimate Megaten Experience

Usually, I’m a bit hesitant to play long games such as Shin Megami Tensei V again. Not because they are tedious. But because you only get to experience the shocking moments once. A character’s demise, the thrill of beating a fearsome foe; you can’t get that feeling twice. Or that’s what I thought until Vengeance. With so many relevant differences, it truly felt like a completely new game from start to finish. And oddly enough, I felt even more attached to this iteration’s story than the first one. It truly felt like a high-stakes adventure with difficult choices and nail-biting moments.

Once again, Atlus is proving its games are a masterclass in everything regarding JRPGs. The memorable characters, the music that sticks with you after each session, and the larger-than-life plot are hard to emulate, but the developers keep raising the bar with each release. Vengeance gives me hope for the company’s future endeavors. And while I feel nostalgic for another Shin Megami Tensei game reaching its end, I hope this installment paves the way for a sixth entry further down the road.