Atlus have revealed more about upcoming JRPG Shin Megami Tensei V, including major demon characters, and exploration.
As previously reported, the plot centers around a Japanese teenager entering another world where God is dead; and a new being promises the world can be reborn from the old. The main character fuses with a mysterious man to become Nahobino, something that is considered forbidden, and begins their rampage across this new world.
The prior “SMT5 News Reports” [1, 2] discussed the game’s characters, new battle mechanics such as the Magatsuhi Skills, the new characters, and new ways to build characters’ stats and skills. Volume 3 focuses on the demons key to the story, and moving around the world of Da’at.
The protagonist is working with the Tokyo branch of Bethel; a group dedicated to fending off demon attacks. The group works with some demons and other supernatural beings, and players will meet these Bethel Demons of other branches.
These include Khonsu from Egypt, Vasuki from India, Zeus of Greece, and Odin from North Europe. While the former two have respect for the respective ruling deities of their mythologies, Zeus is as arrogant as he has been depicted in Greek Mythology.
Odin has a keen interest in how the Nahabino has “broken the shackles that bind us.” The MC also wonders whether these demons will be friend of foe to the protagonist.
As players move around the different areas of Da’at, they will discover leylines. These can be used for various features such as saving the game, and visiting the Cadaver’s Hollow. A demon called Gustave will sell you items for Macca, and allow players to sell their loot and relics for Macca.
Gustave also has minions, Miman, that are hidden around Da’at. Find them to earn rewards, based on how many are found, along with Glory directly from the Miman themselves. As previously reported, Glory is spent on Miracles- passive skills that grant bonuses.
Players can find plenty of hidden items to help them in their adventure, or currencies to acquire them. This also includes different kinds of Magatsuhi to heal HP, MP, or fill the Magatsuhi Gauge.
In addition there are giant demonic statues, or rather petrified demons remnants from a war a decade ago. Absorbing their magic increases the levels of your demons. Players also have a small chance to find Mitama; demons that drop items that can exchanged for money, EXP, and Glory.
Players will also find Abscesses; red abominations that summon a field of red energy. Powerful enemies spawn nearby, but destroying them and the Abscess will grant the player new Miracles and clearing the way.
Helpful demons the player will encounter can become quest navigator, finding hidden items for you. Demons will also give you quests, such as giving them items, to gain more useful items for yourself.
The Q&A segment revealed the game had three difficulty settings- casual, normal, and hard. All three are available from the start, but players can only switch between casual or normal during gameplay. Players can only select Hard from the beginning, but cannot jump back up to hard if they switch down to normal or casual. Safety mode will also be available on launch as free DLC.
Japanese retail exclusive items were also revealed at the end of the Report, along with Osamurai-chan’s SMT Challenge #1 on YouTube. Famitsu will also release an article about the game on September 30th, and October 11th will see a Pop-up Shop at Tower Records for new merchandise. SMT if… Campus Demonic Envoy will also be reprinted, and on-sale on October 8th.
You can find SMT5 News Report Vol.3 below, along with the individual character and traversing Da’at trailers.
The next “program” will premiere in late October, providing more news about the game.
Shin Megami Tensei V launches November 11th in Japan, and November 12th in the west on Nintendo Switch.
