Shin Megami Tensei V [a] is a 2021 role-playing video game developed by Atlus for Nintendo Switch. It is part of the Shin Megami Tensei series, the central series in the Megami Tensei franchise. It was published by Atlus in Japan, and Sega in the West. The game follows a high school student who is drawn into the Da'at, a post-apocalyptic realm inhabited by warring factions of angels and demons after Lucifer kills the Creator. Merging with an artificial demon he becomes the Nahobino, a being capable of taking the Throne of Creation and remaking the world. The story has multiple endings dictated by the player's choices and alliances. The gameplay features free-roaming exploration of Da'at, a turn-based battle system based on exploiting weaknesses, and a Demon recruitment system allowing the player to recruit and fuse demons fight alongside them.
Production of Shin Megami Tensei V began prior to 2017, with the aim being to blend elements from Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne and Shin Megami Tensei IV. Returning staff included producer Kazuyuki Yamai, artist Masayuki Doi, and composers Ryota Kozuka and Toshiki Konishi. Production was prolonged due to using the Unreal Engine and developing for the Switch. Journalists praised the gameplay design and graphics, but faulted aspects of its story and inconsistent technical performance. The original release sold over one million units worldwide by 2022.
An expanded version for eighth and ninth generation consoles and Windows, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, was released in 2024. In addition to expanding and refining the gameplay, new storyline elements were introduced and some planned or cut content was reused. Vengeance was generally seen as an improvement on several aspects, and saw better technical performance outside the Switch.
Shin Megami Tensei V is a role-playing video game in which players control the Nahobino, a fusion of human and demon who explores the post-apocalyptic realm of Da'at.
The expanded version Vengeance, alongside having a larger roster of demons and a new storyline route, adds new gameplay elements. [5] Rest spots called Demon Haunts allow the Nahobino to speak with demons in their party, with some offering side quests and boosting the Nahobino's statistics. [6] [7] Traversal across Da'at is expanded with Magatsu Rails, grind rails connecting different areas or leading to secret locations with enemies and collectables. [5] [7] Demon navigators can be used to hunt for items outside of story sequences. [6] Consecutive battles can be triggered if other demon groups are near an attacked enemy. Human characters can now join as party members in combat, having an assigned demon that dictates their abilities and strengths. If certain demons are held by the player, a special attack combining their powers can be used on enemies. [6] [8] There is also the ability to save progress anywhere in the environment, and trigger an overhead view of areas to help with navigation. [7]
Shin Megami Tensei V began development prior to 2017 at Megami Tensei developer Atlus. [9]
Localization of the game ran parallel to the game's writing and development, which lead editor John Moralis called both positive due to the need to closely communicate with the team, and challenging due to needing to rewrite or scrap lines. Localizing demon conversations, which was a large task, was split up with different writers assigned different demon groups so there could be consistent running gags between different demons. Translating the main story was a collaborative effort, with regular staff communication to ensure everyone knew how different characters had to talk. [21] Casey Mongillo, who voiced the protagonist in English, deliberately kept his delivery "fairly neutral" while allowing for tonal variation. Due to the protagonist's silent role in-story, Mongillo had no idea what the game's story was. Describing his delivery, Aogami's voice actor Daman Mills described the character as initially "robotic" without being emotionless, and growing audibly attached to the protagonist over time. [22]
On June 13, the original version and its DLC were delisted from digital stores in anticipation of the release of Vengeance. [24]
Following the success of Shin Megami Tensei V, the team wanted to expand the title and series onto other platforms, taking criticism of the original into account. [25] This expanded version, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, was developed for Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. [26] Takata and Komori returned respectively as producer and director, [27] while Doi returned as character and demon designer. [28] Gameplay focused on refining and rebalancing existing elements, such as improving navigation, adding new difficulty levels, adjusting items and demon behaviors, rebalancing level scaling to be fairer to lower-level parties, and adding new gameplay elements. [25] [28]
