Persona 5 Review

Persona 5 is a game fans have been waiting for, for years. I won't bother going into the same shtick about it we've all heard a hundred times, but it does seem and feel like it was long overdue. That said, the wait was well worth it, as everything from the characters, to the combat, to the style is utterly brilliant.

You start off the game as an unnamed silent protagonist, who's current cannon name is Akira Kurusu, who was recently charged with assault, and forced to into probation and to move to another town to attend a school there. Very quickly after, you meet a few of the longest standing characters for the game and find yourself in the metaverse with one of them. The place turns out to be too dangerous for you and your new friend and you are captured, once it seems like you are both close to death, your character's power as a Persona User awaken, and the 100 hour+ adventure begins. From there you meet a cast of characters from various walks of life, who can become some of the best characters in any RPG, which is fitting given the long play time.

Combat in Persona 5 is probably at it's best, and for the first time in years, it takes some actual effort to get new allies in the form of Persona's since you need to convince them to join you. The mechanic is done wonderfully, although it's a bit played down from previous Shin Megami Tensei games, as long as you are trying to recruit allies. That said, it's still fairly enjoyable and if you aren't looking to make friends but funds or items, as it works perfectly and each Persona says something interesting about their Palace leader when you send them on their way. Also worth mentioning, if you want to regain a former Persona, asking them to join you, or trying to get them to give you something will net you an option that makes it easy to get them back, in case you can't remember the correct choices you need to get them on your side. The style of the combat, the music, everything compliments itself perfectly to make what is not only the best combat in a Persona game, but possibly the best combat in Shin Megami Tensei.

The story of the game is long, but very rewarding, especially towards the end. However as you trek to that long and well earned ending, you are greeted with a cast worth remembering who have some of the best stories that Persona has come up with in a long time, and it's not just playable party members either. Also, the romantic options are more widespread than before so if you want to try for someone outside of your school, or your usual age, that option is there for you, however even if you don't, every character with a voiced line is memorable in their own way and worthy of their time. Fans of the series will notice the little moments to when you meet minor characters with voices from games past. Newcomers will also have a lot to look forward to, as this is probably the best game to start with when trying to get into the franchise.

If I have any complaint that might still stand, it's how part of the ending goes, but that's mostly made up for when you get to have several great character moments that take place towards the middle of it. Overall, the game isn't quite perfect, but there are so few flaws that it's hard to make a case for them, which is slightly ironic if you already know the story of Persona 5. Between great music, great characters, one of the best combat systems, and an ending that only the most cynical and heartless of gamers would have a problem with, Persona 5 does everything it needs to, to stand among the ranks of it's predecessors. My rating for the game is 4.8 out of 5. That in my opinion nearly ties it with Persona 4, and put it just ahead of Persona 3. The game is long, but it's time well spent, and I cannot encourage you enough to do it.