Shin Megami Tensei V

 Switch
  • Publisher: Atlus
  • Release Date: Nov 12, 2021
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 760 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 554 out of 760
  2. Mixed: 47 out of 760
  3. Negative: 159 out of 760
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  1. FourthDimension
    Dec 9, 2021
    9
    Genuinely a fantastically crafted video game. Anyone trying to boil this game down into one or two specific things they dislike is overlooking so much more that the game has to offer.
    If you're here for a story like Persona 5 with characters you grow strongly attached to throughout dozens of hours, that's just not what this is. While SMT never really skimped on character development in    Genuinely a fantastically crafted video game. Anyone trying to boil this game down into one or two specific things they dislike is overlooking so much more that the game has to offer.
    If you're here for a story like Persona 5 with characters you grow strongly attached to throughout dozens of hours, that's just not what this is. While SMT never really skimped on character development in the past, it's clear they had a larger focus on the gameplay and taking this game in a new direction for the franchise. Gameplay wise, it blows every previous game out of the water in terms of playability and enjoyment. Combat is more refined than ever, and exploration is a blast.
    Naturally there are issues. The framerate and visuals aren't perfect, and I've had a couple issues with the camera. And even though I dismissed the complaints about the story, I can still understand the feeling of missing a strong, compelling story to drive you forward. Based on what I was looking for when I picked up this game, it's a 9/10 and probably my favorite game this year.    … Expand
  2. Noncanon
    Dec 8, 2021
    7
    Firstly, I'm not a lifelong SMT fan. I played SMT IV on 3DS, and Persona 4 and 5. I didn't really have the nostalgia glasses on while playing this.

    I found this game to be all over the place. The demon collecting and fusing is great and has near infinite depth to sink your teeth into. The combat is fun and snappy, although it can be tough as nails sometimes. But that's part of the    Firstly, I'm not a lifelong SMT fan. I played SMT IV on 3DS, and Persona 4 and 5. I didn't really have the nostalgia glasses on while playing this.

    I found this game to be all over the place. The demon collecting and fusing is great and has near infinite depth to sink your teeth into. The combat is fun and snappy, although it can be tough as nails sometimes. But that's part of the appeal of these games. The graphics are pretty good for a Switch game, and the demon designs are fantastic, although some were a little too familiar.

    My biggest beef, and this looks like a common one, is the save system. It's so archaic that it made me frown with annoyance the first time I got destroyed by a mini-boss that I hadn't been able to prepare for, and ended up losing a ton of progress. It's not like Souls games, where you're sent back to the last bonfire but keep items you found and have an opportunity to retrieve your souls. You just load up an old save file and completely lose all progress you had made. It had me going out of my way to run back to save points sooo many times, and it definitely gets old fast. Every time I got a decent item drop or talked a new demon into joining me, I felt like I had to go back and save, and it really hurts the pacing and flow of the game.

    If you're here for the story, I found it to be just OK. I'm usually on board for "Anime BS" but I didn't really connect to any of the characters. There are some cool ideas at the macro level, but not much going on when zoomed in on the PC and his cohort. I enjoyed the music (Atlus always seem to kill it in that department) but the combat sounds were usually boring. I was confused the first time I had the PC use a melee attack and there was barely a sound effect when his weapon made contact. I felt like I hit with a nerf bat. There was no real heft or impact, which is weird since you do that so many times.

    If you're an SMT or Persona fan, it's a no-brainer. All the stuff you love is there, and it's mostly well done. If you're new to the series or on the fence, I would recommend it but with caveats. If you're impatient or the kind of person to quit a game if you lose progress, it'd be a hard pass. It also wouldn't be great for someone who likes RPGs where you can just jump in and go. You'll really have to put in some effort to get the most out of this game, but if you're up for it, there's a lot to enjoy.    … Expand
  3. camjam1130
    Dec 6, 2021
    9
    This is literally the best SMT has ever been. If you're a fan of JRPGs or looking for a real good time, pick this game up.
  4. Zski
    Dec 5, 2021
    6
    I have never played an SMT or Persona game prior to this one, so I don’t have much to go off of. The gameplay had a bit of a steep learning curve which made it tough to get into, but once it clicked, I enjoyed it a lot more. The mechanics of the game ended up feeling fairly simple, under the mask of making it appear very complex. You simply target enemy weaknesses, and build a team that isI have never played an SMT or Persona game prior to this one, so I don’t have much to go off of. The gameplay had a bit of a steep learning curve which made it tough to get into, but once it clicked, I enjoyed it a lot more. The mechanics of the game ended up feeling fairly simple, under the mask of making it appear very complex. You simply target enemy weaknesses, and build a team that is balanced for your average encounters, and then for boss battles you just modify your team to exploit their weakness - that’s it, that’s all the mechanics boil down to. That does not mean the game is bad though, it had a little bit of an addictive gameplay loop, but it actually feels pretty grindy. For example when I was 6 hours in, I felt like I made it super far, but I could literally run back to the beginning of the game within a minute or two, just because most of my time was spent grinding. It feels like a Pokémon game without the sense of adventure. Pokémon games were fun, but they offered no challenge - SMT5 adds a nice challenge to formula which I appreciate about the game. Like I said above, the challenge ends up coming back to having to grind, and then the lack of save points. Not a bad thing because it makes you play a little more tactfully. The plot is uninteresting, the graphics are sort of blurry, the performance is surprisingly bad, but the music is pretty good (although repetitive). I am enjoying it so far, but it’s not a game to go crazy over. The game ended up losing my attention because of the incessant grinding that is constantly demanded. I am realizing that it is artificially difficult because it requires so much grinding between each segment of the game.… Expand
  5. giannis2001
    Dec 5, 2021
    9
    One of the best turned based RPGs you can play. The battle system is incredibly well designed and the exploration-based gameplay is amazing. The story is also very good. However, I feel like Persona was better overall, because this game didn't emphasize at all to the characters or their personal/free time or social aspect like Persona does. Despite that, I loved this game and I definitelyOne of the best turned based RPGs you can play. The battle system is incredibly well designed and the exploration-based gameplay is amazing. The story is also very good. However, I feel like Persona was better overall, because this game didn't emphasize at all to the characters or their personal/free time or social aspect like Persona does. Despite that, I loved this game and I definitely recommend it.… Expand
  6. HellfirePlayer
    Dec 4, 2021
    7
    Honest Spoiler-Free Review:

    -> General Verdict: A fun and flawed game. - Battles: Very polished and addictive. There are a couple of new mechanics which add some interesting depth and could be a novelty for veterans. No random battles gives you and edge on developing your party in different ways. - Music: Adequate to set the mood and ambience. Some tunes really standout and are    Honest Spoiler-Free Review:

    -> General Verdict: A fun and flawed game.

    - Battles: Very polished and addictive. There are a couple of new mechanics which add some interesting depth and could be a novelty for veterans. No random battles gives you and edge on developing your party in different ways.
    - Music: Adequate to set the mood and ambience. Some tunes really standout and are memorable.
    - Visuals: There's definitely a good artistic direction following the usual style which tries to use whatever Switch's hardware can output to acceptable results. This applies to characters, demons and environmental designs. New designs are mostly OK or great, environments feel samey but that's expected given the themes of the game.
    - Exploration: Mostly good, roaming and pseudo platforming in the different areas can be quite engaging at times, but to some degree, it feels like a half-hearted attempt as well. Some elements are straight up hand holding to get you where you need to be, and after a while the sense of discovery just wanes given the lack of surprises.
    - Fusion: It's fine but I found it way too straightforward and simplified. You can do some experimentation but it's not as deep or complex as in some previous games.
    - Customization: Very flexible and rewarding. Maybe a bit too exploitable at times which could make the game too easy for some.
    - Story: This is by far the lowest quality part of the game. The main conflict and story itself are lackluster and weirdly paced. Supporting characters, factions, choices and lore could have saved it from mediocrity/apathy, but they are shallowly exposed to the player, so they are hard to relate to. There's probably just one supporting character that gets fleshed out, but sadly it is a very annoying and inconsequential individual (SMT4 had a neat and simple way to get players to engage with the supporting cast, probably they came up with it given the limitations of the NDS. It's very sad that they didn't learn anything from it). On the bright side, some optional quests are well written and engaging; there are not too many of those though.

