Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance - Review

RPGFan reviewed Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance:

Review: Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance

It’s now par de course for ATLUS to release expanded follow-up releases of their titles, the first being Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3: FES back in 2008. Nearly 20 years later, with almost as much of a mouthful of a title, we have been blessed with Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance. This version-1.5 game was hotly anticipated by many fans of the original Shin Megami Tensei V, given the game had elements that were slightly undercooked or absent. Luckily, Vengeance provides spadefuls of updated and new features alongside an entirely new story path to play through. Join me at the nearest Leyline Fount and we shall journey onward to Da’at!

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance offers the player a choice immediately upon starting a new game: follow the Canon of Creation or the Canon of Vengeance. This acts as a selection between the Shin Megami Tensei V story route and the Vengeance exclusive. Remember these terms, as I use them to distinguish between the two games. After selecting the Canon of Vengeance, we meet the trapped soul of a mysterious girl who is portended to be pivotal to catastrophic events. I love a bit of catastrophe and happily confirmed my decision. The superb soundtrack establishes the game’s mood from the get-go. Even in these opening moments, the ATLUS Sound Team did a phenomenal job creating a range of atmospheres from eerie and mysterious to ramping things up for some stellar boss fights. The music works hand-in-hand with the visual design and I could not resist the draw to Vengeance’s otherworldly beauty.

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Overall, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is a vastly improved experience when compared to the standalone Shin Megami Tensei V. Heck, the original is literally included in the game as the Canon of Creation. I had some qualms with the pacing in parts, but most of the Canon of Vengeance was a refined and satisfying time that can appeal to both newcomers and fans of the original release. Playing in 4k at 60fps was the icing on the cake, and seeing as Vengeance also has a Switch version, I’d encourage anyone who is able to play it on a console or PC that can run the game at peak performance.

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Score: 93/100