Critics reviewed the original Shin Megami Tensei V positively overall. Metacritic’s Nintendo Switch critic-review page showed an 84 Metascore, classified as “Generally Favorable,” when accessed in 2026. Reviews particularly praised the strategic combat and world design, while technical issues and criticism of the story kept the reception from being unreserved.
How critics rated Shin Megami Tensei V
Metacritic’s Nintendo Switch page displayed an 84 Metascore and “Generally Favorable” classification. At the time it was retrieved, the page listed 103 critic reviews: 89 positive (91%), 9 mixed (9%), and 0 negative (0%). These are Metacritic’s changeable aggregator figures, not an independent count or audit of every review. Metacritic’s critic-review listing is the source for the score and displayed totals.
The game in that listing is the original Nintendo Switch release, which came out on November 12, 2021. Nintendo UK also lists its release date as 12 November 2021. Nintendo UK’s game page identifies the Switch release.
What reviewers praised
Strategic, demanding combat
Combat was one of the clearest strengths in the selected review excerpts. Nintendo Enthusiast praised the strategic battle system, while other excerpts highlighted gameplay depth, progression, and the demon roster. Easy Allies’ review excerpt emphasized the challenge and satisfaction, but also noted that the game’s demanding approach is not for everyone. The praise points to a role-playing game built around tactical decisions rather than an easygoing, universally appealing adventure.
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#1 Best Overall
- 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.
Exploration and world design
Reviewers also singled out the way the world supports the gameplay. Nintendo Enthusiast connected the redesigned world with the battle system, and Wccftech praised the new approach to exploration alongside the core gameplay. Taken together, these comments suggest that the environments were valued not just as scenery, but as part of the game’s broader structure and progression.
What critics found less successful
Technical issues
Technical performance was a recurring caveat in the cited excerpts. The Mako Reactor and Wccftech both mentioned technical issues despite otherwise positive assessments. The available review material does not establish a single quantified performance result, so the criticism is best understood as a notable qualification rather than a claim that every reviewer reported the same problem.
Rank #2
- Unfold an allusive story filled with tragic choices, make sacrifices to uphold your ideals as you pursue light or covet darkness to discover your role in the new world
- Fight through a demon-infested wasteland with the Press Turn Battle System, pinpoint enemy weaknesses so you can perform consecutive actions but make one mistake and it may be your last
- Turn formidable foes into worthy allies by recruiting them via negotiations, then fuse them to create demons customized to fit your playstyle
- Explore the expansive world of post-apocalyptic Tokyo, fully rendered in stunning 3D utilizing Unreal Engine 4, a first for the mainline Shin Megami Tensei series
Story and characterization
The narrative drew sharper criticism from at least some reviewers. VG247’s displayed excerpt praised combat and demon mixing but criticized the characterization and described the plot as thin. That is an important counterpoint to the favorable aggregate: the score reflects a strong overall reception, not consensus that every part of the game worked equally well.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which version these reviews cover
This assessment concerns Shin Megami Tensei V, the original 2021 Nintendo Switch game. Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance has a separate Metacritic critic-review listing, so its reviews and score should not be folded into the original game’s results. Metacritic’s Vengeance listing is separate from the original game page.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 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
Rank #4
- In Shin Megami Tensei V, the latest entry in the acclaimed Shin Megami Tensei RPG series, play as a high school student who must harness newfound powers to fight through a demon-infested wasteland using a command-based system. Though demons are formidable opponents, some can be worthy allies and recruited via negotiations to fight alongside you in a dying world. How will your destiny unfold?
Rank #3
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