Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance

Just as Persona 5 Royal added something meaningful enough to actually be worthwhile, without being a full sequel or changing anything that people liked about the first game, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance really does deserve the moniker “ultimate version of the game.” You’re going to need a ridiculous amount of time to play it (again), but if you enjoyed it on any level the first time around, you’re going to love what the development team has done to it this time.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance accomplished exactly what I hoped for. It took the messy base game, made it look and play better, and expanded upon every single aspect. This results in a polished and finally complete experience worth (re)visiting. Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance reaches its full potential in almost every way possible and now confidently stands toe-to-toe with its predecessors.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance eclipses its predecessor in every way, making it one of the best turn-based JPRGs of the year.

Despite my stance on how ATLUS chooses to sell their games, I’m glad that this version exists. I’m a big fan of Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an in-depth turn-based game. The game’s atmosphere and themes are unlike anything anyone else is doing, and its brand of post-apocalyptic melancholy juxtaposes masterfully with its serene catharsis.

Thanks to a ton of changes, additions and improvements, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance has gone from a great RPG to one of the best. Even if you played (and finished) it back in the day, it's worth returning to this wonderful post-apocalyptic world of demons, angels, and challenging turn-based combat.

Just as it was in 2021, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is positioned as a must-see game, and something that JRPG fans have to play no matter what, even in a year where this genre has not stopped giving us some of its best modern exponents.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is easily the definitive version of the game. Almost every gameplay change is an improvement that makes the game more fun to play, and the addition of the new storyline means that even returning players have plenty of fresh encounters to experience. At its core, it is still the same game but polished and improved enough that I found the entire experience to be a delight. It's a must-have for fans of the franchise, and even those who prefer the more plot-heavy Persona titles will find a lot to enjoy in Vengeance.

Vengeance upgrades the original in almost every aspect. Although some of the storyline choices won’t scratch the itch of the old fans, more variety when it comes to characters, locations and combat, vastly refreshes the original. Not to mention the superb and gorgeous visual upgrade that is highly appreciated.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is an almost perfect JRPG that has plenty to offer both complete beginners and hardcore players seeking the toughest challenges in the genre. The excellent foundation from 2021 has been meaningfully expanded and enriched in this multiplatform release, with new content and much-needed quality-of-life options.

More generous than ever, Shin Megami Tensei V Vengeance is THE version to be played, the best way to experience this awesome trip.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance stakes its claim as the definitive version of the original and sticks the landing. It changes what needed to be fixed and keeps what worked intact. While it doesn't go too above and beyond what was before it, that by no means makes Vengeance anything less than great. The original was one of 2021's best RPGs and now Vengeance can claim a high spot among 2024's best and brightest. It's a hardcore, fantastic and rich experience that should be on everyone's must-play list.

Currently the best form of the subgenre that Shin Megami Tensei represents. It offers thrilling turn-based battles that make you think about every move and reconsider your party lineup in case of failure. Vengeance brings numerous improvements over the original fifth game, is available on platforms beyond the Switch, and is technically superior.

Everything that made Shin Megami Tensei V such a memorable and engaging experience remains in Vengeance, just tweaked and massaged into an even better game. It's easier to connect to the narrative--having the other human characters in your party and engaging in small talk with them go a long way to making the events happening around them feel more impactful--and the various adjustments to navigation, combat, and demon-herding let you focus more on savoring the dark atmosphere and the strategies of battle. If you didn't enter the tunnel to the underworld the first time around, this is the perfect opportunity to do so--and if you're a veteran of the war for the throne, there's plenty here to bring you back.

Atlus has done more than just a port with some improvements. Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is a successful game that surpasses its predecessor, a challenge to the conventions of the SMT saga itself and a more accessible gateway for new players, but one that veterans will enjoy as well.

There’s simply nothing else on the market right now like this series – a tonally unhinged pop-cosmopolitan-apocrypha-anime-apocalyptic JRPG that plays like Pokemon on steroids. Just like the best SMT games, its plot is rich as syrup and just as opaque. Read too close into the nonsensical jumble of mythological creatures and themes and you’re sure to be nauseated. However, supposing you can appreciate the excess of everything and have played a few turned-based RPGs before, Vengeance is simply the most approachable and engrossing core Shin Megami Tensei game currently on the market and the best way to check out this weirdo series.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance adds numerous quality-of-life improvements and drastic changes to the story and exploration that make the original game seem outdated. Plus, since the original campaign is still available in the Path of Creation, you are technically getting two games in one package. The new characters give you more reasons to care about the narrative, the new exploration options are thrilling, and the Press Turn combat system is as rewarding as ever. The series’s eccentricities may not be for everyone, but no other franchise provides an experience quite like Shin Megami Tensei.

If you like Japanese RPGs and have never played them, I would say that Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is a must-buy.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is a brutal experience where every decision you make feels impactful. The world is brimming with personality, and the demons are fun to talk to and play with. Vengeance has a lot going for it, and the quality of life improvements make it one of the best JRPGs released on the PlayStation 5.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance makes one of the best open-world RPGs around even better.

Vengeance is undoubtedly the definitive and best way to play Shin Megami Tensei V, with a fantastic new narrative path and quality-of-life adjustments that are so good you wonder how the game was released without them. Featuring fantastic turn-based combat that constantly keeps you on your toes, and a darker tone to the world and narrative, you'd be missing out if you didn't decide to dive into Vengeance either for the first time or as someone who has already played the original game.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance brings plenty of additions to the table, including a separate narrative, new content, several quality-of-life updates, improved technical performance, and updated gameplay systems. It is a fantastically refined JRPG that seeks to achieve and expand far more than the original release did, as well as right many of its predecessor’s wrongs. This is the game’s second chance, and it’s well deserved.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance delivers an exceptional package. It can easily be considered one of the best RPGs of this generation.

