Shin Megami Tensei V - A Modern Masterpiece 

I like how Aogami feels like a cool dad

this game is the most addictive i’ve played in so long. i’m 10 hours in and just got to the nuwa boss battle and i can’t put it down.

It was well worth the wait. It’s fantastic when something really lives up to expectations and surpasses them. DEMONstrably GOTY

I thought the story was a bit shallow playing through it at first, but after thinking about it for a few days I realised I appreciated what was presented. The cast was never really that important to the overall story, it was a battle royale of demons and gods and humans were just collateral. The people I met weren't my friends, I only met them today, but they were classmates from a world I thought was real and I want to protect them with the power I now have. They played their role in the world and as adversaries when it came time to choose what kind of world I wanted this creation to be. Also the OST was a straight banger.

Few games manage to live up to the anticipation and hype of fans. I'd say SMT V is one of those games. This game gives a lot of room for trial and error. I never felt like I lost a boss fight because it was out of my possibilities. I never felt like I needed to grind to beat a boss. I was easily able to create a team for specific boss fights, probably even more freely than SMT IV and Apocalypse. The exploration. Oh my god, the exploration. I think the industry is really overlooking how much enjoyment you can give a player by just making things more opened, and not exactly open world. Honestly, prop to Atlus and everyone involved in making this game. It's definitely going to be one that I'll remember after many many years.

watched this while actually downloading the game, now actually having played it and currently playing, i can say, from the hunts for the mimans i've lost, to the fights i've had to overcome, this game is really something else, i started SMT with IV, then playing the persona games, but this is probably my favorite, really worth the time you put in too.

Awesome review. Really relatable experience so far. I’m a bit over 30 hours into the game and have fallen in absolute love. The fact that this game pulled me away from Metroid Dread in a dominating way speaks volumes. Personally, this world is one of the most interesting worlds I’ve ever been put into. Could very well turn into my favorite RPG on the Switch.

This game truly feels like an accomplishment from decades of trial and error in the jrpg genre as a whole. I’ve put over 100 hours into my first play through basically on accident, it’s just so good. Not perfect, but really good.

SMT V basicaly took all of the best mechanics from the previous mainline games and put them together in a nice package. By the way, this is actually the 7th mainline game, Strange Journey is mainline too, despite not being a numbered entry, and Apocalypse being the sort of sequel of SMT IV

"There are some characters that get a little bit of a snub not to name any names" he says as Miyazu is on screen

I liked the atmosphere of this game more than nocturne. It also has my favorite neutral representatives.

I'm in the final area, and so far I think it's a great game that's really ambitious coming from Atlus. I'm surprised by how polished and well thought out the open exploration is considering they've never made a game like this before. The atmosphere and OST are incredible, and bring a new level of weight to the atmosphere SMT is known for. My only major issue is the plot and characters, which in my opinion are the flattest in the entire franchise. I think the concepts behind the story are super interesting, but the execution is very barebones. It feels like they took the criticism from Apocalypse the wrong way and just completely sucked any life out of the cast. The characters themselves were never a huge focus in previous games, but I feel like they did a better job of giving them something to latch onto or read into. Even in Nocturne where the characters are mostly pretty flat I find them more believable as people despite them not really doing a whole lot. This game feels like a new team trying to strike the same balance the grandfathers of the series made with the more subtle characterization in the mainline titles. Making this a super mechanically tight game with a plot that puts the franchise back at square one. I do want to stress that I don't think the story is terrible, and I haven't been given the impression that the creators just didn't care, quite the opposite. I hope I turn around on it after I finish it up and get every ending. It's a great game, and I'd love to love everything about it.

Perfect timing, I just finished the game some hours ago, it was so fantastic

A tiny detail I love in SMT V the battle theme doesn’t kick in till The Nahobino’s first action

Definitely worth the wait. I'm at 62hrs playtime and just started my second playthrough. I honestly can't recommend this game enough.

