Shin Megami Tensei V | |
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Developer(s) | Atlus |
Publisher(s) | Sega [lower-alpha 1]
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Director(s) | Shigeo Komori |
Producer(s) |
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Designer(s) | Masaru Watanabe |
Programmer(s) | Yoshiki Oyamada |
Artist(s) |
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Writer(s) |
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Composer(s) |
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Series | Megami Tensei |
Engine | Unreal Engine 4 |
Platform(s) | |
Release | Nintendo Switch
NS, PS4, PS5, Windows, Xbox One, Series X/S
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Genre(s) | Role-playing |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Shin Megami Tensei V [lower-alpha 2] is a 2021 role-playing video game developed and published by Atlus for the Nintendo Switch. [1] It is part of the Shin Megami Tensei series, the central series of the larger Megami Tensei franchise. Produced by Shin Megami Tensei IV director Kazuyuki Yamai, it was designed as a hybrid between Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne and Shin Megami Tensei IV, featuring returning gameplay mechanics such as raising and fusing demons.
Shin Megami Tensei V received generally positive reviews from critics. As of April 2022, the game sold over one million copies. An enhanced version subtitled Vengeance is scheduled to release in June 2024 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
This article is missing information about Shin Megami Tensei V gameplay.(March 2024) |
Shin Megami Tensei V is a role-playing video game that features returning gameplay elements from previous Shin Megami Tensei games, such as the ability to fuse demons, along with new mechanics. [2]
Set in modern-day Tokyo and the Netherworld, The protagonist, an ordinary high-school student, and his school friends Yuzuru Atsuta and Ichiro Dazai are caught up in a mysterious earthquake and transported to Da'at; an alternative apocalyptic version of Tokyo amidst an almighty battle between angels and demons. [3] As he travels in this world, he shortly becomes overrun by demons and is nearly killed, only to be saved by a god-like being, Aogami. Together, they fuse into a Nahobino, a forbidden being that is neither human nor demon, but more so a deity. The protagonist traverses Da'at, clashes with a man named Shohei Yakumo and his demon partner Nuwa, and discovers a terminal that returns him and his friends to Tokyo. There, he learns that Yuzuru and his classmate Tao Isonokami are actually operatives of an international clandestine organization called Bethel focused on keeping humanity out of the war between angels and demons. Ichiro volunteers to join Bethel while the protagonist is conscripted due to his newfound powers as a Nahobino.
Two days later, demons from Da'at invade the protagonist's high school and abduct several of the students. The protagonist and his friends launch a rescue mission, during which Ichiro's self-esteem issues lead to him latching on to Bethel's angelic leader Abdiel. The protagonist rescues most kidnapped students, but Tao sacrifices herself to defeat Lahmu, the demons' commander who was searching for (and manipulating) a human to merge with so it could become a Nahobino. In the aftermath, Bethel Japan's leader Hayao Koshimizu orders the protagonist and his friends to join a Bethel siege on the demons' stronghold in defiance of Abdiel's orders. The protagonist makes his way through the castle and kills the demon's leader, Arioch.
Afterward, it is revealed that the creator god is dead and that a Nahobino must take His throne. With their common enemy dead, the various factions of Bethel splinter in the hopes of taking the Creator's throne for themselves. Koshimizu reveals that his true identity is Tsukuyomi, leader of the Amatsukami and that he desires to restore the world to the rule of the old gods; Yuzuru joins him in this endeavor. Ichiro convinces Abdiel to join him in restoring the will of God to the world, while Shohei and Nuwa declare their intent to destroy the Creator's throne outright and leave humanity's fate in its own hands. The protagonist, joined by a reincarnated Tao, makes his way to the Temple of Eternity and may side with any of the three warring factions. In all cases, the other candidates for the throne are all slain and the protagonist is confronted by God's killer Lucifer for a final battle (unless he chooses to destroy the throne). After defeating him, the protagonist can reshape the world as he sees fit.
