Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance review – Ghouls just want to have fun

Nintendo Switch owners have had plenty of reasons to be smug, thanks to the exclusivity of top franchises and one-off games from outside studios. At long last, though, one of the best JRPGs on that system has escaped to new platforms. And in definitive form.

In 2021, Shin Megami Tensei V hit the Switch, giving fans of post-apocalyptic fantasy dozens of gameplay elements, tons of monsters to catch, and loads of tactical spellcasting to master. A terrific game that could go the distance, Shin Megami Tensei V may not have been perfect but its positives far outweighed its negatives. A couple of years later, the game is now available on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. Suppose you missed out on it because you weren’t ready yet to give Mario even more gold coins for his bank account. In that case, the good news is that Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance isn’t just the base game with a slick coat of HDier paint; it’s a marked improvement on the original that transforms an already excellent adventure into an even better one.

The most obvious difference here is how Vengeance runs, as the game leverages the extra horses under the hood of current consoles and PC to deliver a consistently smooth experience. On the Switch, the game was notorious for stuttering worse than King George VI during a wartime speech, as increased action would frequently drop frames. On beefier platforms, Vengeance doesn’t have those issues, although it’s worth noting that there aren’t any major texture or character model upgrades in this edition. The graphics have remained the same overall, but they’re still exquisitely stylized and seeing the action run without skipping a frame is a visual treat.

In terms of content, the other big upgrade in Vengeance is an entirely new storyline, called Canon of Vengeance. This adds to the game’s original narrative, Canon of Creation, and is centered on high school student and exorcism specialist Yoko Hiromine as she embarks on a mission of revenge. Joined by a group of powerful female demons called the Qadistu, Yoko’s story is full of twists and turns, creating a more fast-paced alternative to the original and slower campaign. It can still be tedious at times, but compared to Canon of Creation, it’s a welcome alternative to that narrative path.

This is one aspect of the game that a faster frame rate simply cannot rectify, as the storyline in Vengeance frequently drags its feet. This is a title you have to commit to – a shotgun wedding between your free time and it – but if you can get past the progress lulls, there’s quality stuff to savour. For example, side-characters have been reworked to feel more important in the grand scheme of things, as the new guest gameplay mechanic sees them join your side at pivotal moments in the storyline.

With unique skills to give you a leg up when facing powerful demons, they’re powerful allies to have in your corner when the plot allows them to join you. Even better, they don’t replace any of the demons in your small army, further increasing their usefulness. Just don’t get too attached to them, as they’re temporary allies.

Exploration is also improved in Vengeance, as several very welcome quality-of-life updates not only make the experience better, but also far more enjoyable. You’ve got more detailed maps, better options for navigation, and several other tweaks to make checking out Tokyo more informative without having to worry about running into invisible walls. At the same time, Magetsu Rails help you zip between sections that would have previously required some precision platforming to reach. Other improvements include a richer selection of Miracles to experiment with, even more demons to recruit, game-changing Magatsuhi skills, and an entire game’s worth of new side-quests.

If you’re brand new to the series, the good news is that Vengeance is easily the most accessible game in the series to dive into. The original’s blend of role-playing and strategy could be quite challenging, but Vengeance feels easier in comparison and allows you to play at a much more relaxed pace. Difficulty can, of course, be adjusted, but if you’re looking to have an pleasing trek through the busted-up remains of Tokyo City, Vengeance won’t make you sweat too much.

That said, if you’re a glutton for punishment, New Game Plus does offer an absurdly ridiculous difficulty mode where one wrong move can spell instant defeat. The choice is yours!

Fortunately, you can give your demonic familiars a boost in power with the new Demon Haunt location. This is pure Atlus, as this hub allows you to start a chat with the freaky fellows, strengthen your bond with these homicidal maniacs, and boost their stats. It might be the end of the world, but there’s no reason not to give a nudist cannibal a pep talk, right? Although I do wish I could give him some pants. Your human pals and spirit-partner Aogami can also join you here, for those brief moments of downtime in the aftermath of a demonic apocalypse.

It’ll probably be a few years before a new Shin Megami game is released, but there’s enough content here to keep you playing until Shin Megami Tensei 6: Pattman Wants His Catchphrase Back hits PS6 and Xbox Series Next.

Released on 14 June, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is out now for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC.