As the franchise prepares for its anniversary this year, Persona is making a strong start with Persona 5 Strikers. After the year-long wait for Strikers' western release, the action-RPG twist to Persona 5's foundation releases in the west this February. One unique aspect of Persona 5 Strikers is the combat system, and the ability to quick-swap between any four Phantom Thieves, each with their own unique move set of attacks and Personas.
The latest trailer from Atlus West showcases the unique combat capabilities of each Phantom Thief in Persona 5 Strikers, highlighting each character's unique attack style. Whether it's the adaptive fast-and-loose style of Joker, the close-range beat 'em up style of Queen, or the ranged magic focus of Panther, each Phantom Thief's fighting style suits a different method of combat.
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Providing a montage of all the Phantom Thieves in action, the latest Strikers trailer provides a vertical slice of each character's move set and style. Players can pick and choose their team at will from the seven iconic characters (and two additional Phantom Thieves, new to Strikers). Each member of the Phantom Thieves illustrates a different style of combat, whether it's the Vergil-style Iaijutsu move set of Yusuke, to the heavy-hitting and wide-sweeping axe attacks from Haru.
Additionally, hints throughout the montage showcase the various jails that players will be exploring throughout Strikers' story. Though larger in scope compared to the original Persona 5's palaces, the various Jails (dungeons) throughout the game emulate the visual styles from the original game.
As for the reason for the Phantom Thieves' return, Persona 5 Strikers introduces a new Metaverse full of corrupted individuals distorting society's desires. Taking place a few months after the end of Persona 5, not Persona 5 Royal, the retired Thieves reconvene for summer vacation.
Just as the group makes their summer plans, the Phantom Thieves discover a new corruption has swept across Japanese society. It's up to them to rise up once more and journey across Japan to discover the secrets of the "Jails," and who is orchestrating the changes of heart across the country.
In Game Rant's preview of Persona 5 Strikers, this follow-up to Persona 5 is already showing great promise. The interesting mix between Musou-style combat mechanics, and the usual framework of Personas and elemental affinities, plays a lot like an action-RPG with Dynasty Warriors roots. This trailer offers just a glimpse of the hectically satisfying action combat coming to Persona 5 Strikers this February.
Persona 5 Strikers releases on February 23, 2021, for PC, PS4, and Nintendo Switch.