Shin Megami Tensei V is developed by Atlus, and is produced by Kazuyuki Yamai, [4] who previously directed Shin Megami Tensei IV . [5] One of the development team's goals with the game is to depict and sympathize with modern issues, such as unemployment, unease about retirement, terrorism and nuclear weapons, and home problems. The game is developed as a hybrid between the "profound charm" of Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne and the demon-raising gameplay in Shin Megami Tensei IV. [2]
The game was developed using the game engine Unreal Engine 4, [6] a first for Atlus; according to Yamai, moving to Unreal Engine 4 changed the way they create games, as the ability to create something and immediately see it within the game allows them to spend more time on trial and error and coming up with ideas. [2] The decision to develop the game for the Nintendo Switch was made as Yamai liked its portability combined with its capability for high-definition graphics, [4] although there were some challenges involved since Shin Megami Tensei V was Atlus's first time developing for the platform. [7] The higher hardware capabilities of the Nintendo Switch meant that the demons in the game took approximately three times as long to develop when compared to previous Shin Megami Tensei games. [8]
The game was revealed in January 2017 as part of Nintendo's unveiling of the Nintendo Switch console, in the form of a teaser trailer featuring a destroyed office building and a number of demons. [6] [9] At the time of the announcement, development had just started, and the game was presented as Shin Megami Tensei: Brand New Title; [9] [10] the Shin Megami Tensei V title was announced in October of the same year, to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the original Shin Megami Tensei , [2] along with a new trailer showing a modern-day Tokyo train station and a post-apocalyptic city scene. [9] At this point, Yamai described development as not even far enough for Atlus to be able to say "coming soon". [2] By February 2018, he described the project as having entered "full-scale development", with more and more Atlus staff joining the production. [8] Although Atlus USA did not initially know whether they would get to localize the game for the Western market, they still sent out a press release about the game's announcement in January 2017; [11] an international release was announced in November 2017. [12] Responding to worries about the development's progress following a lack of status updates, Atlus reaffirmed in 2019 that the game was still in active development. [13] [14]
Shin Megami Tensei V was released worldwide for the Nintendo Switch in November 2021, launching in Japan on November 11, 2021, before debuting overseas the following day. It is the first Atlus and Megami Tensei title to receive a worldwide simultaneous launch. [15] [16] The game was published by Atlus themselves in Japan, while parent company Sega released the game in North America, and Nintendo published the game in Europe and Australia.
Alongside the game's standard release, the launch was accompanied by the distribution of a first-print steelbook edition available to those who pre-ordered or bought the game during the week of release, in addition to the "Fall of Man Premium Edition", which bundled the game with specialized packaging, a sling bag, a handbook chronicling all the demons found in the game, a t-shirt modeled after the main protagonist's school attire, and the game's soundtrack on two CDs. [17]
On February 21, 2024, an enhanced version, titled Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, was announced during Nintendo's Partner Direct, and will be available on Nintendo Switch, in addition to PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. [18] Initially announced for June 21, 2024, its worldwide release date was later moved to June 14, 2024. [19]
Vengeance allows the players to experience the original story of Shin Megami Tensei V in the "Canon of Creation" route, or choose a second route, "Canon of Vengeance", with drastic changes in the latter half of the game. Each route is estimated to be 80 hours long and features different endings. [20] The "Canon of Vengeance" features new characters, such as the heroine Yoko Hiromine and a demon group Qadištu headed by Lilith. [21]
This version adds new locations, quality of life features, gameplay mechanics, and over 40 additional demons, including some specifically created for Vengeance by artist Masayuki Doi. The downloadable content from the original release is included with the base game, but Vengeance will launch with its own DLC quests, featuring Dagda from Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse and a new demon Konohana Sakuya. [21]
Vengeance does not offer an upgrade path or save file transfer for players of the original release. Instead, they can transfer three demons from the Shin Megami Tensei V compendium to the Nintendo Switch version of Vengeance. [20]