    Conclusion: Weirdly enough it is as worth playing as it is disappointing. New players might find a good entry point to a shallower but meaty iteration in the series, while veterans might enjoy the meat but will feel empty and a bit abused after consuming it.    … Expand
  7. Virgenn
    Dec 2, 2021
    10
    Esempio moderno di come va gestito, in un video game, un mondo con diverse mappe aperte, incontri non casuali e combattimento a turni.
    SMT V , porta una ventata d’ aria fresca a questa saga. Best buy per chi ha nintendo switch ed ama i jrpg.
  8. 2random
    Dec 2, 2021
    4
    The game feels like persona with 100 times less money spent on development.
    Some features are non existent, or just bad:
    - Graphics. Though the game looks like it was made for PS2, it still lags. - Walking through the city. You can only move your character on a map. - Most of the social stuff- hanging out with friends, etc. is not there. - Music. There are like 2 BGM tracks and 2    The game feels like persona with 100 times less money spent on development.
    Some features are non existent, or just bad:
    - Graphics. Though the game looks like it was made for PS2, it still lags.
    - Walking through the city. You can only move your character on a map.
    - Most of the social stuff- hanging out with friends, etc. is not there.
    - Music. There are like 2 BGM tracks and 2 battle tracks playing in a loop. It felt extremely annoying after few hours.
    - Endless grind. Normal mobs give you little exp, so you'll have to run around killing special type of mobs that give more exp. But you can't kill em without a special item you can buy from a NPC. So, you just go to the shop, buy 10 items, kill 10 mobs, repeat, repeat, repeat. The item allows you to oneshot them, so there is no fun in this process whatsoever. And after you level up just enough, you can proceed to the next area (and continue that same boring process).
    - Secondary quests. They're either like "go there and talk to that person" or like "kill 5 creatures of this type". Extremely boring, but you'll still have to do all of them to get some exp.
    - Level design. So, there's a desert. It's not even close to being as good as the one in Nier Automata, though it looks kinda similar. And that's it. There's a desert with some ruins here and there. It's filled with enemies that respawn seconds after you kill them.
    - Story. Though I've set my expectations pretty low, the game somehow still managed to disappoint me. The game places a marker on a map you have to get to. After an hour of killing your enemies, you finally get there, watch a 20 second long dialogue or a cutscene and get a new marker on a map.
    - Bossfights. They're way too easy, once you get the hang of it. You just die once, to check it's affinity- e.g. the thing attacks with fire and is weak to ice. Then, you make yourself resistant to fire, grab a few demons with strong ice attacks, and you're done. Bosses are neither challenging nor interesting.
    - Gameplay. This is the main issue. After you spend few hours in game, get familiar with all the mechanics, nothing but grind awaits you. Lets say, you're at lvl5. You see a new quest marker. You get there, and all the mobs running around are lvl10. You grind for an hour and get to lvl10. Now you go to the next quest marker, but all the mobs are lvl15! So, you grind for an hour and a half to get to lvl15. And the thing continues until you get either bored or beat the game, whatever happens first. Unlike in persona, you see no consequences of your actions, you have no reason to fight, and you get no rewards for the progress you make. Instead of being like "oh man, I'm really fired up, let me punish that bad guy!", you're more like "oh man, don't tell me I'll have to kill these same mobs for 2 more hours".    … Expand
  9. wellr
    Dec 2, 2021
    10
    Un gran juego, siempre ATLUS hace grandes creaciones... no hacer caso a gente de reviews negativos, no saben apreciar un buen juego o no tienen la capacidad para asumir un reto. recomendado 100%
  10. AnimaVortex
    Dec 1, 2021
    10
    Best Shin Megami game ever!
    Awesome design and music. The battle system is good and deep.
    This game might be a little too hard for casual players on the default setting but there are more forgiving difficulties to choose from.
  11. NoLameGames
    Dec 1, 2021
    3
    SMT V was a very disappointing title. The music is phenomenal, combat system is fun, the overall experience is brought down by performance issues and a story so barebones and dull you'd get as much entertainment from watching paint dry as reading through it. The combat is SMT at its best, the music is the standard fare. The new exploration elements are quite welcome. I'd recommend SMT IIISMT V was a very disappointing title. The music is phenomenal, combat system is fun, the overall experience is brought down by performance issues and a story so barebones and dull you'd get as much entertainment from watching paint dry as reading through it. The combat is SMT at its best, the music is the standard fare. The new exploration elements are quite welcome. I'd recommend SMT III and IV:A or Strange Journey over this anyday.… Expand
  12. Qwerti3d
    Nov 30, 2021
    4
    SMT V is a game touted as "excellent", "brutal" and "uncompromising" in its vision, but much of this is little more than hyperbole that masks the bland gameplay loop, characters and contrived world-building, suited for either the masochistic or those with an excess of time. The premise of SMT V is promising but is ruined by its poor execution. Pacing of the overall story is erratic andSMT V is a game touted as "excellent", "brutal" and "uncompromising" in its vision, but much of this is little more than hyperbole that masks the bland gameplay loop, characters and contrived world-building, suited for either the masochistic or those with an excess of time. The premise of SMT V is promising but is ruined by its poor execution. Pacing of the overall story is erratic and does little to elaborate on its supposed themes of law and chaos other than the occasional dialogue choices. Characters have as much personality as cardboard or dried paint; there is nothing to evoke pathos or simply to make you care. Music (especially combat) is little more than droning, repetitive guitar riffs and **** synths. There is no atmosphere, eeriness or mystery after the first few hours.

    The only goal is to proceed to the next quest marker, the next HP sponge and the next round of grind in a constant attempt to build your team against the next arbitrary obstacle. Gameplay consists of encounters mainly won by abusing specific elemental weaknesses/items (dampeners/shards/gems). Adjusting your team of demons requires an insignificant amount of grind (levelling characters, demon negotiation, etc.). Repeat this for every sub-quest/main-quest. Layer on the additional resets needed because of missed attacks, subsequent criticals, etc. and you have the game.

    If you enjoy mind-numbing grind and bastardised mythology, buy this game. Otherwise this is yet another, COVID-era JRPG that delivers an archaic and disappointing experience.    … Expand
  13. Arturos
    Nov 28, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. people are so dumb, just because there are demons doesn't mean it's a persona game don't you expect to have a social link with your companions or to spend time with them there is nothing of that and SMTV it's better than a persona,just buy the game. Its a fantastic and very challenging JRPG.… Expand
  14. Gamingking007
    Nov 28, 2021
    10
    Stunning game ! You have to be patient and grind but it’s worth it because the world is beautiful even though it’s on a switch . The monsters are awesome and the system is very deep . It’s not persona ! It’s a dark , angels vs demons story driven adventure which is really worth trying if you enjoy jrpg and a deep but not unfair system . It is difficult so be ready for that .
  15. magicman420
    Nov 28, 2021
    10
    Good game, very hard but rewarding.. much better than what this user score says, game obviously got spammed with multiple bad reviews so add about a point to get the real score of this game
  16. Lweo4
    Nov 28, 2021
    8
    The gameplay and exploration are really solid, the side-quests are really good, but the story and the characters are worthless, truly worthless.
    The story gets a 4/10 at best because it's just boring (tbh I would rank it at 2/10), I can't even say that I dislike or like the characters, because they're boring and don't do anything.
  17. Neal6789
    Nov 28, 2021
    9
    Easily the best turn based RPG that has come out this year, and one of my personal picks for game of the year. The claims about the story being non-existent or terrible are greatly exaggerated. This is a game that similar to SMT 3: Nocturne, has a more minimal “show not tell” approach to story telling and instead focuses on alignments and opens some grand philosophical discussion withEasily the best turn based RPG that has come out this year, and one of my personal picks for game of the year. The claims about the story being non-existent or terrible are greatly exaggerated. This is a game that similar to SMT 3: Nocturne, has a more minimal “show not tell” approach to story telling and instead focuses on alignments and opens some grand philosophical discussion with depth that a lot of RPG stories are lacking in my opinion. I have preferred how the Shin Megami Tensei series doesn’t try to force character interactions down your throat at every turn and doesn’t rely as much on tropes as other titles in the JRPG genre. All of this said, I have preferred the story of other entries in the mainline series, my favorite being Strange Journey. The gameplay is top notch though and has made this a thoroughly enjoyable experience for me personally and graphically this game is one of the most impressive I’ve seen yet on the Nintendo Switch, and the frame rate has been fairly stable for me playing in handheld mode. I highly recommend this game to anyone who has loved the JRPG genre, but is maybe tired with some of the tropes and gimmicks that more recent entries in popular series have put out lately. When I discovered this series it was a breath of fresh air for me, and that’s still just as true to this day with Shin Megami Tensei V.… Expand
  18. rucinax
    Nov 28, 2021
    1
    Boring game, you just do the same things over and over again, story is uninteresting, characters are boring. Could have been acceptable 20 years ago...
  19. Green_Booze
    Nov 27, 2021
    9
    The game is perfect in all ways. SMT V is everything I wanted - smart tough turn based battles, great locations that inspire exploration, nice soundtrack, lots of mythological creatures and awesome demons design.
    The only reason I can not give it a 10 is first day DLC with extra demons.
  20. Encore22
    Nov 27, 2021
    0
    When IGN reviewed this game, they described it as "Persona without the soul" and received a lot of critique because of this. But were they actually spot on?

