Table of Contents
Introduction
The 2021 JRPG Shin Megami Tensei V garnered praise from critics and fans for its demon collecting gameplay and challenging dungeon crawling. Now developer Atlus is releasing Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, an enhanced definitive edition that meaningfully expands upon the original’s strengths.
SMT V: Vengeance retains the dark, hardcore essence of its predecessor while introducing tons of new content and features. An 80+ hour fresh narrative, expanded worlds, gameplay improvements, and technical upgrades give fans even more to dive into.
Let’s explore the major ways Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance builds upon the original game to deliver the ultimate edition of this modern JRPG classic. Both newcomers and returning fans will find deeper, richer adventures awaiting in this definitive version.
New Narrative and Characters
One of the biggest expansions in SMT V: Vengeance is the introduction of an entirely new 80+ hour storyline called The Canon of Vengeance. This provides a fresh narrative path with new characters that greatly builds upon the original story foundation.
The Canon of Vengeance
The Canon of Vengeance offers fans new plot twists and surprises that subvert expectations from the first game. Choices players make can lead to different endings compared to the original’s conclusions.
This new narrative features the mysterious character Yoko Hiromine who can join your party with her demon-fighting abilities. Her presence promises to shake up the journey and character dynamics in exciting ways.
Expanded Cast
Seeing both new and familiar characters take on different roles and relationships in the Canon of Vengeance storyline adds more depth. Their interactions and motivations change given the new context.
The expanded cast and character development allows fans to experience enhanced storytelling and lore building upon the original narrative framework. The new angles make revisiting this world compelling.
Expanded World and Locations
SMT V: Vengeance builds upon the original game’s world with the introduction of new areas for players to explore and uncover challenges within.
New Realms to Discover
A major new location introduced is the demonic realm of Da’at Shinjuku, offering fans fresh environments and secrets to find. Navigating this unfamiliar area and dealing with hostile entities expands the gameplay.
These new realms organically fit into the existing storytelling while providing their own self-contained adventures. Their addition enriches the lore and possibilities of the SMT universe.
Deeper Immersion
The expanded settings give context to the new Canon of Vengeance storyline while letting returning fans see familiar locations in new lights. Traversing enhanced worlds with upgraded visuals makes the immersion more engrossing.
By retaining the original game’s world and adding to it, SMT V: Vengeance builds upon its predecessor’s foundation to create a deeper experience overall for players to get lost in.
Gameplay Enhancements
On top of fresh narratives and locations, SMT V: Vengeance also expands the gameplay systems through smart additions and improvements.
Wider Accessibility
A major enhancement is the game now releasing on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC in addition to the Nintendo Switch. This allows more JRPG fans to experience the SMT series by playing this definitive edition.
Opening up accessibility builds the player base while letting existing fans play on their preferred platform. New and returning players alike win thanks to the expanded platforms.
Strategic Depth
SMT V: Vengeance adds more demon allies to collect and abilities to utilize in combat. Finding effective ways to implement these new options adds more strategic depth to customizing your playstyle.
The new demons and powers organically integrate with the robust combat systems. Combining new and familiar gameplay elements enhances the experience.
Refined Gameplay Flow
Small quality of life improvements refine the gameplay flow and accessibility without sacrificing SMT’s signature difficulty. Enhancements like smoother UI and animations complement the new content.
The thoughtful expansions make enjoying everything the game has to offer, both old and new, more seamless. This creates optimal conditions for players to dive deep.
Improved Visuals and Performance
SMT V: Vengeance enhances the graphics and performance to further immerse players in its dark, demonic setting.
Visual Upgrades
By releasing on hardware like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, the visuals can display in 4K with more detailed textures and effects. Environments and characters look richer.
Seeing familiar locales with graphical improvements adds new dimension. Paired with the new locations, the enhanced visuals make appreciating the art direction more engrossing.
Smoother Gameplay
In addition to visual bumps, the expanded platforms also provide technical boosts like higher, more stable frame rates. This creates smoother combat and exploration.
The improved performance aligns with the gameplay additions to optimize the experience. Loading times also see reductions to get players into the action faster.
Conclusion
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance meaningfully builds upon and expands every element of its predecessor to create the definitive edition. The new narrative, characters, locations, gameplay additions, visual upgrades, and more give fans the ultimate version.
Atlus smartly crafted SMT V: Vengeance in a way that stays true to the series’ roots while moving it forward through organic evolution. Loyal fans and newcomers alike will find deeper adventures and challenges awaiting in this expanded experience.
The Canon of Vengeance storyline stands on its own while complementing the original game’s narrative. New demons and abilities add strategic depth without over-complicating things. Everything new integrates into the existing framework.
SMT V: Vengeance retains the hardcore essence long-time fans love while improving accessibility for more players to discover the appeal. It sets the new gold standard for modern JRPGs with its meaningful expansions of beloved systems. All signs point to this definitive edition becoming an instant classic.
