Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance is a greatly improved and expanded version of the original game, maintaining the series’ essence while introducing new features and improvements. The game offers two routes with significant differences, new characters, and events that enhance the narrative. The combat system remains challenging, requiring strategic thinking and careful team management. The overall experience has been refined with new areas, mechanics, and optional missions, maintaining the game’s hardcore turn-based JRPG style.
In Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance, players must carefully build their team, discover enemies’ weaknesses, and negotiate with demons to join their side. Mistakes are costly, and players must be cautious in battles. The game’s austerity is present in all facets, with new spaces to explore, more secrets to uncover, and rewarding optional missions. Players must strategically level up their team members and constantly convince demons to join them for fusion mechanics to create powerful creatures. Boss battles are challenging and demand respect, pushing players to improve their team constantly.
Completing secondary missions is crucial for leveling up and earning rewards. Despite the improvements in design and content, the game remains challenging, true to the series’ reputation for being difficult and demanding. Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance offers a rewarding and punishing experience for players seeking a hardcore JRPG challenge.
Enhanced Experience
With higher resolution, faster load times, and improved graphics on more powerful consoles like Xbox Series X, Atlus presents Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance as a standout in the modern era of JRPGs. The game demands time and respect, offering a deep and challenging experience that balances history with current trends.
Definitive Version
Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance is seen as the definitive version, with added story, refined locations, and general improvements that enhance the gameplay without making it easier. The game includes new features and refinements that elevate it to a respected JRPG, offering a combat system full of strategy and a high-quality soundtrack.
- An austere experience that demands immense attention
- Vengeance adds more story and refines various locations
- General refinements that enhance the fun without making it easier
- Improved sense of reward when engaging in optional tasks
- More and enhanced optional tasks
- Combat system full of strategy
- The soundtrack features high-quality themes
- The visual quality still leaves something to be desired
- It may be too punishing for many players
- The grinding may become tiresome after several dozen hours