The updated models for the demons are also amazing. For example Petra was always a little off putting to me until now, while still weird and creepy he just looks so damn good. The maps as you said has a beginning and an end but they also feel so open that going back feels like its a normal map. (Map 3 and 4 coming to mind especially well.)

this was my first SMT game and i LOVED it. (+) tone, atmosphere, setting, and overworld (+) variety of demons (+) comfortable learning curve while being concise (+) alignment system, and the neutral and chaos NPCs (-) simplicity of story (-) first true dungeon - overstayed its welcome (-) law NPCs (-) camera focus and colors in certain parts of the overworld / dungeons

I'm barely to the place where the fairies call home. I will say I liked the Atmosphere of Nocturne more. I love early 3d JRPGs(Skies of Arcadia favorite game) this game feels so alive, and kinda positive where that one felt lonely like the world had actually ended

Man I love this game and you’re review is amazing

This one is the first honest and well grounded review I've ever heard of this game, most of the other reviewers are basically acting like assholes to the game and comparing it to the Persona 5 structure instead of judging the game for what is is alone. Thanks for that review, you deserved my like button for your good will!

watching the opening cutscene once youve seen the true ending hits hard😢

Great review! I'm about half way through the game I think (finished the second area), and have really enjoyed it. I suspect that the level up music is going to be remembered for a very long time. Even 25 hours in, I sometime hang on the level up screen just to jam out. Also, to anyone else, I can highly recommend the Return of the True Demon DLC. The fights are very good. I would say, however, that the Fiend demons are very powerful for the point in the game you can fuse them, so summon at your own risk. Daisoujou in particular lasted me like 10 levels he was so good.

I beat the game after 60 hours on Hard getting "that" ending on my first and only playtrough with all sidequests available ( you don't need NG + to get all endings ). In terms of difficulty on Hard if you played SMT IV Apocalypse on Apocalypse mode you won't have problems in this game. I had Alice & Idun for the rest of the game and after building psych Nahobino I didn't really needed to change them ( yea on Hard there is no problem building meme teams, just use items ). Nahobino himself can easly do enough dmg with the right psych build so the rest demons can just be supports. Sooo the story and characters. There is much to talk about them ( only really one character got really sidetracked for no real reason ) , but you can get impression that there is not much there. I don't know if this is a good thing or bad, but most things aren't said up front simply because of the way a main character interacts with them. It makes sense but I would prefer getting more interactions with them. Thankfully all alignment reps felt believable even tho only one side got development ( the other 2 are the same from the beggining ). Gameplay 10/10 there isn't that much to criticise really, I hope Atlus will give us Impossible difficulty soon. And I really, really hope we get enhanced edition on PC with more plot development. Especially with the things at the end of my route. Overall 9/10, I still prefer Strange Journey plot but gameplay wise it's the best SMT game.

Thank you for reviewing this game. I haven’t played it yet because my sisters will be getting it for me for Christmas so I have to wait but I’m glad that I put it on my Christmas list because now I know that it’s worth it.

Subbed because no one loves this game as much as me. I'm so happy someone else feels the same way as me about it now. Nice video.

I appreciate you created a spoiler free review. I agree 100% with all you said. I'm 50 hours in and not even 40% of the Compendium filled yet! Definitely a Masterpiece and a labor of RPG love.

Smt v is my all time favourite game, nearly a year and a half later and I am still playing it doing challenge runs. Currently doing a no essence fusion run on Hard which is very fun. Im glad that you appreciate the story as much as I do, I have noticed so many things about the story and still notice new things on each replay. While it isn't the most gripping plot or have the deepest charscters I think it has a lot going for it in the metaphors, the messages it tells, the themes and definitely the lore. I feel that it uses the real world mythology the best out of any SMT game in how it influences the characters and the world. Abdiel is my favourite example of this.

I adore this game, I am a sub fanatic, but the dub's so good I've been playing it dubbed. Plus love the NB VA of Nahobino. Casey Mongillo is amazing.

