FOR PERSONA SERIES FANS
FOR THOSE WHO LIKE 1 VS 1000 TYPE OF FIGHTING GAMES
FOR JRPG LOVERS

If you’ve been craving more of the Persona 5 universe, Persona 5 Strikers is the perfect continuation of the story and an exciting spin-off that mixes traditional Persona elements with fast-paced action combat. This game is an unexpected treat for fans, blending the iconic turn-based strategy of the original game with the chaotic, stylish combat of Dynasty Warriors-style gameplay. Whether you're a Persona veteran or a newcomer to the series, Persona 5 Strikers brings a fresh, engaging experience while staying true to the series' beloved characters and themes.

Story and Setting
Persona 5 Strikers takes place after the events of Persona 5, as the Phantom Thieves are reunited for a summer road trip across Japan. However, things quickly take a dark turn when they encounter a mysterious new world called the "Jail," where people’s distorted desires are manifesting, much like the Metaverse from the original game. In true Persona fashion, the Phantom Thieves must dive into these Jails, confront their enemies, and uncover the truth behind a new wave of corruption.

The story ties into the themes of freedom and self-identity, exploring new characters and conflicts, but still feels familiar with its signature quirky humor, emotional moments, and dramatic twists. You’ll still encounter fan-favorite characters like Joker, Ann, Ryuji, and Morgana, along with some newcomers who add a refreshing dynamic to the group. The writing continues to impress, with moments that will tug at your heartstrings, and the dialogue is packed with humor and clever references for those who are familiar with the Persona series.

Gameplay and Combat
What makes Persona 5 Strikers stand out is its combat system. Gone are the traditional turn-based battles from the main Persona games. Instead, Strikers embraces a real-time combat system similar to Dynasty Warriors, where you control your character directly and fight hordes of enemies with flashy, combo-heavy attacks. The combat is fast-paced, dynamic, and fun—every encounter feels like a stylish dance of attacks, dodges, and Persona abilities.

The Phantom Thieves’ Personas are fully integrated into combat, allowing you to summon them for powerful attacks and to exploit enemy weaknesses. Each character has their own unique fighting style and Persona abilities, which adds depth and variety to the gameplay. You can also switch between characters mid-battle, offering even more strategic options. Whether you're playing as Joker, Ryuji, or one of the other members of the group, each battle feels fresh and exciting.

Exploring the Jails themselves is also an exciting part of the gameplay. The environments are vast, and you’ll spend time fighting enemies, solving puzzles, and uncovering hidden secrets. The game blends exploration and combat seamlessly, and while it’s not as slow-paced as the dungeon crawling in Persona 5, it still offers enough variety to keep you invested.

Character Progression and Social Links
While the combat system is a big focus of Persona 5 Strikers, the game still retains many of the elements that fans love about Persona, like character progression and Social Links. You can upgrade your characters, unlock new abilities, and develop deeper bonds with your fellow Phantom Thieves. These relationships play a crucial role in your development, both in combat and in the story, providing that signature emotional depth Persona fans are used to.

There’s still plenty of time to engage in casual activities like visiting cafes, completing side quests, and exploring the dynamic cities of Japan, which add some lighter moments to balance the more intense action. The blend of combat and downtime keeps the pacing fresh, ensuring you never feel burnt out by either aspect.

Visuals and Sound
Visually, Persona 5 Strikers retains the bold, stylish aesthetic that made Persona 5 so memorable. The character designs are vibrant, and the cutscenes are cinematic, with the same slick anime-inspired animation. The Jails are visually interesting, with each one having its own distinct theme that plays into the corrupted desires of the people who inhabit them. The stylish presentation makes everything—from combat to menus—feel exciting and immersive.

As expected, the soundtrack is one of the game’s highlights. The music is a perfect blend of rock, jazz, and electronic beats that capture the energetic vibe of Persona 5. The track "Take Over" is a standout, adding even more adrenaline to the intense battles. The voice acting is also top-notch, with both the Japanese and English voice cast delivering stellar performances that bring the characters to life.

Final Thoughts
Persona 5 Strikers is the ultimate crossover between Persona 5’s world-building and action-packed combat. It’s a game that feels both familiar and new, offering an exciting and fast-paced experience while still keeping the heart and soul of the Persona series. The story is engaging, the characters are as lovable as ever, and the gameplay is a blast. Whether you’re a Persona veteran or someone new to the series, Strikers delivers a fun, action-packed adventure that is impossible to put down.

If you loved Persona 5, then Persona 5 Strikers is a must-play. It takes everything that made the original game so great and adds a new layer of excitement with its combat system and fresh story. It’s a thrilling ride from start to finish, and a perfect way to revisit the Phantom Thieves’ world.

Yes if you like rpg/ hack and slash games a lot
No if you don't really wanna spend a long time watching tutorials on youtube to find a lost item or something

As another review I saw said, their attempt to translate all the mechanics from Persona 5's turn-based combat into real-time hack-n-slash combat really doesn't work. It's sad because some of the adaptations, like the baton pass system, are pretty fun and would be great if fleshed out more, but others like the damage type strength/weakness system just serve to make the combat overwhelming and confusing.

Now, just like Persona 5 this game's strength is much more in its story, and although not as well written as Persona 5, it is still quite enjoyable. It's just not quite solid enough to make up for how much of a slog the gameplay is.

Also, the game has many technical issues, from random crashes to some cutscenes being jittery, and there doesn't seem to be any way to fully address these issues.

They indeed never see it coming

Good story.

It's Peak

i can play as makoto and Yusuke

game

Phantom Thieves meet Chat GPT the game

Pros
- Banging OST
- Based Yusuke
- Combat is fun when mowing down loads of enemies

Cons
- Gameplay CONSTANTLY interrupted for yapping. Same problem that P5 had but as this isn't a JRPG it feels even more intrusive
- Any sort of party SLs are gone for a simple menu, feels a lot lazier than the base game
- Combat kinda sucks against single strong enemies