Shin Megami Tensei V

SMT V is perhaps a little too smart for its own good, and might alienate some people in the process, but it’s also refreshing to have developers create something that actually dares to have that level of confidence in their audience. This is a game that makes few concessions and compromises, but it is rewarding in kind and has a kind of elevated gravitas that marks it out as a rare and special thing indeed.

Minor graphical hiccups aside, Shin Megami Tensei V is an outstanding RPG, made all the more so by its countless improvements over its older siblings. It's tough but enthralling, and brimming with style. More importantly, perhaps, it has great ideas executed to something near perfection. It's been a long wait since Atlus first announced SMT V at the Switch reveal show, but it was absolutely worth it.

All in all, I’ve absolutely enjoyed my time spent with Shin Megami Tensei V. If you’re looking for a good, meaty RPG to sink your teeth into this holiday season, it definitely fits the bill. The small additions made to the Shin Megami formula work out really well here, and the game doesn’t feel hindered on Switch hardware. It’s nice to see the series leap away from a handheld platform and back to a mainline console release, and hopefully this will draw more attention to Shin Megami Tensei as a whole. So yeah, definitely consider checking this one out when it drops on November 12th, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Shin Megami Tensei V is an incredible and memorable experience. It does some extraordinary things, both in terms of gameplay and its story.

Shin Megami Tensei V is not only the best entry in the series, but also one of the best JRPG of the recent years. A deep story with good mechanics and lots of classic and new demons await in this game. It is not for everyone, but any lover of the genre is in for a treat.

Shin Megami Tensei V on Nintendo Switch retains all the strategic combat elements that the Atlus RPG franchise is known for, but it radically revolutionizes its world design to create an adventure that is completely addicting and flawlessly complements the battle system. It’s a truly remarkable achievement, resulting in easily one of the best games of 2021 and one of the best games on Nintendo Switch in general.

Over the last few weeks, there hasn't been a single waking hour I haven't thought about Shin Megami Tensei V. The combat, music, and design are all amazing and the only area it falters is in the technical aspects. Despite that, this is one of the best JRPGs in years and everything I wanted from a new Shin Megami Tensei game.

Featuring a new approach to exploration and extremely solid gameplay, Shin Megami Tensei V masterfully balances innovation and tradition to offer an excellent JRPG experience. While the technical issues can get in the way, the game's quality is so high that most will be willing to look past them, as Shin Megami Tensei V is one of the best entries in the series and one of the best JRPGs released in 2021.

Another masterpiece from Atlus; an JRPG that shines thanks to its fantastic level design, its deep combat and addictive progression system.

Shin Megami Tensei V manages to improve on a supposedly perfect combat system by introducing new options that offer a welcome extra level of complexity. The storyline is a little less convoluted than usual, and the graphics engine struggles at times, but the end result is a truly impossible-to-drop RPG and one of the most successful exponents of the genre on Switch.

Shin Megami Tensei V is a premiere JRPG that can’t be missed. Don’t let worries over difficulty (the game has four difficulty settings, one will work for you, I promise!), legacy (this is a whole new direction for the series), or performance (it can get a bit sluggish at times, but the developers have utilized a lot of tricks to make the game run smoothly most of the time) stop you from playing one of the best games of the generation.

SMTV brought everything I expected from a new chapter in the series of one of the first RPG games made, always renewing and innovating. We have an adventure that will make you stay for more than 40 hours hoping it doesn't end. It's really a great must-have for SMT fans and highly recommended for any RPG fan.

A title worth the wait, Shin Megami Tensei V makes for one of the best JRPGs of the year. With an atmospheric world, well known and fun systems and a great story, the recognizable style now shines as bright as ever. Still, don’t expect this game to hold your hand. It requires dedication, patience and at least some knowledge about the series to truly enjoy it to the fullest.

