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. Traumvita
    Sep 6, 2023
    8
    It’s an SMT game. Good turn based combat. Solid story about Gods and creations and destruction etc etc. visuals are good I like the direction but a little fuzzy and held back by switch limitations. Felt like a DQ11 world with big open areas to explore. Challenging at times but why else would you be playing an SMT game. A must play RPG for any switch owner.
  2. insedente
    Aug 27, 2023
    10
    Не дивлячись на те, що гра місцями об'єктивно недороблена через те, що відбувалося в студії під час її розробки, вона все одно лишається одним з кращих ексклюзивів свіча й точно заслуговує уваги. Як мінімум геймплейно й естетично - гра чудоваНе дивлячись на те, що гра місцями об'єктивно недороблена через те, що відбувалося в студії під час її розробки, вона все одно лишається одним з кращих ексклюзивів свіча й точно заслуговує уваги. Як мінімум геймплейно й естетично - гра чудова
  3. cerb747
    Jul 6, 2023
    10
    In my opinion this game is the best in the franchise and hard mode in this One is equal if not harder than SMT3 Nocturne. Top Notch Turn Based JRPG
  4. FunMisery
    Jul 6, 2023
    0
    I don’t understand the positive reception. Smt games were never flawless, but they always had lots of redeeming features. This entry regressed beyond redemption with the introduction being a sweet combination of handholding, uninteresting writing and boring exploration. If you get past the boring introduction of this game you’ll get rewarded with lots of design decisions that unnecessarilyI don’t understand the positive reception. Smt games were never flawless, but they always had lots of redeeming features. This entry regressed beyond redemption with the introduction being a sweet combination of handholding, uninteresting writing and boring exploration. If you get past the boring introduction of this game you’ll get rewarded with lots of design decisions that unnecessarily decreases the quality of this game f.e. artificially rising the difficulty of encounters against demons of higher level than you. This game is amazing at making me want to play older smt games tho.… Expand
  5. Emp55
    Jul 4, 2023
    9
    Best turn based combat system I've ever played. If it weren't for the ending, I'd give it a 10
  6. l0w
    Jul 1, 2023
    0
    I am an enjoyer of SMT3 in addition to Persona 3, 4 and 5. I wanted to like SMTV, but the performance on my Switch is terrible. I can't believe more people aren't talking about how chunky and poorly this game runs. As a Switch exclusive, it should not be running at 18 fps all the time, it just feels bad. Looks great otherwise, I'm no snob. It just has terrible game-feel on account of theI am an enjoyer of SMT3 in addition to Persona 3, 4 and 5. I wanted to like SMTV, but the performance on my Switch is terrible. I can't believe more people aren't talking about how chunky and poorly this game runs. As a Switch exclusive, it should not be running at 18 fps all the time, it just feels bad. Looks great otherwise, I'm no snob. It just has terrible game-feel on account of the heavy stuttering and syrupy unresponsiveness.… Expand
  7. OmegaAP
    Jun 27, 2023
    0
    Having no party or a sub par story doesn’t do the game any favours however the combat is serviceable.
  8. DJBobRokk
    Jun 14, 2023
    4
    I love Japanese care to make games.. but this one is a nonsense.. boring at top level, no feel into gameplay, no interest into dialogues, no attraction into environment
  9. Loicz
    May 3, 2023
    9
    Hands down the best JRPG on the system as for May2023. Very few are the games where I spent +60 hours and still wanting more. I'm almost done with it, and having not played any SMT game before I cannot give you the "it's better or worse" than previous titles lesson, and to be honest I don't care. This title ticks all the boxes, it's great in every aspect. It's a 9.5. Can't wait for theHands down the best JRPG on the system as for May2023. Very few are the games where I spent +60 hours and still wanting more. I'm almost done with it, and having not played any SMT game before I cannot give you the "it's better or worse" than previous titles lesson, and to be honest I don't care. This title ticks all the boxes, it's great in every aspect. It's a 9.5. Can't wait for the next one. I've now purchased Nocturne on switch and Devil Survivor 2 on 3DS, but I doubt they'll be reaching that high on my top played game list. SMT5 has reach top 1, yes, closely followed by RE4 (not the remaster). Funny cause these are the last 2 games I played, so I feel kind of lucky, and I'm playing games since the early 90s. Yes i'm that old. Just grab it and shut up ;)… Expand
  10. AlvaroTrainer
    Apr 23, 2023
    10
    God graffics, music and characters. The best way to start on smt games. Nahobino best main character
  11. EalyLiu
    Apr 8, 2023
    10
    It's great. It's the best game I've ever seen. The picture is exquisite, the movement is smooth, and the design is exquisite.
  12. shw079
    Mar 1, 2023
    8
    I picked up this game because of my perfect experience in Persona 5. The game doesn't have a plot (I mean it) compare to other RPGs, but magically I am happy to play it to the end without a complain. The music may sound monotonous or dull at first but it actually fits surprisingly well to the world the game tries to describe and thus I feel the composers/developers are really clever aboutI picked up this game because of my perfect experience in Persona 5. The game doesn't have a plot (I mean it) compare to other RPGs, but magically I am happy to play it to the end without a complain. The music may sound monotonous or dull at first but it actually fits surprisingly well to the world the game tries to describe and thus I feel the composers/developers are really clever about this. I played the game in normal difficulty, and it was one of the most difficult normal difficulty I have ever played. I blacked out a few times at the first few hours into the game but the game is becoming much easier later on once you get the mechanics. Something is magical about this game but I couldn't really tell. What a weird yet enjoyable experience!… Expand
