Last week saw the release of the updated Vengeance form of Shin Megami Tensei V, one of the finest RPGs to appear on Switch or anywhere else over the last few years. In our original review we called it "the best entry yet in this dark, engrossing series," awarding it 9/10.
This follow-up, however, takes things up a gear and exemplifies "an enhanced re-release done right" — at least that's what our intrepid reviewer Mitch Vogel thinks:
At the time of writing, the Switch version is sitting with a "Generally Favorable" Metascore of 86 based on nine reviews, but now you've had a chance to play this enhanced version for yourselves, we're keen to hear your thoughts. Does its existence essentially invalidate the previous version? Do you think the new additions amount to a tasty hill of beans? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the poll and comment below.
If you've barely scratched the surface yet — hey, it's a long old game! — remember that a 'vote' in the poll below counts towards the game's user score in our database, but it's not set in stone. If you want to score SMTV:V now and revise that score later, you can. Alternatively, come back when you've wrapped things up and deliver your final verdict — your score will automatically count towards the game's total whenever you add it.
Thanks for voting. Feel free to let us know your thoughts with more depth than a mere number in the comments.
Comments 23
I'm still in the first area of Canon of Vengeance so I'll refrain from scoring, but so far it seems like some nice additions and touch ups over the original. Cant speak towards the new story yet as I've only experienced a fraction of it.
I want to pick up this game, but I'm honestly mad that it even exists. I own the original, but I never got around to playing it, and now it's magically "not the best version." Atlus exploiting thier fans into double-dipping needs to stop. I can't bring myself to get excited for Persona 6, or any of their games, because I'm going to have to wait 2-3 years for the full price "best" version to re-release. There's a part of me that hopes this game's sales drop off a cliff to teach Atlus to stop this tactic.
@Pho Also still in first area with almost 13 hours taking my time^^
Played OG SMT V with all DLCs and with Vengeance the adjustments are recognisable from the beginning on.
The game profits a lot from them.
Nice not to get punished that hard for mistakes in battles like in OG^^
It would be too early for rating it, but as far as I played I have a great experience and would rate it with a good 8 out of 10.
For me so far best RPG of the year!
Salty/10.
(www.nintendolife.com says: Hmm, is that it? Can you think of something more to say?)
I too beat games that offer 150h of content in 3 days
Dude the game just came out a few days ago and it's a hundred million hours long
@Yokaisou I'm definitely enjoying the changes, one thing I've really taken into account is Innate Skills. New and interesting passives on a demon seem like they have alot of potential for interesting team building.
I have a question for those that have played this game. I have started the persona series this year about two months to a month ago, I on four and will play five, would you say this series would appeal do someone who loves persona or does it play heavily different? Not just gameplay but in tone and story as well? Would it be something a persona fan would like?
Too early to tell for me. Canon of Vengeance about 10 hours in.
Can't say until I play deeper in, but if they nail the plot and character development (or at least do a good enough job with those aspects), it could very well become my new favorite entry in the series. We'll see.
@Snatcher Combat is similar, but more balanced, and it punishes sloppy gameplay way harder.
There's no social simulation aspect. No calendar system. You're wandering extremely open-ended apocalyptic landscapes fighting and collecting demons for long stretches of time.
Tonally, musically, narratively, and thematically, there is very little overlap.
I like Persona and LOVE SMT, but for different reasons. Liking one definitely doesn't guarantee enjoyment of the other.
The big point of similarity is in the battle systems and monster collecting aspects. You're going to be using a lot of the same abilities and spells. Buffs/debuffs work the same way now. Fusing demons/Personae is very similar. And both SMT V and Persona 5 share similar methods of interrogating and collecting new monsters.
Once I finally learned you can transfer some stuff over from a save file of the OG, I used some gift cards to get Vengeance and am having a good time. The QoL stuff is nice and I just need grind up some macca to get my OP Shiva and Idun back
Protip: turn off motion blur in the settings to improve framerate a little. You can try disabling AA and AO too, but the game looks nicer with those on and still runs well enough for me.
@B_Lindz I am cautiously optimistic in that I think this is the last time they are doing this. I think the Episode Aigis DLC is Persona 3 Reload is proof that they are switching to a DLC model going forward instead of more rereleases. It would make logistical sense in that they won't have to print and ship more physical copies.
I gave it a 2 because I'm still super salty that there isn't an upgrade option for the owners of the original release. I don't wanna pay full price for it again.
Hands down there should’ve been an upgrade option for folks. Like, how can you slap your “early adopters” in the face like that?
However, I don’t think it’s fair to deduct points for that reason because the game itself is insanely solid. I’ve played a ton of the entries in this series and this one is by far my favorite ever. Being able to run around and see the enemies (no random encounters ❤️) is great.
I love love love the main character and everything is so fleshed out and it runs great on Switch.
I wonder if we’ll ever get 4 or 4 apocalypse remastered or anything…
Strong 9 bordering on a 10. Absolutely fantastic!
8 on Switch, 9 on PS5, and I never rate anything 10
It's been super refreshing playing this through again. The QoL features are a blessing(lol) and makes the first area pretty easy! Also loved that they gave me some bonuses for having a save on the original SMTV.
Not everyone got review copies or has a buddy in the game store to hook them up an early copy to be done with game that is this big. The original release would not even be finished in a couple days nevermind this fatter new version.
I was tempted to rate it poorly for the simple fact that I cannot upgrade my current copy of the original version that I paid full price for.
A “haven’t played/10”
I played through the original, and It was a Solid 9... So this one is a 10. I used to loved Persona because of the battle system but tend to grew bored of all the visual novel part of it. (don't misunderstand me, Persona is amazing) so I tried SMT V back on 21 and blew my mind, not only was ONLY battle system, but it traded the whole "teenage drama" for "Angels and demons are fighting. in the apocalypse" with is more in line with my taste. Even the music is awesome the whole metal/rotten sound of SMT is really my vibe (although Its hard to reach Shoji Meguro levels of genius)
On the one hand, I'm salty AF it didn't get released as a patch as it doesn't function fundamentally different and the new content doesn't look like it weighs a lot, plus the Switch is no stranger to patches replacing the entire game (doubly funny for cart releases - Bloodstained, Witcher 3, I'm pretty sure MK11 and No Man's Sky are in the same boat by now) so it can't have been the consoderation for the update size.
On the other hand, review bombing a game will ruin it for newcomers and we want more people playing SMT than Persona. It already got us negotiations returned to P5. Just imagine, maybe we'll get affinity-based Persona switching returned for 6!
I'm still sour, that I wont play it, because I got the initial game and I will not pay full price again for a DLC. What a dumb move. Not buying Atlus anymore. at least on release
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