SMT V is a welcome return to home consoles for the series with an intriguing world to explore, filled with challenging encounters that are immensely satisfying to overcome. If not for the technical limitations of the Switch holding it back from being experienced in its best possible form, it could have been a new classic.

It’s been a while since I’ve played a JRPG quite as captivating as Shin Megami Tensei V. Its dangerous world is a pleasure to explore, and recruiting a small army of demons is shockingly addictive. Some may be disappointed by the lack of story scenes, but I enjoyed the fact that it just lets you get on with developing your party without any fluff; the focus here is on the journey. If you’re a Shin Megami Tensei fan or into RPGs that favour gameplay over storytelling, consider this a must-have.

Instead of aggressively sanding off any and all edges in order to appeal to the broadest audience possible, the game takes the exact opposite approach. It not only wears those edges like gleaming badges of honor, but is fully intending to stab you in the throat with them. It wants to challenge you, to desperately shake you out of complacency. SMT V is not a game for everyone, far from it, but what it trades for accessibility it gains in depth and lasting satisfaction.

Shin Megami Tensei V has given me so much fun during my almost 60-hours playthrough that I wasn't able to put the console down. The game has a good story and addictive gameplay - an almost perfect return of this famous series.

Shin Megami Tensei V is one of the best RPGs of the year. A memorable installment, and a good introduction to the series. Without a doubt, spectacular.

Shin Megami Tensei V represents a bold new step forward for the venerable series. While I suspect some long-time fans may be put off at just how many changes are on the table, I think Atlus has done an impressive job of retaining the elements that made the previous games work while injecting ambitious new ideas that make for a truly fresh take on the genre. The complexity and difficulty may turn off some newcomers, but this latest entry gives players more tools than ever for overcoming the many challenges contained within. I wish the story had been equally enterprising, but it’s a small (and highly familiar) flaw on an otherwise fantastic game.

Each entry on the main series of SMT is significant on its own and this one is not different. A notable evolution in world building and general design that respects its own tradition and core values.

Shin Megami Tensei V is a severe JRPG, at times even a bit 'heavy, but capable of standing out thanks to its flawless integralism in building an extraordinary gameplay.

Shin Megami Tensei V is a traditional RPG with dense gameplay, a fantastic cast of demonic creatures, and some of the best visuals on Switch. It’s a stellar experience that holds steadfast to its old-school origins but gives the huge world and gameplay mechanics just enough smart changes to make every moment a blast. A sinister, magnificent, and deeply satisfying new contender for the best RPG on Switch.

Shin Megami Tensei V is pretty much the sequel that fans have been waiting for. There are a few potentially controversial decisions, such as the emphasis on an open-world area instead of the franchise classic dungeons, but they ended up working out in the end. The gameplay was fun from start to finish, and the 40-hour runtime seemed to fly by thanks to excellent pacing. If you liked Nocturne but wished it were more modern, SMT5 is the game you've been waiting for.

With its breathtaking battles, and the disorienting architecture of its Beyond, it enters the Olympus of the best titles for the Nintendo Switch.

Shin Megami Tensei V does not renovate the franchise but improves the formula and moves closer to a new generation of players with quality of life adjustments and modern features, while delivering one of the most impressive and unsettling world to date.

Putting aside slight gripes with performance, Shin Megami Tensei 5 is still largely excellent on Nintendo Switch. Returning fans, especially those with a love for SMT 3: Nocturne, will absolutely enjoy the fifth entry. New players and fans of JRPGs will equally find a lot to love with this entry as well. SMT 5 plays out like a true modernization for the Shin Megami Tensei franchise, overhauling and revamping the visual and gameplay design in a way that remains both traditional and progressive. Atlus is taking a big step forward with Shin Megami Tensei 5, and for the most part, nails all of the aspects that make it a stellar entry in the long-running JRPG franchise.

Shin Megami Tensei 5 is yet another gem for the Nintendo Switch that every JRPG fan needs to check out.