  13. GRX3m0m
    Feb 24, 2023
    4
    Mediocre story, coupled with dragging battles and too much grinding needed to even stand a chance against bosses, killed the game not even 10 hours in. As someone who loves turn-based RPG, I expected to love the game, but it turns out it was only made for hardcore fans of the series, which unfortunately, I am not.
  14. Netrion
    Feb 15, 2023
    7
    This game at it's core is very fun, great story, great characters, and fun gameplay, but I can't help but feel that it was too limited by the Switch and it's performance.
  15. daimon72
    Feb 10, 2023
    4
    Boring as hell. Nonexistent plot, boring atmosphere. It's like this game was made for a robot to enjoy. Completely lacks creativity. I can't believe how generic this game is. Huge downgrade from SMT IV imo.
  16. keshudioo
    Jan 15, 2023
    0
    I couldn't start enjoying the game because it's all loading screens, loading screens, loading screens... low fps, low resolution textures...
  17. kems
    Jan 8, 2023
    3
    I'm not a SMT fan, I've only played Persona 5 and this game. And my score is not objective, because I'm just around 8hrs in the game. But so far this is a constant battle between myself wishing to drop it and all the people who said this was the best jrpg of 2021. The only thing I've liked until this point is the versatility of your party. Battle system is just meh, it's like persona 5 butI'm not a SMT fan, I've only played Persona 5 and this game. And my score is not objective, because I'm just around 8hrs in the game. But so far this is a constant battle between myself wishing to drop it and all the people who said this was the best jrpg of 2021. The only thing I've liked until this point is the versatility of your party. Battle system is just meh, it's like persona 5 but worst. Technically no comments, is awful. The music is weird, because it feels cohesive with the atmosphere of the game... but I like neither atmosphere nor the music. Story is non existing, I've heard that nearly at the end of the game it starts developing. I'm not going to play 50hrs of a game just to see if the story it's probably good, so I'll just say it's bad. Characters are so dead and unappealing. And the progression of the game is just boring, it's a grindfest from the start. I'm ok with grinding, but a game that just throws you into a world to grind for hours without knowing why or what the hell is going on it's just nonsense.
    And the difficulty spikes oh God. I like difficult games, but I hate unfair ones. It's so obnoxious to be exploring a new area for secrets and collectibles for 30 minutes, just to be surprised by an enemy group who attack first, one shots your main character and make you lose all your progress from last save point (because forget about auto save or manual save from the map, just get back to last save point). If I ever finish this game I'll update this rating, but everyday I'm closer to drop it, so I doubt it.    … Expand
  18. ShahTheDude
    Dec 25, 2022
    2
    Boring story, Repetitive grindy gameplay on medium and probably the easiest game ever on easy it's like they couldn't make up thier mind, it feels like if you don't let me F you than I wouldn't play with you lol, boring atmosphere and open world with very ugly graphics and not because of the Nintendo Switch because the Switch has very beautiful games obviously, very boring characters,Boring story, Repetitive grindy gameplay on medium and probably the easiest game ever on easy it's like they couldn't make up thier mind, it feels like if you don't let me F you than I wouldn't play with you lol, boring atmosphere and open world with very ugly graphics and not because of the Nintendo Switch because the Switch has very beautiful games obviously, very boring characters, honestly UT is a waste of money and time! The Shin megami tensei 3 remastered is A LOT better game than V, and now that Persona 5 Royal is on the Switch you have NO reason to spend any money on this crappy game, if you got a 3ds go back and play the ones on it because honestly those are much better than V, Shin megami tensei V is a worthless disappointment.… Expand
  19. Nnorvv
    Nov 18, 2022
    9
    Could be better in terms of story and characters, but gameplay and exploration is rock solid, fun and exciting. Played for 90h finishing game 4 times on all endings.
  20. ericiidx
    Oct 28, 2022
    6
    It's just okay. Fans of Shin Megami Tensei and/or JRPGs in general will probably be able to look past the game's myriad flaws. The game's story beats play out exactly as you'd expect with little to no exposition, and there are no surprises for anyone who has played a SMT game before -- it's a story of angels and demons warring in some-day-Tokyo, with you right in the middle. The gameIt's just okay. Fans of Shin Megami Tensei and/or JRPGs in general will probably be able to look past the game's myriad flaws. The game's story beats play out exactly as you'd expect with little to no exposition, and there are no surprises for anyone who has played a SMT game before -- it's a story of angels and demons warring in some-day-Tokyo, with you right in the middle. The game doesn't really respect your time, whether it's the constant need for (light) grinding, or the uselessness of much of the non-story-related dialogue (I don't need a demon to tell me "there's a human up ahead," I can see them 10 feet away.) The Switch hardware both struggles to maintain 30FPS, and its age imparts a number of graphical downgrades in order to do so. The music is absolutely excellent - once again, the shining star of a SMT game - but sounds muddled, as if it were mastered to sound best coming out of the Switch's built-in speakers. The demons (who also appear in the Persona series) look better than they ever have, but again, the detail and performance is hampered by the inadequate Switch hardware.

