Angels , Nahobino , and demon oh my !
The Shin Megami Tensei franchise is a mainstay in JRPGs , and for good reason . The series immix habit-forming turn - ground combat , customizable parties with over 200 unique demons to acquire and upgrade , and a philosophic tarradiddle about the destruction of the world certain to leave players chew over the position of the angels and daimon .
With over four days since Shin Megami Tensei V ’s announcement , fans will be beatify to have it off the long wait was deserving it , as Atlus has outdone themselves in most every area in which the franchise excels . SMT V is a game that knows what longtime fan of the serial desire : a darker tale with more arduous RPG combat , strong world - construction , and eccentric that will impact its players .
Angels vs. Demons
Shin Megami Tensei V places players in the shoes of a Nahobino , a immortal revere by both angels and monster . As an outsider in the struggle between these two opposing force in SMT V ’s story , player have a unique vantage point thematically . Neither side of the angels and demons ' fight is entirely in the right , as both sides commit atrocities against their enemy in the name of victory . How far will you go to do what you trust is right ? When do the ends stop apologize the mean value ?
Some angels transmit the Nahobino to dispose of defenseless demons without the will to struggle , and some demons lie to convince histrion to kill angels in their place . Even the side missions are adept at showcasing the error of both sides of this battle , and player can see the forbidding tarradiddle from the eye of one just as new to the war . Keep in mind , however , that taking sides in this conflict comes with consequences . It ’s up to the player to decide what to fight for .
Related : How many Demons are there in Shin Megami Tensei V ? – Full Demon listing
Intense Turned-Based Combat
Shin Megami Tensei practice a turn - establish fight system in which the Nahobino can have up to three allies . In combat , players discover the enemy ’s elemental weakness with various customizable company member and abilities to deal special damage and make extra turns in combat . do in scrap charges the Special Attack gauge , known as Magatsuhi , and players can perform some powerful plan of attack to overwhelm opponents once this taproom is full . Enemies also have a Magatsuhi calibre and can implement particular attacks and strike at weakness , leading to many tense conflict throughout the movement .
Shin Megami Tensei V does n’t hold player ' hand or guide them through the intricacies of fight far past the initial tutorial . It acquire less than an hour for players to find their first combat encounter , and soon they ’ll confront foes that take in - depth scheme to overcome . Discovering how to undecomposed the enemy whelm challenge is all up to players , which requires a fair morsel of longanimity .
Take Your Heart… and Your Grit
Those expecting an experience like Persona 5 should look elsewhere . SMT V is an whole different dealership . Allies in battle are wholly comprised of demons that instrumentalist recruit via conversations and fusion in the World of Shadows , which intend musician will consistently necessitate to tote up enemies to their rank to stand against foes . geminate this with cruel combat encounters where a single error can lead to defeat in even overworld clash , and it ’s a secret plan that takes some adjustment . Those anticipating something akin to Atlus ' Persona titles will have a tough sentence accept SMT 5 for what it is : a intriguing RPG with a more grounded approach to storytelling . There is no one " right " reply to the conflict in SMT cinque — as with any war , the motivation of the angels and demons are complex , and each side has a valid linear perspective .
Another massive remainder between Shin Megami Tensei V and its spinoff series is the approach to storytelling . Shin Megami Tensei focuses more on the worldly concern and overarching motif . The centering here is the commonwealth of the creation now vs. its old state . What cause the current state of war , what solution can players implement , and what will be the repercussion ? The cast of SMT V is arresting here , and there are some standout characters , like Amanozako , a fiend the Nahobino meets early on .
While SMT V is a fantastic package , it has a few flaws . While the biz looks stunning on the Switch , it is incredibly trying on the system guide and can cause the console to overheat . The weak hardware also shows in gameplay , too , as it just is n’t enough to make some of the game ’s overt areas shine as the character model do .
The most noticeable negative the biz offers is the slow start . SMT V ’s first five hours are far weaker than the rest of the game in all aspects . If histrion can push past this hurdle , the biz will overcharge them .
Verdict
Fans of the Shin Megami Tensei series are sure to find plentifulness to love in this faithful subsequence and the strongest entry in the franchise yet , but keep in mind this deed of conveyance is n’t for the swoon of heart . It ’ll be gainsay , even frustrating at meter , but those unforced to press through that challenge are in for a phenomenal story and an unforgettable journey . It ’s not a plot for everyone , not even all JRPG rooter . Still , this ecological niche serial has remained a giant for decade thanks to its dedication to roughshod battles , reasoning storytelling , and a robust round - base combat system . Shin Megami Tensei V is the serial publication at its ripe , and those who persevere are sure to love this championship .