A staggering scope of ambition paired with a frankly absurd amount of mechanical depth make Shin Megami Tensei 5 a great game, and a must play for any and all fans of the genre.

I didn’t think ATLUS had it in them to make a game with the level of ambition packed into every inch of Shin Megami Tensei V.

Shin Megami Tensei V trascends divinity achieving a perfect balance between heaven and hell: it's and ode to the classics, to those JRPG's that weren't afraid of being complex and challenging, but it's also a modern game, adapted to current times and trends.

It's probably inevitable that Shin Megami Tensei V won't be exactly what everybody wanted from a new entry into the franchise. Although I had a few qualms with it overall, and there are definitely some growing pains with its direction in places, I came away mostly content with how Atlus handled this latest installment. While Shin Megami Tensei V's new direction may not suit everyone's expectations for the series, Atlus has returned to the franchise with an ambitious fifth entry.

Now that we’ve finally closed the book on the 2017 Switch presentation, I think Shin Megami Tensei V might be my favourite game to emerge from that show. That’s not a comparison I make lightly given the other games that appeared that night, but for my money and time it was worth the wait. Pokemon might be ending the year of RPGs on Switch, but SMT V is the best monster catcher for your buck yet.

Shin Megami Tensei V is a modern masterpiece. It successfully delivers on all the aspects that have made the series thus far so popular with fans—namely through its high difficulty, heavy narrative themes, and expansive team-building options—while polishing up and tightening the weaker aspects. Things like a more easily navigable map and more difficulty options to cater to players of all skill levels comfortably make this the most approachable entry in the series, and it feels like there’s more things to do in the world than ever before. If you are at all a fan of RPGs or have been looking for a good entry point into this oft overlooked series, we would strongly encourage you to pick this up as soon as you can. Shin Megami Tensei V was worth the wait, Atlus has successfully stuck the landing with this one.

Although it’s been a while since the last mainline game, Shin Megami Tensei V lives up to the hype. This is a JRPG you won’t want to miss.

Shin Megami Tensei V is an excellent Switch exclusive worthy of its name, with the game feeling like the natural next step in the long-running series while introducing new elements that elevate it above even its contemporaries while not straying too far from its roots, offering fans a must-play experience and for everyone else, a JRPG worth jumping into.

Shin Megami Tensei V is an incredible achievement. While it comes off as less of a horror game than previous entries in the series, its sheer scale and eerie presentation more than make up for the lack of dedicated scares. In some ways, I feel that gaming technology has finally reached the point that it’s able to convey the tone and feel that Shin Megami Tensei has been trying to capture since the 80s. There's a lot packed into this game, especially if you play on a higher difficulty, which I definitely recommend doing. If you’re allergic to grinding, there is an optional Safety difficulty that will let you focus on the story instead, but you’ll still probably spend a lot of time exploring the expansive game world and getting lost between buildings.

The seemingly endless possibilities of Shin Megami Tensei V directly fueled my desire to play it from the moment I got my copy.

I’m in awe of its aesthetic, particularly the protagonist and his long, blue hair. I love the intense, nu-rock soundtrack that plays during a typical fight, and I could spend hours vibing to the jazzy score that accompanies you when walking through the school. The variety of demons is fantastic. The characters are unique yet reminiscent of ones who’ve come before. It’s a game I could play for hours, even with multiple deaths halting my progress at what always feels like the worst possible moment.

Shin Megami Tensei V is a masterfully made JRPG and fascinating work of art. While the characters could have used more fleshing out and the leveling curve is wildly uneven, it’s still incredibly fun with thrilling combat and a gripping plot.

It’s not a stretch to say that Shin Megami Tensei V has set a new standard for JRPGs. It’s amazing to see how far along this series has come since the initial inception of Megami Tensei, and the fa ct that ATLUS can continue to improve the series without compromising its core features. Shin Megami Tensei V has been a long time coming, but the wait has absolutely been worth it—and I’m more excited than ever to watch the SMT franchise continue to grow.

