The Reason Shin Megami Tensei 5's Reviews Are So Great
After waiting eight years between mainline sequels, critics have finally played "Shin Megami Tensei 5," and the reviews have been stellar. The game was clearly worth the wait for the majority of critics who got their hands on it before it was released. "Shin Megami Tensei 5," which one fan has tied to the same universe as every other game in existence, has turned out to be full of the excellent turn-based combat and dungeon-crawling adventure that the critics expected.
GameSpot's Heidi Kemps pointed out that "Shin Megami Tensei 5" is an "incredibly rewarding experience," despite the fact that it is also incredibly difficult, even when played on Normal difficulty.
This classic "Shin Megami Tensei" level of challenge has proven to be a hit with critics, and the new game contains plenty of quality-of-life mechanics that make it feel well worth the wait. In fact, Mitch Vogul from Nintendo Life said that it was the "best entry in the series yet." Here's why critics are raving about "Shin Megami Tensei 5."
Shin Megami Tensei has a unique tone and soundtrack
One thing about "Shin Megami Tensei" games is that they're can get pretty dark, and "Shin Megami Tensei 5" did not disappoint fans of this atmosphere. Heidi Kemps mentioned that it was the "eerie art direction" and "foreboding atmosphere" that will really draw gamers in.
In fact, the unique world of the game is what made the game enjoyable for Polygon's Diego Arguello. According to their review, the main character in the game really feels out of place in this demonic post-apocalyptic environment. As Arguello pointed out, "Shin Megami Tensei 5" is set in an alternate version of Tokyo, and the design of the world feels like a place very much not meant for humans, which creates a sense of immersion unlike any other game in the series.
Meanwhile, IGN's Leana Hafer applauded the game's great soundtrack for setting a mood, and plenty of other critics agreed. Mitch Vogul noted, "The music is mostly characterized by heavy synths, fast drumbeats, and metal guitar riffs, and it's a mixture that feels equal parts intense and relaxing."
Shin Megami Tensei 5 builds on what came before
While the "Persona" series is a spin-off from the "Shin Megami Tensei" games, the two series' have always had their differences. "Shin Megami Tensei 5" finds ways of bringing the two series closer together, which may be a plus or minus for fans.
Diego Arguello felt that the complex battle system of previous "Shin Megami Tensei" games was streamlined in many ways, which may appeal to fans of the "Persona" series, but Arguello noted that the game was still quite difficult. Players will want to focus heavily on building the perfect team for each battle.
However, the criticism from Leana Hafer was that the game felt like the "Persona" series without any of the soul. The storyline and character development weren't the focal points of the game in the same way they are with the "high school student by day, hero by night" formula that "Persona" games have. Your mileage may vary, depending on what your favorite aspects of each series are.
If you're curious about "Shin Megami Tensei 5," then get ready for complex combat and a world that will send shivers down your spine the whole time you play — in the best way possible, of course.