Persona 5 Strikers review⁚ Missing the spark

Persona 5 Strikers⁚ My Unexpected Journey

I went in expecting more of the same Persona 5 magic, but something felt․․․off․ The vibrant energy of the original was muted․ While the gameplay was fun, the story lacked the emotional punch I craved․ It felt like a spin-off, not a true sequel, leaving me wanting more from the characters I’d come to love․ The overall experience felt somewhat hollow despite its enjoyable elements․ I missed that special spark․

First Impressions⁚ A Familiar Yet Different Feel

Picking up Persona 5 Strikers after my extensive playthrough of Persona 5 Royal, I felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me․ The familiar Phantom Thieves, their iconic personas, and the stylish art style immediately transported me back to the velvet-smooth corridors of Mementos․ However, the shift to a musou-style action RPG was immediately apparent․ Gone was the deliberate turn-based combat; in its place was a frantic, almost overwhelming flurry of attacks․ It was exhilarating, chaotic, and initially jarring․ I missed the strategic depth of the original’s battles, the careful planning and execution that defined each encounter․ This new system, while fun in bursts, lacked the same level of satisfying strategic depth I’d grown accustomed to․ The initial charm of seeing my favorite characters in action quickly gave way to a feeling that something crucial was missing ⎯ the thoughtful pacing, the emotional weight, the intricate storytelling that made Persona 5 so special․ The world felt vibrant, but the overall feeling was one of frenetic energy without the soul․

The Action⁚ A Surprisingly Addictive Combat System

Despite my initial reservations, I have to admit, the action combat in Persona 5 Strikers grew on me․ The sheer spectacle of unleashing devastating combos with the Phantom Thieves was undeniably satisfying․ I found myself quickly adapting to the rhythm of the battles, learning to chain attacks, exploit enemy weaknesses, and utilize each character’s unique abilities․ The satisfying “clink” of successful attacks coupled with the vibrant visual effects kept me engaged․ The ability to seamlessly switch between characters mid-battle allowed for dynamic and strategic combat, even if it felt slightly less nuanced than the turn-based system․ There’s a definite adrenaline rush that comes with mowing down hordes of enemies, especially when coordinating attacks with the team․ However, even with the addictive quality, a certain depth was missing․ The battles, while visually impressive and exciting, lacked the strategic depth and thoughtful planning of the original․ It felt more like button-mashing than a truly engaging tactical experience, even with the unique abilities and character combinations at my disposal․ The thrill was fleeting; the satisfaction, less profound․

Exploring the New Setting⁚ Beyond the Familiar

Leaving the familiar streets of Tokyo for a road trip across Japan was initially exciting․ I appreciated the change of scenery; the vibrant summer festivals of Osaka felt like a breath of fresh air compared to the more confined setting of the original game․ Exploring each new city, uncovering its hidden secrets and interacting with its unique residents, provided a welcome change of pace․ However, the novelty wore off relatively quickly․ While each location possessed its own distinct charm, they lacked the same level of depth and detail as the meticulously crafted environments of Persona 5․ They felt more like visually appealing backdrops than fully realized locations․ The side quests in these new cities, while offering some extra lore and character development, felt largely inconsequential to the main plot․ I found myself rushing through them to get back to the main story, a feeling I hadn’t experienced in the original game․ The sense of exploration and discovery, so crucial to Persona 5’s charm, was significantly diminished․ The journey itself felt less meaningful, a series of visually appealing but ultimately shallow stops on a road to a predictable destination․ It lacked the heart and soul of the original’s setting․

The Characters⁚ A Welcome Return and New Faces

Reuniting with the Phantom Thieves was a joy․ Seeing Joker, Morgana, Ann, Ryuji, and the rest of the gang back in action brought a wave of nostalgia․ Their familiar banter and dynamic interactions were a highlight, and I appreciated the opportunity to spend more time with these beloved characters․ However, their development felt somewhat stagnant․ While there were glimpses of growth and new perspectives, it wasn’t the profound character arc I experienced in Persona 5․ They felt more like well-established archetypes than evolving individuals․ The new characters introduced in Strikers, while initially intriguing, ultimately felt underdeveloped․ I found myself struggling to connect with them on the same emotional level as the original cast․ Their motivations often felt shallow, and their backstories lacked the depth and nuance that made the Persona so memorable․ While I enjoyed their presence, they didn’t add much to the overall narrative beyond providing additional combat support․ Their inclusion felt more like a means to expand the roster than a genuine attempt to enrich the story with compelling new personalities․ The lack of truly impactful character development across the board left me feeling a bit unsatisfied, yearning for the deeper emotional connections I forged with the characters in the original game․ The relationships felt less meaningful, less impactful․

Final Verdict⁚ A Worthy Companion, Not a Replacement

Persona 5 Strikers is a fun, action-packed adventure that successfully blends the charm of Persona 5 with a dynamic new combat system․ However, it ultimately falls short of capturing the magic of its predecessor․ The streamlined story, while enjoyable, lacks the emotional depth and impactful narrative moments that defined Persona 5․ The characters, while welcome, felt less developed, and the new additions didn’t quite measure up․ I appreciated the opportunity to revisit the Phantom Thieves and spend more time in their world, but the experience felt more like an extended DLC than a true sequel․ It’s a worthy companion piece, offering a satisfying, albeit shallower, experience․ If you’re a huge Persona 5 fan like I am, you’ll likely find enjoyment in Strikers’ fast-paced action and familiar faces․ However, don’t expect the same level of emotional resonance or narrative depth․ It’s a fun diversion, but it doesn’t replace the original’s unforgettable journey․ My overall feeling is one of mild disappointment, a sense that the potential wasn’t fully realized․ It scratched the itch for more Phantom Thieves, but it didn’t quite ignite the same passion․ Ultimately, it’s a good game, but not a great one, leaving me with a lingering sense of “what could have been”․