Enough time has passed that it is easy to say that Persona 5 is one of the best RPGs ever made. Upon its release, fans and critics alike praised almost all aspects of the game. Almost 10 years old now, Persona 5 still has a growing fan base of people who are only just getting into the beloved saga of the Phantom Thieves of Heart.
What is so great about Persona 5 is that it does not just shine in one particular aspect. The game is so stylized that it manages to be impressive and memorable in all facets. Even among other acclaimed RPGs, Persona 5 stands out as one of the best, for a variety of reasons. It would be impossible to list them all, so here are 10 reasons why Persona 5 proves it’s the best RPG ever made.
The Music is Unforgettable
The Music is Recognizable to Even Some Who Haven’t Played the Game
From the very start of the game, one of the first things that will set the tone of the game is the music. From the first few seconds of “Wake Up, Get Up, Get Out There,” players will understand the quality of the game they are about to play. The music in Persona 5 is some of the most versatile and compelling music of any game.
Related
The Persona Games Timeline Explained
The Persona series is so popular it’s eclipsed its predecessor, but how do all the games fit together in the timeline? Here’s your explanation.
From upbeat and iconic combat tracks like “Last Surprise” to the relaxing music like “Beneath the Mask,” the game is sure to have multiple music tracks stuck in players’ heads for years to come. It is a sign of how beloved the music is, that an entire rhythm game was created for the music of Persona 5. It’s hard to imagine what the game would be like without such an amazing soundtrack, but players don’t have to worry about that and can simply enjoy one of the best soundtracks of any game ever created.
A Fresh Take on Turn-Based Combat
Unique Features Keep Combat From Being Repetitive
Turn-based combat in RPGs has had so many different unique takes that it would seem almost impossible to change the formula anymore. Persona 5 manages to bring such a stylized and energetic flow to combat that players will never get tired of it. All elements of combat work together seamlessly to challenge players while rewarding quick thinking and adaptation.
The persona system that allows players to use different personas in combat encourages experimentation, while also allowing players to find a unique play style. Party members all have their own strengths and weaknesses for players to strategize around. It is hard to find something quite as satisfying as when everything clicks into place, and landing an All-Out-Attack on an enemy to bring the player to the iconic after-battle screen.
Side Characters Have Dynamic Relationships
Players Will Become Attached to Key Characters
Outside of the main party, players meet a wide variety of colorful characters during Persona 5. After some introductions to whom each character is, players will be able to develop relationships with these side characters throughout their time in the game. This can lead to players learning about who they are, why they act the way they do, and even getting to know what truly makes them tick.
Each side character in Persona 5 has their own unique story and journey that players can choose to discover. Some of the best moments the game has to offer are little optional conversations that can happen after spending time with a side character. Players are rewarded with incredible character moments of learning or vulnerability. Players are also rewarded in another way, where gameplay changes from spending time with certain characters.
The Confidant System Rewards Time Well Spent
Character Relationships Affect Gameplay
Players are also encouraged to spend time with characters because of the Confidant System. One of the most unique aspects of the game will grant players different perks for deepening their relationships with other characters. It isn’t merely about spending time with them, but participating in activities they like, and choosing correct dialogue options.
The Confidant System provides many different changes to gameplay that can affect all parts of the game. Certain rewards can give combat advantages, giving players new win conditions, extra EXP, or other combat-specific skills. The Confidant System can also affect gameplay outside of combat, like crafting, skipping low-level battles, and other useful skills. The Confidant System creates a gameplay loop where players want to deepen their relationships with characters, and then use those skills in the rest of the game.
The Phantom Thieves Will Steal Players’ Heart
Persona 5 Has One of the Best Main Parties
The best RPGs of all time are typically held in high regard because of the amazing characters that make up the main party of the game. Persona 5 is no exception, with the Phantom Thieves being one of the best parties of any game. By the end of a playthrough, players will feel as though they made real friends with the members of their party by taking such a journey with them.
The Phantom Thieves each have their own individual traits that make them unique and dynamic. They are all compelling on their own, but also really do feel like a team. Their relationships with each other and the player are compelling to see develop throughout the game, and even more satisfying when they culminate in key points of the story. Watching the characters evolve as friends, partners in combat, and even romantic interests depending on player choices, make the group dynamics feel grounded and realistic.