Even without strong narrative backing, Shin Megami Tensei V delivers a compelling experience for the entire 60+ hour journey. The game smartly provides the player with core features the series is known for, alongside excelling in its fantastic environments, combat mechanics, and immaculate soundtrack. Shin Megami Tensei V is a natural evolution of this series and a must-play RPG.

Shin Megami Tensei V is an excellent game that more than lives up to the expectations of its specific series. While its innovations grate against its more ancient elements, what emerges is still something that manages to capture attention for its hefty playtime.

Shin Megami Tensei V boasts extraordinary visuals, a familiar gameplay and an interesting narrative alongside AAA production values that, in the end, make for one of the best RPG of the whole year and, most likely, even the decade.

If you have a Switch and at least 50 hours of free time, if you can handle the stress of losing progress due to manual saves, if you like complex story, nuanced mechanics and turn-based combat – you definitely have to play Shin Megami Tensei V. [Issue#257, p.72]

Shin Megami Tensei V is a great JRPG game that will make new players love the series while making the long-awaited SMT fans happy.

Shin Megami Tensei successfully builds over the third entry in the franchise, upping the ante with a great combat system and more freedom to explore. One of the best JRPGs in the last few years and a great exclusive for the Nintendo Switch.

SMTV gives fans of the series all they need and want, wrapped in an all new look with quality of life features which enhance the classic gameplay with fresh highlights such as exploration. Its Old School RPG-feeling mixed with some modern features creates an enjoyable role-playing game with some twists.

Shin Megami Tensei is one of the best RPGs of recent years. His fights exude that traditional aroma, but they have elements that make him unique. And its history, although confusing in its beginnings, when it clicks it no longer lets go. It has all the components to do wonders for fans of the genre.

The story can feel a bit too grandiose for it's own good, but the great combat, wonderful graphics and absolutely amazing monster collecting elements of the game are more than enough to solidify it as one of the best JRPG games on the Switch to date.

Like Pokémon, SMTV doesn’t do much to change its formula. Newcomers might want a greater emphasis on story or less grind to the gameplay, but those who are keen for this sort of content will find what might well be the best in the Shin Megami Tensei series thanks to its stylish graphics and engaging tactical gameplay.

If you're in for a challenge and got time on your hands, then Shin Megami Tensei V has a lot of content for you to enjoy. Certain parts might seem a little dragged out, but it's a fantastic RPG on the Nintendo Switch with in-depth gameplay systems that is equal parts punishing and rewarding.

Shin Megami Tensei 5 is one of the Switch’s best RPGs, which is saying something considering the strength of the genre on Nintendo’s hybrid system. While it rewards preparation and making the most of all of its mechanics, its difficulty may put off some players. Still, if you can persevere, you’ll be rewarded with an intense and unforgettable experience.

Shin Megami Tensei V is a solid evolution of the series with updated graphics and a thoroughly enjoyable overworld traversal system that rewards exploration although the battle system and monster recruiting remain a little too familiar.

Shin Megami Tensei 5 brings back the things that fans love about the series. Its biggest sin is that it doesn’t do much to innovate. Fans that were expecting to see a brand new vision for SMT will be confused because this is essentially the same demon collecting dungeon crawler it has always been. However, the quality of life improvements and the more expansive environments do add some new spice into the formula, and I had a blast fighting my heart out. It’s the archetypical JRPG, but that’s not a bad thing.

With Shin Megami Tensei 5, Atlus reaches new heights thanks to a surprising and particularly neat exploration aspect, while continuing to refine its formidable formula of capturing monsters and turn-based battles. The result is an ever-renewed gameplay pleasure, despite obvious technical weaknesses and a main plot too disjointed to fully convince. Finally, it is a monster of balancing, combining an unprecedented accessibility for the series with a high but far from insurmountable challenge: a game that should suck your soul for dozens of hours if you're up to the challenge.

