Fans' histories with thePersonaseries are oftentimes spread across the entire franchise thanks to its now 25-year history. Some fans started with theShin Megami Tenseiseries back in the 90s, introduced to the franchise through the first entry, which was originally aSMTspin-off. Many others started withPersona 3, the modern reinvention of the series that made it distinct fromShin Megami Tensei. Others started with the massively popularPersona 4andPersona 5, each growing beyond its origins and emphasizing thatPersonahas become its own franchise.Persona 5 Strikersis an outlier here as one of manyPersonaspin-offs, but it’s still very unique.
While the game’s developer Omega Force is known for designing musou-style (Dynasty Warriors) spin-offs for known franchises,Persona 5 Strikerswas an ambitious step forward for both Atlus and Omega Force. Rather than serve as a standalone title in thePersona 5universe,Strikerswas basically a sequel story to the originalPersona 5that simultaneously made a genre shift, as well as innovated on Omega Force’s design philosophy significantly. WhilePersona 5 Strikerscoming to PS Plus may be strange, especially considering the necessity to completePersona 5to truly appreciate it, veterans fromP5should absolutely giveStrikersa try.
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Warriors-Esque Combat Mixed With Persona RPG Tactics
What’s most fascinating aboutPersona 5 Strikersis its real-time combat design. At face value,Strikersresembles Omega Force’s previous musou spin-offs likeHyrule WarriorsandFire Emblem Warriors. However,Persona 5 Strikersactually makes a few significant departures from traditionalWarriorsmechanics, trading larger scale battles for smaller scale arenas filled with enemies. Combat very much implements much mores strategy and precision compared toWarriorsgames, forcing players to managePersona-adjacent resources like SP, targeting weaknesses, managing Personas and magic, all in service to taking down all sorts of iconicPersonaenemies.
The end result is lessDynasty Warriorsand more action RPG, perhaps best compared to the gameplay ofKingdom Hearts. Players can very much rely on the expected button mashing combos that are efficient for crowd control and lower-level enemies. However, stronger enemies and bosses require a much more methodical playstyle, quick-swappingbetween various members of the Phantom Thievesand targeting weaknesses with powerful spells to wither away longer health bars. It’s an interesting mix that’s very satisfying to play, especially when chaining together high-damage combos and Showtime overdrives between four playable party members.
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A Thrilling And Sympathetic Send Off For The Phantom Thieves
Obviously the main thing that makesPersona 5 Strikersa strange pick for a free PS Plus gameis its premise, serving as a sequel toPersona 5proper. There hasn’t really been a PS Plus game before it that’s generally expected players to have played a precursor game, especially in the case ofPersona 5, where knowledge of the base game is almost necessary for the experience. However, even if an attempt was made to separateStrikersfromPersona 5proper’s narrative, the game is an excellent and comparatively light-hearted sequel to the Phantom Thieves' story.
Players see a new side of the iconic group; close friends who are as comfortable with each other as they are with their Persona and combat skills. The stakes steadily rise as the story goes on, and reaches some genuine emotional highs, but also emphasizes a much more confident group of Phantom Thieves that isn’t quite reflected inPersona 5proper. Even thenew Thieves inPersona 5 Strikers, the bubbly AI Sophiaand Inspector Zenkichi, all add to the team’s dynamic in a unique way that doesn’t interrupt the group’s chemistry.Persona 5fans will find a lot of in this game for sure, but it’s also a compelling evolution for the Phantom Thieves as well.
For those who’ve been hesitant to jump intoPersona 5 Strikers, PS Plus does present a unique opportunity for PlayStation players.Persona 5 Strikersisn’t necessary for anyone who played and enjoyedPersona 5, even if they’re notPersonafans in general, but it’s still worth the try.
Combat genuinely plays out a lot like a battle inPersona 5, even if it’s not turn-based, incorporating elements of strategy into an action framework that works surprisingly well. The narrative gives the Phantom Thieves one last ride, and acts as a reverent and appreciative send-off to the characters many fans came to know and love over the course ofPersona 5. GrantedhardcorePersonafans are likely aware of this, but for any who skipped out on this spin-off/sequel,Persona 5 Strikersis worth the time.
Persona 5 Strikersis available now for PC, PS4, and Nintendo Switch.
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