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[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

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Previews:​

Noisy Pixel

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.

Screenrant

This preview largely raised more questions about Vengeance than it answered, but in the best way possible. The bits that were teased from the new storyline are clearly part of a much bigger picture, and the mysterious nature of both Yoko and the Qadištu is undeniably intriguing. There was much of the Shinjuku ward left to be explored when the preview ended, and with a total of 40 demons added, many new enemies left to encounter as well.

Gamerant

The modus operandi of Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance appears to be "more." At its core, Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance is more of everything - more stories, more demons, more characters, and more to love. This approach should bold well for the title, as it builds on everything that came before in new and exciting ways and truly represents what a "definitive edition" should be.

VGC

If you’ve never played a Shin Megami Tensei game before, Vengeance looks set to offer a brilliant introduction to the wonderfully weird and nihilistic RPG series. While millions of players have enjoyed Sega’s slice of bleak sci-fi weirdness, Shin Megam Tensei has never quite hit the mainstream.

With Persona fever at an all time high, this definitive edition sits alongside Royal and Persona 3 Reload as a shiny and more accessible way to dive into Persona’s bleaker and less amenable older brother. Despite the visual touch up, SMT V still feels ostensibly like a game that was built for a handheld, and while it’s unlikely to be SMT’s Persona 5 moment, Vengeance is still shaping up to be a brilliant RPG to lose yourself in during the wait for October’s Metaphor: ReFantazio.

TheSixthAxis

Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance gets its name from the entirely new storyline branch added to the game. Where the original offered branching dialogue with little real difference in outcomes, Vengeance allows you to play a completely new story path which takes a decidedly different turn. How you choose to play is up to you, with the original storyline intact for those who want to experience that, and the new storyline for those who want something different. Or, both if you want to sit and pour hundreds of hours into the game. As someone who has played almost all of the Persona games (yes, even the dancing ones), I can promise you that this is easily doable.

Rock Paper Shotgun

As a total newcomer to SMT, I did appreciate the ability to extend your turn almost indefinitely by targeting an enemy's weakness. And I enjoyed swapping in and out various demons to prize weaknesses out of unknown nasties or capitalise on known quantities. Yet - the preview environment and save definitely didn't help, mind - I found the combat a bit jarring, in a demon's ability to use the 'one more' against you if they discovered a weakness in your party you weren't privy to. And in the lack of punch in your teams' turns, as I found most spells, even those that would target weak spots weren't all that powerful. At least in the preview build, most fights felt a bit knife edge, where the knife was very much poking me in the chest. Still, there's the ability to turn down the difficulty if need be, which I probably should've taken advantage of.

TheGamer

- Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance is a smooth, multiplatform effort at redemption with improved performance and exciting new content.
- The 'Canon of Vengeance' storyline, new demons, and quality of life improvements make Vengeance a must-play for SMT fans.
- Despite retaining the series' signature difficulty, Vengeance offers new features like Demon Haunts and fast travel to enhance the player experience.

The folks over at Noisy Pixel have done a nice list with all the major QoL features that have been added to the SMTVV:

• Magatsu Rails – Connections between two points used for fast travel within Da’at. Grants shortcuts and occasional access to hidden areas for treasure.
• Consecutive Encounters – Enemy Reinforcements can appear during combat if you were chased by multiple enemies on the field. Greater rewards will be granted upon victory.
• Mercy Adjustment – Conversations where demons beg for mercy are now more likely to occur during battle. Additionally, a Miracle demanding Incense from cornered demons has been added, improving the usefulness of such conversations.
• Protagonist Respec – The main character’s parameters can be reshuffled by using the New Testament Tablet.
• Dyad Compendium Fusion – New fusion option that combines a demon in your possession with one in the compendium.
• Fusion Accidents – Alongside adding a fusion accident-only edmon, Miracles that greatly increase the rate of combining accidents have also been added.
• Abscess Obstructions Removed – Previously, there were portions of the map that could not be seen until Abscesses were destroyed. This has been updated, so the map may always be viewed in full.
• Flying Demon Encounters – Changed so that attacks from flying demons on the field must always take place within the frame.
• Relics – Extended the obtainable range of relics by two times.
• Map – Adjusted the color coding of the map to make it easier to see the differences in elevation.
• Quest Navigation – The number of quest navigation demons that will journey alongside the Nahobino to find hidden treasures and other items has been increased from 6 to 17.
• Quest Navigators – Updated demon navigators so that their movement is highlighted and a pillar of light emanates from their arrival point.
• First Strikes – Updated so that even after being detected by an enemy, you can still gain the initiative in battle by striking them from behind.
• Miracles – Some Miracles can be turned on or off at will.
• Tutorials – Tutorials can be revisited at any time by opening the menu.
• Destination Indicators – Changed so that quest destination can be viewed by displaying a map from a list.
• Level Difference Scaling – The damage adjustment by level difference was changed to be more moderate compared to the previous version. Depending on tactics, it has been made easier to defeat stronger opponents.
• Auto Skill – The Auto-Attack/Auto-Skill mode can be selected at the user’s discretion when selecting Auto-Battle. Auto-Attack is a conventional battle mode utilizing standard attacks. Auto Skill is a new mode in which players use their skills to attack their opponents’ weak points during Auto-Battle.
• Control Options – Changed to allow adjustment of stick operation sensitivity and key assignments.
• Graphic Options – Added the ability to adjust and change brightness, contrast, etc.
• Skill Cutscene Speed – The speed setting, which was only available for skip/double-speed, has been expanded to 4x.
• Character Essence Info – Changed so that when you hover over a demon, for example, you can tell if you already possess that demon’s Essence.
• Essence Searchability – The ability to search for Essences by the skills you want is now available. Additionally, a mark has been added to an Essence that can be purchased in the store.
• Sorting – Enhanced sorting functions, such as sorting by purchasable Essences, reverse fusion, ingredients, etc.
• Gift Giving – Changed so that gift giving and learning skills, which happened only at a normal level-up for demons, will now occur via Fusion level-up as well.
• Compendium – Demon Compendium data can be Original or Custom. Comparative display between custom data and original data is now possible.
• Estoma – Chaned the specifications of Estoma, a skill to avoid enemy encounters. It is no longer affected by the new moon, and consumes Magatsuhi instead of MP. It can be turned on/off at any time after obtaining it.
• Sky View – Added the ability to look around from above while exploring.
• Landmark Function – Added the ability to place markers at desired locations.
• Obstacles – Added the ability for the camera to see through obstacles to prevent 3D sickness.
• Map Icons – Changed so that map icons can be turned on and off individually.
• Minimap – Added option to rotate the mini-map to match the camera.
• Recommended Levels – Changed so that the recommended level of subquests can be found within the quest list.
• Growth Items – Changed so that status-enhancing items and other items can be used all at once.
• Experience Items – The level-up process, which used to take place after the battle, has been changed so that it takes place immediately after the use of experience items.
• Saving – Saving can now be done anywhere, not just in leyline founts.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Okay, I've just finished updating the OP with most if not all the previews I've found so far on SMTVV.

Edit: Missed one.

 

[Bkdk]

Raged quit this game after first playthrough around 40 hours withstanding the awful switch, really can't continue anymore. So ready for a 1000% multi playthrough and thoroughly drained with all the extra goodies on pc like costume and nude mods for female chars and demons, this will likely be better than ps5 version stellar babes, the power of PC platform if they do it right!

 

[Danjin44]

I’m super hyped! I LOVED SMT V back in Switch and played it multiple times.

 

[TheTony316]

Can finally play this with proper resolution and fps.

 

[TintoConCasera]

Can't wait, SMT V is one of my favorite JRPGs and this re-edition seems to improve it in a lot of areas, specially the story which imo was the weakest part of the original game.

Wonder if we'll get any new crossover as a superboss? Fighting the lads from DDS would be cool... or maybe Stephen decides to go for a walk once more?

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Can finally play this with proper resolution and fps.

Amen to that lol. Will play the shit out of SMTVV on my PS5 + Portal combo.

 

[TheTony316]

Amen to that lol. Will play the shit out of SMTVV on my PS5 + Portal combo.

Same. PS5/Portal combo is the best way to play JRPG's, imo.

 

[Saber]

My console and body is ready.

 

[gunstarhero]

Can finally play this with proper resolution and fps.

I gave up on the Switch version maybe 10-15 hours in. It was just too ugly for my eyes.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

She has a cool transformation.

 

[Punished Miku]

I liked it on Switch but it got a bit dull eventually. Still fun if you want a dungeon crawler. I might pick this up on a deep sale for the higher system specs, considering I already bought it once.