    Every aspect of the game feels like give and take, but to me, this feels like one for the fans. For those who just want to battle familiar demons and drown themselves in a moody, wailing industrial soundtrack. I really think this game could've been an entirely different beast if it weren't Switch exclusive. Being able to pause and resume a game on a whim is always nice, though...    … Expand
  21. ClayLamm
    Sep 19, 2022
    10
    People who don't like Shin Megami Tensei mainline games, who in many cases have never played them, played this and didn't like it because it wasn't Persona 6.

    It's one of the best JRPGs of all time, and it's a damn good SMT game. Period.
  22. M3G4L
    Sep 15, 2022
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Great and fun gameplay, animations are excellent and character designs in 3D maintain their essence as in past games. But sadly the messy story beats really hurt its score, for a game that's premise is the core appeal it didn't deliver as great as it should.… Expand
  23. Ramas
    Sep 15, 2022
    6
    Not a bad game, but not good either. If you played persona 5, so that game wins on all fronts vs this game, story, music, combat, overall quality.
  24. ScottPilgrim
    Sep 15, 2022
    9
    i love when game devs challenge the player and respect them. this game does not hold your hand and play mama and papa. it’s up to you to trial and error your way through the game and gain experience and knowledge until you have it finally click, and start seeing more victory than defeat . the turn based is very challenging and strategic af. the game incentives the player to explore andi love when game devs challenge the player and respect them. this game does not hold your hand and play mama and papa. it’s up to you to trial and error your way through the game and gain experience and knowledge until you have it finally click, and start seeing more victory than defeat . the turn based is very challenging and strategic af. the game incentives the player to explore and find every and anything that will aid them on their tough journey. to my friends i call it the dark souls of turn based rpg. i hate how easy games are becoming as the new generations want everything to be easy.. but this game says no to that trend. i would give it a 10 but the story is lacking , but the gameplay , maps, and exploration kept me dying for more . very solid game .no random encounters either so it’s modernized . i would also take a point off for the performance but that isn’t the studios fault , that’s nintendos fault for keeping us on this ancient tech. but it does well with what it’s given .… Expand
  25. celtaheaven
    Sep 4, 2022
    2
    I wanted to have the will to explain in details how bad this game is. I tried to not bring myself, wasting my time, to explain such disgraceful and disappointing this game was, but yet here I am.