Shin Megami Tensei V has a deep and satisfying combat system making every fight a challenge, as well as an engaging story and great visuals.

Shin Megami Tensei V makes smart improvements to its already strong core, creating an entertaining and rewarding journey.

Shin Megami Tensei V is undoubtedly a well crafted game. Despite the story taking quite a while to intrigue me, the gameplay mechanics and the challenging combat more than make up for it.

Shin Megami Tensei V is an excellent, although quite punishing, RPG. The brutal challenge it possesses and bleak story may not make it a crowd favorite. Finding the right balance between Law and Chaos is not as clear as you may think. However, it’s due to their uncompromising decisions that Atlus continues to be one of the best RPG developers around.

What a journey! After eight years of waiting, the fifth installment of MegaTen is finally here, and it manages to deliver a satisfying experience. It may not have the deepest plot or most interesting cast of human characters, but it's fun, and I appreciate that it challenged me to think more about myself, my beliefs and how I view the world around me. And how many games can do that? [Issue #57 – January/February 2022, p. 76]

Comparing with an adored Persona cannot be avoided, but it is still a quite different experience for a different audience. Great fights, growing demons, excelent graphics and atmosphere. This JRPG succeeded.

The design of this game is shown to its best advantage in a situation where the gameplay is challenging. All this in a large world with plenty to do makes Shin Megami Tensei V a successful and enjoyable title. Just be aware that the resolution is a little low and the story not very exciting. Fortunately, the gameplay makes up for this.

Shin Megami Tensei V brings the main series back after six years, much to our delight. If the game's plot and level design could use a bit more work, its excellent combat system that keeps all that's good from the previous games and adds very welcome improvements, open world exploration and soundtrack make this an instant classic and an absolutely indispensable game with RPG fans.

Shin Megami Tensei V is easily the most approachable series entry to date. Traditional mechanics have been carefully updated, adding new ideas to provide additional layers of strategy for players to discover and capitalise on. The game’s all-encompassing tension, infrequent story beats, and exciting systems all add up to an experience that effectively satisfies the challenging RPG niche that Shin Megami Tensei first carved out in the late 90s.

Shin Megami Tensei V is not for the lazy gamer. Although you are bombarded with information and grand ideas at the beginning, the story is slow to get going after that. The game is also extremely difficult. A person would give up for less. But those who persevere will be surprised by one of the most intense experiences the Switch has to offer.

Like its predecessors, Shin Megami Tensei V in a rpg that takes place in a post-apocalyptic world, filled with bizarre and beautifully designed demons and classic rpg battles - which are as difficult as they are entertaining. What is missing, however, are memorable main characters and a story that grabs our interest from the start. But if a challenging combat system and a dark, exciting world are more important than a group of colorful teens saving the world, then Shin Megami Tensei V is the game for you.

If you’re a fan of Megami Tensei or just a RPG fan in general, you can’t and won’t go wrong with Shin Megami Tensei V. It offers players so much without the ‘heavy’ feeling that usually comes with many RPGs.

It is no exaggeration that Shin Megami Tensei V is one of the most fun turn-based RPGs on the market. Unique and numerous demons are available for collection; the turn-based system that needs to develop strategies for weaknesses is fun and playable; the large, complex and sufficiently substantial maze is also very exciting to explore. But there is no doubt that this game is not suitable for some players. If you are not interested in traditional turn-based RPG, it will be difficult to find fun in this game. The above advantages will instantly become unbearable for players.

Here, each battle is a conscious decision that may spell your doom. And despite a story that’s a bit too often on the periphery, that makes for immensely satisfying action.

A very solid addition to the popular RPG series. The graphics are amazing, as is the freedom of choice regarding your demon underlings. Just be prepared to grind due to the brutal difficulty.

Shin Megami Tensei V offers well-known and traditional gameplay that has been modernized and refreshed exactly in the ways it needs to.

