Turn-based JRPG Shin Megami Tensei 5 is the first numbered entry in the apocalyptic dark fantasy series since 2013. As with its predecessors, SMT 5 is set in the modern-day where a cataclysmic event has reduced Tokyo to a wasteland filled with demons. The games are notoriously difficult and more challenging than its more popular spin-off series Persona. Just like the Persona games, however, the mainline SMT series features demon fusion.
Demon Fusion Explained
Demon Fusion has been an important mechanic in the Shin Megami Tensei series and its spin-off titles like Persona and Devil Summoner. Unsurprisingly, it's a major feature in Shin Megami Tensei V and it will mean the difference between winning or losing against some of the most powerful entities one will encounter in the game.
Many of the game's demons can be convinced to join the party by conversing and negotiating with them instead of choosing to fight. The demons can then be fused into visually different and more powerful creatures to help the protagonist in battle in Shin Megami Tensei's lengthy campaign.
Fusing Demons
Shin Megami Tensei's V's predecessors featured a location known as the Cathedral of Shadows. In this latest entry, however, the protagonist needs to travel to the World of Shadows and speak to Sophia to fuse demons. In addition to demon fusing, the player can manage miracles and essence as well as check on their compendium.
To get to the World of Shadows the player needs to interact with a Leyline Fount a burst of energy emanating from the Earth and acts as the game's savepoint and as a means to recover the party's health. Choose the World of Demons to begin the demon fusion process as it will go a long way to making what is otherwise a difficult experience a more manageable one.
The Demon Types
In Shin Megami Tensei 5 there are four variations of demons:
- Dyad Fusion The first form of demon fusion that allows the player to fuse two demons in his party.
- Reverse Fusion A new feature in Shin Megami Tensei 5 shows a menu what the final fused demon and the required demons to create it but only if they are in the party.
- Reverse Compendium Fusions The same as Reverse Fusion but it applies to demons that have been saved to the Compendium and not just the party.
- Special Fusion A feature that will be familiar to both SMT and Persona veterans alike. This feature allows players to create the most powerful entities in the game.
As with its predecessors, performing a fusion of demons that are from different species in Shin Megami Tensei 5 can create a completely different demon with brand new attributes. As a result, it's always a good idea to experiment as much as possible.
Shin Megami Tensei is available now for the Nintendo Switch