Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance keeps the original game’s Canon of Creation and adds a second, distinct story route called the Canon of Vengeance. It also expands the demons and locations, adds battle and progression systems, and changes exploration and convenience features. This guide covers the major changes Atlus and Sega publicly documented; it is not a line-by-line audit of the game.
What changed in Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance?
Vengeance is an expanded release, not a replacement story. You can play the original narrative through the Canon of Creation or choose the new Canon of Vengeance. Both routes sit inside the same game, alongside additions to demons, battles, exploration and quality of life.
| Area | What Vengeance changes or adds |
|---|---|
| Story | Retains the Canon of Creation and adds the Canon of Vengeance, a new revenge-focused route. |
| World and demons | Adds Da’at Shinjuku, the Shakan dungeon, new demon experiences and music; Sega lists a total roster of 270 demons. |
| Combat and progression | Adds skills, Magatsuhi demon encounters, a Virtual Trainer, Consecutive Encounters, conditional level-cap increases and Godborn difficulty. |
| Exploration and convenience | Adds Demon Haunts, demon-control quests, map options, Magatsuhi Rails, saving anywhere and a revised Estoma. |
| Release and included content | Releases across Nintendo, PlayStation, Xbox and PC platforms; includes some demons and quests that were original-game DLC. |
Does Vengeance include the original story?
Yes. The Canon of Creation follows the story of the original Shin Megami Tensei V. The new Canon of Vengeance is a separate path within Vengeance, described by Sega as a tale of revenge by the fallen. Its synopsis includes the protagonist’s life-changing encounter with Yoko Hiromine. PlayStation describes the two routes as complete story paths; the Creation route centers on the conflict between angels and demons. Atlus’ official title page and PlayStation’s product page present the two-route setup.
Atlus frames both stories around clashing choices and ideologies. The new route therefore does not mean all of Vengeance’s narrative is new: choosing Creation returns you to the original game’s story.
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- The Definitive Version of Shin Megami Tensei V: Fully evolved with stunning visuals for modern consoles, the dark lore, unnerving atmosphere, and beautiful and monstrous demons are back and better than ever. Massively expanded with new areas, demons, and music, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance features more accessible gameplay, an improved battle system, new demon experiences, and greater field exploration.
- A Tale of Vengeance or Creation: Which path will you choose? Experience a brand-new tale of revenge by the fallen or the original story of Shin Megami Tensei V, both filled with conflicting and tragic choices, forcing you to confront which ideologies you are willing to fight for. As order and chaos crumble around you, forge your own path to dictate the fate of humanity.
- Explore a Post-Apocalyptic World: Battle through a decimated Tokyo, reduced to an expansive wasteland and overrun by mythical demons. Roam across wide, open areas and explore new locations for life-saving items or encounter hundreds of familiar demons and dozens of new ones to battle or befriend as allies.
What new locations and demon content does it add?
Da’at Shinjuku and Shakan
Sega identifies Da’at Shinjuku as a new region and Shakan as a new dungeon. Atlus also describes new areas and greater field exploration. These sit alongside the existing world rather than replacing it. Atlus’ game page and Sega’s game page outline the added content.
Expanded demon roster and experiences
Sega gives the total demon roster as 270, including new demons and returning creatures from the series. Atlus also lists new demon experiences and music. The published figure describes the roster total; it does not mean all 270 demons are newly added for Vengeance.
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Demon-control quests
Some special quests let you guide a demon—examples named by game director Shigeo Komori include Alice, Pixie and Nahobeeho—through non-combat exploration tasks using that demon’s abilities. A demon may become a Demon Navigator after its quest. Navigators help find items and Magatsuhi Rails but do not join battles, according to Sega’s system overview.
How do battles and progression differ?
New skills and Magatsuhi demons
Atlus describes new skills for the game’s demons, including Magatsuhi Skills: powerful combined attacks that require a periapt and specified allied demons. Red-aura Magatsuhi demons are stronger encounters; defeating them can award Macca, experience and stat-boosting Incense. These features are detailed in Komori’s PlayStation Blog overview.
