Shin Megami Tensei V is the reason I finally bought a Nintendo Switch. So, it should come as no surprise when I say I bought the steelbook edition the day it came out and have played it everyday since. It has been about a month now,meaning now is the perfect time to reflect on whether I made the right decision.
I have not played an SMT game since SMT IV: Apocalypse released almost six years ago. I like Nocturne, but I do not really care for remasters, and did not get the one released for SMT III earlier this year. Needless to say, it had been a while since I played a Shin Megami game. So long in fact that when SMT V started, I immediately went into Persona mode.
I prefer the Persona games, but I also know comparing the two franchises is unfair and incorrect. Still, I could not help myself. Due to how long it had been and my excitement, I rushed in expecting a breezy role playing game. I was dead within ten minutes. I was quickly reminded of how brutal the SMT games are to those who do not prepare properly.
Once I remembered my place, I buckled in and took things at a more realistic pace. SMT V was challenging to borderline unfair, but it was also rewarding. All it took was planning and a little bit of caution. I figured in time that I would be whizzing through battles with little difficulty.
One month later, I am still waiting for that time to come. While there are some fights that have become easier, there is still a degree of difficulty that keeps the game frustratingly fun. I am still impressed by the party customization and the battles have not gotten stale because of it. There are some fights that still leave me muttering obscenities to myself after getting beat yet again.
During this time, I have also come to appreciate the story. It may not have the social aspect that is part of Persona’s charm, but the darker more serious tone is just as engaging. The quests do a great job of world building. There is a lack of engaging characters, however.
After one month, Shin Megami Tensei V remains entertaining. Collecting and fusing demons is as fun as ever and the game is gorgeous at times. When I first got the game, I was not sure if I was really enjoying it or if it was just the fan in me. Now, I can objectively say, SMT V is a fantastic game.
(As an aside: Nothing more than video games makes me realize how old I am. I used to spend so much time on a game that I would be thinking of my next playthroughs while still working my way through the first one. Now, I struggle just to find the time of day to play games I love, like ShinMegami Tensei V, for just an hour.)
Join the AIPT Patreon
Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:
- ❌ Remove all ads on the website
- 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
- 📗 Access to our monthly book club
- 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
- 💥 And more!
You must be logged in to post a comment.