How Do Alignments Work in Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance?

Alignment has been a major part of the Shin Megami Tensei series that continues with Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance. Throughout the story, players will be presented with various options that give a hidden point value to either Law or Chaos.

While there is no direct way to check your alignment score, players are able to check to see what path they are currently taking. Depending on the Canon route players choose, this will also affect how Alignment affects the ending of the game.

Do Choices Matter In Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance

No matter which canon route players choose, major decisions will affect the player’s alignment, but these decisions won’t impact most of the game. These choices are clearly indicated when the answers appear foggy over the moment on the screen instead of in the text box. For both routes, choices and Alignment won’t make you miss any content or get secret content, and will only play a part at the end of the game.

For players that choose Canon of Creation, Alignment won’t decide which ending players get, as players will get to choose which ending they get. Depending on your alignment, the bonus miracle will be available at a lower glory price if you pursue the ending for the Alignment you follow. Should players pick an equal number of Law and Chaos options, their Alignment will be neutral.

How Does Alignment Affect The Canon Of Vengeance

The Canon of Vengeance operates a lot like older Shin Megami Tensei games, with the players’ alignment deciding which ending they get. The ending players will get won’t be set in stone until the final dungeon of the game, meaning they can switch alignments throughout the game until they land on the one they want. There are a limited number of decisions in the game that affect alignment, but more than enough to change your path halfway through the game if desired. In the Canon of Vengeance, Yoko is the Chaos representative with Tao being the Law representative, and choosing dialogue that agrees with their ideals will give points in their respective alignment.

How To Check Alignment In Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance

There is no clear-cut way to see your alignment except when exploring the city of Tokyo. If the blue icon is spinning clockwise, that indicates you’re currently Law aligned, counterclockwise indicating Chaos, and not spinning at all means Neutral. There is no Neutral ending for the Canon of Vengeance, and the ending players get will be determined by which side has more points when the ending happens. Without the icon spinning, this means players aren’t able to know for sure which ending they are going to get unless they keep track of all decisions made and figure it out themselves.