Protecting Tokyo From Demons is Definitely the Right Thing, Isn’t It?
The Shin Megami Tensei series has always told dark and compelling stories about the collision between our world and one inhabited by gods, demons, and everything in between. In this new story trailer, Shin Megami Tensei 5 confirms that the latest game in the series is following in the footsteps of its predecessors.
The video begins with a look at a surreal, seemingly supernatural room lit by faint blue light, while a female voice says that “You did enough simply by reaching out to me,” just before a glowing blue hand rises out of the light and slams down on the viewer. The voice is revealed to belong to a girl in a school uniform standing on a rooftop, discussing how she pushed someone away, while back in the blue room the game’s protagonist declares to an ominous figure that he needs power. Because seeking power has never gone wrong for any other Shin Megami Tensei protagonists.
The trailer soon introduces more characters, new worldbuilding, and most importantly some of the game’s actual stakes. It appears that the post-apocalyptic version of Tokyo seen in previous trailers has become a netherworld crawling with demons, where the few surviving humans are hunted for their souls.
An organization known as Bethel Japan is dedicated to guarding Tokyo, and they’re willing to use the protagonist’s blasphemous powers as a Nahobino to do it. At the beginning of the video, the protagonist seems to be on board with this, but as the trailer continues, hints that Bethel isn’t as great as it seems start to emerge.
In between gorgeous battle footage and exploration segments that showcase some of the series’ creepiest demon designs yet, the trailer suggests that protecting Tokyo from demons may not be the best option here–or at least, it isn’t the only option. This fits right in with Shin Megami Tensei’s classic take on the morality system: no option is objectively good or even better than the others, but there are still several different ways for things to turn out.
One quick moment even appears to show the protagonist stabbing the girl from the beginning of the trailer. Immediately after, the game begins showing off several other apparently human characters, many of which seem to be connected to Bethel–and some of whom say they can no longer fight to defend humanity, right on cue for what may be a glimpse of Bethel’s true goals.
The trailer ends by revealing that at least one faction wishes to establish a new world order ruled by the gods, whether or not this is a good idea, all while the girl’s voice pleads for everyone to stop. This video has definitely caught our attention. Now we’re on the edge of our seats waiting for the next update from Shin Megami Tensei 5.
Shin Megami Tensei V will be available for Nintendo Switch on November 12th, 2021. Pre-orders for the physical edition will open on June 21st.
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