SMT V:V might be one of the best JRPGs I've ever played. The story in both Canons aren't particularly anything crazy, and common consensus seems to agree that Canon of Vengeance is the better of the two. But the reason this game is so incredible has very little to do with the story, of which its biggest strengths are purely in the atmosphere and presentation departments (so much of this coming from Ryota Kozuka's score).
SMT V has one of the most engaging, robust turn-based combat systems ever devised. The Press Turn system that spawned all the way back in Nocturne continues to be an extremely rewarding system to master, but the mechanics surrounding Press Turn are what make it so incredible. Press Turn would not be as enjoyable as it is without gameplay systems that enhance your party building and planning, to enable you to take advantage of what Press Turn has on offer. This is where SMT V shines. For context, I've played and completed the game to get three endings up to this point, having downed Masakado (pre-acquiring the sword in the CoV route), and Shiva all on Hard difficulty, with plans to eventually tackle Demi-fiend, Satan, and True Masakado.
Everything you do in SMTV:V loops back and feeds itself into your ever growing power, and simultaneously, the way your relationship with the Press Turn system develops. Exploration to find Miman and Glory to unlock Miracles. New demons to use as fusion components. Essences to highly customize yourself and your demons. Talismans to unlock new Magatsuhi Skills. Quests to help pad your EXP. The game knows that, unlike in previous SMT games, exploration is less of a risk since your resources can be freely replenished via Orbs, making resource management in "exploration" phases relatively non-existent. In exchange, it ends up culminating in some of the most nail-biting boss encounters that can, and will, put you into the dirt if you lack knowledge and preparation in equal measure. The boss fights in this game fully expect you to enter them topped up on HP and MP, and DO fully take advantage of that fact by hitting hard as hell and getting bulkier and dirtier mechanics the farther you get into each Canon.
The soundtrack by Ryota Kozuka, the returning composer of SMT IV, is in a word, [i] insane [/i]. While not every single exploration track is an ear worm that doesn't leave my brain for months (if not years to this point), they all BLEED atmosphere. Tennozu, EVERY Shinjuku theme, and Ueno are some of my favorites, easily rivaling many exploration tracks from SMT IV (of which my favorite themes would be Urban Area C, Camp Ichigaya, Shinjuku: Underground, and Lucifer Palace).
What tracks don't miss, however, are the [i] combat themes [/i]. My [i] GOD [/i], the combat themes in this game are effing BONKERS. For my own personal tastes, I SERIOUSLY cannot understate this: they're ALL bangers. Especially the tracks unique to the Canon of Vengeance route. Battle -Qadistu-, Battle -gliding-, Battle -Marici-, "Vengeance" for reclamation, Bounce and Roll, Deadlock, Primordial Goddess and oh my LORD, The Adversary?? Even the base game has some absolutely incredible combat tracks.
Press Turn + pre-combat presentation + these combat tracks = an absolutely LEGENDARY line up of boss fights. Not to mention some of the most unhinged, yet simultaneously fair super bosses I've ever fought against (that have mechanics far more tolerable and enjoyable than say, some of the Persona super bosses which feel less like fights and more like choreographed dance routines). These super bosses deploy some of the most heinous, disgusting ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ I've ever seen, and they genuinely feel like fights for your life while backed up against a wall. I love every second of it.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is very rapidly approaching one of my favorite games of all time, and I can't believe I'm saying this, but having played both it and Shin Megami Tensei IV for the first time recently, I think I'm actually more excited and anxious to hear announcements for Shin Megami Tensei VI rather than for Persona 4 Revival and Persona 6. I will definitely still play them and enjoy them, but something about the atmosphere, Kozuka's compositional style, and implied theming of the mainline Megaten titles has profoundly struck me in a way that very little series do, and I am VERY much looking forward to playing them in backwards order the same way I did with the Persona series, and awaiting eagerly waiting for SMT VI news.
