Shin Megami Tensei V
A high school student becomes a Nahobino in a war-torn Da'at.
Shin Megami Tensei V is a role-playing game released in 2021, developed by Atlus and first made available for the Nintendo Switch. It stands as the fifth main installment in the Shin Megami Tensei series, which is the core line of the larger Megami Tensei franchise. In Japan, Atlus handled publishing; in North America, Sega took over; and in Europe, Nintendo published it. The story centers on a high school student who gets pulled into Da'at, a ruined world where angels and demons are locked in conflict. This chaos follows Lucifer’s killing of the Creator, sparking a struggle over who will reshape the world. Depending on the player’s moral choices and alliances, the narrative leads to several possible endings. Gameplay involves freely exploring Da'at’s open areas, a turn-based battle system that rewards exploiting enemy weaknesses, and a mechanic that lets the Nahobino—the protagonist—recruit and combine demons to fight alongside them.
Development of Shin Megami Tensei V started in 2016, with the goal of merging elements from Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne and Shin Megami Tensei IV. Returning team members included planner Kazuyuki Yamai, artist Masayuki Doi, and composers Ryota Kozuka and Toshiki Konishi. The project took longer than expected because it used the Unreal Engine and was built for the Switch. Critics praised the gameplay design and graphics but pointed out issues with the story and technical performance. By 2022, the original version had sold more than 1.1 million copies worldwide.
An expanded edition, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, came out in 2024 for eighth and ninth generation consoles as well as Windows. Atlus published it in Japan, while Sega handled the global release. This version refined the gameplay, added new story elements, and incorporated content that had been planned or cut from the original. Vengeance received critical acclaim, with reviewers highlighting the new story campaign, gameplay tweaks, and better technical performance. Within three days of its release, it sold over 500,000 copies.
In the game, the player controls the Nahobino, a being that is part human and part demon, as they explore Da'at. This realm is fully open and split into areas with different environments and enemies. The Nahobino can run, dash, jump, and slash at objects or foes with a sword.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Atlus
- Director
- Shigeo Komori
- Producer
- Shinjiro Takata
- Designer
- Masaru Watanabe
- Programmer
- Yoshiki Oyamada
- Artist
- Masayuki Doi, Hiroshi Sasazu
- Writer
- Yoh Haduki
- Composer
- Ryota Kozuka, Toshiki Konishi
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Production of Shin Megami Tensei V began in 2016, with the aim being to blend elements from Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne and Shin Megami Tensei IV. Returning staff included planner Kazuyuki Yamai, artist Masayuki Doi, and composers Ryota Kozuka and Toshiki Konishi. Production was prolonged due to using the Unreal Engine and developing for the Switch. The story has multiple endings dictated by moral choices and alliances. The gameplay features free-roaming exploration of Da'at, a turn-based battle system based on exploiting weaknesses, and a system allowing the Nahobino to recruit and fuse demons to fight alongside them. An expanded version for eighth and ninth generation consoles and Windows, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, was released in 2024 by Atlus in Japan and Sega worldwide. In addition to expanding and refining the gameplay, new storyline elements were introduced, and some planned or cut content was used.
Reader's Guide
Shin Megami Tensei V is notable as the fifth mainline entry in the Shin Megami Tensei series, continuing the franchise's tradition of post-apocalyptic settings and moral alignment systems. Journalists praised the gameplay design and graphics, but faulted aspects of its story and technical performance. The original release sold over 1.1 million units worldwide by 2022. The expanded version Vengeance met with critical acclaim from journalists, with praise going to the new story campaign, gameplay adjustments, and improved technical performance. Vengeance sold over 500,000 copies within three days of release. The game's significance lies in its blend of classic series elements with modern open-world exploration and the Press Turn System, as well as the introduction of the Nahobino protagonist and Magatsuhi Skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shin Megami Tensei V?
It is the fifth core entry in the Shin Megami Tensei series, developed by Atlus and released in 2021 for the Nintendo Switch. The game drops a high school student into Da'at, a shattered world engulfed in an angel-demon war triggered by Lucifer's murder of the Creator.
What is a Nahobino in Shin Megami Tensei V?
The Nahobino is the prophesied 'child of the Creator' destined to choose a side in the cosmic war between angels and demons. In SMT V, the player assumes this role, guiding the fate of Da'at and ultimately deciding which faction reshapes reality.
How does Shin Megami Tensei V end?
The player's final alignment choice determines whether humanity, angels, or demons claim dominion over the new world order. Depending on that decision, the protagonist either ascends as a deity, merges with the opposing faction, or forges a neutral path as a new god.
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