This game is absolute ludo, I spend more time playing and exploring than hitting A to move dialog boxes, by far one of the best JRPG's I have played on par with the first Pokemon game I beat back when I was like 9, pure gaming bliss

Smt 5 is a really good game. However just as smt fans dislike when too many comparisons are made to persona as if persona is so much better, I also dislike when this game is compared to nocturne in order to praise "how far the series has advanced" by basically shitting on nocturne by calling it a fossil and insinuating that love that is still held today for nocturne is purely nostalgia. The characters in nocturne were never the focus. The writing in nocturne was about fleshing out the world and the competing moral philosophies, which it does amazingly well. Complaining that nocturne characters were "flat" and "didnt feel like real people" completely misses the point. Character focused stories arent the only ones that exist nor are they superior to stories that simply use characters as stand-ins for specific factions or ideals. Every element to a story including the characters serve a purpose and in nocturne its characters served their purpose very well. Also I found myself not caring much about the characters in smt5 either. Which I dont hold against it. Since the smt series has never been (and should never be imo) defined by its characters.

Great review, there actually is a bit of a spoiler here around 24:50 when showing characters in your team that I'm a bit disappointed to be spoiled about

This video has me so hype to dive on into the game! I just got it recently and am excited to explore :D

Still in opening ads, but I agree 100% on the title alone.

"If there's anything that I can predict about this review that I hope doesn't age poorly is that this game continues to sell very very well, continues to make new fans happy, old fans happy, and years down the line people continue to look at it as fondly as I do now" It hasn't even been a year and this statement isn't aging well. Of course there are many people who love it but you have to acknowledge that it's a controversial game.

This is my first game in the series, never played any other megaten game. I give it a 10/10 and was my game of the year and became my favorite game of all time. I hope to one day make a video about it.

I would love to play the game....come on Atlus release it on PS4/5, PC, etc.

Bro I’m over 40 hours in just got to the demons castle lol my first run will probably be pretty long at least I hope. Amazing, amazing game!

I'm 50 hours in and loving it! Can't wait for Vengeance.

Great video Spencer! I think think this is the BEST Switch Exclusive!

I'm currently playing my first Megaten game (Persona 4 Golden on Steam) - at least I think it's a Megaten... Correct me if I'm wrong. I'm going to play this game next. I know it's completely different with the emphasis being more focused on the gameplay mechanics and the themes being more about concepts than characters. I'm prepared for this change compared to Persona and I can't wait to play it! It looks amazing and the amount of work put into this game is crazy!

As someone who started with 5 and then played nocturne, I couldn’t disagree with about the story more when comparing 5 and Nocturne. In Nocturne the characters aren’t developed much because they’re more vessels for your choice of which reason you want to choose. If they were too developed you might base your decision based on who you like the most instead of their underlying philosophy. In 5 I felt like they tried to go with that same mysterious vibe for the characters but there’s no underlying reason for if in the same way. I also felt that Dozai was the only character who did anything in the story at all. Meanwhile in Nocturne your friends and the reporter all go on their own journeys bringing them to the places where the Demi fiend would meet them at the tower. Looking back at 5’s story after beating nocturne I think they said “let’s do something like nocturne” while completely missing the nuance, and frankly the point of that game’s decisions

My wife, knowing how much I wanted this game, ordered the Steelbook Edition for me for Christmas. Unfortunately she is stubborn and won’t let me play it until Christmas morning... so I’m binging review videos and playing Three Houses to carry me till then. Great video 👍

Awesome video! I’m about 65 hours in and loving every minute of it. Of course I’m not done yet but I feel this will prob be in my top 5 games of all time.

Great review, one of the best I have seen for SMTV, subscribed

The exploration and qol on demon fusion is my biggest plus for me.

