The First Review For Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance Is In

For those who might be wondering, the score is the exact same as the original SMTV (36/40 with 9/9/9/9)

Although I don't value Famitsu that much, I know it's high time I dive into Shin Megami Tensei with this release. Can't wait to get started, once I clear my backlog a bit!

Eh, games barely 10 years old are getting "remasters", "definitive" or whatever label that can be slapped on to justify charging full price for the same, yet slightly improved experience.

It is what it is.

@DripDropCop146 That's not the case here. The game is nearly doubled in size with this release, so your point is hardly valid.

how is the performance on the switch?

Has the performance improved at all vs. the base game? I may get it for PS5 instead.

Not a word about the performance on switch. That's what people want to know.

It doesnt seem that long ago that this, Bayonetta 3 etc were announced, a long wait and now here we are saying they released years ago - how time flies! Metroid Prime 4, where are you....

I suppose the improvements aren't enough to make it a perfect 10, but they can't let the score slip either.
But it's Atlus - you know what you're getting. Nothing groundbreaking, but polished (plus DLC)

I have no time NOT to play this game again. Sorry.

@Pillowpants I honestly couldn't care less about the size. From what I've heard, SMT V was long enough already, so I'd rather they focused on making the game more enjoyable to play instead of bloating it further. I did play the original for like 10 hours before getting bored. Of course it's impossible to say yet how much better Vengeance is.

@johnedwin haven’t gotten it but probably nothing has changed.

@KoopaTheGamer But that's not what this new release is... It's basically the base game + DLC, which is why fans who bought the initial release are kind of getting shafted now.

And if you didn't like the game after 10 hours, then perhaps the game just isn't for you? I don't really comprehend what you're trying to convey with your comment.

I am playing IV apocalypse right now, I finished the base SMT V when it got released and can’t wait to play it again. I preordered on switch, even if the performance is worst than the PS5 version I really can’t picture myself playing SMT in any other way than portable (it’s one of the main reasons why I haven’t nearly touched Persona 3 reload)

Each Campaign takes atleast 80 hours which for me is too much to do both especially if half of each 80 hour campaign is the same stuff.

Would it be OK to just do the Vengeance route or do I have to do the original route as well to fully understand the extra content.

Looking forward to this game and hoping Atlus’ “mistake” of putting GamePass on one of the trailers was not a mistake but just put out too early. 😀

(I’ve been spending way too much money lately including on Paper Mario!)

Ollie, could you please headline this sort of article with "The FAMITSU review of <Game Title Here> Is In"?

@PinderSchloss This is exactly why I cancelled my preorder altogether. I will just decide what version to get after I read specifically about the performance on Switch.

I loved the game and I have no issues with it on Switch but I'm looking to freshen things up in my own way by playing it in a different form, whether that be improved performance on Switch or the very graphically tasty PS5 version. I'm 99% sure I'm getting it on Switch but I just hope it doesn't run worse than the original. I just hope I can still snag a launch copy with the steelbook if I wait a day or two after release.

Without looking at the article or comments, I guarantee it's a Famitsu review. They're always the "first" reviews to come out.

Edit: Yup. I was right.

I don't know what a shin megami tensei is, and at this point, I'm afraid to ask.

I loved SMTV vanilla, though in my opinion it felt too short, so I was looking forward to this one. Wasn't sure if I'd get this immediately or wait, but I guess I'll go ahead and get it when it comes out. I'll play through the original storyline again since it's been a while since I've played though it. I think I'll try for the neutral path this time around.

@canaryfarmer Thanks for letting us know.

@Rob3008 You're welcome

@Pillowpants Hey, first off my apologies for the late reply.

I wasn't trying to make any point at all. Just merely an observation to the section of the article about people feeling put off by this re-release of a 3 year old game.

You are correct it's double the size. However, it's a still a 3 year old game you are re-purchasing at full price just to get that extra content. It's only naturally people will a certain way about paying re-purchasing the base game just to experience the additional content.

Let's say you are one the few who went out your way to own the game right before the announcement. Well now, you essentially would have to pay extra to get the better version.

It would be one thing if this new content was sold as separate DLC for Switch owners for a cheaper price, with QoL improvements being free to download.

That's all my comment is, just a simple "Eh..."

@DripDropCop146 If they just released the new Vengeance content as a standalone game without SMTV (e.g. SMT4 Apocalypse) noone would be complaining. They added quality of life improvements to the base game so some people might want to play through that again. I don’t get why people are complaining but some will find a way to put a negative spin on things I suppose

@Olliemar28 No way is it 60fps, so I guess the best we can hope for is a super stable 30fps. Really hope they haven't dropped the ball on this...

Not sure what people are expecting as far as performance. The PS5 version will be leagues better. I'm sure the Switch version is still 30fps and low res. I'm so glad this got released from Switch jail. It deserves the better looking ports.

I still haven't bought this yet, so whenever I get my backlog cleared, I'll definitely check this out. I just bought P5R recently, and I'm excited to get more into Atlus games.

@Synthatron_Prime Nobody thinks Switch performance wise is gonna be better than PS5. They are just wondering if it’s better compared to original release.

Not everyone uses a PS5 for various valid reasons so anyone that prefers the Switch will get it for Switch if it doesn’t have issues.

@Olliemar28 So you haven’t read the article that this article is about?

@Arawn93 It’s that age old assumption that everyone has the exact same kit at home, and that everyone cares about performance the same way. Nope, it’s niche thoughts about a niche game series on a niche site with a niche crowd.

@awp69 This is not a Capcom game. It's from Atlus/Sega.

@Pillowpants It's worse, because you already paid 60 for a game you now need to buy again if you want the extra content. It's what people have been complaining about with Pokémon for ages, but now it's SMT barely anyone seems worried. Nintendo fans are a joke.

@Thirteen1355 My exact words were that fans were getting shafted...

I think you're generalizing Nintendo fans. I definitely don't like these kinds of practices. But in this case I'm glad I didn't get around to buying the original SMTV.

@DripDropCop146 Are we gonna forget that Game of the Year editions use to be a thing?

@BTB20 Oops. Yes, meant to say Atlus.

Foe those complaining about this not being a separate DLC:
You can just see this game like an alternate version of SMTV, like Apocalypse was for SMTIV. Vengeance is like a new game, with the same lengh as the original. You don't need to play the original route again, just go for the Vengeance route and you'll fee that you're playing a new game, even if some aspects are pretty similar. If you liked the original and you're fine with a 80h long game, then you'll feel you're not being ripped off.

Look at this like Tears of the Kingdom compared to BotW. Many similarities, like the same world and most of the mechanics, but a whole different game.

@Arawn93 Oh I agree. But the last game was 30fps {kind of} and low res. What kind of improvement do people think they're going to see on the same hardware? Possibly a more stable framerate but I wouldn't be hopeful. Unlike many consoles as they get older, Switch performance is on a decline. Just look at all the terrible ports recently, Eiyuden Chronicles specifically. It's just a turn based RPG so not a deal breaker. But it's still not going to be much of a difference, especially if there's more to this game