Shin Megami Tensei V is sure to bring a large swath of fresh fans to the series with its beautiful graphics and complex turn-based strategy mechanics. It presents a challenge even on the easiest setting, and the demon recruitment process has been made all the better with livelier, more varied dialogue. Shin Megami Tensei V is only held back by some lacklustre storytelling in the first half, and the unfortunate performance on the Nintendo Switch, which was the wrong console to handle Shin Megami Tensei V’s powerful graphics.

If you have enough patience to survive this apocalypse, you'll find a deep story and very challenging gameplay based heavily on strategy. Fans of the series won't find much innovation, but they also won't be disappointed.

Ignoring some unpleasant technical hiccups like unstable framerate and poor asset streaming, and also a rather basic storyline, Shin Megami Tensei V is a big gift for the fans, and a great opportunity to jump into the series for new players.

There are a lot of great qualities of Shin Megami Tensei V that make it one of the best RPGs on the Switch by far. Its intricate battle system, fun demon fusion mechanics, and enhanced presentation will lure fans and newcomers alike but its pacing, difficulty, and lack of a gripping story may make you put down the game for a bit before picking it back up. It’s a game that needs to be savored slowly to fully taste its potential. Otherwise it may leave you with a bad taste in your mouth.

Presenting players with a beefy, challenging, and ultimately rewarding experience, Shin Megami Tensei V is a game that pulls newcomers into a polarizing experience. It is common to feel motivated to play the game for multiple hours, only to have that motivation knocked out once the current party lineup can’t stand against the next boss fight. However, it is also common to return to the game after a break and feel a strong sense of achievement after beating a particularly difficult foe. It’s an excellent entry point for those unfamiliar with SMT, should provide great joy for returning players, and should not be missed.

Shin Megami Tensei V is the best Shin Megami Tensei game thus far, without a doubt. It’s incredibly stylish and delivers an intriguing plot filled with the philosophical and metaphysical concepts that fans have come to expect. Its battle system is every bit as engaging as it’s contemporaries, and the fusion system remains as one of the best in the genre. And while it’s got some strong art direction, technical issues and ho-hum dungeon design keep Shin Megami Tensei V from being as great as it could be.

Shin Megami Tensei V is the Japanese RPG equivalent of mid-century modern design, as the classic style and attitude of the series gets enhanced by—but never replaced with—simpler and sleeker refinements and modernizations. In a moment when Atlus could have given Persona’s sibling series a more market-friendly makeover, the company has instead given us a game that’s as weird, punishing, and mysterious as any previous SMT release that came before. As a longtime fan who wasn’t sure if the team at Atlus still had games like this in them, Shin Megami Tensei V is shockingly satisfying—well, as long as you don’t ask too much of its characters or story.

Deep, multi-faceted gameplay anchors a story that spans modern Tokyo and the realms of gods, demons, and angels beyond. It's not for everyone, but hardcore JRPG fans will find a lot to love in Shin Megami Tensei V. It's a worthy entry in the long-running series.

Shin Megami Tensei 5 is a punishing delight. It revels in its classic approach to combat and exploration, brought to life with a battered and broken vision of our world as it teeters on the edge of extinction. JRPGs of the modern era are often content to hold our hands and guide us through each new journey, but Atlus decides to punch us in the gut, steal our wallet, and sprint away as we try desperately to catch up. As I’ve said time and time again, this isn’t a game for everyone, but those who gel with its specific brand of masochism will find something very special indeed.

For those who will have the courage to rub shoulders with it, they will find a generous title in its content and its mechanics which will have enough to occupy them for a good fifty hours of play.

With extensive and satisfying party customization, excellent combat, and challenging enemies, Shin Megami Tensei V never left me feeling bored or burned out across its epic length. Exploration and platforming sections lend some much-needed variety when you're fighting so many similar battles in a row. I just couldn't shake the feeling that this was Persona without the heart – without the unforgettable companion characters, the potent personal story, the incredible soundtrack, and the jaw-dropping twists and turns. Still, if you're looking for a meaty, demanding, endlessly deep, and overall outstanding JRPG to sink your teeth into, Shin Megami Tensei V has heaping portions of it.

