With Shin Megami Tensei 5 releasing this November, there is a lot of hype building for the game. The developers have been feeding information to fans gradually as the release date draws near, with a series of trailers and news reports being released. Some of the latest information revolved around a new story trailer for SMT5, which focused on the organization known as Bethel that protects humankind from all manner of demons. The latest news report details some of the new characters that will be involved, as well as the classic SMT gameplay mechanics of demon fusion and negotiation.
Some of the new characters introduced in SMT5 are a part of Bethel, while one in particular is shrouded in mystery. As the player explores the world of Da'at, they'll be occassionally stopped by Shohei Yakumo, a uniformed man with a katana who says he "hunts all the demons." His motives are currently unclear, but with his partner Nuwa, he hopes to acheive his goal. The last character is known as Abdiel, a gold-clad archangel and commander of the Bethel organization. As an upholder of order, she aims to eradicate anyone who dares overthrow the order of her god.
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One of the main highlights of Shin Megami Tensei's gameplay is the demon negotiation process, with SMT5 retaining these features. In the screenshots shown, players can recruit demons by talking to them, appealing to any of their personality or behavioral quirks. However, these negotiations can be further affected by different factors, from phases of the in-game moon, to even the demons that the player has in their party. Certain demons that have mythological connections will be able to recognize each other in gameplay, so these allow for players to experiment further in the process of getting these creatures on their side.
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Other screenshots were shown regarding SMT5's fusion mechanics, another staple feature of the series. This includes the normal 2-demon fusion, along with "reverse fusion," where the final demon product can be selected first, and then the fusion materials can be picked afterwards. Another fusion process involved is called "Elemental fusion," which can allow players to upgrade or downgrade to another demon that is within the same family tree. These fusions allow for skills to be passed along and to create stronger demons. Much like the negotiations, this opens up opportunities for experimentation.
The last of the gameplay mechanics that were covered in the report was regarding how stats could be built. This involves the player collecting essences, which can teach the player character new skills and affinities. They can also find an in-game item known as Glory, which can then be spent to learn powerful Miracle skills. With all of these new features, players will have a lot to mess around with in Shin Megami Tensei 5.
Shin Megami Tensei 5 releases on November 12, 2021, for Nintendo Switch.
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