If Persona 5 has taught me anything, the Phantom Thieves will always help a Red-head with identity issues

ersona 5 Strikers is an absolute gem that takes the heart-stealing charm of Persona 5 and fuses it with electrifying musou action, creating a sequel that’s as stylish as it is addictive. As a longtime fan of the Persona series, I was blown away by how seamlessly Atlus and Omega Force blended the series’ signature storytelling, character depth, and social sim elements with fast-paced, crowd-clearing combat. After sinking 50 hours into this vibrant road trip across Japan, I can say it’s not just a worthy follow-up to Persona 5 but one of the most fun action RPGs I’ve played in years. Whether you’re a Phantom Thieves veteran or a newcomer, this game is a must-play masterpiece.

The story picks up six months after Persona 5, with the Phantom Thieves embarking on a summer vacation that quickly spirals into a new supernatural mystery. The return of the beloved cast—Joker, Ann, Ryuji, Morgana, and the gang—is a joy, with their witty banter and heartfelt bonds stealing the show. New characters, like Sophia, an AI with a curious heart, and Zenkichi, a grizzled cop with a surprising arc, add fresh dynamics to the group. The narrative dives into themes of freedom, trauma, and societal control, tackling emotional depth with the series’ trademark mix of humor and gravitas. The Jails—mind-bending alternate realities replacing the Palaces of Persona 5—are creative, each reflecting a unique antagonist’s psyche, from a twisted theme park to a neon-lit city. While the story isn’t as long as Persona 5’s, clocking in at 30-40 hours, it’s tightly paced and keeps you hooked with plot twists and emotional payoffs.

What sets Strikers apart is its combat, a brilliant hybrid of Persona’s turn-based roots and Dynasty Warriors-style musou chaos. You control one of four party members in real-time, chaining stylish combos, dodging enemy attacks, and unleashing Persona abilities with a tap of a button. Each character feels distinct—Joker’s versatile Persona swapping, Ryuji’s heavy-hitting brawling, and Makoto’s agile motorcycle charges make every fight a blast. The All-Out Attacks and Showtime moves are as cinematic as ever, with dazzling animations that make you feel like a superhero. The game retains Persona’s elemental weaknesses system, requiring you to exploit enemy vulnerabilities with fire, ice, or curse skills, adding strategic depth to the hack-and-slash frenzy. Battles are smooth and responsive, with a lock-on feature and environmental interactions (like dropping chandeliers on foes) that keep encounters dynamic. Boss fights are a highlight, demanding precise timing and team coordination, especially on higher difficulties like Merciless.

The game’s presentation is pure Persona perfection. The art direction is stunning, with vibrant colors, sleek menus, and character designs that ooze personality. The Jails are visually diverse, from Kyoto’s cherry blossom-lit shrines to Osaka’s bustling Dotonbori-inspired streets, each bursting with detail. The soundtrack, composed by Atsushi Kitajoh, is an absolute banger, blending jazz, rock, and pop with new tracks like “Daredevil” and remixes of Persona 5 classics like “Last Surprise.” Shigenori Soejima’s character portraits and Lyn Inaizumi’s vocals elevate every cutscene, making even dialogue-heavy moments feel like a music video. The English voice acting is top-tier, with standout performances from Xander Mobus as Joker and Cherami Leigh as Ann, though the Japanese dub is equally fantastic for purists.

Exploration and social elements are streamlined but still satisfying. The road trip structure takes you across Japan’s iconic cities, each with shops, restaurants, and side activities that flesh out the world. Cooking meals for stat boosts, fulfilling Bond skill requests, and chatting with teammates during downtime capture the cozy camaraderie of Persona 5, even if there’s no full social link system. The Bond system, which unlocks perks like increased damage or faster Persona point recovery, ties progression to your relationships, encouraging you to engage with the cast. Side quests, like hunting powerful enemies or solving Jail puzzles, are varied and rewarding, often tying into the main story or character backstories. The game also sprinkles in light stealth sections, where you hide from enemy Shadows, adding variety to dungeon crawling.

Performance on PC is flawless. On my mid-range rig, Strikers runs at a silky 60 FPS at 1440p, with no crashes or bugs. It’s Steam Deck verified, delivering a crisp 30-40 FPS on the go, making it perfect for portable play. The wealth of accessibility options—adjustable difficulty, subtitles, and controller remapping—ensures it’s welcoming to all players. The only minor gripes are the lack of romance options (a staple of mainline Persona games) and occasional camera issues in crowded battles, but these are small blemishes on an otherwise polished experience.

Strikers also shines in its replayability. New Game+ lets you carry over skills, gear, and Personas, with tougher challenges to test your mastery. The post-game includes brutal boss battles and a secret ending that’s worth the grind. With multiple difficulty settings and a trophy list that encourages experimentation, there’s plenty to keep you coming back. The game respects your time, offering a focused experience that doesn’t overstay its welcome, unlike some sprawling RPGs.

Persona 5 Strikers is a triumph that captures the soul of Persona 5 while forging its own identity as an action-packed spin-off. It’s a love letter to fans, with enough style, heart, and gameplay depth to win over newcomers too. Whether you’re slashing through Shadows, vibing to the soundtrack, or tearing up during the cast’s emotional moments, this game delivers pure joy. It’s a testament to Atlus’s ability to evolve without losing what makes Persona special. If you love RPGs, action games, or just damn good stories, Strikers is an essential addition to your library. 10/10, wholeheartedly recommended!

I was really looking forward for this game, bought it on sale a while ago, but the TERRIBLE PC port made it impossible to actually play the game - constant freezing, low fps and other technical issues. I love Persona series, but this part actually upsets me so much, ATLUS please fix the game