How does Shin Megami Tensei V differ from previous entries? – battle system changes and more

Back in 2022, Shin Megami Tensei 5, the latest entry in Atlus's long-running flagship JRPG series, was outset announced as a Nintendo Switch exclusive title through a brief teaser trailer. Since then, news had been relatively sparse, with a cinematic hinting at a bit more in terms of story but not much else. Then, during and later on E3 2022, both Nintendo and Atlus revealed tons of data and gameplay, from the initial trailer shown in the Nintendo Straight, the Nintendo Treehouse presentation, and Atlus Japan's official livestream. The latter showcased nearly two hours of the title.

Shin Megami Tensei Five seeks to shake upwardly franchise conventions from what nosotros've seen in all this new material. From fusions to demon designs, to the battle system, to the overworld, here are some of the changes revealed so far.

Overworld

Shin Megami Tensei V — Screenshot by Gamepur

One of the most immediately notable changes to Shin Megami Tensei is that, different previous entries in the series, the protagonist moves around freely in the overworld instead of only in dungeons and small-scale environments. As a step up from Shin Megami Tensei IV, demons are completely visible and move around the field only as the protagonist does. Another interesting change is that demon political party members follow the protagonist around on the map screen as well.

Battle mechanics

While the core mechanics of the battle system (start introduced in Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne) are nevertheless there, some interesting changes will change the balance and menstruum. Equally seen in the screenshot above, the first major visual change shows a completely overhauled battle UI. It closely resembles the UI in Tokyo Mirage Session, a spin-off collaboration title betwixt Nintendo and Atlus.

In the top right corner of the battle screen, in that location's a approximate labeled Magatsuhi. In Nocturne, Magatsuhi was a source of energy born from powerful emotions, which substantially powered everything in the Vortex World. It seems there might exist some correlation between its role in Nocturne and the gauge in V, in that it lends the protagonist power when completely filled.

Looking at the same screenshot on the bottom left corner, we can run into that in that location's a greyed-out skill labeled Magatsuhi. Information technology almost likely becomes usable once the corresponding gauge is filled. In the lesser right corner of the post-battle results menu (in the screenshot beneath), Magatsuhi skills are listed as a split category, maybe significant that these skills are learned naturally and become usable in battle.

Skill inheritance, elements, and spells

Previous Shin Megami Tensei titles accept had their own skill inheritance systems, such as Nocturne's Magatama system and the Whisper system in IV. Though this title's unique system hasn't been named or revealed, in that location is a clue that can be seen in the below screenshot. There'south a category called "Skill Potential," which might be related to skill inheritance.

The elements available in this championship have likewise been revealed. There'due south physical, fire, water ice, lightning, wind, light (perchance anoint or expel), dark, almighty, expiry, healing, and the final one shares the same icon as the previously discussed Magatsuhi skills. In that location's no gun skills, which weren't in Nocturne, Persona 3, or 4, but accept been in plenty other mainline and spin-off games.

Another change is how to buffs and debuffs, spells that increase the stats of allies and subtract enemy stats, work. When yous used buffs in both Nocturne and 4, information technology practical to all party members and was a permanent result, unless an enemy used a skill to strip it away. But, according to the Rakukaja spell's (increases an ally's defence force) flavor text in the screenshot below, buffs concluding for iii turns, a like mechanic found in Persona 4 and 5.

According to that aforementioned flavour text and gameplay footage, said buff only targets a single ally at a fourth dimension. However, it does look like buffs tin be stacked to increase their effectiveness, but as in Nocturne and IV. And more advanced buff spells may target the whole political party, denoted by a "Ma" earlier the spell name (Rakukaja would become Marakukaja, for case), a property introduced in Persona three, four, and v.

Fusion and demon designs

Gone seems to be Mido, the demon fusion master of the Cathedral of Shadows, and in his place is a woman named Sophia. Not much is known about her now, but she gives off a much different experience from him and other masters. Fusion itself now involves the protagonist, some other interesting change. As we can see below, he plays an organ to actuate and facilitate the fusion process.

Afterward the fusion is consummate, we see the result is a redesigned Angel (pictured below), based more than on her Shin Megami Tensei Ii blueprint rather than her subsequently ii designs that accept been used in most entries in the main and spin-off titles.

In that location's also another new demon, generally likely the mythical hunter-warrior from Irish mythology, Fionn mac Cumhaill. The hint that this demon is Cumhaill would exist the name of the skill said demon uses, Mac an Luin, which is also the name of his sword in fable.