Every Persona 5 Game, Explained

Highlights

• Persona 5 shattered barriers and brought fresh energy to the series, leading to a stream of successful spin-offs and sequels.
• The upcoming spin-off P5X introduces new characters and gameplay while maintaining the captivating essence of Persona 5’s world.
• Persona 5 Royal offers an enriched experience with enhanced gameplay, new storylines, and captivating visuals for both old and new players.

Persona 5 is the fifth mainline installment in the beloved long-running Persona series. Developed by Atlus, the game initially came out in 2016 and was met with incredible reviews and praise from both fans and critics alike. Persona 5 breathed new air into the Persona franchise, helping it reach mainstream attention. The game was so successful in fact, that it paved the way for several new games and spin-offs to be launched, all within the domain of Persona 5.

From a reimagining and a sequel to tons of spin-off titles, the Persona 5 series does not seem to be slowing down any time soon. Although the initial game boasted a unique blend of RPG elements with turn-based combat, the games that have followed since have taken on new forms, in both art styles and gameplay. With a wide cast of lovable characters, fun gameplay mechanics, and unique takes on the JRPG genre, any game in this series is a treat for fans.

Updated on March 9, 2024 by Ritwik Mitra: Persona 5 is one of the most important games Atlus has ever developed. The immense success this title enjoyed encouraged the studio to put more eggs in the Persona basket than ever before, leading to this JRPG series being well on the way to becoming the best modern series in the genre to date. The immense success of Persona 3 Reload is a by-product of Persona 5’s impact, making it easy to see why so many spin-offs were made for this game that capitalized on its popularity.

Special Mention: Persona 5: The Phantom X

Persona 5: The Phantom X or P5X is an upcoming spin-off of Persona 5 and although the gameplay and style of P5X are very similar to Persona 5, this title sets itself apart from other Persona 5 spin-offs by introducing a brand-new protagonist and a whole new cast of supporting characters all set within the world of Persona 5. Developed by Black Wings Game Studio, P5X is a turn-based RPG and currently does not have a release date. However, it did receive a beta in March 2023, but only in China.

The story follows a new Persona user, code-named Wonder, and the game’s theme this time around is centered around “a lack of desire”. Though Joker and the main cast of Persona 5 are set to feature in P5X, it is yet unclear how relevant will they be to the main story.

6 Persona 5

Broke New Ground For The Series With Its Amazing Presentation And Style

Persona 5 was the original fifth mainline Persona title developed by Atlus and was released in 2016. The events of the game take place in modern-day Tokyo and follow a quirky but quiet high-school protagonist, code-named Joker, who has to transfer schools after getting entangled in a politician scandal. However, Joker’s life becomes even more complicated after moving to Tokyo, as he finds himself at the center of a supernatural conspiracy. Deciding to rebel against those who abuse power, Joker and his group of friends, called the Phantom Thieves, embark on a journey to end corruption and change their world, using their supernatural abilities.

In essence, Persona 5 is a JRPG/dungeon-crawler, with a gameplay focus on turn-based combat, but it also blends in life-simulator elements, which makes the whole game resonate even more with players. On top of excellent gameplay mechanics, the game also boasts stunning visuals, catchy soundtracks, lovable characters, and a well-written narrative, all of which combined make Persona 5 one of the best JRPGs ever made.

5 Persona 5: Dancing In Starlight

A Fun Dancing Game Featuring Many Beloved Tracks From The Series

Set in the vibrant and colorful world of Persona 5, Persona 5 Dancing in Starlight is a spin-off rhythm game that stars the Phantom Thieves as players have never seen them before. The game was released in 2018 and sees players take control of Joker and his friends as they participate in a dance festival within the mysterious Velvet Room. Players dance to several catchy remixes of the highly acclaimed Persona 5 soundtrack.

The game’s energy and vibe, coupled with the characters’ iconic dance performances, create a unique gameplay experience. Players can even unlock various outfits and customize the Phantom Thieves to their liking. On top of the fun rhythmic gameplay, the game also features interactive dialogue which makes the whole experience feel even more immersive.

4 Persona 5 Royal

An Updated Release With Improved Gameplay And A Brand-New Epilogue

Like Persona 4 Golden, Persona 5 Royal is an enhanced version of Persona 5 that builds upon the original in meaningful ways and adds new content for players to enjoy. Released in 2019, Persona 5 Royal is considered to be the definitive version of the installment. It introduces several new characters to the story, of which Kasumi Yoshizawa is a crucial one. Royal also expands upon the original narrative by including new story arcs, events, locations, confidants, and endings, allowing for greater immersion.

The gameplay also received quite a few tweaks and upgrades, the most notable of which is Joker’s grappling hook, which allows for more fluid traversal of the palaces. With improved gameplay, deeper lore, and polished visuals, Persona 5 Royal is bound to offer an enriched and captivating experience for both new and returning players.

3 Persona 5 Strikers

Features A Real-Time Combat System With Musou-Style Gameplay And A Story Revolving Around A Road Trip

Persona 5 Strikers serves as a true sequel to Persona 5 and sees the cast of the original game return for one more adventure of epic proportions. Strikers are set during the summer vacation, following the events of the first game. The Phantom Thieves reunite to embark on a road trip across Japan to enjoy their youth, only for them to discover a new conspiracy is afoot. Strikers retains the feel and vibe of the original game, with its beloved characters, intricate storytelling, and a strong emphasis on the power of friendship and justice.

The game, however, changes the combat system entirely, shifting from a turn-based to an action-oriented/hack-and-slash one. It also introduces new characters, locations, and enemies, which makes the game feel like a fresh new experience. Strikers is an excellent game and a sequel done right, that offers an engaging Persona experience mixed with fast-paced and exhilarating action.

2 Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth

A Crossover Game Featuring Characters From Persona 3, 4, & 5

Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth is not only a Persona 5 spin-off, but also serves as a crossover between Persona 3,4, and 5 in a fantastic and intriguing new adventure. The game is set in a mysterious movie theater, within which the characters from the main games find themselves entrapped. The cast then has to navigate through a series of labyrinths, inspired by various movie genres, while solving puzzles, and engaging in turn-based battles, using their iconic Personas.

On top of boasting charming visuals Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth wonderfully blends the elements of dungeon crawling, character dialogue, humor, and challenging gameplay, which makes this game feel like a celebration of the Persona franchise. The charm of the game lies in the interactions between the casts from each game, which lead to some very entertaining scenarios.

1 Persona 5 Tactica

A Strategic RPG Where The Phantom Thieves Are Mysteriously Transported To A Medieval World

Persona 5 Tactica is an upcoming spin-off of the popular Persona 5 game and is set to release on November 17, 2023. Persona 5 Tactica is being developed by Atlus and Pstudio and will be available on all major platforms upon release. Tactia is set during the event of Persona 5, where one day the Phantom Thieves are hanging out in Café Leblanc before their graduation ceremony when suddenly a strange tremor rocks the place. Upon inspection the group finds themselves transported to a mysterious new medieval world.

There, they meet a new character, named Erina, who rescues the Phantom Thieves from mysterious new enemies and offers them a chance to form an alliance and start a revolution. Persona 5 Tactica is a strategic RPG, that utilizes gameplay mechanics from the core series and offers a brand-new take on the Persona series.