Shin Megami Tensei V Negotiate-All

The original Shin Megami Tensei game came out in 1992, nearly 30 years ago.

Out on November 12, for the Nintendo Switch.

I’m one of the rare few that prefers SMT and Persona 1 and 2 to the more recent and popular P3-5. I loved SMT 4 so I will probably be in day one.

Definitely on my list but not sure it will be day 1. I still have SMT 4:A to play as one of the last titles on my 3DS pile.

I'm impatient for this one like I haven't been impatient for a game in a looonnngg time. Bring on Friday!

I played a few hours of this tonight. I'm making slow progress since I'm really nervous about getting KO'd, even though I'm playing on normal. As compared to some other SMT type games, in this one I got into a battle within 20 minutes of starting, so although there has not been much story yet, I've been all in on the mechanics.

A few more hours today. I'm level 11, still making my way through the desert. Demon fusion - fun.

Six or so hours in, I beat the first boss. Took several attempts, and I felt I got a lucky break with attacks. Mechanical spoiler not related to the boss:

Spoiler:

Right afterwards you get an item that allows you to instantly teleport back to a save spot at the push of a button. So nice.

I'm little over two hours in. I like it so far. Looks like PS2 game though.

Finally wrapped Metroid Dread. Currently resuming Bravely Second since I never did finish that one (yes that's not a typo, the 3DS game, not BDII) and debating whether I should dive back into SMT3 (only got a little ways in before getting sidetracked by other releases -- was a busy summer) or just jump straight into SMT5 for my next Switch title.

Random thoughts:

I love it when I start a mini-boss fight just planning to learn and expecting to die, and I manage to beat it.

While there has been not much plot development in the first 9 hours, the game has been interesting.

Going back to a lower level area, and the enemies run away from you? Priceless.

I guess not many people are playing this. I beat the second major boss tonight, and I'm at the 12 hour mark. I've explored most of the first area, but there are still some subquests. Also, I want to keep going, as I hear that the story starts to pick up after this point.

I’m playing it but I’ve barely put any time into it yet. I love the SMT games but it takes me forever to play anything on the Switch.

I was weak and got it... I WANTED to try this since i LOVE Persona

Aristophan wrote:

I guess not many people are playing this. I beat the second major boss tonight, and I'm at the 12 hour mark. I've explored most of the first area, but there are still some subquests. Also, I want to keep going, as I hear that the story starts to pick up after this point.

I'm waiting to either get this one for Christmas, or buy it for myself right after Christmas. So I'll probably be in on the conversation then!

Liking the game so far... though I have to admit i am a bit "disturbed" but the main protagonist "appearance"
Call me old fashioned.

Still confused about this game. I miss the "upbeat" persona battle music

I like this so much more than Persona. There’s just too much exposition in Persona.

the story seems weakish iMO... and out of place.
Still in the desert but the protagonist seems ok with all of this.

Does not make sense....

It would be a mistake to compare it to Persona beyond the battle system and some base superficialities. SMT is much darker, more apocalyptic, and overall just weirder.

Darkhaund wrote:

the story seems weakish iMO... and out of place.
Still in the desert but the protagonist seems ok with all of this.

Does not make sense....

The weirdness is what makes it cool for me. The story here, from what I’ve played, is more appealing in a Dark Souls minimalistic way, rather than an overexplanatory anime sort of way.

I am quite digging it, and finding it a little more welcoming than SMT4 was in the early game. I'm sure I will run facefirst into a brick wall of a boss sooner or later though

Thanks for the explanation guys.
I tried SMT IV with no success....

I will give this game a few more hours. Maybe this franchise is not for me. It does seem better (for me) than the fourth installment

beanman101283 wrote:

It would be a mistake to compare it to Persona beyond the battle system and some base superficialities. SMT is much darker, more apocalyptic, and overall just weirder.

Personally I wouldn't call it a mistake - the battle system and the various demons are a huge thing. But Persona was a spinoff of the mainline SMT games, and has layers of social interactions, time management, and dating sims that just aren't present in the mainline SMT games.

Darkhaund, I think if you really dig the SMT / persona battle system and demon fusion system, this'll be up your alley. If you aren't into that enough to enjoy a whole game centered around it, then this probably isn't for you.

I REALY REALLY LIKED persona 4 and 5

The story
The music (and battle music)
the characters and the dating sim

I know that the persona franchie is a spin off from SMT and well I wanted to give this one "five" a chance
But maybe you are right @LastSurprise and it might not be for me

I got this for Christmas and am about an hour and a half in! Just cleared the first abscess.

Do you ever get icons for the Mimans, or an ability to spot how many remain on a map? I found 3 so far but did a quick search and it looks like I missed several.

I am giving this game a last try... it seems not my cup of tea but i am not ready to give up yet
I dont know.. i just happen tofind the mimans!!!! if you know of some method.. do tell me

LastSurprise wrote:

I got this for Christmas and am about an hour and a half in! Just cleared the first abscess.

Do you ever get icons for the Mimans, or an ability to spot how many remain on a map? I found 3 so far but did a quick search and it looks like I missed several.

Yes you do. More details below:

Spoiler:

Towards the end of that zone you can find an NPC that will sell you a map. I'm guessing there will be a similar mechanic in later zones.

I am the type to fully explore every map and poke my head into every nook & cranny anyway, so when there's extra goodies to find as a reward for my naturally obsessive behavior (mimans, koroks, crafting mats, whatever; it changes from game to game) it pleases me.

However, I also like it when devs account for people having different tastes and habits, so I'm also glad that you can pick up maps optionally later on to reveal all the mimans. Gives obsessives an immediate benefit for our time spent searching while not really penalizing others much for waiting and picking up a map. Seems like a nice balance to me.

I feel like I tend to be fairly methodical in exploring the map, but inevitably miss some things in any hunt for collectibles, no matter how hard I look. So I'll be happy to buy a map!

Gotta say, this first zone is quite a bit larger than I thought! But the desert is surprisingly beautiful, as an environment, and quite gripping. Having a great time with it so far. I just recently unlocked some demon fusion and got to the 4th save point.

Last night I cleared the Netherworld! Man, that section of the game went on for a lot longer than I expected though.

Really like the tweaks to the series formula in this game. The use of essences to gain skills and resistances is smart. And with essences standing in for equipment -- and no need to purchase equipment -- I'm feeling much less hesitation to buy & use consumable items, and to use the demon compendium for fusions. The affinity system is so smart, too.

On the plot so far:

Spoiler:

Liking the Order / Neutral / Chaos conflict here a lot more than in SMT IV, where both factions felt like genocidal maniacs. I (so far) have more sympathy for Order than I have in the past, even if they are trying to protect people by keeping them in a sort of spiritual Matrix. And, given the interaction with Nuwa right at the end of the Netherworld section, I'm skeptical of Neutral and its aims. The philosophical conflict feels a bit more sharply drawn, here.

I agree on the system tweaks. The dampener items seem really useful. And I especially like that you can easily see what you can fuse using the compendium. That’s a much welcome change.

I also thought the first area was going to be short. I haven’t completed it yet as this isn’t my main focus at the moment but I’ll probably be putting a few hours into it today.