Shin Megami Tensei V
Officially Shin Megami Tensei V (真・女神転生V) / SMT V: Vengeance
Fifth mainline Shin Megami Tensei JRPG (Atlus + Sega, Nov 12, 2021 Switch original; June 14, 2024 SMT V: Vengeance PS5/Xbox/PC/Switch) — high school student summons demons in post-apocalyptic Da'at Tokyo. Trademark morally-grey Law/Chaos alignment; hardest mainline SMT.
What is Shin Megami Tensei V?
Shin Megami Tensei V is the fifth mainline entry in Atlus's Shin Megami Tensei series (the parent franchise to Persona spinoffs) — developed by Atlus P-Studio + published by Sega. Original released November 12, 2021 as Nintendo Switch exclusive. 'Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance' expanded remaster released June 14, 2024 for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Switch — adding new second route (Vengeance route parallel to Canon of Creation route), voiced protagonist, expanded demons + skills, quality-of-life upgrades. Story: Tokyo high school student thrust into Da'at (post-apocalyptic angel/demon-invaded Tokyo); fuses with Aogami to become Nahobino. Combat: turn-based Press Turn system (weakness hits + criticals grant extra turns; misses drain turns). Trademark Law/Chaos/Neutral alignment endings. Hardest mainline SMT to date — Magatsuhi Skills + demon negotiation + skill inheritance are core to survival.
Quick facts
Category
Video Games
Type
Individual
Players
1–1
Duration
~50 min
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇯🇵 Japan
Estimated origin
Original Switch Nov 12, 2021; Vengeance expanded remaster June 14, 2024
Olympic
No
Popularity
major
How it works
Objective
Guide the Nahobino through Da'at Tokyo; align with Law/Chaos/Neutral to shape final ending (multiple endings).
Match structure
Single-player open-region JRPG with Press Turn combat + demon negotiation + fusion.
Rules
Basic rules
Press Turn combat system
Actions grant/consume 'turn icons'; weakness/crit = extra icon; miss = lose 2 icons.
Demon negotiation
Talk to demons in battle; recruit via dialogue + gift-giving.
Demon fusion in World of Shadows
Combine two demons into new one; carry-over skills strategy critical.
Advanced rules
Magatsuhi Skills (Miracles)
Charge Magatsuhi gauge for character/demon special mega-attacks.
Alignment endings (Law/Chaos/Neutral)
Player choices during story shape ending alignment; multiple runs required for all endings.
Vengeance route alternate storyline
SMT V: Vengeance adds parallel Vengeance route featuring Yoko Hiromine + new characters.
Scoring
Story completion + all alignments seen + Compendium 100% + Magatsuhi Skills mastered.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Ending unlock | 1 of 5 alignments |
Win condition · Complete any of 5 endings; 100% = all 5 endings + Compendium + all Magatsuhi Skills.
Equipment
PS5/PS4, Xbox Series/One, PC, Switch (Vengeance)
Vengeance is multi-platform; original 2021 was Switch-exclusive.
Standard controller or M+KB (PC)
Turn-based combat with any input.
Positions & roles
Nahobino (Protagonist + Aogami)
×1Fused human/god main character.
Officiating
Single-player only.
- Speedrun.com moderators
Penalties & fouls
Penalties
Game Over (protagonist HP 0)
Reload autosave; demon deaths do not trigger Game Over unless protagonist falls.
Failed negotiation loss
Wasted turn + macca/gems given to demon.
Strategies
Press Turn extra-icon farming
Chain weakness/crit hits to double/triple turn count per round.
Skill inheritance during fusion
Carry critical skills (Magatsuhi charging, healing) across fusions.
Alignment lock timing
Note story point where alignment locks; save before decision to unlock all endings.
Terminology
- Nahobino
- Fused human + Aogami protagonist form
- Da'at
- Post-apocalyptic Tokyo setting
- Press Turn
- Turn-icon combat system
- Magatsuhi
- Super gauge for Miracle attacks
- Compendium
- Demon collection registry
Major competitions
Speedrun.com SMT V + Vengeance leaderboards
ongoing · global (community) · since 2021
Where it is played
Governing bodies
Sega Sammy Holdings
Founded 1960 · Tokyo, Japan
Atlus P-Studio
Founded 1986 · Tokyo, Japan
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Community speedrunners establishing Law/Chaos/Neutral route WRs
Records
First mainline SMT on Switch
Atlus / Sega — Original 2021 launch was first mainline SMT on Nintendo Switch (2021)
Vengeance multi-platform expansion
Atlus / Sega — SMT V: Vengeance (June 14, 2024) added PS5/Xbox/PC + parallel Vengeance route (2024)
Learn this sport
beginner
- 1
First region + basic Press Turn
Learn Press Turn mechanic, first demon fusions, negotiation basics.
intermediate
- 1
Alignment choices + endings
Play through main story making alignment decisions; unlock initial endings.
advanced
- 1
All endings + Vengeance route + 100%
Complete Canon of Creation + Vengeance routes; unlock all 5 endings + fill Compendium.
Frequently asked
Is SMT V connected to Persona series?+
Same publisher (Atlus + Sega) and shared design elements (demon fusion, Persona of course originating from SMT). SMT V has NO story connection to Persona 3/4/5; standalone.
Should I play original SMT V or Vengeance?+
Vengeance (2024) is the definitive version — adds Vengeance route, expanded content, multi-platform, and QoL improvements. Original Switch version is superseded.
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Shin Megami Tensei V— Wikipedia