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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFor a first or only playthrough, choose Canon of Vengeance: it is the new story created for Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance. Choose Canon of Creation if you specifically want the original Shin Megami Tensei V story. Neither choice is a prerequisite for the other; they are two complete paths that diverge midway and lead to different endings, according to Atlus’s route overview.
What is different between the two routes?
| Route | Story and conflict | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Canon of Creation | The original Shin Megami Tensei V story, centered on an angels-versus-demons conflict over the fate of the world. | Players who want to experience the story told in the original game. |
| Canon of Vengeance | A new revenge story involving Yoko Hiromine and the Qadištu, a faction of four demons. It diverges from Creation midway and reaches a different ending. | Players looking for the new story and its central characters and conflict. |
These descriptions reflect Atlus’s official route overview. The choice is principally about which story you want to follow, not whether you will get the game’s system updates.
Why choose Canon of Vengeance first?
Vengeance is the route made specifically for Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance: it brings in Yoko, the Qadištu and a revenge-focused conflict. It also has route-specific locations. Game director Shigeo Komori names Shinjuku Ward and the Shakan dungeon in his June 4, 2024 PlayStation Blog post.
If you own Vengeance but have never played the original, this is the straightforward first pick: you get the new route’s story without needing to complete Creation beforehand. That is a recommendation based on the routes’ documented content, not a claim that one is objectively better or more popular.
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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.
When should you pick Canon of Creation instead?
Choose Creation if your main interest is the original game’s story. It preserves that angels-versus-demons conflict and gives you a way to revisit the narrative that Shin Megami Tensei V originally told. It is a preference-based alternative, not an inferior or incomplete version of Vengeance.
Do you need to play Creation before Vengeance?
No. Atlus describes both canons as complete stories that diverge midway and end differently. The official route description does not present Creation as a prerequisite for understanding Vengeance, so a new player can start with either one based on story preference.
Rank #2
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Does the route change gameplay updates?
No: the shared system updates and new gameplay elements apply to both routes. Komori stated, “These system updates and new elements will be applied to Canon of Vengeance and Canon of Creation,” in his developer post. So, make the route decision for its story and route-specific content rather than expecting the core updates to be exclusive to Vengeance.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 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
Rank #4
- 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 #3
- 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
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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