Shin Megami Tensei V arrives on Switch with a problem: Atlus released a game that asks players to learn dozens of demons, manage a complex stat system, and grind through menus for hours. The game does none of that poorly. It does all of it with precision, patience, and a confidence that few games this dense can claim. This is a difficult game dressed in soft colors, and it knows exactly what it is doing.
Trailer, via Nintendo of America.
The Setting
The story drops the protagonist into the capital of the demon world, a city called the Metaverse. It is a strange place, built from the ruins of human civilization and ruled by a council of demons who hold the fate of the world in their hands. The protagonist is not a hero in the usual sense. They are a student, a wanderer, a listener — someone who hears voices and carries questions about what it means to exist in a world built from ruin.
The setting is not just a backdrop. It shapes every encounter. Demons are not enemies to be killed. They are negotiators, allies, and sometimes friends. The city itself is a character, a maze of towers, parks, and secret passages that reward curiosity and punish carelessness.
Combat and Its Demons
Combat in Shin Megami Tensei V is turn-based, but it feels fast. Each action triggers a chain reaction that fills the screen with light and sound, and the game rewards timing over button mashing. Players can summon demons to fight alongside them, and each demon has its own skills, weaknesses, and elemental affinities.
The demon roster is enormous. Here are some of the key demons players will meet early on:
- Aneki, a cheerful demon who offers a powerful healing skill and a strong physical attack
- Mokoi, a small, playful demon with a ranged attack that hits multiple targets
- Yaksini, a large demon with a brute force attack that deals heavy damage
- Astaroth, a towering demon whose attacks focus on weakening enemy defenses
Each demon also carries a personality. Some are kind, some are cruel, and some are both at once. That complexity extends to the player’s own actions. Choices made during negotiations with demons can change the story, and the game tracks those changes in a way that feels meaningful rather than mechanical.
Negotiation and the Social System
Negotiation is the heart of Shin Megami Tensei V. Instead of fighting every demon, players can talk to them. The conversation system lets players choose from multiple responses, and the game responds in real time, changing its behavior based on what the player says. A wrong word can trigger a fight. A clever word can earn an ally.
This system is not new to the series, but it is refined here. The game gives players enough information to make informed choices without overwhelming them. It respects the player’s time while still making the consequences of their words feel weighty.
The social system ties negotiation to a larger web of relationships. Players can form bonds with demons, and those bonds unlock new abilities, dialogue options, and even new story paths. It is a simple idea, but it creates a sense of connection that few games achieve.
The City and Its Exploration
The Metaverse is vast, and Atlus has packed it full of detail. Side quests, hidden rooms, and optional encounters are everywhere. Players who explore thoroughly will find treasure, lore, and sometimes a demon they had forgotten existed.
The park areas are especially memorable. One park is filled with talking statues that offer riddles and advice. Another is a quiet garden where players can sit and listen to the thoughts of the city around them. These moments break up the combat and keep the game from feeling like a constant grind.
Exploration is rewarded, but it is not required. The main story can be completed without touching a single side quest, though doing so would mean missing out on some of the best writing in the game.
Difficulty and Its Cost
Shin Megami Tensei V is not an easy game. Enemies hit hard, and the protagonist’s health bar is fragile. Players who rush in without planning will die quickly. The game expects attention, and it punishes careless play.
That difficulty is not a flaw. It is a feature. The game forces players to think about their actions, to consider which demons to bring into battle, and to plan their attacks carefully. Every victory feels earned, and every defeat teaches something.
The cost is real. Long stretches of grinding are necessary to level up and acquire new demons, and the game does not hide that fact. Some players will find this frustrating. Others will find it satisfying.
Sound and Its Music
The music in Shin Megami Tensei V is excellent. The soundtrack blends orchestral pieces with electronic textures, creating a sound that feels both ancient and modern. The main theme, “Metaverse,” sets the tone for the entire game, a soaring melody that carries a sense of dread and wonder at once.
The sound design is equally strong. Footsteps echo in empty halls. Wind rustles through the trees. Demons speak in voices that carry emotion, and the game’s audio direction deserves credit for making the world feel alive.
Presentation and Its Flaws
The presentation is where Shin Megami Tensei V shows its age. The graphics are competent but not stunning. Character models are detailed, but the environments can look flat. The lighting is good, and the color palette is bright, but the overall visual style is dated compared to recent releases.
There are also technical issues. The game stutters occasionally, and loading times can be long. None of this breaks the experience, but it is noticeable.
The Switch version runs at a lower resolution than the PC version, and some players have noticed frame rate drops during intense battles. These are minor complaints in a game this ambitious, but they are worth noting for anyone considering picking it up.
The Story and Its Themes
The story of Shin Megami Tensei V is about choice. The protagonist is caught between two factions, each offering a different path to salvation. One side wants to destroy the world and start again. The other wants to preserve it, even if that means living with its flaws.
The game does not settle on an easy answer. It presents arguments for both sides and leaves the final decision to the player. This is a rare approach in mainstream storytelling, and it gives the game a lasting impact.
The themes are heavy. The game touches on war, politics, religion, and the nature of existence. It does not shy away from difficult subjects, and it handles them with a maturity that respects the intelligence of its audience.
Final Word
Shin Megami Tensei V is a demanding game, but it is also a rewarding one. It asks a lot of its players, and it delivers a lot in return. The negotiation system, the demon roster, and the exploration of the Metaverse are all executed with skill and care.
The game is not perfect. Its presentation shows its age, and its difficulty can be punishing. But these flaws do not cancel out the strengths. They are part of a package that remains one of the most thoughtful and engaging games of its generation.
Shin Megami Tensei V earns its place among the greats of the genre. It is a game that demands attention, rewards curiosity, and leaves players thinking long after the credits roll.
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