    The game barely has a story, and honestly might as well not even have been there, along with the meaningless side, and even the main character. You could just as well have played as a player made default character. The gameplay    When IGN reviewed this game, they described it as "Persona without the soul" and received a lot of critique because of this. But were they actually spot on?

    The game barely has a story, and honestly might as well not even have been there, along with the meaningless side, and even the main character. You could just as well have played as a player made default character.

    The gameplay is the strong part of the game, it can be fun to exploit the enemies weakness and rack up your turns, but in the end I find myself missing the more impactful knockdown system of the persona games. And for a game which is supposed to live and die on it's gameplay, as you get further in, it ends up being more and more shallow, with the final 50% of the game revolving around buffing up your team, debuffing your enemies and just pounding them. As there's no way to respecialize your main character, you end up locking yourself into a playstyle quite early on, which at least for me got boring after I heard "ARAMASA" for the 2000th time.

    The game has 200+ demons, but after a while you realize that there's not really a lot to differentiate them, a level 65+ god Thor is really not much different from the level 19 fluffy Shiisa. There is physical attackers, Magical attackers, Buffers/healers, Debuffers, Status demons (pretty much useless on bosses). In these arcetypes most demons play exactly the same, with the exception of a few unique demons who possess incredibly powerful unique skills. The problem with these are that they are mostly just very slighly more powerful versions of other spells, and play the same way. But when there's exceptions such as with series veteran **** it becomes a big issue as said demon is very easy to create and is simply better than all other physical attackers up until the very lategame, and the same goes for the healer/buffer Idunn, who I also kept until the end of the game. I wish all characters had unique ways of being played like these characters, and that the game's difficulty was balanced around this. If you had to combine demons based around this, the gameplay would surely have been more interesting.

    The exploration side of the gameplay is okay, it is quite basic, but I found myself collecting all 200 of the little miman characters which give a bit of glory, which can be used to specialize your character. Honestly though, it was something I felt compelled into doing, rather than actually enjoying, as I found myself being quite underleveled at the end of each level, which leads me to another thing I'd like to critique, the difficulty. I played this game on hard difficulty, which was the maximum I could choose. The game was quite hard in the beginning. What often ends up happening is that a quest or a story event puts you into a battle you have no idea if you can handle or not. On hard difficulty, early on if an enemy is more than 2 levels higher than you it's a game over. And most of the time this is the case. Resulting in a guaranteed 2 minute reload.

    In order to deal with a situation like this, you have to grind and fuse demons which counter the boss encounter. This is really what this game's difficulty comes down to. You grind usually 2-3 levels and fuse appropriate demons which resists the elements the boss uses and which have skills which the boss is weak to. You can also buy items to help with this. Perhaps this sounds complicated to someone who has not played a lot of JRPGs, but this is actually quite trivial, and I believe most people who go through this game will have quite a similar journey, fusing similar demons for the bosses. I would have appreciated a deeper system in a game which is a niche, hardcore JRPG.

    Fusing and customizing your demons takes a lot of menuing and waiting, out of the ~63 hours or so it took for me to complete this game and what I believe was all the side content, 10+ hour will be spent in menues and loading screens.

    The game's music is good, I especially like how the battle music does not really start until someone strikes the first blow. But now having finished the game, I cannot really recall a single song the way I can with the charming soundtrakcs of the Persona games.

    Because of all this I'd rate this game a five out of ten, and conclude by saying that Persona without its soul really is an apt way of describing this game.

    Take persona, strip away all the characters, its story, its music and the side systems which build into it's combat and you are left with this hollow experience which will leave few satisfied.    … Expand
  21. speepo
    Nov 27, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Shin Megami Tensei V is an excellent game, as usual from ATLUS. The new style of gameplay, separate from the series' standard of dungeons, is refreshing and brings something new to the table. I also do enjoy the numerous interactions with demons, the gameplay features, and new animations that occur. The music is also stellar as usual, feeling just as great as Shin Megami Tensei IV's soundtrack. However, I do have one or two problems with the game. Firstly, the story's mostly what one would expect. Unlike something like IV Apocalypse or Nocturne, there's no real change to the setup of the Law/Chaos dynamic. Neutral is the unambiguous best option again. There's nothing similar to Reasons too, and those were a unique change of pace that made Nocturne feel more unique from the previous games. Meanwhile, while a few characters like Dazai do have character development, many others are as flat as they were at the start such as Yuzuru, or do nothing like Miyazu. I do like the more nuanced take of the Law/Chaos dynamic where both sides have legitimate points instead of being bloodthirsty angels/demons though. All in all, great game.… Expand
  22. erisdisqordia
    Nov 26, 2021
    10
    If you're comparing this to Persona 5, stop. This is a different series. Rating poorly because it's not another game is honestly just immature.

    The Switch is perfect for this game so I can carry it around but I hope it comes to other platforms too. This game is seriously so evolved from where it came from. Compare it to Nocturne or SMT 4 on the 3DS and see what this series is about    If you're comparing this to Persona 5, stop. This is a different series. Rating poorly because it's not another game is honestly just immature.

    The Switch is perfect for this game so I can carry it around but I hope it comes to other platforms too.

    This game is seriously so evolved from where it came from. Compare it to Nocturne or SMT 4 on the 3DS and see what this series is about and how far its come.    … Expand
  23. Cutloso
    Nov 26, 2021
    10
    El juego es perfecto , no le hagan caso a los loquitos toxicos que dicen que es malo.
    Recomendado, comprenlo ya.
    No se lo pueden perder.
  24. Exxian
    Nov 26, 2021
    9
    A perfect JRPG sadly held back by hardware limitations. I shouldn't be fantasizing about how much better this game will be on next gen instead of getting immersed in the actual game, but that has unfortunately been my experience. Trying to rate the game instead of the platform it's being run on is like trying to enjoy driving a lamborghini in a elementary school parking lot .
  25. spacejump163
    Nov 26, 2021
    9
    Although almost everyone things the plot is insignificant, I think few game nowadays touches the subject of ideas and world creation anymore, and this subject touches me.
    Some maps are painful when you are near the objective but it's on the cliff.
    Hope to see another Shin Megami Tensei VI or a 5f in the following years.
  26. Caseron
    Nov 25, 2021
    10
    Amazing Game Definitely RPGOTY 2021
    Gameplay 10/10
    Graphics 10/10
    Story 7/10
    Characters design 10/10
    Music 10/10
  27. CringeNaeNaeBab
    Nov 25, 2021
    9
    It has flaws, but I really love it for what it was. It’s probably closer to an 8.5 to me but I’ll take a 9/10. It has an infamously weak narrative but makes up for it with incredibly compelling visuals, gameplay, atmosphere, and side quests. I hope Atlus fixes the issues of this game in the future, I hate that it has to come to that, but it’s better than having the potential of this gamesIt has flaws, but I really love it for what it was. It’s probably closer to an 8.5 to me but I’ll take a 9/10. It has an infamously weak narrative but makes up for it with incredibly compelling visuals, gameplay, atmosphere, and side quests. I hope Atlus fixes the issues of this game in the future, I hate that it has to come to that, but it’s better than having the potential of this games story never getting realized.… Expand
  28. Qanchi
    Nov 25, 2021
    10
    So far the best SMT game out there.
    Combat is a mix of previous installments with a little sprinkle of new ones. Great variety of demons, unique and interesting summoning mechanic. The game looks great on switch, The soundtrack is amazing, even the lwl up OST sounds heavenly.
    The only con that I have with this game the DLC bundle with extra end game content, I am not a fan of such    So far the best SMT game out there.
    Combat is a mix of previous installments with a little sprinkle of new ones. Great variety of demons, unique and interesting summoning mechanic. The game looks great on switch, The soundtrack is amazing, even the lwl up OST sounds heavenly.
    The only con that I have with this game the DLC bundle with extra end game content, I am not a fan of such machinations, which this was post release update, or at least they could release them monthly as updates to spice things up.    … Expand
  29. neph36
    Nov 25, 2021
    5
    This game is pretty overrated. It performs abysmally on Switch. The music is terrible. The story is mostly non-existent and what's there is uninteresting. The overworld is good for exploration but just doesn't keep my interest. It is a dungeon crawler without dungeons.
    The gameplay is decent enough but could be better. Overall a pretty meh game. Disappointing.
  30. Kuzunoha
    Nov 25, 2021
    10
    Buen juego, lo pase bien y si sale Raidou Kuzunoha con un DLC seria perfecto
  31. Darksparkh1
    Nov 25, 2021
    10
    A must have if you like (J)rpgs.
    I actually like it more than Persona 5.

