REVIEW: ‘Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance’ Is The Definitive Version Of A Great RPG (PC)

Shin Megami Tensei V was one of the best role-playing games of 2021, and now Atlus has delivered a definitive package with some major tweaks. Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance brings a whole new storyline that makes it a great package for new and returning players to enjoy.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance puts players in the shoes of a protagonist thrust into a war between angels and demons. The story takes place in a post-apocalyptic Tokyo overrun with demons. Players have to choose the fate of humanity in the midst of this epic struggle.

Right off the bat, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance presents two options for players. They can choose to follow the original story of the game, called the Canon of Creation, or embark on an entirely new storyline with the Canon of Vengeance. Atlus games usually release expanded versions, but they typically introduce an expanded story and not an entirely new story from start to finish.

This change is great because it lets players who have already played the main story enjoy an entirely different approach to the world of Shin Megami Tensei V. Canon of Vengeance introduces Yoko Hiromine, a new character who plays a vital role in the story. She is a fellow high school student from a nearby school who dabbles in exorcism. Yoko is a fascinating character and her introduction makes the story of the Canon of Vengeance very interesting.

Canon of Vengeance also features the Qadištu. The Qadištu are a group of female demons who play their own part in the overarching struggle. The new story beats added by their introduction, along with Yoko’s story, present a completely new experience contained within the same world as the Canon of Creation.

There are other smaller substories that come into play that help expand the story. These side stories make the world feel more lived in and give meaning to every decision along the way. I found myself spending a lot of time diving into the side stories thanks to the excellent writing of these relatively minor moments.

This dual storytelling approach is great for two reasons. The first is that it gives options, allowing players to forge their own path in a way that makes decisions feel like they really matter. The other is that it increases the replayability. Shin Megami Tensei V was already a large game, but Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance virtually doubles the available playtime in a way that feels entirely new.

Combat in Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is almost entirely the same as in the base game. It is a turn-based system that relies on acquired skills in order to defeat enemies. There are strengths and weaknesses to worry about that add depth to the system as well.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance expands a few parts of the combat, namely the Magatsuhi skills system. These skills are vital to defeating some of the harder bosses. New skills and special skills that require certain things to be done in order to unlock make the combat feel quite different without the core system being changed. Noticeably, combat in Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance feels a little easier than in the base game since some of these new skills are quite powerful.

The story and combat in Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance are great, but the real bread and butter is the exploration of the large open world. Every inch of the post-apocalyptic Tokyo is full of style and substance. There are so many mysteries to be uncovered along the way that it is worth it to always explore the areas around you.

One of the biggest changes Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance makes here is the quality of life adjustments to the exploration. World maps are much more detailed, making it easier to know where you are going and what you are looking for. There is a new birdseye view too that makes understanding the map and where things are so much easier than the flat map of the original release.

Magetsu Rails also make exploration so much more convenient. These shortcuts can be found throughout the world that make backtracking so much less of a chore. It is also just really fun to grind your way back and forth between different locations. Demon Guides, which help you find hidden treasures as well as the Magetsu Rails, have also been increased from six in the original release to 17 now. These tweaks make exploration more enjoyable and less of a struggle to find what you are looking for.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is the definitive package that makes a great role-playing game even better. Quality of life changes alongside and all-new storyline makes this a must-have RPG and one of the best releases of the year.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is out now on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.