This time, Atlus has not delayed the multiplatform release date (as the base game was originally only available for Nintendo Switch), but will release the expanded version of Shin Megami Tensei V a little earlier than previously planned.

 

When a grisly murder scene in modern-day Tokyo blocks our protagonist’s path home, an unplanned detour leaves him buried and unconscious. He awakens in a new Tokyo, a wasteland ravaged by an apocalypse now called Da’at… but before bloodthirsty demons can claim his life, a savior appears and the two unite to become a powerful being, neither human nor demon: a Nahobino. Demons are attacking humans, trying to create a world of chaos. Bethel, an organization that seeks to protect God’s order. Caught in the conflict between the two, while exploring Da’at, the protagonist meets Yoko Hiromine and begins to travel with her. Using magic, Yoko and the main character stand together on the front lines. The Qadistu, four female demons, stand in their way. One member of the Qadistu, Lilith, calls the protagonist the Key of Resurrection and herself The Oppressed. What is their purpose? A tale of revenge by the oppressed begins.

Atlus also revealed a few characters. Tao Isonogami (voiced by Jeanine Tirado in English, Saori Hayami in Japanese) is a classmate of the protagonist and a member of the high school lacrosse club. She is kind and caring. She has had a strong spiritual sense since she was young and has helped Bethel Japan as their “saint”. She supports the protagonist after he joins Bethel. In battle, Bethel Japan as their “saint”, she specializes in healing and support skills. Yuzuru Atsuta (Mark Whitten/Ishikawa Kaito) is a friend of the protagonist. With a strong sense of justice, he joins Bethel as a temporary unit to fight demons and protect his sister Miyazu. He gains more power after visiting Da’at with the protagonist and reaffirms his commitment to fight for peace in Tokyo. In battles, he uses the Demon Summoning Program to summon his loyal demon partner Hayataro as his demon partner.

Ichiro Dazai (Stuart Allan/Taniyama Kishou) is a classmate of the protagonist. He has a cheerful personality, but can often be tactless. His grades are poor and he is often considered “useless” in school. Since he livestreams as a hobby, he is dragged to Da’at after a tunnel collapse incident. Bethel recruits him to fight demons, which he agrees to because he believes it’s for a noble cause. In battle, he uses unique demons like Aitvaras and Mokoi as his demon partners. Miyazu Atsuta (Ashlyn Madden/Hirohashi Ryou) is Yuzuru’s younger sister and only relative. Shy and physically weak, she is a frequent visitor to the school nurse’s office. She respects her brother and is concerned about his involvement in Bethel. Sahori Itsukishima (Erica Lindbeck/Lynn) is Tao’s best friend and a former member of the lacrosse club. A victim of bullying by her teammates, she is a vulnerable target for the demon Lahmu.

Atlus also mentioned a few demons. Naahmah (Kari Wahlgren/Ito Shizuka) is one of the four female demons of the Qadistu, also known as the “Mother of Demons. She is the most sensual and seductive of the four Qadistu, and her beauty is said to enchant not only humans, but even angels and demons. Eisheth Zenunim (Allegra Clark/Saitou Kimiko) is another demon of the Qadistu who seduces humans and leads them to their doom. In Jewish mythology, she is said to eat the souls of the fallen. Under the guise of salvation, she attacks people and steals their souls. Agrat bat Mahlat (Cherami Leigh/Ueda Reina) is a member of the Qadistu, also known as the “Queen of Demons”. Also known as “the demon who dances on the roof”, she is said to travel through the air with her chariot and her train of heralds of destruction. Glasya-Labolas is one of the 72 demons of King Solomon’s Ars Goetia. His form is that of a dog with griffin wings. He causes bloodshed and murder, and can predict the future and make people invisible.

Battles feature a command-based Press Turn Battle that rewards the player for exploiting enemies’ weaknesses. If you successfully hit an enemy with the skill type they are weak at, your party will gain an extra turn. The simple yet tactically challenging combat system is still in place. The game also features several new skills and elements that expand the strategic nature of combat. Striking an enemy’s weak spot will increase the number of Press Turn icons in the top-right corner of the screen, allowing for additional actions! If you keep hitting the weak spots, you can perform up to 8 actions, leading to an unassailable victory. A number of exclusive skills available only to certain demons have also been added.

As the battle progresses, your actions will fill up the Magatsuhi gauge. Once it’s full, you can use the Magatsuhi special technique. Magatsuhi skills have a variety of effects, including enemy damage, support, and healing skills. There are more than 50 Magatsuhi skills in the game, including more than 20 new ones that can only be used with certain demons. Each skill has powerful abilities, so keep an eye out for opportunities to activate them in battle. In addition to the Magatsuhi skills introduced in Shin Megami Tensei V, there are now skills that can be activated when there is a strong mythological relationship between two demons, or when there are demons of the same alignment in the party!

Each Demon has its own special passive skills, called Unique Skills. Unique Skills can include those that increase the power of attack skills, provide powerful effects when a particular Demon is present, or those that are useful for Demon Conversation. The combination of demons allows the player to experience more tactical battles. When Blessed Melody is active, your team’s power is increased when all allies use Light skills to exploit the target’s weakness. When summoned with a demon that has Four Heavenly Kings active as a unique skill, it will increase its own abilities. When Demonic Conciliator is active and a demon negotiation goes sour, your partner demon will intervene to mediate the conversation.

When attacked by a demon, you may be able to talk to it and possibly recruit it as an ally. Each demon has a different personality and preferences. More variations in conversation will be added, deepening the interaction. Demons vary in temperament and personality. If you can negotiate with them skillfully, they will become a supportive companion. Certain negotiations can be interrupted by an allied demon in your party, triggering a unique interaction. Enjoy the special conversations between allied demons! You can enjoy conversations related to the relationship between the demons. Sometimes a demon will surprise you with a pop quiz! Show off your knowledge to impress them!

As the story progresses, human guest characters can join the party and participate in battles. They can fight and use items just like their demon allies. Use your companions and demons to your advantage in battle. After defeating an enemy demon, a new demon may appear and continue the battle. Though it will be a series of battles, winning can provide bonuses in Macca, EXP, and items earned. The more demons that discover the protagonist, the more likely it is that a serial encounter will occur. It is also a good idea to aim for a large bonus by fighting densely packed enemies.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance will be released on June 14, one week earlier than its original release date of June 21, on PlayStation 5, Xbox consoles, PC (Steam, Microsoft Store), PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.

Source: Gematsu