This is my first SMT game. I really like the battle system and getting new demons. It all feels dynamic. I feel like I have a demon army whenever I go against a boss. The bosses are hard but not impossible and with proper preparation, they are beatable. I am relishing my time in the game. Im 30+ hours in and I am playing normal. So dont be afraid to play normal for newcomers. Its enjoyable. Just save often.

wow, what a mug root beer moment

Just coming up on 180hrs and I’m ready for more. Really hope there’s a lot of DLC and a giant expansion like SMTIV Apocalypse. Game has countless epic challenging boss fights but I’ll always hold beating Demi-Fiend as the hardest thing I’ve ever done in a game yet it was only on Casual.

I’m so glad that I’m not the only person that wasn’t a fan of the open world in the Phantom Pain. I always felt alone in that stance.

Your review is way better than the IGN review so congrats on a great video

Been grinding out like crazy in this game and it is in my goty list. The whole game is 🔥 and streamlined so well. The best elements of 3 and the elements of the modern 4 series without none of their weakness for me. I enjoyed it thoroughly. The hype for this game is deserved.

All of the DLC is worth it and it’s not just $10 Demi-fiend DLC You get all the SMTIII Menorah Boss Fights and they’re all Fusible after you defeat them with their own Essences. I just feel like I underpaid so I’m happy to pay for the DLC and it was all challenging and good/well down. Demi-fiend especially. One of the most challenging Super Bosses of all time.

This is my first SMT game and it's just WOW such an amazing game. I agree with everything you said in your vid. I am so hooded to this game its the only thing I have played since it got released. Hats off to the developers this has to be the game of the year for nintendo.

the ishtar soundtrack? *chef's kiss*

This game is 100% Gameplay and I'll take that over a well-writen story. Gameplay must always be KING and here is pretty much is.

I've already beaten the game twice and about to start my 3rd playthrough. I freaking love this game.

Great vid Spencer 👌 Glad to hear your thoughts

i seriously hate grinding but the amount I've grinded in this game for fun is unreal

This is my favorite game on the switch and my GOTY for 2021

I really don't think that SMT games are about characters. I think in this SMT game more so than most others-- it's about identifying the god within us all; and the power, responsibility and impact that our decisions have on the world and peoples around us. I think Persona is about characters, cultures, societies, and people.... But I think SMT is about forming your own beliefs, having them be challenged, overcoming said challenges, persevering, planning and entropy. No matter which ending you choose, the universe forms again and you see another cosmic egg at the next ending. It's in the title, constant cyclic rebirth. The reexamination of our own selves and the ideals we personally hold. I feel that the themes this games explores uses its characters as mascots for meanings, reasons and ideas, alignments if you wish, more so than as actual story or plot drivers. The whole story of SMT5 is about you and your progression into godhood. Again, and again, and again, and again, and again. Just like you and me.

This game gave me the same feelings I had playing pokemon silver and fox. That's the only way I can explain that feeling.

The gameplay is amazing and it's for sure my favorite game of the year. But I'm gonna be honest, the story is just bad. Like you said, I wanted to know more about the characters, but the game never gave me anything. I'm not gonna go into details because your video is a spoiler free review and I would need to give some spoilers in order to explain my opinion a bit more, but I feel like Nocturne did the "minimalistic" story much better. In that game we see the characters every now and then and we watch them slowly change how they see the world as they try to survive the Vortex World. We don't really get any of that in V besides one of the characters. I really wanted to know them more but there's barely anything to go with. I still enjoyed it A LOT and couldn't put it down, but if the game had a solid story on top of the amazing gameplay it would easily be a 10/10.

I agree with you everything but the characters and the pacing. Asides from Yuzuru, Yakumo and Aogami, the rest is pretty bland and/or pointless. And the plot only got really interesting after 30h+ in. Plot still good but god, they took their time.

Very Very addictive game. really worth to wait for this game.

I loved this game as well, but the first half the game was lacking hard in story. Also lets be honest Miyazu character was so unimportant if she wasn't in the game nothing would have changed.

Awesome vid, I love this game to bits as well

Soooo ready for the spoiler cast!!!