At the end of the day, I'm not so sure that Shin Megami Tensei V really pushes the envelope forward for the series. It doesn't have the emotional brevity of the excellent Nocturne, nor does it present the same kind of moral quandaries that IV did. It certainly looks better and plays incredibly well, and from a gameplay perspective, this would easily be the most accessible entry of the bunch. It won't disappoint series fans, especially those who have been waiting for a series comeback for years, but it might be time for Atlus to think about where the series is headed next.

Shin Megami Tensei V seems like a “best-of” of the previous chapters. An amusing action-RPG hybrid with great emphasis on exploration, thanks to larger scale levels, and the funny “demon negotiations” feature that once again refreshes an established combat system.

Shin Megami Tensei V is a game that demands a lot of the player--its slow pace and punishing difficulty will more than likely turn some folks off. But those who stick with it will find an incredibly rewarding experience that only gets better the further in you get. SMTV truly makes you feel like the weight of this crumbling, conflict-torn world of mythological nightmares rests firmly on your shoulders--but it's a burden you'll be glad you chose to bear.

Shin Megami Tensei V is one of the best RPGs of 2021. It has an immensely-enjoyable combat system, some of the best and most varied battle music we’ve heard in a long time, and all the demonic creatures we’ve come to love from the series.

Shin Megami Tensei V does not suffer fools gladly. You will be punished brutally for attempting a battle that’s out of your league. But there’s so much to do in its expansive wasteland that working your way up to the challenge never feels like a grind.

The Shin Megami Tensei games have often been some of the most mechanically inventive and unique, and that remains the case with SMT5. Combat is challenging and dynamic, and the party-building options are limitless. My only issues with the game boiled down to JRPG tropes that likely won’t bother hardcore fans. It’s not only an excellent JRPG, but a wonderful new entry in one of the genre’s most influential games.

With Shin Megami Tensei V, Atlus has done a solid job of updating the series over to the Nintendo Switch. The new gameplay elements are mostly welcome, and press turn combat and demon fusing elements are better than ever. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the story, which never even begins to get interesting.

Shin Megami Tensei V is more of what SMT fans would want, now with open-ish worlds and platforming. The Press Turn mechanic is still enjoyable and keeps the game interesting as you try to best or befriend every demon that comes your way. Newcomers might find the brutal difficulty off-putting, with too much grinding for too little story. I have no doubts it will be a beloved Shin Megami Tensei game for the already converted. I’ve always enjoyed the series but hope it can become even more accessible to a broader audience and still keep everything that makes it what it is. But we might be waiting for the next game for that to happen.

The Atlus faithful who remember the anguish of Matador in Nocturne the first time will probably swallow their pride and press on, but newcomers who may confuse godhood with god mode are in for a rude awakening. [Issue#366, p.112]

Shin Megami Tensei V is an overall decent game that retains all the familiar characteristics of the series (i.e. high challenge, great demons to fuse with and grinding). However, this new entry is a missed opportunity that lacks impact due to its performance issues and the repeatable areas of exploration.

The battle system is excellent but the Shin Megami Tensei series once again misses a golden opportunity to reincarnate itself, with its sparse plot and sky high difficulty.

It's not winning any awards for graphics, but Shin Megami Tensei V is a well-designed JRPG that has just a little too much combat. Even with such an interesting story and themes to explore, it instead focuses on grinding and fighting the same enemies over and over.

While Shin Megami Tensei 5 is rough around the edges, fans of the series will be satisfied. However, newcomers to the series and those not impressed by the previous entries best approach with caution.

There are excellent RPG ideas powering the game, but they’re left stranded in search of a worthwhile role to play.