    I dont understand most of the negative reviews here, its like ppl who dont like (j)rpgs in general tryed it because they heard its great, but dont like it beccause they dont like any turn based (j)rpg.
  32. Zfong4
    Nov 25, 2021
    9
    Crazy fun and addictive game.

    This is basically Dragon Quest + Pokémon + Final Fantasy on steroids!
  33. Cancery1987
    Nov 14, 2021
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Music 9/10
    Graphic 9/10
    Gameplay 5/10
    Story 4/10

    This game so boring, just beautiful.    … Expand
  34. Amberstorm
    Nov 24, 2021
    8
    Probably the single most important thing to say in regards to SMT V is that it is not a game for everyone. If you are looking for a game with a colorful cast or do not enjoy slower or methodical games, do not pick this game up, you will not enjoy it. However, if you are alright with that being the case, then SMT V is by far one of the most satisfying games that I have played in a longProbably the single most important thing to say in regards to SMT V is that it is not a game for everyone. If you are looking for a game with a colorful cast or do not enjoy slower or methodical games, do not pick this game up, you will not enjoy it. However, if you are alright with that being the case, then SMT V is by far one of the most satisfying games that I have played in a long time.

    The game's open world works to make it truly feel like you are fighting tooth and nail for every inch of ground you make, slowly fighting your way through the horde of demons that lays in front of you. Backtracking for things like farming vending machines for money is quick and mostly painless and gives you a real sense of power as you can effortless stomp any enemy who before you were wary of. Exploration is also quite enjoyable as there is so many collectables or items to find that even while backtracking you will occasionally run into a Miman you missed.

    Gameplay is rock solid and sticks to a formula that has remained solid for years. Aliments and Buffs/Debuffs remain as viable as always unlike many other JRPG franchises, even with the shift to "Persona buffs" with single target buffs in the early game and a set time limit to buffs that needs to be refreshed every few turns. Combat can certainly get a bit repetitive, but you level up and get access to new demons at a consistent rate to where your party is often a revolving door of new demons coming and old reliable leaving as their viability runs thin, so there is always some new spice being added to gameplay. Boss fights are difficult and require proper planning to defeat on higher difficult, which in turn makes the extremely memorable.

    Probably my biggest gripes are accuracy and how even when striking an enemy on the overworld to initiate combat, they can still gain the first turn. Flying enemies in particular can be a real pain in the ass in the regard. Accuracy feels a bit too low without the use of buffs/debuffs. Bosses are mostly fine in this regard since you will be using buffs and debuffs in those fights and most early game bosses lack additional mob enemies, but it really hurts in random encounter with multiple enemies where Sukukaja and Sukunda are far less impactful and the lost of 2 press turns can be devastating. This is only a major issue in the first few areas of the game until you get access to AOE accuracy buffs like Cautious Cheer and Masukukaja, but reducing the cost of a miss to 1.5 Press Turns or giving the player access to Masukukaja or Masukunda a bit earlier would be a very welcome change in my books

    Overall, this is an incredible game and a worthy entry into the franchise.    … Expand
  35. Darne
    Nov 24, 2021
    10
    Excellent combat and addicting gameplay. The story could be better and deeper but it's still okay
  36. AllNewSuperfake
    Nov 24, 2021
    5
    While pretty much every mechanic in the game is enjoyable, and technical nitpicks are mostly hardwaree-related, SMT 5 fails to answer the question why I'm doing what I'm doing. There is no agency at all, just busywork with the occasional story blurb that most of the time only underlines the total absence of a narrative.
  37. jujsjujin
    Nov 24, 2021
    10
    very challenging and fun, with great exploration and combat, while the story feels a bit lackluster, the other parts of the game make up for it
  38. JK73
    Nov 24, 2021
    4
    Artificial difficulty that doesnt reward strategy but rather grinding levels, its either super easy or you get one shot, which in a turn based game is MISERABLE. Story and characters are forgettable but the open world and world building is incredible, carries the game.
  39. gq_foine
    Nov 24, 2021
    10
    WOW! GAME OF THE YEAR!! Ignore all the ridiculous 0 or less than 8 on this!

    This was the most addicting most exciting game of the series! I have over 70hrs into the game and still feel like I need to play through again for the final True ending! ABSOLUTELY THE BEST GAME ON THE SWITCH! People who don't like the game either don't understand how to play and die all the time or they    WOW! GAME OF THE YEAR!! Ignore all the ridiculous 0 or less than 8 on this!

    This was the most addicting most exciting game of the series! I have over 70hrs into the game and still feel like I need to play through again for the final True ending! ABSOLUTELY THE BEST GAME ON THE SWITCH! People who don't like the game either don't understand how to play and die all the time or they too unintelligent to understand how the game works!

    It's hands down the BEST Turnbase game!! I loved Persona 4 and 5 but Shin Megami is a darker more difficult game! It is the Souls of Turnbase!    … Expand
  40. tomh3115
    Nov 24, 2021
    9
    Story: 7/10
    Characters: 6/10
    Gameplay: 10/10
    OST: 9/10
    Atmosphere: 10/10
    Replayability: 10/10
    Overall: 9/10
  41. manute12
    Nov 24, 2021
    10
    This is probably the best entry in the series, combat is better than ever open world feels great and makes exploring fun and rewarding. The demon negotiations are hilarious. Amazing game overall.
  42. Squiddy_101
    Nov 24, 2021
    10
    Ignore the 0s with people complaining it isn't like Persona, SMT V is gameplay and atmosphere first.

    If you're expecting a super-deep character driven story, look elsewhere, SMT is NOT Persona.
  43. wellrx
    Nov 24, 2021
    10
    Una juego increible, de una saga increible, merece mas reconocimiento esta clase de juegos tan buenos.
  44. Noygarn
    Nov 24, 2021
    10
    This is one of the best games I ever played also it has great finals like all smt’s and has one of the best gameplay of all time
  45. FraRub0901
    Nov 24, 2021
    9
    I’m not used to write reviews here on metacritic, since i don’t think to possess the right instruments to evaluate video games properly. But, even if it could be seen as a childish reaction, i’d like to give my contribution against this unacceptable review bombing.
    SMT V is formidable as an JRPG, and, in general, it deserves to reach the summit of Switch’s game roster. From battle    I’m not used to write reviews here on metacritic, since i don’t think to possess the right instruments to evaluate video games properly. But, even if it could be seen as a childish reaction, i’d like to give my contribution against this unacceptable review bombing.
    SMT V is formidable as an JRPG, and, in general, it deserves to reach the summit of Switch’s game roster. From battle mechanics, to game design and lovely exploration sessions, it gives players the opportunity to experiment, and to fall and rise against formidable enemies and bosses.
    And yes, i know you’ve heard about its difficulty… Well, the genre it belongs to is famous for being too much lenient most of the times, avoiding any attempts to be challenging. This title crosses this sort of metaphorical complexity wall, giving players the opportunity to challenge themselves, even at lower difficulties. Yeah, it could be hard to handle, but if this aspect intrigues you, this new megaten iteration is the right answer to your hardcore pulses.
    Nintendo portable console tries to match technical requests as much as possible, and, at the end of the day, the final result is not that bad. Frame rate drops could occur here and there, but, at the same time, combat sessions are not affected, even a little bit.
    If you struggle to trust what i’ve written right before, just take a look at gameplays elsewhere, then come back here, and make your personal evaluation.
    SMT V is running for being that hidden treasure that you were searching for.    … Expand
  46. RicardoDavid
    Nov 23, 2021
    1
    I bought this game when it had a 9 user score. I realized too late those were paid reviews. This site should do something to prevent that to happen. I guess it's the last time I believe these reviews.
    The game story is really dumb, gameplay boring, graphics are the worst in Switch, and they scam you to buy "DLC" which is just a part of the game and should be included. I didn't give it a 0    I bought this game when it had a 9 user score. I realized too late those were paid reviews. This site should do something to prevent that to happen. I guess it's the last time I believe these reviews.
    The game story is really dumb, gameplay boring, graphics are the worst in Switch, and they scam you to buy "DLC" which is just a part of the game and should be included. I didn't give it a 0 because the summoning system was ok.    … Expand
  47. ShadowofZexa
    Nov 23, 2021
    2
    The game is just rinse and repeat you keep doing the same thing over and over again it becomes absolutely grueling
  48. JulioZamudio
    Nov 23, 2021
    9
    30 hours in, I can easily say that its gameplay is one of its strongest suits. The art direction is amazing. It doesn't get a 10 to me JUST because there some elements of the story that felt a little stretched.
  49. Captaincrap94
    Nov 23, 2021
    8
    I beat the game on casual. This was my first SMT game. Most of the game is great but I didn't like the end of the game. The open world sections of the game are the best parts. I really enjoyed running around in the environments. Adding new demons to your party and acquiring skills is fun too. The battles are great as well, you can even talk to enemies. The soundtrack has some hit or missI beat the game on casual. This was my first SMT game. Most of the game is great but I didn't like the end of the game. The open world sections of the game are the best parts. I really enjoyed running around in the environments. Adding new demons to your party and acquiring skills is fun too. The battles are great as well, you can even talk to enemies. The soundtrack has some hit or miss songs, but I did enjoy it overall.

