Shin Megami Tensei V Third News Video Introduces Bethel Demons, Exploration

Atlus posted the third of its “news” video series for Shin Megami Tensei V. Hosted by Chiaki Matsuzawa in Japanese but with English subtitles available, the ten-minute video focuses on Bethel Demons and exploration in the game, as well as its difficulty options.

The Bethel Demons are important non-human characters who work for the Bethel group that the protagonist allies with. Khonsu is from the Bethel Egypt branch, Vasuki is from the Bethel India branch, Zeus is from the Bethel Greece branch, and Odin from the Bethel North Europe branch.

Da’at is an alternate apocalyptic version of Tokyo that the protagonist finds himself in. It features wildly varying terrain including desert, woods, and lakes. Leylines connect the different regions of Da’at and are used as save points and to access Cadaver’s Hollow. Players can sell or buy items from Gustave, the master of Cadaver’s Hollow. Players can find Gustave’s pawns, known as Miman, throughout Da’at and report when they find them to earn rewards. Miman will also grant players Glory.

Other things players can find around Da’at include hidden items from things like vending machines and treasure boxes. Magatsuhi can also be found scattered around and grant benefits such as restoring HP and MP or filling the Magatsuhi gauge. Giant statues are remnants of a war from a decade prior and players can absorb their magic to increase their demon’s levels. Special Mitama demons will drop items that can be exchanged for money, experience points, or Glory. Finally, large red obstacles called Abscesses will spawn powerful enemies but provide new Miracles should they be destroyed. Finally, certain demons will join the player as quest navigators or issue requests that will provide useful items.

Shin Megami Tensei V will come with three difficulty options: Casual, Normal, and Hard. All three are available at the beginning of the game and players can freely switch between Casual and Normal during a playthrough. Players can start on Hard and switch to one of the other two, but cannot switch back. A lower Safety mode will be available as free DLC on the game’s launch date.

Shin Megami Tensei V is the fifth mainline title in the series, which has branched into numerous spin-offs including Persona. The game will release exclusively for Nintendo Switch in Japan on November 11, 2021, and in North America and Europe on November 12, 2021.