![]() There are times you’re faced with hordes of Shadows, so it can get pretty hectic on-screen, but it flows well, and Persona combat is implemented well. ![]() Rather than the typical turn-based combat deployed by a number of RPGs, Persona 5 included, Strikers makes use of more hack-and-slash type combat with some elements of time slowing down when you’re using your Personas. ![]() ![]() This earns you skill points that can be spent on various skills to improve your chances in battle. Rather than building up your bonds individually, spending time with your friends as a group and completing certain requests causes the bond level to increase. Where Persona 5 stressed the importance of building up your social links with your confidants to help you in battle and create stronger Personas, Strikers replaces this with the bond system. There is no longer the need to attend school or build up your social stats through different activities. While Strikers remains true to the essence of the original game, it departs from some of the more slice of life- type elements. As neither game is available on Nintendo Switch or PC, it can be assumed that this is only applicable for the PlayStation version. That said, i f you’re overly attached to the music from either Persona 5 or Persona 5 Roya, then you can change the battle music to the tracks from either of these two games if you have their save data on your console. I’d find myself humming along even after I’d turned off my console. The music is undeniably catchy (the introductory music ‘You Are Stronger’ in particular) and fits the themes of the game. The aesthetic remains pretty much unchanged, but the enemy and Jail designs are as unique as ever. Persona 5 is well known for its music and flashy graphics, having received its share of nominations and wins for these aspects, and Persona 5 Strikers is no different. This is something that Strikers highlights –when you’re playing, you really feel like they can accomplish anything as long as they’re together. They rely on each other, and it’s clear they would do anything for each other. The bonds they built may have been mostly down to circumstance, but that shouldn’t take away from it at all. The relationship between the Thieves themselves is remarkable, and it was great to see that it didn’t end after they went their separate ways when the first game finished. With deep-rooted trauma driving them all, it was hard to consider any of them truly evil. It’s hard to sympathise with the likes of Kamoshida and Shido, but with Strikers, even the baddies were relatable. To my immense relief, I felt exactly the same way about the new characters introduced as I did about the original cast. Of course, the main cast would all be front and centre, but the confidants I spent so much time with – both in the original and Royal – would be absent. When I played the original game, I fell in love with the characters, so I was initially apprehensive when it came to Strikers. This is reminiscent of the Palaces from the first game, though they have some distinct differences. Throughout their journey, the Thieves come across a number of Jails – cognitive versions of the cities they visit – with presiding Monarchs that they must defeat to return the stolen desires. With no other option, the gang reluctantly agree, which kickstarts their road trip across Japan to return these stolen desires and uncover the perpetrator in the process. They are soon approached by Public Security Officer Zenkichi Hasegawa, who informs them that if they want to clear their names, they’ll have to work with him to find the real culprit. Of course, nothing goes to plan, and when large numbers of the general public appear to have their desires stolen, the gang become the prime suspects. Six months after the events of the original game, Joker and Morgana return to Tokyo to reunite with their fellow Phantom Thieves for a summer of camping and barbeques. It’s not the first time fans have been pulled back into the metaverse – the original Persona 5 sparked not only an enhanced, extended edition in the form of Persona 5 Royal but also the spin-off Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight and even manga and anime adaptations, but this is the first direct sequel. After originally releasing back Japan back in February of 2020, the Phantom Thieves’ latest adventure in Persona 5 Strikers is finally available worldwide.
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