Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is widely praised for its deep and strategic turn-based combat system, especially the enhanced demon fusion mechanics and extensive party customization options. Players appreciate the freedom to experiment with team builds and the challenging yet fair difficulty, which rewards tactical thinking over grinding. The game features a visually appealing world with roaming demons and a rich soundtrack that complements the dark, apocalyptic setting. The Vengeance edition is noted as a significant improvement over the original release, adding more bosses integrated into the main story, which enhances pacing and engagement. While the story is considered interesting, it is often described as sparse or underwhelming compared to other SMT entries. The open-world exploration offers a large map but can feel empty and slow due to lack of sprinting and repetitive environments. Quality-of-life improvements like saving anywhere and better UI are highly valued by players.

Highlights

Players praise the game's complex and rewarding combat mechanics, highlighting the best bosses and party-building in the series. The demon fusion system is regarded as top-notch with convenient features like instant summoning from the compendium. The soundtrack and art direction receive strong commendations for enhancing the game's atmosphere. The freedom to customize teams and replay for multiple endings adds significant replayability. The Vengeance DLC is especially appreciated for adding meaningful content and improving overall gameplay experience.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include the large but barren open-world that lacks engaging exploration incentives, making travel feel tedious. The story is often described as barebones and less impactful than previous SMT titles, lacking emotional depth or memorable characters. Some players find the graphics outdated and repetitive environments frustrating. The lack of a female protagonist option and limited narrative choices are noted as missed opportunities. Additionally, a few mention occasional bugs and crashes, though these are not widespread. The demon compendium completion can feel like a chore to some.