The Story Is Like None Other
Persona 5’s Story Has a Little Bit of Everything
The story of Persona 5 is a long one, but definitely worth the commitment to experience everything the game has to offer. Full of ups, downs, humor, drama, romance and anything else a great story has. The gripping story is a one-of-a-kind experience that anyone who has played the game can attest is one that shouldn’t be missed. Players laugh, cry and feel almost every emotion during the course of the game because of the excellent writing, and attachment to the characters.
Related
How Atlus Can Fix Their Persona Problem
While they’ve enjoyed massive success in the last few years, Atlus will need to make some major changes to Persona to keep it alive.
Told as an overarching flashback, the story unfolds as players find out why Joker is being interrogated. The twists and turns of the story keep players on the edge of their seats, as character moments keep players invested in the motivations of each character. Some of the best moments of Persona 5 are spoilers, but trust anyone who has played the game to say that the story is one of the best of any RPG.
The Game Has Great Replayability
Players Can Experience Almost an Entirely New Game
Persona 5 is so full of content it is impossible to experience everything in one playthrough. Choices made throughout the game can have very different outcomes. Persona 5 may be a long game, but upon completion, players feel the urge to start the journey all over again to see what they might have missed out on.
Experimenting with new combat strategies can see players experience entirely new ways to play that may have been missed the first time. Spending time with other characters will offer new rewards, and give players more information about characters that may have fallen to the wayside on a first playthrough. The entire experience can feel completely different on repeat playthroughs, something not often found in RPGs.
Mini Games Are More Than Filler
Side Content Matters a Lot
It almost feels like a disservice to label much of the content in Persona 5 as “side content” because of how important it can be. Rather than feeling like a checklist to complete, or fetching items for almost no reason, each piece of content has a bigger purpose. Players have to choose to spend their time wisely, however, as each day will only allow for some activities to be completed during the timeframe.
Jobs can be completed to earn money to purchase equipment or items. Mini-games can increase skills or deepen relationships with Confidants. All of the content in Persona 5 works together to create a well-rounded experience that makes everything feel important. The game makes players feel good for using their time wisely, in a way that quite no other game does.
Boss Fights Are Epic Confrontations
Each Boss Builds Up to a Deserving Showdown
The core gameplay loop of Persona 5 revolves around the Phantom Thieves finding a target and successfully stealing their heart. Each target has their own mind palace that reflects their true personalities, and worst qualities. Raiding a palace will result in a final boss fight at the end with the target themselves. The boss fights themselves have unique mechanics that players will need to learn to take down their foe.
Related
Persona 6 Should Let Players Choose the Main Character
Atlus should break series trends with Persona 6 and go all-in on letting players choose aspects of their protagonist.
Each target has their own story and dynamic with the Phantom Thieves, as well as other side characters. The game manages to give players some of the most despicable people to confront. After learning about each target and experiencing their palace, players will understand why they need to be stopped and will take immense pride in personally sending them a calling card.
The Royal Edition Adds Even More Content
Persona 5 Royal is Almost a Different Game
As if Persona 5 couldn’t get enough already with the spin-off titles, Atlas released the Royal Edition of the game. The Royal Edition is more than just a flashy title, adding more story to the game, changing key aspects of gameplay, and adding a new Phantom Thief to the crew. There is even a nifty grappling hook for Joker that completely transforms the way players can traverse environments.
Even for those who have played the original game multiple times, the Royal Edition is different enough that it feels like a new experience. An entire new semester is set at the end of the game, complete with a new palace. The new Phantom Thief creates an entirely new dynamic within the team and their own unique story with it. Even some mechanics are tweaked, like the way guns function during combat, fixing some complaints fans had with the original game. Royal Edition is more than just additional content, but Persona 5 is so perfect as to solidify its place as one of the best RPGs ever.
RPG
Dungeon Crawler
Adventure
- Released
-
September 15, 2016
- ESRB
-
m
- Developer(s)
-
Atlus
- Publisher(s)
-
Atlus