The new narrative borrowed from a backstory element of an ancient battle between the "Horned God" and the "Serpent" which was part of the overarching scenario but never touched on in-game. While the original narrative used the perspective of the Horned God, the new one would focus on the Serpent. This story decision influenced the overarching theme of vengeance by an oppressed group, and which demons would be added to the new version. In addition to the new campaign, the team added further dialogue and quests to the original to flesh out the cast, which had seen criticism by players for a lack of depth. Doi returned to design Yoko, who was planned for the original release but dropped to focus on the other characters. [28] Yoko as a character was intended as a "heroine of chaos" to contrast against Tao. [27] Doi also proposed the presence and designs of the Qadištu, drawing on one interpretation of the word as representing an oppressed minority and choosing demons who were associated with ruin and temptation. [28]
Kozuka returned to create new music for Vengeance, estimating that the music had been increased by 80% counting the new tracks for the Vengeance storyline and other additions, including twenty new battle themes. Kozuka described the new scenario's music as "dark and a bit bewitching", stating that he and Atlus Sound Team remained conscious during development about incorporating the new tracks while maintaining the pre-established musical tone. [27] A soundtrack album was released on June 14. [29]
After being leaked during 2023 and 2024, [30] [31] Vengeance was officially announced February 2024. [26] Initially announced for a worldwide release on June 21, 2024, it was later moved up to June 14. [32] Vengeance includes all the original version's DLC, and two new pieces of DLC featuring two demons: Dagda from Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse, and new demon Konohana Sakuya. [26] Switch save data cannot be transferred between the original and Vengeance, but having save data from the original allows players to transfer three demons in the Vengeance compendium. [33] Promotional materials included a themed bottle of sake in Japan, [34] and a promotional video featuring the heavy metal band Slipknot. [35]
Aggregator | Score |
---|---|
Metacritic | 84/100 [36] |
Publication | Score |
---|---|
Electronic Gaming Monthly | 4/5 [37] |
Famitsu | 36/40 [38] |
Game Informer | 8.25/10 [39] |
GameSpot | 8/10 [2] |
IGN | 8/10 [3] |
Nintendo Life | 9/10 [4] |
Nintendo World Report | 9/10 [40] |
Aggregator | Score |
---|---|
Metacritic | 84/100 (Switch) 88/100 (PS5) 90/100 (PC) |
Publication | Score |
---|---|
Famitsu | 36/40 [41] |
Game Informer | 9/10 [42] |
GameSpot | 9/10 [6] |
IGN | 8/10 [7] |
Nintendo Life | 9/10 [43] |
Nintendo World Report | 9/10 [44] |
TouchArcade | 5/5 [45] |
Shin Megami Tensei V received "generally favorable reviews" according to review aggregate website Metacritic, earning a score of 84 out of 100 based on 103 journalist reviews. [36]
Shin Megami Tensei V [a] is a 2021 role-playing video game developed by Atlus for Nintendo Switch. It is part of the Shin Megami Tensei series, the central series in the Megami Tensei franchise. It was published by Atlus in Japan, and Sega in the West. The game follows a high school student who is drawn into the Da'at, a post-apocalyptic realm inhabited by warring factions of angels and demons after Lucifer kills the Creator. Merging with an artificial demon he becomes the Nahobino, a being capable of taking the Throne of Creation and remaking the world. The story has multiple endings dictated by the player's choices and alliances. The gameplay features free-roaming exploration of Da'at, a turn-based battle system based on exploiting weaknesses, and a Demon recruitment system allowing the player to recruit and fuse demons fight alongside them.
Production of Shin Megami Tensei V began prior to 2017, with the aim being to blend elements from Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne and Shin Megami Tensei IV. Returning staff included producer Kazuyuki Yamai, artist Masayuki Doi, and composers Ryota Kozuka and Toshiki Konishi. Production was prolonged due to using the Unreal Engine and developing for the Switch. Journalists praised the gameplay design and graphics, but faulted aspects of its story and inconsistent technical performance. The original release sold over one million units worldwide by 2022.
An expanded version for eighth and ninth generation consoles and Windows, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, was released in 2024. In addition to expanding and refining the gameplay, new storyline elements were introduced and some planned or cut content was reused. Vengeance was generally seen as an improvement on several aspects, and saw better technical performance outside the Switch.
Shin Megami Tensei V is a role-playing video game in which players control the Nahobino, a fusion of human and demon who explores the post-apocalyptic realm of Da'at.