    I have gripes with the gameplay and the story of the end of the game but I won't put spoilers in this review.    … Expand
  50. syounen
    Nov 23, 2021
    10
    this is my first smt game and i love it! the hard bosses even in normal mode. how punishing mistakes are, collection of demon. demon fusion. exploration everything.. im 60h in at the time of writing this and still have so many side quest i didn't finish. super recommendable for first timers like i was.
  51. Maddozman555
    Nov 23, 2021
    9
    Si vienes buscando una experiencia parecida a persona, no la encontratas aquí, a pesar de que comparten lore, smt y persona son productos muy diferentes.
    Si te gustan los juegos con dificultad, un sistema de combate profundo pero a la vez entretenido, un lore grande, tomas de decisiones que te harán pensar en que tipo de persona eres, dale una oportunidad a este juego que siempre pasa    Si vienes buscando una experiencia parecida a persona, no la encontratas aquí, a pesar de que comparten lore, smt y persona son productos muy diferentes.
    Si te gustan los juegos con dificultad, un sistema de combate profundo pero a la vez entretenido, un lore grande, tomas de decisiones que te harán pensar en que tipo de persona eres, dale una oportunidad a este juego que siempre pasa desapercibido    … Expand
  52. Comicmaster138
    Nov 23, 2021
    8
    The game has a really good story and has captivating semi open environments. My only complaint tis that a lot of the bosses can be HP sponges which drag out the time to complete boss fights.
  53. Ranger31
    Nov 23, 2021
    10
    Great game, better visuals than other games, the difficulty is something you can play with instead of no braining the entire game like with most of the new rpg games out there, as only grinding will not help you. The story is so immersive without needing to be thrown at your face every 5 minutes. The design of the world is pretty well done, as well as the movements of the MC, talking aboutGreat game, better visuals than other games, the difficulty is something you can play with instead of no braining the entire game like with most of the new rpg games out there, as only grinding will not help you. The story is so immersive without needing to be thrown at your face every 5 minutes. The design of the world is pretty well done, as well as the movements of the MC, talking about that, it reminds me, the animations are pretty well done as some demons even have unique skills with unique animations and chamera angles. A lot of effort is seen to be put in this game. I would definitely recommend it.… Expand
  54. bot199269
    Nov 23, 2021
    10
    SMT V has:
    A vastly world to explore with a ton of stuff to do.
    A fantastical battle system with a lot of customization. The magatsuhi skills are visually impressing
    A challenging difficult

    The story is very slow but the gameplay is amazing and highly enjoyable.

    I wish this game had a PS4 release with graphical improvements because the artstyle is gorgeous and it deserves an HD version
  55. CallMeRa0uF
    Nov 23, 2021
    10
    I'm 30 hours in and I can safely say that it's one of my favorite games in 2021, all that hype was worth it honestly, I don't have a lot of complaints regarding this game but I have to say that sometimes the switch can't handle some of the models and visuals which leads to some bad stutters and textures pop-ins, and please do not listen to all those negative reviews, they're just a bunchI'm 30 hours in and I can safely say that it's one of my favorite games in 2021, all that hype was worth it honestly, I don't have a lot of complaints regarding this game but I have to say that sometimes the switch can't handle some of the models and visuals which leads to some bad stutters and textures pop-ins, and please do not listen to all those negative reviews, they're just a bunch of whinny PlayStation fanboys who want it released on the PS4.… Expand
  56. Gearbram
    Nov 23, 2021
    10
    I've waited for this game since it's announcement and i'm not disappointed!

    I already played SMT III, SMT IV, SMT IV Apocalypse and Strange Journey (i also played a bunch of Persona games, but that's a different story) and this game here is so far the best in the series/franchise, expanding the gameplay with large, explorable maps, great graphics and even greater music. I personally    I've waited for this game since it's announcement and i'm not disappointed!

    I already played SMT III, SMT IV, SMT IV Apocalypse and Strange Journey (i also played a bunch of Persona games, but that's a different story) and this game here is so far the best in the series/franchise, expanding the gameplay with large, explorable maps, great graphics and even greater music. I personally love to collect all the demons.

    I really don't get, why people review bomb this... Either Die-Hard Persona Fans or the so-called "Console Warriors".

    This game is NOT Persona! Persona is in fact a spin-off of Shin Megami Tensei. Persona is about the individuals in it with a imaginary world in the minds of people. Shin Megami Tensei is about the entire world and the state it is with actual creatures from folklore.
    Persona has a more linear world with a set calendar and social links.
    Shin Megami Tensei has a bigger world free to explore and a more complex battle system, where you can pick your party members from over 200 Demons in the game.

    I personally enjoyed it greatly. That's MY opinion.    … Expand
  57. LiterallyMe
    Nov 23, 2021
    6
    It's ok but I'm not a fan of the changes made to press turn, the relatively terrible music (compared to 3, 4, and 4A), terrible story and pacing, terrible main character design, idolmaster demons, etc.
    If you're starved for a JRPG it will probably satisfy you but this is without a doubt the worst mainline SMT game (yes, including the SNES ones)
    Definitely the worst implementation of    It's ok but I'm not a fan of the changes made to press turn, the relatively terrible music (compared to 3, 4, and 4A), terrible story and pacing, terrible main character design, idolmaster demons, etc.
    If you're starved for a JRPG it will probably satisfy you but this is without a doubt the worst mainline SMT game (yes, including the SNES ones)

