SMT5: Vengeance Shows Pros and Cons of Atlus’ ‘Re-Release Girl’ Formula

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SMT5: Vengeance Shows Pros and Cons of Atlus' 'Re-Release Girl' Formula

Highlights

  • Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance introduces new character Yoko Hiromine, challenging the original game’s narrative structure.
  • Canon of Vengeance shifts focus to Tao and Yoko, exploring their ideologies through party interactions and plot development.
  • Trade-offs were necessary to accommodate Yoko’s character, affecting the development of existing supporting characters like Yakumo and Nuwa.

As a longtime fan of the Shin Megami Tensei series, I was both excited and apprehensive when Atlus announced Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance with its new character Yoko Hiromine. Having played through the original Shin Megami Tensei 5 multiple times and grown attached to its unique narrative structure and characters, I couldn’t help but wonder how this new addition would fit into the story without disrupting its carefully crafted balance.

This article contains endgame spoilers for Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance.

Atlus’ “Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance” presented an intriguing twist in the company’s approach to the “re-release with a new protagonist” concept, given the original game’s story criticisms. With the revelation that “Vengeance” would be an upgraded version of “SMT5,” featuring a distinct narrative and a new character named Yoko Hiromine, some raised eyebrows. Introducing a fresh face into an underdeveloped ensemble could potentially pose challenges in maintaining narrative cohesion. While “Vengeance” largely succeeds in executing its novel plot elements, it does expose certain complications that come with employing such a formula.

In “Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance,” the representation of law and chaos in the Canon of Vengeance storyline is changed from Dazai and Yuzuru to Tao and Yoko. This shift provides insight into their contrasting viewpoints as they join the player on their journey through Da’at for the first half. Throughout side quests and plot advancements, they share their perspectives, adding a fresh dynamic compared to the original game where players decide their alignment later in the story. However, like the original, the development of “Vengeance”‘s supporting characters becomes a recurring issue despite Tao and Yoko’s presence.

How Yoko Hiromine’s Involvement Affects the Supporting Cast of Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance

The Change in Dazai and Yuzuru Within Vengeance’s Storyline

In the original version of “SMT5,” Dazai and Yuzuru felt they had limited roles and lacked depth in their relationships with Nahobino and one another. The story “Vengeance” aimed to address this issue by increasing the connection between them, particularly during the first part of its plotline. Their disagreement over Miyazu’s abduction by Qadistu created palpable tension, while their eventual reconciliation, albeit a tad forced, showcased camaraderie among the group members. However, this harmony didn’t persist as “Vengeance” required motivation for the protagonist to remain involved in the story with Aogami’s departure. Dazai took on an increasingly wicked persona, driven by Mastema’s manipulation, and Yuzuru met his demise at Dazai’s hands, triggering the protagonist and Tsukuyomi’s fusion.

Yuzuru’s demise adds depth to his character and significantly contributes to “Vengeance” by influencing Nahobino’s redesign and Tsukuyomi’s emotional dialogue, expressing regret over failing to protect Yuzuru. Moreover, Miyazu’s reaction to her brother’s death keeps her connected to the storyline. However, Dazai’s transformation into a villain still seems sudden, echoing his earlier portrayal in the original narrative. This abrupt change is further emphasized when the group leaves him as a salt statue but later witness his restoration moments afterwards. With Tao assuming Dazai’s role as the Law representative, Dazai’s character arc becomes merely another obstacle that the Empyrean must overcome.

Making Tradeoffs to Accommodate a New Character

Yakumo and Nuwa from the original “SMT5: Vengeance” are two intriguing characters worthy of mention. The game sheds light on Yakumo’s past through some optional scenes in Tokyo, making his alliance with Nuwa despite his aversion to demons more intriguing. However, the absence of a fresh neutral or hidden ending limits their role in the narrative. Despite this, there are captivating lines that demonstrate Yakumo’s complexity, such as those at Tokyo’s shrine after Nuwa’s demise. One can only imagine how captivating “SMT5: Enhanced Edition” could have been if it had further developed its previously secondary characters.

As the Chaos representative in Vengeance’s game world, I found it essential to keep the story focused on Yoko’s struggles, given how they intersected with the Qadistu’s objectives. However, her role brought up the reality that the “re-release girl” trope frequently necessitates compromises in narrative design. By making Yoko a contrasting character to Tao, I inadvertently placed Tao in the role of Vengeance’s Law representative, despite her beliefs seemingly aligning more with neutrality and a desire for a world where human dreams come true.

Introducing Yoko as a chaotic figure clashed with her role as the Goddess of Creation, making her comments seem excessively disruptive. This issue highlights the challenges of integrating new characters into an established narrative and the trade-offs involved in doing so.

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2024-07-26 13:05