Impactful, deep, and visually mesmerizing, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is one of the best JRPGs in recent years. Its combat is addictive, and the progression system creates a desire to uncover everything in the extensive maps.

Vengeance is for Shin Megami Tensei V what Royal was for Persona 5 some years ago: the best possible version of one of the more refined and fascinating JRPGs of the last decade. This is the version to choose if you haven't played it before and the one to replay if you've already dived into the original title.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance arrives to become the definitive edition of Shin Megami Tensei V. Some of its changes may not be enough to fix the major problems of the original, but it does an incredible job of elevating it and bringing it that much closer to reaching its potential. ATLUS did it again and delivered a re-release that's worth checking out regardless of whether you finished the original game or if it's your first time playing it. Mind you: if you're an old-time Shin Megami Tensei fan, don't expect Vengance to be some sort of director's cut or a chance for the development team to deliver their original vision of the game. There's little in this new version that points in that direction, and it feels more like a 2.0 version made after hearing what critics and fans said about Shin Megami Tensei V. In other words, it's a product that improves in almost every aspect, but also doesn't redefine or revolutionize what we played in 2021.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance provides a definitive version of this fantastic JRPG. It is practically a brand-new game with an unparalleled story arc that provides us with countless more hours of gameplay and juicy content that enhances playability. It is not just a redesign for more powerful consoles and a few additions.

With its gameplay and graphical improvements, and a new story mode alongside the original, this is not only the definitive version of Shin Megami Tensei V, it might be one of the best in the SMT series overall. While it may not appeal to everyone, those who love a challenge will not be disappointed.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is a great RPG that represents the franchise well, presenting a dark and terrible world in a way that is accessible to newcomers and welcoming to veterans. However, its large size can make the experience a little dull and repetitive.

Atlus has managed to make a new version that surpasses the original work in everything (again, because they always do this well with their games). Not only with the obvious improvements at a playable and visual level, but because the new content turns Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance into a product that borders on the label of "new game" and not "new version." One of the best JRPGs of the year and, possibly, the best SMT of the series.

A refined edition not to be missed, which however could have done better in terms of plot and level-up balance.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance doesn't just feel like the definitive version of Shin Megami Tensei V, it also feels like a new potential template for ATLUS's future re-releases. Between a much improved narrative, the same addicting gameplay loop, heightened visuals and a smorgasbord of content, it's hard to find a lot to dislike in this package.

Between the myriad of updated combat configurations to the plethora of side objectives and magnificient exploration, this is Atlus putting their best foot forward here in the gameplay department.

While we find the policy of re-releases questionable, we must recognize that this time Atlus has shaped what will surely go down in history as the definitive version of Shin Megami Tensei V, a title that on Switch was too limited by the lack of hardware power. That said, while in the eyes of the players at their first rodeo Vengeance will appear as a tasty opportunity to recover a fascinating RPG which until now had been the exclusive prerogative of owners of the Nintendo console, the numerous adjustments made to the gaming component, the presence of a narrative path semi-unreleased, and last but not least an improved technical sector, may not be as attractive as to push even those who have already stepped into the shoes of the Nahobino to dive into the Beyond a second time.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is an incredible expansion that adds a slew of new content and previous DLC for free, well-needed gameplay improvements and quality-of-life changes. While they don't solve most of the game's core issues, the added content more than makes up for it and provides a stellar experience that quickly proves its superiority to the base game.

Still not as slick as Persona, SMT V revels in crunchtastic strategy with unparalleled customisation. A shift to open world is a genuine fresh hook. [Issue#43, p.84]

For someone who was brand new in many ways to this genre, I found SMTV enthralling in its deep and meaningful story, its superb cast of characters and its beautiful, yet haunting environments. However, I struggled at times to grasp its unforgiving combat. To sum up, this type of game and gameplay is certainly not for everyone, but for fans of the series, it’s the formula you know and love with wonderful new additions. Quality of life improvements help polish an already well-rounded game. Beautiful art style and a heart racing soundtrack complement the game to make a wonderful package for both returning players and newcomers like me. See you in the desert!

A reincarnation of the 2021 Japanese role-player, that addresses every flaw of the original – and even if some issues remain it’s still a very enjoyable alternative to the Persona series.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is an excellent addition to the franchise that's a must-play for franchise fans, and well worth picking up for those curious about dipping their toes in the water. The difficulty level is still there, but it has become a lot more manageable thanks to quality of life updates. Just don’t be disappointed if you show up expecting Persona, as the narrative and story qualities of the latter is a world apart.

Shin Megami Tensei V Vengeance is all about building a more streamlined and player-friendly experience. While the game’s difficulty hasn’t gone anywhere, it feels like Vengeance is doing its best to make you enjoy that experience and remove as many roadblocks as possible. The new Canon of Vengeance story is big, exciting and entirely unapologetic about taking a different path to the original story – giving returning SMTV players just as much to enjoy as new players. Playing on PS5 rather than the original Switch also let me enjoy the game’s world in much greater fidelity, and Vengeance takes full advantage of that to show just how gorgeous its huge maps are. While its combat is not for the faint of heart, the game’s rich, branching story offers plenty to enjoy over multiple playthroughs.

It’s been a busy year for lengthy JRPGs, and Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance isn’t the best of the bunch. It’s a solid JRPG adventure with a lot to love, but you’ll be sent back to your last save file pretty regularly, and depending on how long it’s been since your last save, that can suck the energy out of the room instantly. As a result, SMTV feels like stalling a classic car. Someone will tell you you’re an idiot for not understanding the gearbox’s nuances, but a smooth ride will be preferable to juddering down the road.