Although this game has had a fairly large fanbase since release, Persona 5 has recently skyrocketed in popularity and publicity. It's a phenomenal JRPG that removes many of the obnoxious tendencies normally associated with the genre, and replaces them with enjoyable mechanics that make the gameplay actually fun. I recently started this game, and I am finished with the second major dungeon, progressing towards the third. About eighteen hours in, I can say that this game is a ton of fun, and will likely end up being one of my favorites. The plot is riveting, the characters are fantastic, THE SOUNDTRACK OOOO BOI, the battling is quick and easy to understand, and the visual design is probably the best I've seen in a game. Have you played Persona 5? Do you plan on getting it? What are your thoughts? Is it overrated? If so, is it still worth playing?
I've been olaying the game for a while now (I've had it for a few months, but never really finished it). I've decided to get back into the game since I was already far into it. I had a ton of fun while playing, and I can fairly say it's one of my favorites. Sadly, I've come across an issue. You see, I just finished the 6th Dungeon. And before I knew what happened, my PS4 suddenly died. It just decided to stop working and it refuses to turn on. I can no longer finish what I started, but I guess it ain't the end of the world.
I wouldn't say P5 was overrated, although it is far away from being the best JRPG of all time, or even one of the better ones in the grand scheme of things. It's a comfortable mid-level experience: one you can play comfortably and will probably enjoy, but could just as easily do without because there are so many that are so much better than it, and if you've played any turn-based RPG in the past you will be getting nothing new by playing this. I play a lot of JRPGs, and Persona 5 does absolutely nothing I haven't seen before, and I can name several games that are better than it both in individual aspects such as gameplay and soundtrack and overall. A lot of P5's perceived quality definitely comes solely from the brand name recognition and the media circus surrounding it. It has some severe pacing issues at times, some horribly designed dungeons that quickly become a chore to navigate, a narrative that fluctuates wildly in quality and is generally predictable, and the combat is functional but not exceptional. It's a well-made game to be sure, because it doesn't do anything wrong, but it's not an essential experience. There's nothing about Persona 5 that makes it better than other RPGs. It never goes above and beyond to become an unforgettable, unique, or even noteworthy experience. This is by no means a bad thing, because there are plenty of RPGs out there of a significantly lower quality, but...well, there are so many that are better. I think it deserves recognition for not falling into some easy pitfalls that many RPGs do, but it doesn't deserve praise for meeting a minimum standard of quality. Tales of Berseria outclasses P5 in pretty much every department, to name one game on the same system for an easy comparison, and there are plenty of turn-based titles that, whilst they might not be as visually striking, are superior to P5 in pretty much every other way. P5 is honestly formulaic and bordering on stale underneath those stylish visuals, because when you break it down those visuals are all it has to set itself apart from the rest of the pack. I suppose all this sounds very negative, but I should say that I did enjoy my time with Persona 5. I had fun whilst I was playing it, and maybe that's all that really matters when it comes to judging the quality of a game - a good game is one you enjoy. But a great game is one that provides an experience that you won't forget, and Persona 5 definitely was not that for me. If I remember this game, it will be for the wrong reasons - those times that I didn't enjoy it. So, yeah. A good game, but not a great one. I've played worse, but I've played much, much better. It's a huge step up from Persona 4, though. This is basically everything P4 isn't: the cast is mostly likeable - and none of them are overtly offensive the way that Yosuke was - the aesthetics are much more appealing, the soundtrack doesn't make me want to tear out my ears, and it's generally enjoyable and well-presented despite the occasional slowdown in the narrative and tedious dungeons. How Persona went from that steaming pile of garbage to this is beyond my ability to understand. It made the Persona series worth playing, at least. In the confines of the franchise it's the best one Atlus have made yet. In the world of JRPGs, though, it's a slightly better than average game.
I still need to finish P5, but I'm at the last or second last dungeon. I haven't played it for a while since I play it in bursts but I love playing it when I do decide is time to make some progress. The music is the best part of the game I think, I absolutely love the music. Is it overrated? The game itself, no. I don't think it is. The memes that have spawned from it? Yes.
Seeing different opinions on the Persona series (or any game series) has been so interesting because different players appreciate different aspects of each entry. What could be an average experience for one person could be something amazing for another. My view on this game is a bit biased since I’m a sucker for urban fantasy, so keep that in mind. For me, the main appeal of the Persona spin off series is the urban setting and flexibility in how you manage time. You get one year and you have to decide whether to increase your social stats, improve confidants with characters, or go to the latest dungeon. 4 pushed this by allowing the player to have large chunks of the year not have any sort of required story dungeon. For some, this ruined the game’s pacing. Personally, I liked the gaps since they allowed me to relax and become mire accustomed to the setting and cast. Thankfully, 5 created a middle ground by having every month contain at least one major story event. 5’s soundtrack sets a better mood than it’s predecessors, but I prefer 3 and 4 for having more vocal tracks. When I think “Persona music” catchy vocal tracks always come to mind. Rivers in the Desert, Last Surprise, Beneath the Mask, The Whims of Fate, and Life Will Change are still fantastic though. I’m surprised it took Atlus so long to incorporate the negotiation system from the mainline Shin Megami Tensei games into their spinoff. They could’ve removed the luck based elements, but it’s still a great inclusion for the variety. I loved the game’s underlying message about thinking for yourself in the face of large scale events. It’s very much needed in today’s climate. Like the rest of the series, most of this game’s universe is loosely based on Jungian Psychology (with a lot of creative freedom). Until I did some research on the subject, most of this game’s plot made very little sense. If they included more context, I think the story would have been more engaging for a lot of people. As for the massive increase in popularity, I wish more people would acknowledge the series it came from. It may lack the social simulator, but most of what makes Persona great is here too. Despite playing many other JRPs, I’d still put Persona 4 and 5 at the top. They’re far from perfect, but I love what they have to offer.
I'll be giving this game an in-depth review in the near future, but I'd like to share a few more thoughts on it. Spoilers ahead Spoiler HOO BOY First off, Sojiro is probably my favorite character. You can tell that he has pre-concieved notions on Joker before meeting him, and those are blown up instantly, but he keeps his guard up. He tries to display a hardened single man, but he is really gooey and kind inside. Once Futaba has a change of heart, Sojiro becomes an even better character. I wouldn't say there is exceptional development here, but I will say it is nice seeing somebody open up over time. Time Mechanics Most games with these have scared me away, namely Majora's Mask. However, time in this game never feels urgent unless you completely procrastinate. There is plenty of time to do whatever you want. My biggest complaint is Morgana forcing me to bed when I want to do something else. Soundtrack Its difficult for me to truly love certain soundtracks. However, I am a big fan of jazz, and the acid jazz feel of most of the ost really makes me happy. If fits the mood of the game so well, while also sounding fantastic. My one complaint here is a lack of diverse every day tracks. I'd like to have a couple more in P5R, if possible. Also, the final boss theme is nice so yeah. Last thing: Morgana's farewell should have stayed permanent, imo. However, it is what it is and I'm glad to have him back at the end.
Okay. I Did Not Play The Game (I See The Walkthrough) And It Is Awesome. I Was Introduced To The Game By RelaxAlex The Youtuber When He Fall In Love + Joker At Smash. The Music Is Awesome And Can I Said This..."I Want To Get That Morgana!" (With The Fact I Keep Forget To Draw It.) Spoiler Morgana Is The Talking Cat In The Game And In The End, Its Metaverse Forme Disappear When The Party Finally Beat The God Of Control
