Shin Megami Tensei V Has Come To

The road to Shin Megami Tensei V has been long, perhaps longer than even the largest skeptics predicted while considering Atlus’ recent game development processes.

SMTV was first announced in January 2017, notably before the Nintendo Switch launched, as simply an upcoming Shin Megami Tensei game coming to the platform. But it wasn’t difficult to guess that it was for the fifth installment, as confirmed in the first real trailer in October of that year. Since Atlus’ Team Maniax, the development team responsible for the mainline SMT games since Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne Maniax released for PlayStation 2 in Japan in 2004, appeared to have a clear vision for the project, it didn’t seem like it was that far away from release.

Turns out, it very much was. Maybe this shouldn’t have been as surprising as it was considering the gap between the announcements and releases of Persona 5 and Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE, and how we’re still waiting for Project Re Fantasy despite it being announced in December 2016. Atlus is somehow still adjusting to HD platform development after all these years. Their internal development teams have released less than a literal handful of HD titles, a low amount even among small publishers. After previously resurfacing in a Nintendo Direct Mini in July 2020, SMTV resurfaced for good on the E3 2021 Direct.

The main character, donning a stylish school uniform with a flower pattern, starts his story off in what appears to be modern day Tokyo. But he’s eventually transported to the world of “Da’at” in a universe different from the one he knows. The Nintendo Direct trailer implies that he’s taken to an alternate universe, post-apocalyptic version of Tokyo, but the first official trailer claims the opposite — that the post-apocalyptic version is the real Tokyo. The latter is likely more accurate.

The end times call for desperate measures, in a world where a battle between law and chaos is ensuing. The main character has little choice but to fuse with the first powerful ally he sees, Aogami. Together, they become Nahobino, with Aogami being the voice guiding the main character along the way. The initial setup brings Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne to mind, albeit in a world in which Law is winning rather than Chaos. They remastered that game for good reason.

Da’at’s areas are reminiscent of those from the several post-apocalyptic versions of Tokyo from previous SMT games. The biggest differences will be not only through the main character, but actual exploration. It’s not clear whether the game will have an open world or large hub-like areas, but it is clear that the environments will be the largest in the series. If there’s an overworld map, they’re doing a good job hiding it. The exploration choice could partly show why this game is taking so damned long to release, an ambitious undertaking for the company. But it looks like a joy to explore, and should be less of a pain to navigate compared to Shin Megami Tensei IV’s overworld (though most of those issues were fixed with Apocalypse).

Every new Megaten game comes with plenty of returning demons, some of which, like Gabriel and Lucifer’s demonic form, are returning with their older Kazuma Kaneko designs instead of in the extremely divisive designs from SMTIV’s guest artists. But SMTV will also resemble previous games in having new demons and returning ones with new designs, all from current character and demon designer Masayuki Doi. Jack Frost’s design is too iconic to change, which is why only the art is new. But Angel is getting her fourth design; I won’t be the only one to miss her BDSM design from the older games. New demons include Amanozako, Fionn mac Cumhaill, and Daimon. Several more will be introduced as Atlus’ Daily Demon series continues.

It’s a big change for a Megaten game that Mido will no longer be handling demon fusion, with mysterious maiden Sophia taking that duty. Maybe she’s the reincarnation of the true goddess.

(Tell me someone will get that reference.)

The game will have around 214 demons, around half the amount SMTIV and Apocalypse contained. This is the cost of using 3D models vs. using 2D sprites, though several demons from the latter titles were little more than fusion fodder. The count is another point it will have in common with SMTIII, which had around 198. Again, they remastered that title for good reason.

The good thing about creating a unique turn-based battle system is that it can be used again and again for over a decade, which is why the Press Turn system from previous SMT games and Digital Devil Saga is returning in SMTV. It gives the player and enemies an extra turn if they exploit weaknesses. The main character will have his own array of unique attacks, but the Daily Demon series has shown how a good number of demons will have them too, representing various elements. Lastly here, the UI notably shares much in common with TMS #FE’s, which our own Angela Moseley pointed out in our Discord.

The composer hasn’t been announced yet, but it would be a big shock if Ryota Kozuka, previously lead composer for the SMTIV’s games, wasn’t taking the same role here. The music featured in gameplay videos and trailers thus far are in his style. Even if some fans in Japan reportedly didn’t like Kozuka’s work anywhere near as much as Shoji Meguro’s, it’s going to be good stuff. Trust me here.

Atlus and Sega were fortunately serious when they mentioned last year that SMTV would have a simultaneous worldwide release — or close to it. It will release in Japan and Asian territories on November 11th, with a western release to follow on November 12th. There’s also a limited edition that’s largely sold out on retailer websites, though Atlus is promising restocks. We’ll see if that happens, or it will otherwise continue being a scalper’s wet dream. On the other hand, the level of interest around an SMT title is good, considerably higher than previous installments. It bodes well for the game’s prospects.