    To summarize: 10/10 gameplay, 8/10 visual and 7/10 audio direction; seems good right? Well, this is the reason why individual factors dont play in how a videogame product is good, because in    I wanted to have the will to explain in details how bad this game is. I tried to not bring myself, wasting my time, to explain such disgraceful and disappointing this game was, but yet here I am.

    To summarize: 10/10 gameplay, 8/10 visual and 7/10 audio direction; seems good right? Well, this is the reason why individual factors dont play in how a videogame product is good, because in everything else this game is awful. I can't even describe how bad it is. Awful plot, characters, development, ending; everything else.

    The game basically tries way too hard to pose as something minimalist, objective, stylish, end up being the laziest unfinished videogame I've ever seen from a double to triple A industry.

    This game became the reason why I wont pre-order any other game, even from a "trustful" company.    … Expand
  26. certainvictory
    Sep 3, 2022
    10
    Only about 7 hours into the game and I'm already so impressed with the graphic design, story and difficulty.
  27. LordCha
    Aug 3, 2022
    10
    One word is enough "Masterpiece"

    To say more, it was well worth the wait for this game over the years. Definitely a game that can be played for 100 hours or more.
  28. OpenSauce04
    Jul 21, 2022
    10
    The best open world game and one of if not the best JPRGs I have ever played
    Go in expecting nothing to be like Persona except for some combat elements and the demons, and you'll have an absolute blast
  29. Zachu
    Jul 20, 2022
    9
    Compared to something like Fire Emblem Three Houses, which says you can customize your roster, it pales in comparison to what you can do in Shin Megami Tensei V. Your roster of yourself and 3 other demons, some of the coolest designs the series has seen yet too, to forage your way through Tokyo and claim your godhood as the tarnished sin of the Nahobino, a fusion of a human and a demon'sCompared to something like Fire Emblem Three Houses, which says you can customize your roster, it pales in comparison to what you can do in Shin Megami Tensei V. Your roster of yourself and 3 other demons, some of the coolest designs the series has seen yet too, to forage your way through Tokyo and claim your godhood as the tarnished sin of the Nahobino, a fusion of a human and a demon's knowledge.

    My favorite part of the game was easily the first area, running around Tokyo slowly building up your roster and doing every sidequest felt so inviting. This is the only game where I feel massivley inclined to do every sidequest, and the movement was fun on the overworld trying to get to places you're not supposed to and then being rewarded with a Miman, one of the tiny creatures that grant you Glory, a currency to further your stats. The game kind of fizzled out in excitement, especially when you're forced back into the mundane human world and not Da'at, the destroyed Tokyo. This game is so much fun and you're encouraged not to grind but rather keep fusing demons to grow your roster and collect essences to make them truly unique for whatever challenge you face. When you hit a tough boss it feels so rewarding to come back with a party well equipped to exploit his weaknesses; not to mention the amazing soundtrack accompanying you as you fight these battles. It truly is something special and makes you feel like a tactical genius... until it throws you into the Yamato-no-Orochi zone.

    This is the final zone of the game and it makes you collect 3 keys from 3 super bosses 10 levels higher than you to forge through on an uninteresting plot. This one is objectively a grind of running around aimlessly waiting for Ara Mitamas to pop up to gain tons of EXP. I wouldn't mind it honestly if it was supported by a strong plot, but it's not. The premise is super interesting initially, reclaim the throne of God and remake the world in your vision, however the characters supporting each choice lack any sort of depth and I was just kinda pillaging onwards for my own goals.

    As JRPG's go, this one is one of the best. Combat is so meaningful and so so so much fun, exploring is so much fun, but the plot lacked any characters that have any depth or meaning to the overall story and it really fell flat in this regard. Play SMT V it is such a treat to play.
    (My favorite demon is easily **** followed by Loki.)    … Expand
  30. MechGundam13
    Jul 18, 2022
    9
    I've never played a SMT Game before, SMT V was a great introduction for me into the Series.
    SMT V has great visuals, the Monster Design is fantastic and the Story is interesting.
    But I should note that the Game is really Grind Heavy.
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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.
    Read full review
  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.
See all critic reviews »