SHIN MEGAMI TENSEI V is back only this time around with a vengeance as the game just recently released an enhanced version of the original with new features centered on its overall mechanics and narrative.
And with these changes, is Vengeance worth the try?
From the get go, Shin Megami Tensei V's environment has truly been an obra-maestra. Exploring a post-apocalyptic Tokyo filled with demonic entities has left me with a lot of intrigue, as I was invested in roaming around the world searching for treasures, interacting with NPCs, completing side quests, and challenging or collecting demons like Pokemon.
There are so many things to do in the world of SMT V: Vengeance, making it an experience that will light up your day.
The art of negotiation
There's more to the depth of the game as the overall combat system has opened up a lot of possibilities.
Players will need to negotiate with demons and convince them to join their party and it's not an easy task as each demon has their own distinct personalities, making them unpredictable.
Failure to convince the demons to join your cause will have dire consequences as you will be forced in a disadvantage in battles.
This actually propels the player to think before they make their next move and it also diversifies the combat system as it isn't like your traditional RPG game where players would only spot for the opponent's weaknesses.
It also offers a unique twist in terms of collecting combatants as players aren't given any magical item to capture opponents. If you want them to side with you, you need to be a great diplomat, just like in real life.
Easing the burden
But that's not the only primary challenge as the overall combat system can be punishing especially for new players. When I first started there were tendencies when I felt overly confident that I can blitz pass numerous foes repeatedly without the need for backtracking and healing my team. Besides I've already discovered their weaknesses right?
Oh well uhmmm...
Luckily, the game manages to ease the burden by incorporating an instant save button, and they even smoothen the traversal all thanks to the red platforms, which lessens the long backtracking moments. But there were other methods that ATLUS included to make the game more appealing.
Earlier we discussed about collecting demons and training them like Pokemon and I have to say that SMT manages to amplify the experience. Each demon can actually learn new skills through the World of Shadows, where players can combine demons and merge their abilities. They can also transfer abilities from one demon to the other.
But it's not just only limited to demons as the main protagonist, aka the Nahobino, can actually alter his abilities and even his weaknesses giving you a plethora of methods to prepare your character against boss battles.
In the end, there's more emphasis in tinkering which abilities or stat improvements will suit your characters and your companions, and this solves the issues of the OG that is criticized for being very level-oriented, forcing players to grind for eternity until they reach a certain level.
This actually creates space for players who are more inclined to just Naruto run around the world and follow the narrative.
Now speaking about that.
Is the Path of Vengeance better?
What makes Vengeance different from its original predecessor is the diversity in its outcomes. Now in the OG, there are a plethora of endings that the player will encounter. This remains with Vengeance however there's a twist.
As you begin your journey, players will enter into a dreamlike realm where they'll be given a choice to either take the hand of the ethereal being in front of them or ignore them. Choosing the former follows the canon of vengeance storyline, which is the new narrative introduced in SMT V: Vengeance. The latter will open up the canon of creation, which is basically the original story from the OG SMT V game.
The canon of vengeance will introduce a new character in Yoko Hiromine.
Testing out both narratives and I discovered that the canon of vengeance has really fleshed out the story, all thanks to Yoko.
Yoko's arrival actually adds more mystery and intrigue into the game as her overall personality reflects a darker tone that raises a lot of questions.
Why is she full of pessimism? Where does she get her abilities? What made her decide to switch schools?
And her interactions with the other characters would further add more emotions and layers on their end.
But she wasn't the only new addition as players will encounter the demonic antagonists known as the Qadištu.
Digging deep into their motives and one realizes that the main story of the original has received an upgrade, making the path of vengeance as the desired playthrough.
Vengeance looks better
Just through looking at the vast environment, ATLUS has dug a lot of heart and effort in making the game into a visual spectacle. I couldn't contain myself moving my camera to see the tiny details, from the destroyed buildings, the school uniforms, the Tokyo Tower, and most importantly the character designs of the bosses, the police officer looking Shohei Yakumo, and the Nahobino.
Then when combined with the game's music, the experience is breathtaking. Personally I love listening to the battle theme especially when Yoko is involved. And even outside of the combat, the music captivated me as I hoped that I would stay longer in Cadaver's Hollow just to listen to the baritone singing.
ATLUS has even brought more life to our companions through the Demon Haunt, which is basically a realm where the Nahobino can interact with his party of demons. Just through talking with them, we learn that the demons are not just mindless war machines as they also have human-like behaviors that would intrigue us.
Plus we can also strengthen our characters through these interactions.
Overall, SMT V: Vengeance is recommended for diehard RPG fans and the changes that they've introduced especially with the narrative has indeed been a ray of light for the series.
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