I literally just bought the switch for this game, I love this game so much.

never play smt before but i really like this game... the aestetic, the ost,and the gameplay is so me..this is my game of the year of 2021...i dont think previous smt as good as this.but again i never play smt game before.

I beat the game in 72h with Lv. 86. Indeed a masterpiece. I will start my ng+ with the dlc and damn Shiva I will return.

90 hours after and I finished it. Will play GotG for now and then come back to it after to try other endings.

when noctorne HD came out, I got the digital deluxe edition, but I never finished it. I got part of the way through but the game's controls and somewhat akward save locations prevented me from finishing the game. I really liked noctorune's setting and environment, but I just couldn't get behind how the controls felt. SMTV has everything I liked about nocturne but turned up to 11 and polished to a mirror shine.

Thumbnail: [Click] MC: Perfect Deity: ...I still don’t understand MC: you will... eventually Deity: Assuming that will survive with this world... MC: OH I AM MAKING IT HAPPEN! XD

Nice review. Just first impressions from the first area - the music is incredible. Sometimes the battle music sounds like shoegaze or metal but not exactly in the style as previous games. The atmosphere overall is the game from the way the sand sparkles to the dynamic landscape which feels thematically similar to previous games but never looked so good. I also appreciate that the story is limited to setting the scene before dropping you in. Really got bored and tired of the endless exposition and speeches from characters and bosses in SMT4. Don’t get me wrong, I love the world of 4 but I prefer the style of earlier games.

I’ve played almost 10 hours and still in the first area. Not because I’m stuck, but just because I’m exploring every inch and experimenting with fusion

Did wit would’ve taken me like 2 months to get 80 hours in

exploration and combat are in point in this game. i wish there were more dungeons tho

I just didn't like how at the very end o the game basically the law characters just turn into evil monsters.

Where did you find the thumbnail? it looks extremely dope

I want This game so bad but a switch cost like 300 bucks and the game itself cost 60 not including the dlcs so I just can’t afford it

I'm in the last area right now at level 81. playing the game docked vs portal is very jarring.

Yes

2:15 lol but it's not. SJ is also mainline and SMT4 and 4A are two different games. So technically it's 7th game in the main line. like persona 3 is actually the 4th game.

Oh, looks like it's that time where RU-vidrs start doing the shitty "essay video" titles for attention.

It’s a good game. I think I’ll appreciate the story more after I do a NG+

Just started my playthrough on my channel, and accidentally killed Lenhane Sidhe off stream while grinding half asleep.

Game is very addictive, have to force myself to stop playing. Love it

I wish SMTV had online demon battles

I would feel sorry for anyone who played this as their first ever rpg. I loved it but I would have died.

Hey guys, i am a persona 5 and 5 royal fan so far. Is this game worth buying? I know it doesn't have relationships and such since i liked really much those, but is it worth the money?

i wonder if they are going to add any more dlc content seeing how successful its been ?

Since I played smt strange journey redux on expert and smt 4 on master, should I attempt this game on hard? Idk how good the difficulty settings are

I fell in love with this game

Hardly, but baseth indeed.

this is going to come out at least on pc too

the game reminds me of ff7 kingdom hearts paper mario thousand year door xenoblade 2 bayonetta 1 an 2

If you talk to everyone their is a Persona 5 reference in the first couple hours of the game lol

my first playing with out dlc cause i wanted to beat the game 1st

The sequence for the fusion is Absolutely no bueno! The iconic transport sequence which is basically white light in your skull. The piano thing is dumb, ill skip it n also the transport. Players turn flashing everytime is crap. Other than that the game is butter smooth. Lots of speed to whole thing. Im at about 14 hours. Excellent audio. Lots of attention to detail such as dark mode menus, most non flash burn your eyes out transitions. A superb game imo. I just want to kick someones nuts in for the other $h!t fusion part. Ill have to say devil saga n survivor whats up.

You’ve done 80+ hours and got all the endings? I’ve got 65 hours right now and I still have to finish the first ending :-/