 

[Madonis]

The previews are promising. Looking forward to checking out whatever new routes / endings come with the new story.

 

[Puscifer]

What are the QoL changes they mention?

EDIT: The ability to save anywhere?

 

[ShadyAcshuns]

Can't wait. Got PS5 and Switch versions pre-ordered. Switch version for collection that will stay unopened, and the PS5 version which I will play on day one.

 

[TintoConCasera]

She has a cool transformation.

 

[Bring Back Scalebound]

Sorry guys, I still don't really "get" what this game is. I watched the trailer when it was announced, but I'm still confused.

Is it just SMT 5, but with extra content, or is it something like SMT 4 Apocalypse?

 

[TintoConCasera]

Is it just SMT 5, but with extra content, or is it something like SMT 4 Apocalypse?

It's both.

Afaik there are two campaigns, one is the old one with some QOL and possibily some new stuff, and the other one is a completely new story.

 

[Bring Back Scalebound]

It's both.

Afaik there are two campaigns, one is the old one with some QOL and possibily some new stuff, and the other one is a completely new story.

Ah, got it! Thanks.

Haven't played 5 yet, so I'm excited for it.

 

[Closer]

I'm ready.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

GameSpot dropped their preview as well.

 

[Thief1987]

It was just too ugly for my eyes.

It's just how Atlus' games looks like

 

[Hudo]

The music in the trailer is dope.

 

[NanaMiku]

Does anybody know if this game has PS5 free upgrade for PS4 version?

 

[Andrew Evenstar]

i seriously gotta play one of these games. They look super cool. Any suggestions on one to start with ?

 

[Denorion]

Does anybody know if this game has PS5 free upgrade for PS4 version?

From the psn store, yes, dunno if you can transfer ps4 saves to the ps5 version though

 

[Danjin44]

i seriously gotta play one of these games. They look super cool. Any suggestions on one to start with ?

You can start with which ever you want, each game have separate stories.

Only SMTIV Apocalypse is direct sequel to original SMT IV….Similar how FFX-2 was for FFX.

 

[Andrew Evenstar]

You can start with which ever you want, each game have separate stories.

Only SMTIV Apocalypse is direct sequel to original SMT IV….Similar how FFX-2 was for FFX.

Sweet, that's awesome -- but as far as a good one to start with ? what about one of the more liked / better ones ?

 

[Danjin44]

Sweet, that's awesome -- but as far as a good one to start with ? what about one of the more liked / better ones ?

Most popular one is

But these also really great.

You can just jump straight in SMT5 Vengeance but it will much harder to go back older ones because SMT5V has lots of QoL old SMT is missing.

 

[Paltheos]

Sweet, that's awesome -- but as far as a good one to start with ? what about one of the more liked / better ones ?

SMT3: Nocturne is the best one imo. Before 5 it looked the best, but it has an overall aesthetic (outside of just art design) that hasn't really been matched by anything else I've played from Atlus imo.
SMT4 is very popular too but I hold the unpopular position that many of the systems and ideas are backwards from 3 and the game is simultaneously bloated.
Strange Journey, which Danjin also posted, is a good game but is brutal for an SMT game, a series which is notorious already among turn-based games for being tough. Not the best starter title.

Nocturne's the only one of the three available on modern consoles (and PC). If you're interested and play on PC, I heavily recommend a mod to replace the sound files with HQ files as Atlus, amidst all their visual upgrades in the HD remaster, left in the old, PS2, hyper-compressed audio files lol which does not do justice for the game's wonderful music.

 

[april6e]

So, to the SMT fans lurking here...is there any non-Persona game that you feel that a person who only likes Persona 3-5 would enjoy?

I have limited experience with Stranger Journey Redux, Persona 1/2 and Nocturne and didn't like any of them despite adoring P3 thru P5. The opening to Strange Journey was actually amazing story and character wise but then it got to the gameplay which was boring as all sin with the combined classic style hallway simulators and random battles. Persona 1/2 are just okay and the gameplay is way too archaic even when I played it almost a decade ago to enjoy. Nocturne is brutally hard to the point of being unfun and the story/character development is almost non-existent. The game is just purely minimalistic and symbolistic with no actual engaging story.

I've heard that SMT V is similar to where there is minimal story or character building so I'm guessing it wouldn't be for me either despite it having modern gameplay?

