TAY2: Open Forum – Something Fresh

Hey there, TAY. I hope you all had a fantastic weekend! This week, I’m going to talk a bit about a little game I just started called Shin Megami Tensei V.

I’m sure most of you reading this will remember that it was one of the first games teased when the Nintendo Switch was revealed. I decided to pick it up over the weekend, mostly on impulse but also because it had appealed to me for a while. I also needed something new to play.

My experience with this series – none whatsoever, but it scratches all the right itches in that it’s got cool monsters, a unique mechanic to befriend them, nuanced and interesting turn-based battle elements and after just several hours of playing it I think it may just be my new favorite monster collecting game. Sorry, Digimon!

Then again, when it comes to the story I am still a little on the fence. The main character design, too – I’m not sure how fond I am of it, but it is what it is. I have to say, it does have a unique and cohesive sense of style to it all, even with these minor gripes. It seems like a generally well-realized and solid video game that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys JRPGs.

Another game that I have never tried is Star Ocean, but the trailer they showed recently at the State of Play event was quite impressive. I don’t own a PS4 or 5, so I may not get the opportunity to try this particular title. However, with the way things have been going, exclusivity seems to be much less and less of a thing these days – I am almost certain that SMTV will make it’s way to PC and PlayStation at the very least at some point in the near future.

I for one am very much for the blurring of lines with less exclusivity these days. We may not see Mario on Xbox or Master Chief on Sony for a while yet, I guess it’s okay for each system to have it’s exclusives – but the more games I can experience without having to buy multiple systems, the better for me.

• What’s your take on exclusivity?
• Have you tried a game from a series you’re not familiar with lately? How did it go?
• Favorite demon from SMT, if you’re a fan?
• As always, feel free to Talk Amongst Yourselves!