gameplay is improved in a few ways from smt iv thanks to a revised skill affinity system, but that's overshadowed by how many things it does wrong instead:

1. no consequences for death
2. smirk mechanic trivializes battles
3. tons of needless backtracking through dungeons
4. ai controlled partners essentially play the game for you
5. abysmal story/characters
6. somehow even easier than smt iv
...and much more

probably the most disappointing game i've ever played