Persona 5 Strikers

Lore & Background

Persona 5 Strikers is a gameplay crossover between Koei Tecmo's hack-and-slash Dynasty Warriors series and Atlus' role-playing Persona series. It features real-time action combat from the former and the Persona-battling aspect of the latter. The protagonist Joker can wield multiple Personas gained through random drops or by defeating named mini-bosses in dungeons, which can be fused in the Velvet Room. The Confidant system from Persona 5 is absent, replaced by Requests (side-quests) and the BOND system, where increasing its level grants bonuses such as stat increases through interacting with party members, winning battles, and progressing the story. Players form an active party of up to four members, with Joker always present; outside battle, active members can be swapped with standby members. Only Joker is controllable in the real world, but any party member can be controlled in story dungeons. Dungeon exploration uses stealth and puzzles, with the 'Third Eye' highlighting enemy strength and interactive objects. An alert meter forces the party to leave the dungeon if it reaches 100%, and can be lowered by surprise attacks or leaving. Battles are initiated on contact, with surprise attacks granting advantage; combat is real-time but uses a command-based skills menu that pauses the game. Critical or weakness damage can knock down enemies for an 'All-Out Attack'. Party members gain Master Arts by controlling them manually and defeating enemies. A game over occurs if all active party members are knocked out.

Reader's Guide

Persona 5 Strikers serves as a direct narrative sequel to Persona 5, taking place four months after its events and following Joker and the Phantom Thieves as they investigate mysterious events across Japan involving Jails—alternate versions of real locations ruled by Monarchs. The game introduces new characters such as Sophia, a sentient AI, and Zenkichi Hasegawa, a police officer who blackmails the Thieves into helping his investigation. The plot involves the EMMA app, which enables entry into Jails, and explores themes of desire and control through the AI Demiurge. The game's legacy lies in its successful fusion of two distinct gameplay styles—Dynasty Warriors' action and Persona's role-playing mechanics—while maintaining the series' signature social and narrative depth. Its sales of over 2 million units by November 2023 indicate strong commercial reception, and it received generally positive reviews from critics. The absence of the Confidant system and time management, replaced by the BOND system and Requests, marks a notable departure from previous Persona entries, allowing for more streamlined progression. The game also retains the 'Third Eye' and stealth elements from Persona 5, bridging the two franchises' mechanics.

Did You Know?

• Persona 5 Strikers is a crossover between Koei Tecmo's Dynasty Warriors series and Atlus' Persona series.
• The game sold over 2 million units by November 2023.
• The protagonist Joker can control multiple Personas gained from random drops or named mini-bosses.