Persona 5

A case study in style over substance, not helped by a grating localization. Doesn't know what to do with its themes of oppression or societal pressure, and is muddled as a result.

50 hours in and I've completed 3 of 9 palaces

it's cool but god damn the characters are not interesting enough for this to be worth it

Persona 5 is a fantastic game that combines life simulation and visual novel with JRPG combat mechanics. I actually think that the game is a life sim first and RPG second, but its really the way that they two interact that make the game as enticing as it is.

You play as a high schooler forced to move schools since he was wrongly accused of a crime. In this new setting you learn to make new friends or bounds, and discover an alternate dimension that allows you to change individuals hearts (or minds really). Its an interesting setting that allows to explore a lot of themes, including justice, morality and crime. Even more so, the game is really well written and its easy to roped along in finding more about its colourful cast of characters.

The RPG side of things and combat is also great. There is a lot of depth to discover, which needs to be used on higher difficulties, but on normal the game is an easy ride for the most part. Its monster collecting elements are addictive, as well as fusing personas. The turn based combat is very snappy, quick to get to the point and with satisfying animations.

Visually and sonically the game as a very upbeat and eye catching style. Just moving through the menus is a delight for the eyes, and its stylish cartoon look is basically ageless.

This game basically excells in all of its components, with perhaps just being a bit exhausting due to its lenghty run time (the royal edition makes this worst, even if the new content is excellent). But more than its individual parts, its really how the stylish visuals combine effortlessly with a very memorable cast of characters, how the tight combat doesnt get in the way of the plot, and how the huge amount of side content never feels too much because there is enough time in one playthrough to explore everything at your own pace.

I will always thank this game for introducing me to the Shin Megami Tensei franchise. At the time thought this was a masterpiece. But leaves a surprisingly bad taste. Having played other SMT games, I gotta say this is easily one of the weakest entries. And wastes a lot of potential.

I bought Royal for the switch some time ago. But I cannot get myself to play it. Thinking back to the game, there definitely are some amazing moments and elements. But there is so much annoying, arbitrary and useless things I doubt ill ever replay this. Its immensely easy, especially for SMT standards (all persona games are very easy tho). The story paces like a salted snail. Bad character development, annoying characters and just a bad hero's journey.

The style tho is amazing, nothing new there. The game will always be a treat to look at. Though I think the OST is highly overrated, its still great and fits the game perfectly.

The reason I think this game is rated so highly is because its most peoples first SMT game (I mean, mine too), and SMT games are just amazing in general. But I also feel like its their only SMT game. The more SMT games you play, the more you'll see how quite uninteresting and uninspired Persona 5 is. Definitely not a rant about the score, everybody has their opinion, but I wish people knew how much other amazing games the SMT franchise has to offer, as it is criminally underrated and overlooked (besides Persona 5).

Good and especially fun, but too much annoyances and missed opportunities to be part of a conversation about best games of all time, where it is surprisingly often mentioned.

TLDR: Play more SMT games people, they are amazing.

If you've played this game or dropped out after sinking an unbelievable amount of time and couldn't handle it anymore you're not wrong for doing so. This game has so much useless dialogue, time wasting animations, and flirts with really dark themes but doesn't fully commit to them. Yet, it's one of the best games I've had the joy to play. When the credits finally rolled, I was so happy it was over, but sad I would likely never pick it up again.

Unbelievably enjoyable story. I can personally barely handle visual media of any form for longer than a couple hours at a time, so the fact that I was not ever bored in this 130 hour masterpiece says a lot. Highly recommend!