Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is a turn-based RPG set in a post-apocalyptic version of Tokyo where the protagonist becomes the Nahobino, a being capable of wielding immense power against hordes of demons. Players navigate the ruined city and surrounding areas of Da'at, recruiting demons through negotiation, fusing them into stronger allies, and making choices that shape the outcome of two distinct story paths.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on exploration across large open zones filled with hidden items, secret paths, and roaming demon groups. Movement feels deliberate as players traverse wasteland environments, activate new traversal options like Magatsu Rails to reach elevated or distant locations, and use demon navigators to locate collectibles outside of main sequences. Battles occur when encountering enemy parties, leading into the signature Press Turn system where each party member receives action icons that deplete with every move.
Exploiting an enemy's elemental weakness or landing a critical hit grants extra turns, while missing or being blocked removes multiple icons and can end an opponent's phase immediately. This encourages careful party building through fusion and essence absorption to grant new skills. Additional systems include Demon Haunts where recruited demons can be interacted with for stat boosts or side quests, and Magatsuhi team skills that activate under specific party conditions for powerful group attacks. Quality-of-life changes such as saving at any time, toggling the minimap, and an improved auto-battle option that prioritizes weaknesses streamline the experience without removing the challenge of resource management and alignment considerations.
Game Modes
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance offers two self-contained story campaigns selectable at the start of a new game. The Canon of Creation follows the original narrative of the base title, while the Canon of Vengeance introduces a separate tale involving new antagonists known as the Qadištu and themes centered around vengeance and the worshippers of the Serpent. Both routes share the same core mechanics and world but diverge in plot events, available quests, and character interactions.
Post-game content includes Godborn Mode, a high-difficulty option unlocked after defeating a certain ultimate boss where enemy stats are significantly increased while keeping their original move sets. Virtual Battles provide a boss-rush format allowing players to challenge a sequence of major encounters with customizable difficulty scaling up to extreme levels.
Exploration and Progression
Progression ties directly to demon collection and customization. Over sixty new demons expand the roster, each with unique negotiation dialogues and fusion recipes that reward experimentation. Alignment mechanics influence both story branches and party dynamics, while new consumables allow stat point reallocation after leveling. Field exploration rewards players with essences for skill inheritance and materials for crafting or upgrading, creating a steady loop of discovery that complements the combat focus.
Is It Worth Playing?
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance delivers a refined take on the series formula that appeals strongly to fans of deep turn-based combat and demon management. The addition of a second story route, numerous quality-of-life features, and expanded demon roster make it the most complete version available. Players who enjoy methodical battles where positioning and elemental knowledge matter will find the Press Turn system rewarding across dozens of hours. Those seeking lighter narratives or real-time action may find the deliberate pacing and emphasis on preparation less engaging. The game runs on Nintendo Switch with stable performance suitable for handheld or docked play, and its single-player structure focuses entirely on solo progression without any multiplayer elements. Reception highlights the combat depth and new content as major strengths, positioning it as a strong choice for anyone interested in a challenging JRPG experience centered on mythology and moral choices.
