Shin Megami Tensei V – Vengeance

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is an enhanced re-release of Shin Megami Tensei V. The game was released on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Microsoft Windows via the Microsoft Store and Steam, with the Xbox and Microsoft Store supporting cross save via Xbox Play Anywhere. The story is split into two main routes, with the player choosing one at the beginning. The Canon of Creation tells the original story of Shin Megami Tensei V while the Canon of Vengeance follows the scenario for the original, but with significant changes in the middle and later stages of the story. The two routes offer completely different endings.

Vengeance includes the addition of a new Da’at dungeon along with numerous new quests. The new locations include a new region of Da’at with Shinjuku & its corresponding dungeon Shakan. Some of the new subquests include ones where you take control of demons and time-sensitive events. Canon of Vengeance – a unique route in Vengeance that occurs directly at the start of the game if the protagonist decides to reach out to the girl. Choosing this path completely alters the game and locks the player into Vengeance’s original scenario (not doing so results in the original events of the game instead). The Canon of Creation contains unique demons that cannot be unlocked in the Canon of Vengeance.

Shin Megami Tensei V is a role-playing video game in which the player controls the Nahobino, a fusion of human and demon who explores the post-apocalyptic realm of Da’at. Da’at is fully explorable and divided into open areas with different environmental themes and enemies. In Da’at, the Nahobino can run around as normal, dash at great speed, jump, and slash at objects or enemies with the Nahobino’s sword. The Nahobino can find friendly non-playable characters (NPCs) who have dialogue and can provide quests, hidden beings called Miman which grant an upgrade currency called Glory, and small orbs which restore health (HP), magic (MP), and the special Magatsuhi gauge. In some areas, a companion character will lead the Nahobino to items and treasure. 

Completing quests rewards experience points which raise character levels, and the in-game currency Macca. Some areas are blocked off by Demon Abscesses, growths with demon mobs which must be destroyed to progress. Within Da’at, enemy demons roam the open areas, and can be engaged to begin combat, with the Nahobino able to strike first to get the first round of combat. The game uses the series’ recurring turn-based combat, dubbed the Press Turn System. The player party is made up of the Nahobino and up to three allied demons, with each side taking turns to perform actions including a standard physical attack; using skills that can attack, heal, or alter character statistics positively or negatively; guarding, using an item, or escaping from battle. 

An important element of battle is the “Press Turn”: striking an weakness or landing a critical attack grants an additional turn, while missing or voiding an attack removes a turn. A new addition is Magatsuhi Skills, activated when the Magatsuhi Gauge is full and able to be used without using up a Press Turn icon. Magatsuhi Skills grant a skill to the party for a single round of battle, with effects including guaranteed critical hits and full healing. Demons can be swapped or summoned in exchange for a turn, and the player hits a game over if the Nahobino dies. Completing battles rewards Macca, experience points and items.