    Definitely the worst implementation of Press Turn in a modern MegaTen game and the difficulty curve is broken- the game becomes a cakewalk by the time you get to the second area    … Expand
  58. mepphy
    Nov 23, 2021
    10
    Game Is a success. It kicks your ass if you don't know how to play. Grapich Is very good (for a switch game) and characters interaction are so fun and 4thwall breaking. Also if someone says "this isn't as Persona 5" you are bad
  59. ATPMan08
    Nov 23, 2021
    10
    Better than SMT4A, but it's a crime that it has to be played on an overpriced gimmick console that barely runs even first party games at native resolution.
  60. wsharp91
    Nov 23, 2021
    10
    Es un gran juego, debería estar para otras consolas ya que switch tiene un hardware limitado, aun asi shin megami tensei no deja de ser una gran saga.
  61. BotheredPond
    Nov 23, 2021
    10
    With about 40 hours of gameplay clocked in, this game has surpassed any expectation i had for the S.M.T franchise.
    Despite having the classic JRPG turn-based combat style the gamplay loop remains enjoyable and fresh, with it's challenging battles and fun exploration on an open-ended map.
  62. chaotickclock
    Nov 23, 2021
    10
    A great addition to the SMT series. Wonderful character designs, a mysterious post apocalyptic world to explore, and tons of entertaining conversations to be had with demons in and out of battle. The story might be a bit lacking for some peoples tastes but the game more then makes up for it with the personality of the demons you find on your way. itstutters a bit when opening menus, butA great addition to the SMT series. Wonderful character designs, a mysterious post apocalyptic world to explore, and tons of entertaining conversations to be had with demons in and out of battle. The story might be a bit lacking for some peoples tastes but the game more then makes up for it with the personality of the demons you find on your way. itstutters a bit when opening menus, but aside from that no noticeable performance issues.… Expand
  63. 5xdangp
    Nov 23, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Excellent game with a ton of potential. Highly recommend to anyone who likes JRPGs.… Expand
  64. Itsmine
    Nov 22, 2021
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Great game I've put about 40 hours in to this so far I've enjoyed this game thought the third area is kinda annoying it's kinda a maze if you're not paying attention still fun though just beat the Demon lord took me about 3 times to beat him so I'll recommend this to anyone who enjoys a hard jrpg.… Expand
  65. casasbahia
    Nov 22, 2021
    10
    This game is amazing, i found the joy that i used to have with turn based games with this one
  66. Sfooshy
    Nov 22, 2021
    9
    Honestly I enjoy the gameplay more than ps5. The atmosphere is absolutely amazing. I highly recommend this game if you're looking to play a jrpg on the switch.
  67. Minato-Arisato
    Nov 22, 2021
    0
    Como fan de la saga Megaten, este titulo es simplemente decepcionante.
    Una trama lenta que tarda mucho en iniciar, personajes carentes de carisma (algo inaudito en la serie) y ciertos problemas técnicos muy molestos. Hacen que sea una secuela muy difícil de recomendar.
    Casi prefiero decirle a los demás que solo prueben los anteriores, y que rehúyan de este. Atlus la arruino muy    Como fan de la saga Megaten, este titulo es simplemente decepcionante.
    Una trama lenta que tarda mucho en iniciar, personajes carentes de carisma (algo inaudito en la serie) y ciertos problemas técnicos muy molestos. Hacen que sea una secuela muy difícil de recomendar.
    Casi prefiero decirle a los demás que solo prueben los anteriores, y que rehúyan de este.
    Atlus la arruino muy seriamente con este.    … Expand
  68. Mr_Duck
    Nov 22, 2021
    10
    this is an incredible JRPG. people are review bombing this game for no reason. it is challenging, has great level design and music, and it has a beautiful art style. all of these come together to make one of the greatest JRPGs on the switch.
  69. OhNoItsSenpai
    Nov 22, 2021
    7
    Fun game, staying true to the SMT franchise without the annoying dungeon crawling. Definitely feels like good game direction for the series. However the sprawling open worlds brings up this games main, glaring issue. It's on the Switch. Only plaid on TV so can't speak for how bad it plays in handheld but things look a bit gross, like the background is all cardboard cutouts being moved byFun game, staying true to the SMT franchise without the annoying dungeon crawling. Definitely feels like good game direction for the series. However the sprawling open worlds brings up this games main, glaring issue. It's on the Switch. Only plaid on TV so can't speak for how bad it plays in handheld but things look a bit gross, like the background is all cardboard cutouts being moved by children. Better off waiting for the game to come out on a real console.… Expand
  70. Denuath
    Nov 22, 2021
    9
    Great creature collector and jrpg mix with lots of content. Loading times are fast, graphics are okay and music is awesome.
  71. UltraGigaChad
    Nov 22, 2021
    10
    Best game ever. Best game ever. Best game ever. Best game ever. Best game ever.
  72. FinedrivE
    Nov 22, 2021
    9
    Having played them all since the PS2 this one ranks up near the highest for me. I like it more than III and IV but not as much as IVA which was just weird AF and enjoyable to experience. The story is weaker than other entries like Strange Journey or IV and IVA. A couple of points: - 1. I miss the 2D sprites but understand their time has past. The 3D models look great though and and theHaving played them all since the PS2 this one ranks up near the highest for me. I like it more than III and IV but not as much as IVA which was just weird AF and enjoyable to experience. The story is weaker than other entries like Strange Journey or IV and IVA. A couple of points: - 1. I miss the 2D sprites but understand their time has past. The 3D models look great though and and the animation that goes along with them looks nice and breaths a little bit of life into some demons I’ve been seeing since the PS2 games. - 2. The English dub is good. It’s not great but it’s good. The Japanese dub is nice too. I’m not a “subs are better than dubs” guy but the Japanese voice acting is great. - 3. There are some breakneck changes in environment after the first area. I knew they would have more than just an open desert the entire game but the variety in environments is fantastic. - 4. OG Megaten folks will miss the dungeons. I do. I wish there had been another dungeon throw. In between some of the other areas but otherwise the ones we got were down nicely and added a different feel to the environments.

    - 5. The NORMAL difficulty is a fine place to start. This game is not as punishing as III and feels more inline for IV. That said HARD is brutal and your demons can miss even after accuracy buffs and some of the losses feel especially heart breaking after spending hours preparing. That said it was a good set up to start at normal and learn how to balance the Magastuhi and critical attacks with buffs and debuffs. - 6. The story is weaker than I was expecting. After IV and the ultra weird IVA story wise I was expecting a little more meat. I loved it and I thought they did well without it taking to much time but I would have liked to know a little more and had some of the details ironed out with our side characters. This is nowhere the depth of Strange Journey which was a high-water mark in story telling from Megaten. - 7. The Art direction, GUI, iconography and overall design is gorgeous. There is nothing that doesn’t feel like it was scrutinized thoroughly. Everything looks tight and precise. The scrolling battle Action menu works great. The colors for the buttons and the design in the menus feels great. The map works well and is easy to navigate with. - 8. This isn’t the best game in the world, it is however the best JRPG I have played in a few years and it was well worth the weight. The detail that went into the combat is where this game shines the most though. Every buff, power, attack, item and guard has been meticulously balanced in such a way that I haven’t found a single game-breaking spell combination. There are no easy spell loops or exploits that I’ve found yet. As a result you are absolutely required to pay attention. SMT V will brutalize you for become infected complacent even near the end. - 9. The difficulty ramps up violently, often taking you by surprise with enemies with alt weaknesses and strengths. If you aren’t taking time to balance your party and cover all the bases you will be a victim early on. - This is the best you can get JRPG wise in the current generation of consoles. You won’t find a more challenging and intense experience. That challenge rewards you with an amazing experience though as you realize you’ve mastered an area and know how to react throughout it. If you’re new to this series the easier options in difficulty are a great place to start. This is also the definitive Switch game for me this year. I have not been taxed by a game the way this one does since IV on the 3DS. Do not miss the opportunity to challenge yourself and grow. SMTV is a solid choice for someone who wants to master a game.    … Expand
  73. dojomad
    Nov 22, 2021
    10
    SMT V feature a huge step up from SMT IV, with upgraded models, a huge customization system, addictive combat and exploration. Despite its lapses in the story, the game emerges as one of the best Jrpgs on the Nintendo Switch and shows a good path for Atlus´s future with its first UE4 game.
  74. diegoywea
    Nov 22, 2021
    10
    Amazing SMT game, I've been playing JRPG's for almost all my life since FF3. SMT is my favorite saga and SMT V must be the best JRPG of this year, and maybe one of the best Main SMT series games.
    It has a reasonable difficulty, great demon designs, GREAT MUSIC, a nice story, a very interesting story and mechanics, a lot of improve from the latest series in terms of QOL introduced.
    It is    Amazing SMT game, I've been playing JRPG's for almost all my life since FF3. SMT is my favorite saga and SMT V must be the best JRPG of this year, and maybe one of the best Main SMT series games.
    It has a reasonable difficulty, great demon designs, GREAT MUSIC, a nice story, a very interesting story and mechanics, a lot of improve from the latest series in terms of QOL introduced.
    It is really funny that people is downvoting this masterpiece of the Nintendo Switch, maybe they are Persona fans trying to get some attention. And what I need to tell you, haters, is that we must unite and support Atlus because they gave us a really great game, it has a lot of charms and love, you can feel the love put in this.
    All around, masterpiece of this JRPG era, if you don't like the difficulty just go away and play the repetitive and BRAND NEW (ha, jokes) Pokemon.
    Art: 10/10
    Music: 10/10
    Graphics:10/10
    Replayabilty: 10/10 (lots of different endings as usual)
    Gameplay: 9/10 (Magatsuhi mechanics are interesting for player and enemies)
    Story: 8/10
    Characters: 8/10
    Difficulty: Hard if you don't play SMT main series, if not, the difficulty is around SMTIV levels I would say. Easier than Nocturne.
    Support Atlus, this is a great game, don't downvote just because you are bad or want to cry because Persona 5 isn't on the Switch. This is way better than Persona 5.    … Expand
  75. Roflan105
    Nov 22, 2021
    1
    Very bad game. Story is worst in all SMT franchise. Gameplay is mediocre, open world is good but fights are too easy even on hard mode.
  76. Yeeeeeeee
    Nov 22, 2021
    10
    My favorite of the SMT games and in the Megami Tensei series so far. Looking forward to playing more in the future!
  77. Aosama
    Nov 22, 2021
    10
    Simply my favorite smt game so far
    With interesting story and great character design. The gameplay is also the best in the series And the music is breathtaking
  78. Dizo
    Nov 22, 2021
    10
    good very good and probably the best game in our modern age no complaints haha
  79. Goodnightmoon
    Nov 22, 2021
    10
    This game had a User Score of 9.0 when there was 200 reviews and suddenly more than 80 zero out 10 reviews came in and the game wen down to 7.1. Some people are really angry this game is on the switch and getting praise, this is yet another metabombing which is just sad. Dont trust the user score, this game is outstanding and one of the best rpgs of the generation. 9.5/10.
  80. Bangarangura
    Nov 22, 2021
    10
    It took a few hours to warm to the changes from the previous Smt games but if you stick with it, you'll be won over. Really great gameplay loop, never really feel overwhelmed and the atmosphere, music, art is all excellent. Best looking switch game, and runs perfectly without any need for a day 1 patch. Game developing done properly
  81. Xeno2
    Nov 22, 2021
    9
    Gameplay 10/10
    Music 10/10
    Exploration 10/10 Story and characters 7/10 The game is similar to Pokémon in which the generally the core gameplay stays the same yet manages to shake it up through a few new mechanics or new features every game. In this case it’s the magatsui gauge and exploration which for the most part the game does fantastically. I will say people should temper their    Gameplay 10/10
    Music 10/10
    Exploration 10/10
    Story and characters 7/10 The game is similar to Pokémon in which the generally the core gameplay stays the same yet manages to shake it up through a few new mechanics or new features every game. In this case it’s the magatsui gauge and exploration which for the most part the game does fantastically. I will say people should temper their expectations when it comes to this game series. First of all it is not a persona game unlike those games the story and characters are weaker or more contextual. However the story it’s story telling is more like noturnes but it unfortunately is the weakest part of the game even among the entirety of the smt series.    … Expand
  82. Nuro0o
    Nov 22, 2021
    10
    Love it, very good addition to the shin megami tensei series.