Aggregator | Score |
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Metacritic | 84/100 [22] |
Publication | Score |
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Destructoid | 9/10 [23] |
Electronic Gaming Monthly | [24] |
Famitsu | 36/40 [25] |
Game Informer | 8.25/10 [26] |
GameRevolution | [27] |
GameSpot | 8/10 [28] |
Hardcore Gamer | 4/5 [29] |
IGN | 8/10 [30] |
Nintendo Life | [31] |
Nintendo World Report | 9/10 [32] |
Shacknews | 8/10 [33] |
VG247 | [34] |
Shin Megami Tensei V received "generally favorable reviews" according to Metacritic. [22]
Polygon praised the scale of the game's world and writing, stating that "Despite the performance issues, the bigger areas and new engine allow for some creatures to be truly breathtaking and terrifying". [35] IGN 's Leana Hafer liked the essence system, feeling that it was "possible to create some absurdly powerful and specialized teams that can take on almost any challenge". [30] GameSpot enjoyed the tension of actions in the game, "Every action in SMTV has a weight to it, and that's what makes the game so fun and engaging". [28] Game Informer said "Shin Megami Tensei V makes smart improvements to its already strong core, creating an entertaining and rewarding journey". [26]
George Yang of Bloody Disgusting gave the game a positive review, praising the modernity of the game, and the Tokyo setting, while calling it one of the best JRPGs of the year. [36] Destructoid liked the fast-travel system, liking how the feature allowed players to teleport back before a boss or move between biomes easily. [37] VG247 felt the refinements made to demon negotiation helped make the mechanic more understandable, with the reviewer stating "the tone of your answers when entering talks with a demon actually matter, and you’ll quickly build a familiarity with some of the more common personality traits of demons". [38] Andrew Stretch of TechRaptor gave the game a very positive rating, summing up their review by saying "Shin Megami Tensei V understands its roots in RPG combat, demonic friendships, and plotlines about toppling gods. This new entry takes advantage of the next generation of Nintendo console and improves vastly in look, feel, and world exploration". [39]
Nintendo World Report's Donald Theriault praised the move to open world environments, writing that, "every square inch of the thoroughly nuked Tokyo has spots to explore". [40]
The game debuted as the highest selling physical video game of the week in Japan, with an estimated 143,247 copies sold. [41] It stayed in the top 10 for another two weeks and would go on to sell a total of 184,388 physical copies in Japan before dropping out of Famitsu 's reports. [42] In the UK, it debuted as the ninth highest selling, [43] and outperformed other recent Japanese role-playing game releases in the region including Bravely Default II , Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin , and Tales of Arise . [44] In a New Year's message published by Famitsu, Atlus announced that the game had sold 800,000 copies. [45] In April 2022, Atlus announced that the game had sold over one million copies worldwide. [46] As of December 31, 2022, the game has sold 1.1 million copies. [47]
Shin Megami Tensei V was nominated for Best Role-Playing Game at The Game Awards 2021, [48] as well as Role-Playing Game of the Year at the 25th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, [49] but lost to Tales of Arise and Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker , respectively.
Megami Tensei, marketed internationally as Shin Megami Tensei, is a Japanese media franchise created by Aya Nishitani, Kouji "Cozy" Okada, Ginichiro Suzuki, and Kazunari Suzuki. Primarily developed and published by Atlus, and currently owned by Atlus, the franchise consists of multiple subseries and covers multiple role-playing genres including tactical role-playing, action role-playing, and massively multiplayer online role-playing. The first two titles in the series were published by Namco, but have been almost always published by Atlus in Japan and North America since the release of Shin Megami Tensei. For Europe, Atlus publishes the games through third-party companies.
Shin Megami Tensei is a role-playing video game developed and published by Atlus for the Super Famicom. Originally released in 1992 in Japan, it has been ported to multiple systems and eventually released in the West for iOS in 2014. It was released on the Virtual Console service in Japan on Wii in 2007 and on Wii U in 2013, as well as Nintendo Switch Online in 2020. It is the third game in the Megami Tensei series and the first in the central Shin Megami Tensei series. The gameplay uses first-person navigation of dungeons and turn-based battles against demons. The player can recruit demons as allies by talking to them rather than fighting them, and two to three demons can be fused to create new demons.
Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei refers to two distinct role-playing video games based on a trilogy of science fantasy novels by Japanese author Aya Nishitani. One version was developed by Atlus and published by Namco in 1987 for the Famicom—Atlus would go on to create further games in the Megami Tensei franchise. A separate version for personal computers was developed and published by Telenet Japan with assistance from Atlus during the same year.
Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei II is a role-playing video game developed by Atlus and published by Namco for the Famicom. An enhanced Super Famicom port was developed by Opera House and released by Atlus in 1995. The second entry in the Megami Tensei series, the gameplay features the unnamed protagonist exploring a post-apocalyptic wasteland, battling and recruiting demons as they are pushed into taking part in a conflict between the demonic forces of Lucifer and the army of the One True God.
Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne is a role-playing video game developed by Atlus for the PlayStation 2. It was published by Atlus in Japan and North America, and by Ghostlight in Europe. It is the third numbered entry in the Shin Megami Tensei series, the central series in the Megami Tensei franchise. Multiple versions of the game have been published: the original version was published in Japan by Atlus in 2003, while a director's cut was released in 2004 in Japan. The director's cut was localized and released in North America in 2004 as Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne and in PAL regions in 2005 as Shin Megami Tensei: Lucifer's Call. A high-definition remaster was released for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 in Japan in 2020, and was internationally released in 2021 on those consoles and Windows.
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Persona 3, released outside Japan as Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3, is a 2006 role-playing video game developed by Atlus that is the fourth main installment in the Persona series, which is part of the larger Megami Tensei franchise. It was originally released for the PlayStation 2 in Japan in 2006 and in North America in 2007. It has received several enhanced re-releases and ports: Persona 3 FES, an extended version featuring a new playable epilogue and other changes, was released for the PlayStation 2 in Japan in 2007 and worldwide in 2008. An abridged PlayStation Portable version, Persona 3 Portable, was released in Japan in 2009, North America in 2010, and Europe in 2011, and ported to the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S in 2023. Persona 3 Reload, a remake of the core game for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, was released on February 2, 2024.
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Shin Megami Tensei NINE is a 2002 role-playing video game developed by Atlus and NexTech, and published by Atlus for the Xbox. Forming part of the Megami Tensei series, Nine takes place in the period of time between Shin Megami Tensei and its sequel, with the survivors of Tokyo's destruction sheltering in underground bunkers. Taking on the role of a debugger, the player navigates the Idea Space virtual world set up by the survivors of Tokyo's destruction, which has come under attack by demonic beings called "noise". The gameplay has the player navigating a customized avatar in third-person through the virtual world of Tokyo, battling enemies using a real-time command-based battle system. Despite its title, it is the eighth game in the Megami Tensei series. The game's title instead refers to the number of possible moral alignments available to players.
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Devil Summoner, initially marketed as Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner, is a video game franchise developed and primarily published by Atlus. Focused on a series of role-playing video games, Devil Summoner is a spin-off from Atlus' Megami Tensei franchise. The first entry in the series, Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner, was released in 1995 for the Sega Saturn. The series has seen several more games since, with the most recent main entry being Soul Hackers 2 released in 2022.
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Persona, previously marketed as Shin Megami Tensei: Persona outside of Japan, is a video game franchise primarily developed and published by Atlus, and owned by Sega. Centered around a series of role-playing video games, Persona is a spin-off from Atlus' Megami Tensei franchise. The first entry in the series, Revelations: Persona, was released in 1996 for the PlayStation. The series has seen several more games since, with the most recent main entry being 2024's Persona 3 Reload.
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Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 is a tactical role-playing game in the Megami Tensei series developed by Atlus for the Nintendo DS. It is a sequel to the 2009 Nintendo DS role-playing game Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor. It was released in Japan in July 2011, in North America in February 2012, and in Europe in October 2013. An enhanced version for the Nintendo 3DS, titled Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker, was released in 2015.
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