 

[Danjin44]

So, to the SMT fans lurking here...is there any non-Persona game that you feel that a person who only likes Persona 3-5 would enjoy?

You could try Catherine, it’s not turn based RPG but it’s a game Hashino made and it has some elements from Persona 3-5 in there.

You can also wait for Metaphor which another game Hashino is worked on.

 

[Danjin44]

 

[april6e]

You could try Catherine, it’s not turn based RPG but it’s a game Hashino made and it has some elements from Persona 3-5 in there.

You can also wait for Metaphor which another game Hashino is worked on.

I played Catherine and liked it. I normally hate puzzle games but the enjoyable story and interesting characters helped give me a reason to push through and enjoy the game. Yeah, I'm hoping Metaphor is good.

 

[Danjin44]

I played Catherine and liked it. I normally hate puzzle games but the enjoyable story helped give me a reason to push through and enjoy the game. Yeah, I'm hoping Metaphor is good.

Based on Hashino's track record, I'm confident Metaphor is gonna be good and with recent info we got made excited for the game even more.

 

[Bulletbrain]

Ok can someone clarify how SMT games differ from say, P5R? I loved the latter, but it's mostly due to the balance between social elements and dungeon crawling battles. SMT seems like it's all dungeon crawling? Is there any other gameplay elements?

 

[april6e]

Ok can someone clarify how SMT games differ from say, P5R? I loved the latter, but it's mostly due to the balance between social elements and dungeon crawling battles. SMT seems like it's all dungeon crawling? Is there any other gameplay elements?

Most of them are classic style turn based RPGs where you don't see your character but rather just see the 3 or so enemies on the screen and attack them. Think old school Dragon Quest games. They deal with much darker, most existential themes than Persona games. You usually are a solitary type character who has been placed into an apocalyptic situation and are trying to find meaning in the situation while battling demons. SMT game tend to be much harder than your typical JRPG where making one or two mistakes will result in a party wipe and lots of lost progress. Most of them also feature forming contracts with the demons you fight and then using them as party members.

There is no social links, colorful environments, cheery music or anything one would be used to from the Persona 3-5 games.

 

[Danjin44]

Ok can someone clarify how SMT games differ from say, P5R? I loved the latter, but it's mostly due to the balance between social elements and dungeon crawling battles. SMT seems like it's all dungeon crawling? Is there any other gameplay elements?

The core combat is different, in Persona 3-5 uses Once more system while SMT game uses press turn and with press turn it come risk and award.....

For example: If two enemies are weak against Ice and but one enemy can block Ice, in Persona 5 you can just use Mabufu and still get your Once more but in SMT if even one can block that spell you lose two of your press turn and now you less turn to work with......This also true with enemies as well.

 

[TintoConCasera]

So, to the SMT fans lurking here...is there any non-Persona game that you feel that a person who only likes Persona 3-5 would enjoy?

Maybe try the Digital Devil Saga games. They have a bigger focus on characters and story than the mainline SMT games.

 

[digital_ghost]

My console and body is ready.

My potty is ready

(Cause I ain't stopping playing this)

 

[NanaMiku]

Ok can someone clarify how SMT games differ from say, P5R? I loved the latter, but it's mostly due to the balance between social elements and dungeon crawling battles. SMT seems like it's all dungeon crawling? Is there any other gameplay elements?

SMT is more focused on the gameplay, and the story takes the back seat. They are famous for being hard. Some people said it's a hardcore Pokemon games. You mainly collect the demon

 

[PanzerCute]

She has a cool transformation.

The atmosphere in this game is really something else. I will never forget my first playthrough, it felt like unraveling something alien and deeply disturbed.

Can't wait for Vengeance!

 

[Danjin44]

Oh man new Demons....



I really like this one....

 

[Hudo]

Ok can someone clarify how SMT games differ from say, P5R? I loved the latter, but it's mostly due to the balance between social elements and dungeon crawling battles. SMT seems like it's all dungeon crawling? Is there any other gameplay elements?

No dating sim elements, more of a dungeon crawler and instead of pokemon you have demons.

 

[Danjin44]

 

[Danjin44]

It seems they address people's biggest complain against the game.

 

[Danjin44]

 

[Danjin44]

 

[TintoConCasera]

Doi's other new african designs are quite cool, but... what the fuck is that thing? lmao

 

[Danjin44]

Doi's other new african designs are quite cool, but... what the fuck is that thing? lmao

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