The expanded version Vengeance, alongside having a larger roster of demons and a new storyline route, adds new gameplay elements. [5] Rest spots called Demon Haunts allow the Nahobino to speak with demons in their party, with some offering side quests and boosting the Nahobino's statistics. [6] [7] Traversal across Da'at is expanded with Magatsu Rails, grind rails connecting different areas or leading to secret locations with enemies and collectables. [5] [7] Demon navigators can be used to hunt for items outside of story sequences. [6] Consecutive battles can be triggered if other demon groups are near an attacked enemy. Human characters can now join as party members in combat, having an assigned demon that dictates their abilities and strengths. If certain demons are held by the player, a special attack combining their powers can be used on enemies. [6] [8] There is also the ability to save progress anywhere in the environment, and trigger an overhead view of areas to help with navigation. [7]
Shin Megami Tensei V began development prior to 2017 at Megami Tensei developer Atlus. [9]
Localization of the game ran parallel to the game's writing and development, which lead editor John Moralis called both positive due to the need to closely communicate with the team, and challenging due to needing to rewrite or scrap lines. Localizing demon conversations, which was a large task, was split up with different writers assigned different demon groups so there could be consistent running gags between different demons. Translating the main story was a collaborative effort, with regular staff communication to ensure everyone knew how different characters had to talk. [21] Casey Mongillo, who voiced the protagonist in English, deliberately kept his delivery "fairly neutral" while allowing for tonal variation. Due to the protagonist's silent role in-story, Mongillo had no idea what the game's story was. Describing his delivery, Aogami's voice actor Daman Mills described the character as initially "robotic" without being emotionless, and growing audibly attached to the protagonist over time. [22]
On June 13, the original version and its DLC were delisted from digital stores in anticipation of the release of Vengeance. [24]
Following the success of Shin Megami Tensei V, the team wanted to expand the title and series onto other platforms, taking criticism of the original into account. [25] This expanded version, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, was developed for Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. [26] Takata and Komori returned respectively as producer and director, [27] while Doi returned as character and demon designer. [28] Gameplay focused on refining and rebalancing existing elements, such as improving navigation, adding new difficulty levels, adjusting items and demon behaviors, rebalancing level scaling to be fairer to lower-level parties, and adding new gameplay elements. [25] [28]
The new narrative borrowed from a backstory element of an ancient battle between the "Horned God" and the "Serpent" which was part of the overarching scenario but never touched on in-game. While the original narrative used the perspective of the Horned God, the new one would focus on the Serpent. This story decision influenced the overarching theme of vengeance by an oppressed group, and which demons would be added to the new version. In addition to the new campaign, the team added further dialogue and quests to the original to flesh out the cast, which had seen criticism by players for a lack of depth. Doi returned to design Yoko, who was planned for the original release but dropped to focus on the other characters. [28] Yoko as a character was intended as a "heroine of chaos" to contrast against Tao. [27] Doi also proposed the presence and designs of the Qadištu, drawing on one interpretation of the word as representing an oppressed minority and choosing demons who were associated with ruin and temptation. [28]
Kozuka returned to create new music for Vengeance, estimating that the music had been increased by 80% counting the new tracks for the Vengeance storyline and other additions, including twenty new battle themes. Kozuka described the new scenario's music as "dark and a bit bewitching", stating that he and Atlus Sound Team remained conscious during development about incorporating the new tracks while maintaining the pre-established musical tone. [27] A soundtrack album was released on June 14. [29]
After being leaked during 2023 and 2024, [30] [31] Vengeance was officially announced February 2024. [26] Initially announced for a worldwide release on June 21, 2024, it was later moved up to June 14. [32] Vengeance includes all the original version's DLC, and two new pieces of DLC featuring two demons: Dagda from Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse, and new demon Konohana Sakuya. [26] Switch save data cannot be transferred between the original and Vengeance, but having save data from the original allows players to transfer three demons in the Vengeance compendium. [33] Promotional materials included a themed bottle of sake in Japan, [34] and a promotional video featuring the heavy metal band Slipknot. [35]
Aggregator | Score |
---|---|
Metacritic | 84/100 [36] |
Publication | Score |
---|---|
Electronic Gaming Monthly | 4/5 [37] |
Famitsu | 36/40 [38] |
Game Informer | 8.25/10 [39] |
GameSpot | 8/10 [2] |
IGN | 8/10 [3] |
Nintendo Life | 9/10 [4] |
Nintendo World Report | 9/10 [40] |
Aggregator | Score |
---|---|
Metacritic | 84/100 (Switch) 88/100 (PS5) 90/100 (PC) |
Publication | Score |
---|---|
Famitsu | 36/40 [41] |
Game Informer | 9/10 [42] |
GameSpot | 9/10 [6] |
IGN | 8/10 [7] |
Nintendo Life | 9/10 [43] |
Nintendo World Report | 9/10 [44] |
TouchArcade | 5/5 [45] |
Shin Megami Tensei V received "generally favorable reviews" according to review aggregate website Metacritic, earning a score of 84 out of 100 based on 103 journalist reviews. [36]