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Virtual Trainer and Consecutive Encounters
The Virtual Trainer lets you replay past opponents as a single fight or a gauntlet. Classic Mode uses their original strength; Challenge Mode raises the difficulty. Sega says enemies increase by 100 levels each time Challenge Mode is completed. Separately, Consecutive Encounters can bring another enemy into a fight after the first is defeated; tougher sequences can yield extra Macca, EXP and chances at item drops. See Sega’s system page for these modes.
Conditional level cap and Godborn difficulty
Komori says the level cap can rise from 99 to 150 under certain conditions. Completing specified tasks unlocks Godborn difficulty, where enemy demons are level 150. These are conditional unlocks, not the default level cap or starting difficulty.
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- The Definitive Version of Shin Megami Tensei V - Fully evolved with stunning visuals for modern consoles, the dark lore, unnerving atmosphere, and beautiful and monstrous demons are back and better than ever. Massively expanded with new areas, demons, and music, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance features more accessible gameplay, an improved battle system, new demon experiences, and greater field exploration
- A Tale of Vengeance or Creation - Which path will you choose? Experience a brand-new tale of revenge by the fallen or the original story of Shin Megami Tensei V, both filled with conflicting and tragic choices, forcing you to confront which ideologies you are willing to fight for. As order and chaos crumble around you, forge your own path to dictate the fate of humanity
- Explore a Post-Apocalyptic World - Battle through a decimated Tokyo, reduced to an expansive wasteland and overrun by mythical demons. Roam across wide, open areas and explore new locations for life-saving items or encounter hundreds of familiar demons and dozens of new ones to battle or befriend as allies
What changed in exploration and convenience?
Maps, fast travel and shortcuts
The updated navigation options include a sky view and a full map that is no longer blocked by Abscesses. Magatsuhi fast travel and Magatsuhi Rails add ways to move through the field: Rails create shortcuts and can lead to additional areas, including secret locations. Komori describes these changes in the PlayStation Blog feature article.
Demon Haunts
Demon Haunts are safe areas where you can talk with demons, allies and Aogami. Conversations can improve the Nahobino’s abilities, provide rewards and raise party demons’ stats. The feature also includes a free camera mode for taking photos.
Saving and Estoma
Vengeance lets you save anywhere on the map instead of restricting saves to leyline founts. Estoma also changes from a skill to a Miracle that uses Magatsuhi rather than MP, freeing a skill slot. Sega’s system overview additionally describes Aogami Husks as sources of Aogami Essences, which grant battle abilities and can be revisited after time passes: Sega’s system page.
Which platforms and DLC are included?
Sega lists a June 14, 2024 release on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows and Steam. Atlus’ official page lists Standard and Launch physical-edition labels as well as digital editions; edition availability can vary by region and retailer.
The Vengeance base game includes some demons and quests that were sold as DLC for the original Shin Megami Tensei V. Sega separately lists launch DLC for Dagda and Konohana Sakuya, plus quests that boost EXP and Macca. Nintendo’s launch announcement described a Digital Deluxe Edition that bundled the game with several paid add-ons. Check the edition and platform listing relevant to your purchase rather than assuming every add-on is included.
Two details are specific to Nintendo Switch. Nintendo says certain Mitama DLC packs purchased for the original game must be purchased again for Vengeance. It also describes a bonus for owners of the original Switch game using the same Nintendo Account: up to three demon data entries can be registered in Vengeance’s demon compendium. Those terms should not be generalized to other platforms. See Nintendo’s launch announcement.
Sources and scope
The feature descriptions and figures above come from Atlus, Sega, PlayStation and Nintendo publisher or platform materials, including game director Shigeo Komori’s feature article. They document the major advertised changes, not an independent gameplay test or exhaustive file-by-file changelog.
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