Persona 5: The Phantom X – Ongoing Review

Sure, here’s my take on reworking that text. Let’s dive right in.

—

So, you ever get that feeling like, hmm, how do I say this? Like, when someone takes a game you really love and spins it into something new, and you’re thinking, “Can they keep the magic?” I mean, that’s where I was with Persona spin-offs, especially with Persona 5: The Phantom X. It’s like they took the best puzzle and twisted it around—still not sure if it’s genius or just… confusing? But, hey, here we are.

The moment you fire it up, with those beautifully drawn cutscenes (seriously, they’re like eye-candy) and that killer soundtrack, right off the bat, it feels like, oh yeah, this is Persona. And just when you’re vibing with it, boom, in comes the mobile gacha thing. It’s like I can already sense the “endless grind” lurking around the corner. Why do I do this to myself? No idea, but it’s kind of addictive.

Now, this isn’t about Joker (ugh, can be a bummer, right?), but a new character whose shoes you step into—Nagisa Kamisiro. And yes, the option to pick your name is there if “Nagisa” isn’t your thing. Suddenly, an owl (yep, an owl!) named Lufel swoops in, and everything goes from zero to chaos. Now you’re battling despair left, right, and center in some shadowy mind realm. Again, very Persona-esque. It’s like déjà vu, but with a twist? Maybe?

Anyway, picture bouncing between Tokyo’s bustling life and this mind-bending Metaverse. You’re learning to duke it out with style, shifting between studies, a part-time job, and saving the world. No pressure, right? The game sticks so closely to its roots it feels familiar—even without bringing anything new to the table. Yet, there’s comfort in that.

Now, let’s talk people. The cast? They’re the hook here, I swear. Motoha Arai, baseball fanatic? Check. Kayo and her hubby goals? Absolutely charming. Tomoko Noge? Adorable. And Lufel—this owl’s vocabulary is a whole thing. Like, why an owl? But somehow, it just works its charm on you.

You’ll spend your days as Kamisiro doing the mundane—perfectly capturing that slice of life in Tokyo. There’s something about standing under Shibuya’s lights with the masses and feeling the city’s pulse—I can almost hear Shibuya’s chaos as I write this. Making shopping lists, working at the corner store—who knew saving the world came with mundane life admin?

Combat? Oh boy, here we go. You’re rolling up on monsters with a style that’s totally Persona 5, elemental weaknesses and all. It’s that classic, addictive cycle of picking who attacks when—definitely keeps things fresh, and those enemy designs never fail to surprise. And let’s talk interfaces—so extra, so Persona—and the music, it never gets old. Lyn Inaizumi? Take a bow.

Oh, but the gacha mechanics. Yikes. I mean, I’m ten hours in, no roadblocks yet, but you just know they’re coming, like a freight train of microtransactions ready to hit. Ugh, corporate greed is real, folks.

However, what nags me most? The Phantom X is like staring into a mirror reflecting Persona 5—missing that new angle, you know? Sticking too close feels like missed potential, like copying a brilliant painting instead of creating a new masterpiece. The story so far is good, no doubt, but can it really stand on its own? Who knows. Just, fingers crossed here.

Anyway, that’s my first dive into Persona 5: The Phantom X. Still loads to look into, especially those upgrade systems. Can this game break out of Persona 5’s shadow? No clue yet—but hey, only one way to find out. Stay tuned.