SMT V was initially released in 2021 exclusively for the Nintendo Switch and garnered widespread praise. Unfortunately, since the game was only available on that one console, it locked out a lot of players who were hoping for more platforms. Fortunately, fans of the franchise were able to sink their teeth into the updated version of SMT V: Vengeance in 2024.
SMT V: Vengeance follows the protagonist, who is thrown into a post-apocalyptic Tokyo after an accident in the present world. There, he meets Aogami, a mysterious entity who fuses with the protagonist, turning him into a Nahobino. With this new power, the Nahobino must battle throughout a dilapidated Tokyo as he fights against angels and demons alike in his journey to shape the future of all existence.
SMT?
The Shin Megami Tensei (SMT) franchise is known for being unforgiving compared to its sister series, Persona.
They’re both turn-based RPGs. However, SMT games are usually set in a post-apocalyptic setting where the protagonist has to find the strength to once again punch a god in the face.
SMT requires strategic moves to get through battles. If you make a mistake, you will be punished by losing a turn or by death. Knowing how to utilize buffs and debuffs and exploiting the press turn system are the keys to victory.
Persona games technically have multiple endings, but there is only one real ending. If players fail to meet objectives, they will get a game-over screen and be sent back a few weeks to try again. Your choices don’t matter, you’re just playing through a story with a set ending.
However, SMT games have multiple endings based on the choices the player makes throughout the game. Your actions have consequences. In SMT V: Vengeance, players can unlock one of six endings. Two of these endings are exclusive to SMT V: Vengeance. If you have the original game, you will have to buy the updated version.
Story
SMT V’s main storyline is known as the Canon of Creation. This storyline offers four different endings that are told rather disjointedly but still hold up. SMT V: Vengeance introduces the Canon of Vengeance, which gives players two new endings.
The Canon of Vengeance storyline is arguably better than the Canon of Creation storyline when it comes to character arcs naturally unfolding throughout the narrative. In the Canon of Creation storyline, it’s easy to see how each character is going to develop by the midpoint of the game. However, the execution was rather disjointed and didn’t feel like a natural progression. The Canon of Vengeance storyline corrects this and gives players an alternate storyline that is much more personal to the player than the original one.
However, there are still some narrative holes I wish were addressed. At the beginning of the game, we meet Miyazu Atsuta, who sends us on a side quest to learn about a prince sailing a boat through the night sky. This leads us to do some research with the occult club and learn about a few moon deities. This information becomes important to the plot, but the player character never addresses it. As a result, it leads to a rather annoying boss fight if you’re not prepared. Knowing how unforgiving SMT is, this was most likely by design, but I would’ve liked to use the information to side-step the first fight against this moon deity.
QoL Updates
SMT V: Vengeance has made some QoL changes that make the gaming experience much less tedious. Navigating the overworld was made easier with the new Magatsu Rails. These rails allow players to travel across the entire map with little delay. Players can also save at any time without being at a save point. The new auto battle feature looks helpful, but I’m too traumatized by my history with these games to try it.
SMT V: Vengeance is available on all consoles and Steam.
