Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance Preview: Truly Back with a Vengeance
Shin Megami Tensei V has been a thought-provoking mainline entry in hindsight, partially due to its mixed reception resulting from various factors, chiefly regarding the narrative and characters. Consequently, dissatisfaction has been not-so-subtle amongst vocal fans, though that has somewhat morphed into delight following the newly announced Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance. This enhanced re-release of the original is not only arriving onto non-Switch platforms but also adding an impressive degree of new content alongside revamped systems that make this seem like a new experience altogether.
I recently had the opportunity to play a preview build of this upcoming definitive edition, divided into two segments: story and dungeon exploration. And while I was already well aware of what this entry was implementing on paper, it wasn’t until I was actually playing it that I realized the sheer scope of what has been affixed here.
It wasn’t until I was actually playing Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance that I realized the sheer scope of what has been affixed here.
Compelling New Character, Yoko Hiromine
The narrative section I experienced was primarily concerned with new events and introducing the new character, Yoko Hiromine, who interacts with the returning cast. Still, we were thrown into the middle of an already altered storyline, so there was little to do except react to these fresh elements. Naturally, Yoko took the reins here and already melded with the main cast. Her no-nonsense approach to conflict was shown to clash and seemingly overwhelm the idealism of Tao Isonokami. Even just based on the few scenes I saw her in, Yoko is a natural fit, so it’s no surprise that she was once considered for the original release before being scrapped.
Another new character encountered in this preview build was Namaah, a member of the new antagonist group, the Qadištu. She appeared in a sudden boss battle alongside the servant demon Glasya-Labolas, and it was a reasonably tense bout. There isn’t much to say about the combat since we were provided demons from the get-go that didn’t require much party setup. Namaah acts about as you would expect if you’ve been following the press material, with her taking evident delight in terrorizing and taking the lives of the innocent. Still, even though she’s unsurprising in that regard, she’s illustrated as an effective threat that I’m sure will extend to the other members of the Qadištu once encountered.
Even just based on the few scenes I saw her in, Yoko is a natural fit for this cast.
Revamped and Thorough Exploration
Gameplay-wise, there’s only much to say, given how we only played a handful of hours in a massive JRPG that requires careful configurations. However, a few notable aspects, such as the Demon Haunts, stood out. These are a new hub type of locale accessed through leyline founts where players can converse with various demons in their arsenal for new items and other bonuses.
Interestingly, you can also converse with Aogami here, and in what we played, you were able to talk with him close to ten or so times. Doing so always provided a stat boost for Nahobino, mainly for strength, so I’m slightly concerned about how much of an advantage this feature will provide in battle. Granted, the frequency of the conversations here could have just been present for the preview build.
Those who enjoy the exploration will find it all to pass in the blink of an eye.
Magatsu Rails were also available, and these mainly made traversal swifter and more convenient. You can even skip the animation of riding atop these rails, too, which helps when retracing your steps to ensure you didn’t miss any side paths. Speaking of exploration, Vengeance is an absolute delight that feels considerably improved over the original, which was already a highlight.
Alongside the high and consistent framerate on PlayStation 5, the maps we explored had several secrets to uncover, as well as a portion of an area only accessible by finding the correct Magatsu Rail. So, despite the map sizes seeming excessive at first glance, those who enjoy the exploration will find it all to pass in the blink of an eye.
Another exploration element that I favored was a brief sidequest. This activity was actually a minigame in which you had to remember the pose and appearance of a shown demon before selecting it from several options. This was pretty simple and only lasted a few minutes at most, but it stood out as a refreshing change of pace that I hope more of the full game has: concise tasks that deviate from the standard gameplay structure for just a little bit.
A Meticulous Journey Worth the Wait
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is standing out for both hardcore veterans who love the series and complete newcomers who have no idea what they’re getting into. The former can anticipate a renewed experience with several gameplay additions and a new narrative.
At the same time, the latter can look forward to what is essentially two games in one with updated systems. Even as a casual fan, I was already far more invested in what I played of Vengeance than the original for narrative and gameplay reasons. Prospective players should get prepared for this incoming 160-hour adventure.