    - Open world is done nicely
    - Love the demon choices
    - Story is pretty interesting
  83. Hyrule34
    Nov 21, 2021
    10
    Shin Megami Tensei V is a wonderful JRPG, I have been playing the game for so many hours, it's fantastic. The game looks beautiful, the combat is great and the soundtrack is a banger. I also love the story and the characters. To anyone complaining that this game is hard: Just play in easy or the free DLC one which is safety mode. If you chose Normal or Hard, then yes the game is hard asShin Megami Tensei V is a wonderful JRPG, I have been playing the game for so many hours, it's fantastic. The game looks beautiful, the combat is great and the soundtrack is a banger. I also love the story and the characters. To anyone complaining that this game is hard: Just play in easy or the free DLC one which is safety mode. If you chose Normal or Hard, then yes the game is hard as hell. So I really don't get your complaint since there's difficulty options for a reason.
    Anyway, while the game looks wonderful on Switch, the frame rate might dip a bit but it's nothing serious. It doesn't hinder the experience. All in all, SMT V is a good SMT game and a great RPG.    … Expand
  84. Bnois
    Nov 21, 2021
    10
    Looks like a swarm of pokefanatics came here to make this game look worse than recent pokemon remakes.
    What can I say, you do you and people who know a thing or two about good games will have a blast playing this one.
  85. Cakwe
    Nov 21, 2021
    8
    Graphics 8/10
    Gameplay 10/10
    Music 9/10
    Story 8/10
    Characters 7/10
    Replayablity 10/10

    Exceeded my expectation. But man being able switch exclusive, make this game suffer a lot from performance issues. Overall i give this game 8 out of 10.
  86. Wex8
    Nov 21, 2021
    10
    Great game. Just everything about it is awesome. Music, combat, exploration are just soo good. Play it.
  87. 2_turnt
    Nov 21, 2021
    10
    This game is simply amazing

    Game of the year
    Gameplay 10/10
    Graphics 8/10
    Music 10/10
    Story 9/10
    Characters 10/10
  88. Ghost7100
    Nov 18, 2021
    10
    This series had a rather slow but smooth transition into HD consoles & I gotta give props to the devs for that, excellent gameplay, exceptional soundtrack & art design, phenomenal storyline that leaves you with a lot to think about.
    Definitely one of the very best the Switch has to offer, & one of the very best iterations of this long running, pioneering series, don't sleep on this one.
  89. Parkerx87
    Nov 21, 2021
    10
    My favorite game of the Switch, very additive, i can't stop playing it, best RPG on the system.
    If you have a Switch you must BUY this game.
  90. Avgvsto
    Nov 21, 2021
    10
    Good Game. A new breath for JRPGs with its massive exploration and customization. A must-play for any Jrpg enjoyer.
  91. asomelord
    Nov 21, 2021
    10
    Excellent game, my only complaints are slight nitpics about things previous installments do better. An excellent start for people who want to get into the series
  92. deadfox
    Nov 15, 2021
    10
    I bought a Switch for this game, and I don't regret it one bit, the game is such a blast, and it's fun to traverse and recruit demons. This series is my favorite for a reason.
  93. NicholasW
    Nov 21, 2021
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. SMT V is one of the most beautiful and fun JRPGs available on the switch, but it's held back by a lackluster story, parts of it's design, and presentation. On the surface, SMT V is one of the best looking games on the switch and it performs fairly well albeit with a couple instances of frame drops as you explore the world of Da'at and during cutscenes. The OST throughout the game is fantastic and might be my favorite across all of the mainline SMT games. Combat is also fast-paced and takes on many of the great aspects from the past two mainline entries (SMT IV and IVA) but with enough new additions to still feel fresh. Demon negotiation and fusion are as addictive as ever with new QoL improvements that eases the frustration that people may have had in past entries. Gameplay is still decently challenging without being overtly frustrating due to how much customization you are given between the protagonist and demons.

    Exploring the world of Da'at is really fun and the maneuverability of the protagonist is a big reason why. Being able to jump and run across Da'at allows players to have a new level of verticality that makes exploring areas feel a whole lot more engaging. However I can't help but feel like the level design is where the game has some issues in. The world of Da'at contains 4 main regions that are very unique in both tone and presentation but some of them suffer from having a confusing or tedious layout that makes exploring them a chore. The game also does feature 2 dungeons although they are rather hit-or-miss due to either being boring to navigate or having an interesting mechanic that isn't used much. Certain dungeons in SMT III also have some of these issues but in that game they are lessened by the unique and creative puzzles that these dungeons offer which isn't necessarily present here.

    The story of SMT V is where I felt the game was really lacking. While there are ideas here that I found to be really fascinating (especially the concept of a Nahobino) they unfortunately aren't explored or presented well enough here to create a solid and compelling narrative. Most of the really exciting plot points are introduced during the early and late game, while mid game feels like filler when it really should have been used for more world building (like introducing the different branches of Bethel) or more character development. Characters in this game serve as exposition dumps as they tell you in chunks regarding the world they reside in. There are hints of decent character development here but only for a select few while the rest of the cast barely get any screen time or a chance to really shine. Even some of the characters who are presented as important to the story are thrown away as side characters and only shown through subquests or unceremoniously killed off. All of this comes off as poor storytelling and ultimately leads to one-note characters that makes it hard to be emotionally invested in them when everything falls apart.

    Alignment and what ending you get in this game unfortunately comes down to a single dialogue choice made at the end of the game rather than based on choices you made throughout like how it was implemented in SMT IV. Some may like it because you can obtain any ending you want but I feel like this design hurts the game's replay value as any of the story choices you make throughout the game is meaningless. The story progression is basically the same for each playthrough and unfortunately doesn't offer any unique branching paths in them like in IV. Although I will admit the alignments in this game are a really nice surprise in who represents them and how they are presented but out of the available endings only one them was really good and felt complete. Overall, the story starts off strong, falls off mid game, and only picks up once you reach late game, but even then it felt really rushed.

