Shin Megami Tensei V Is Being Made To Sympathize With The World’s Current Troubles

Shin Megami Tensei V producer Kazuyuki Yamai shared some profound thoughts behind the challenge of the upcoming title, on working with Unreal Engine 4, and little teasers on what we can expect in this week’s issue of Famitsu magazine. [Thanks, Hachima.]

Here are some highlights from the interview with producer Kazuyuki Yamai:

• The very first Shin Megami Tensei game released 25 years ago in an October. Atlus wanted to let everyone know that Shin Megami Tensei will keep going on, and they decided to make the announcement with that timing in mind.
• One of Atlus’ goals with Shin Megami Tensei V is to get people to take another look at the “characteristics of the times.”  Yamai says there’s likely a lot of people out there who are frustrated with unemployment, uneasiness about life in retirement, terrorism and nuclear weapons, and other troubles both at home and abroad. He wants to make a Shin Megami Tensei that sympathizes with these current times, and that is the challenge.
• The keyword “Shekinah Glory” that appeared in the trailer literally translates to “God’s Miracle.” Yamai wants you to think about that keyword, and truly get an understanding of it once you get to play the game.
• Shinagawa Station is a spot that we often see depicted as part of Tokyo. It will also be in the game’s story.
• This will be the first time Atlus makes a game in Unreal Engine 4. This brings a complete change to the company’s environment to create games, so now that it allows them to create something and immediately check it out on the game screen, it gives the creators more time to spend on coming up with ideas and trial-and-error. Yamai says he’s truly glad they were introduced to UE4.
• Yamai also shared his love for the Nintendo Switch hardware and its ability to let you play HD quality games and also freely play on the go.
• Demon fusions and other classic elements will be in the game. Atlus is also experimenting on brand new elements.
• Since it’s the first Shin Megami Tensei game to appear on home console in a while, Atlus wants to deliver a hybrid way of playing that combines the profound charm of Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne with the fun demon upbringing elements of Shin Megami Tensei IV.
• Yamai says that in terms of development progress, they haven’t even reached a point where they could say “Coming soon!” so they hope you guys can wait a little while longer.

Shin Megami Tensei V is in development for Nintendo Switch.