    The voice acting here is serviceable, although oddly enough not every scene in the main quest is voiced like in SMT III HD, IV, and IVA. Some subquests are also voiced but only parts of them and some of the ones that seem really important in context of the main story aren't. It's a really odd decision considering what we got in the last three mainline entries. On the English dub side I found it to be really strange that only some of the demons are dubbed while the rest are strictly in Japanese. This might be due to budget constraints so I won't hold it against Atlus but it is very inconsistent.

    All in all, SMT V is a fun game and if you were someone who cares more about the gameplay rather than the story then this is the perfect game for you. The combat is challenging yet fun and exploring the world of Da'at has its own merits at times. But if you play games more for their story, then this game is likely going to disappoint you. I can see a lot of potential here but the game just falls short of being the best JRPG on the Switch.    … Expand
  94. Racsoul
    Nov 21, 2021
    10

    The game is beautiful and for a switch game, they have done well giving us such an outstanding entry like this. One of the most fun and engaging combat over of all the main smt games. I amply recommend this
  95. yuki12345
    Nov 20, 2021
    10
    單純從玩家角度來說…真的非常非常好玩！
    惡魔合成系統對於我這種有收集癖的人來說是欲罷不能的存在～～
    千萬不要在工作日玩哦，會玩到深夜，真的能上癮
  96. Yourguyrei
    Nov 17, 2021
    10
    Wow. What an amazing game. New to the series but over 10 hours in and I'm already in love with it. Everything about the game is perfect. The only thing would be difficulty level for bosses but it's an added challenge that only adds a big reward feel when you overcome them. While there is some grinding needed to proceed through most bosses, the combat system keeps it fun and engaging andWow. What an amazing game. New to the series but over 10 hours in and I'm already in love with it. Everything about the game is perfect. The only thing would be difficulty level for bosses but it's an added challenge that only adds a big reward feel when you overcome them. While there is some grinding needed to proceed through most bosses, the combat system keeps it fun and engaging and the visuals are crisp and vivid. Definitely check this one out. Will be checking out the rest of the series after sinking a few dozen more hours into this one. :)… Expand
  97. TalionSwift
    Nov 19, 2021
    10
    Geez, I never really played many games in this franchise, but this one is the best that I've played. Definitely the only one I can say that I've beaten. However it was not an easy task but was quite fun. I love it.
  98. Dakath
    Nov 19, 2021
    10
    Excellent JRPG, nothing like Persona which might upset people who might think that they're alike. SMT is more focused on dark and philosophical themes instead of Persona's more personal and wholesome stories. You get multiple endigs but unlike Persona, none of them is inherently bad or worse than another. Music also deserves praise, it fits excellently to the mood of the game. Only minorExcellent JRPG, nothing like Persona which might upset people who might think that they're alike. SMT is more focused on dark and philosophical themes instead of Persona's more personal and wholesome stories. You get multiple endigs but unlike Persona, none of them is inherently bad or worse than another. Music also deserves praise, it fits excellently to the mood of the game. Only minor con is the performance, fps drops some times and loading times tend to be longish… Expand
  99. Coded
    Nov 19, 2021
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Spent a long time thinking about this, so I thought I’d give my honest thoughts.

    Out of all the SMT line games I’ve played from mainline to spin-offs this one was probably my least favourite. The combat and demon summoning system were the same steadfast that longtime players have gotten to know and love - and I even enjoyed some of the new additions (i.e.; race specific abilities). The music was also a high point for me and generally fit with the atmosphere.

    Where the game really falls flat is on its story and overalll feel. The story for the most part is non-existent - and I’m not just talking about dialogue spews (as much as I enjoy those, usually the mainline games are less reliant on them, and manage not to suffer for it). What I can say with absolute certainty is that o felt more about the world and characters in other mainline games (Nocturne, SMT IV) and some of the less story intensive spin-offs (Strange Journey). I never thought I’d say that a cosmic game of such epic proportions could feel so inconsequential. Part of it lies in the fact that your character, for the vast majority of the game, doesn’t really make any ‘choices’. The other games did a good job of bringing clear alignment in the early game, and even if there were ways out of it you generally created a path for yourself from start to end. Having a home base of sorts where you always returned to for small tidbits of story without really adding much may have actually been a down point in the story, Abbas the few situations interacting with characters in a mostly empty world didn’t do much to make you care about them (even those they swiftly killed off).

    Generally it was a turn based slugfest, which while enjoyable in bursts, seemed to overstay its welcome. Spending tens of hours walking around maps isn’t bad by itself, but it would have been better with some pacing and a bigger sense of purpose. The environments were nice to start with, but soon grew bland (the lighting sometimes felt more obnoxious and in the way than moody - imagine trying to find a new path or a collectable when the colouring gets in the way).

    All in all, it has me a bit worried for the future.

    I still enjoyed the game for what it’s worth and I’m sure many others did to - it was just generally a step down from my historical experience and expectations. Without the classic combat system it would have fallen flat for me. And if you don’t get any enjoyment out of that, you likely won’t enjoy this game.    … Expand
  100. Risax
    Nov 19, 2021
    8
    Although the game isn't as brutally unfair as IV was, especially at the start where you could get ambushed and wiped out in the tutorial fight, SMT V is still hard as and a slip-up during a random encounter can get your party wiped out. But I like it!

    Exploration feels amazing. Running and jumping around to find Minman's, treasure or just cross the area is a lot of fun even if most of    Although the game isn't as brutally unfair as IV was, especially at the start where you could get ambushed and wiped out in the tutorial fight, SMT V is still hard as and a slip-up during a random encounter can get your party wiped out. But I like it!

    Exploration feels amazing. Running and jumping around to find Minman's, treasure or just cross the area is a lot of fun even if most of the areas are a bit "meh" to look at. If you've seen one ruined cityscape in the desert or ash than you've seen them all, I'd say. But that really doesn't get me out of the game.

    The best part about the game has to be combat, however. Finding enemy weaknesses to take them out before they can even take a turn feels *fantastic*! But you're always kept on your toes, because if you're unlucky the same thing can happen to you. Which takes us to the World of Shadows where Demons gather and you can fuse more powerful Demons that might lack the weaknesses of the old ones.

    Or you can try to convince a Demon to join your group by talking to one during combat. They might call you a b***h and leave, though. But those conversations are probably another thing that makes the game great.

    Now what I dislike about this new game in the series is stuff like the buffs now being on a timer and feeling pretty much useless until you get their "Ma" versions that can target the entire party. In past games they simply lasted until they got dispelled. I guess that adds another layer of challenge which I can *kind of* understand, but I still kind of feel "meh" about it.

    Physical attacks no longer taking HP and *everything* simply costing MP now does friggin' suck. Takes away the fun of "Hmmm... Do I want to use this big move that does a lot of damage but costs x amount of HP, or will I hold off for now?" I also don't understand why they've done away with it because SMT IV still used HP for it, and the Persona 5 spin-off games that have come out in the interim still use it as well.

    Overall, I would score the game between an 8 and an 8.5. Some changes and additions I dislike, but overall it's a solid game that I will likely play again to get a different ending once I finish it. It's a definite recommendation on my end!    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

22
#22 Best Switch Game of 2021
6
#6 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 98 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 89 out of 98
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 98
  3. Negative: 0 out of 98
  1. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Mar 7, 2022
    80
    What a journey! After eight years of waiting, the fifth installment of MegaTen is finally here, and it manages to deliver a satisfying experience. It may not have the deepest plot or most interesting cast of human characters, but it's fun, and I appreciate that it challenged me to think more about myself, my beliefs and how I view the world around me. And how many games can do that? [Issue #57 – January/February 2022, p. 76]
  2. Universo Nintendo
    Mar 5, 2022
    90
    SMTV brought everything I expected from a new chapter in the series of one of the first RPG games made, always renewing and innovating. We have an adventure that will make you stay for more than 40 hours hoping it doesn't end. It's really a great must-have for SMT fans and highly recommended for any RPG fan.
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  3. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Feb 18, 2022
    80
    Comparing with an adored Persona cannot be avoided, but it is still a quite different experience for a different audience. Great fights, growing demons, excelent graphics and atmosphere. This JRPG succeeded.
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