Persona 5 Strikers: Nintendo Switch Review & Gameplay

Hey guys! Ready to dive into the world of Persona 5 Strikers on the Nintendo Switch? If you're a fan of the Persona series or just looking for an action-packed RPG to play on your Switch, you're in for a treat. Let's break down what makes this game a must-have for your collection. I will cover everything you need to know, from gameplay to graphics, so you can decide if it's the right fit for you. Buckle up, because we're about to steal some hearts!

What is Persona 5 Strikers?

Persona 5 Strikers isn't your typical Persona game. While it continues the story of the Phantom Thieves after the events of Persona 5, it blends the world and characters you love with the gameplay style of Dynasty Warriors. This combination creates a unique action RPG experience that's both familiar and fresh. You'll be battling hordes of enemies, exploring new locations, and unraveling a new mystery that threatens to corrupt the hearts of people across Japan. The game retains the stylish visuals, engaging story, and beloved characters from Persona 5, while introducing real-time combat that keeps you on your toes. If you enjoyed the turn-based battles of the original, don't worry; Strikers still incorporates strategic elements like exploiting enemy weaknesses and utilizing Persona abilities, but it does so in a fast-paced, action-oriented way. For those new to the series, Persona 5 Strikers offers an accessible entry point, though understanding the story and character dynamics from Persona 5 definitely enriches the experience. Whether you're a seasoned Phantom Thief or a newcomer, Strikers promises an unforgettable adventure.

Gameplay: Action Meets Strategy

At its heart, Persona 5 Strikers delivers a thrilling blend of action and strategy. Unlike the turn-based combat of Persona 5, Strikers throws you into real-time battles against hordes of enemies. You'll be hacking and slashing your way through Shadows, using the Phantom Thieves' acrobatic skills to traverse environments, and strategically exploiting enemy weaknesses.

The gameplay loop is incredibly engaging. You'll explore vibrant and detailed locations, each filled with secrets to uncover and enemies to defeat. As you progress, you'll unlock new abilities, upgrade your Personas, and strengthen your bonds with your teammates. This constant sense of progression keeps you motivated to push forward and tackle even the most challenging encounters. One of the key elements of the gameplay is the Persona system. Just like in Persona 5, you can collect and fuse Personas to create powerful new allies. Each Persona has its own unique skills and abilities, allowing you to customize your combat style and adapt to different situations. Experimenting with different Persona combinations is a rewarding experience that adds depth and replayability to the game. Strikers also retains the social simulation aspects of Persona 5, albeit in a streamlined form. You'll spend time with your teammates, strengthening your bonds and unlocking new abilities. These moments of camaraderie provide a welcome respite from the intense action and help to flesh out the characters and their relationships. If you're a fan of action RPGs with a strategic twist, Persona 5 Strikers will definitely scratch that itch. The fast-paced combat, combined with the deep Persona system and engaging story, makes for a truly addictive experience.

Graphics and Performance on Nintendo Switch

Now, let's talk about how Persona 5 Strikers looks and runs on the Nintendo Switch. Given the Switch's hardware limitations compared to other platforms, there are naturally some trade-offs, but overall, the game holds up remarkably well. The first thing you'll notice is the vibrant and stylish art direction, which remains faithful to the original Persona 5. The character models are well-detailed, the environments are colorful and varied, and the user interface is sleek and intuitive. The game's visual flair is definitely one of its strong points, and it manages to capture the essence of the Persona series on the Switch. However, there are some compromises in terms of resolution and texture quality. The game runs at a lower resolution than on other platforms, which can result in some noticeable aliasing and blurriness, especially in handheld mode. The textures are also less detailed, which can make some environments look a bit flat.

In terms of performance, Persona 5 Strikers generally runs smoothly, but there are occasional frame rate drops, especially during intense battles with lots of enemies on screen. These drops can be distracting, but they don't happen frequently enough to ruin the experience. The game is still perfectly playable, and the fast-paced action keeps you engaged despite the occasional hiccup. One thing to keep in mind is that the game's loading times can be a bit long, especially when transitioning between areas. This is a common issue on the Switch, but it's something to be aware of. Overall, the graphics and performance of Persona 5 Strikers on the Nintendo Switch are a mixed bag. While the game looks great in terms of art direction and style, it does suffer from some technical limitations. However, the compromises are worth it to have this fantastic game on a portable platform. If you're willing to overlook some visual shortcomings, you'll be rewarded with a fantastic action RPG experience.

Story and Characters

Persona 5 Strikers continues the captivating narrative of the Phantom Thieves, delivering a compelling story filled with twists, turns, and emotional moments. Set a few months after the events of Persona 5, the game sees Joker and his friends reuniting for a summer vacation. However, their plans are quickly derailed when a series of mysterious incidents begin to occur across Japan. People are having their desires stolen, and the Phantom Thieves are called upon to investigate. As they delve deeper into the mystery, they uncover a sinister plot involving corrupted individuals known as Monarchs, who are using distorted desires to control the masses. The Phantom Thieves must travel to different cities, infiltrate Jails (the game's equivalent of Palaces), and defeat the Monarchs to restore justice. The story is well-paced and engaging, with plenty of surprises and heartwarming moments. It explores themes of justice, freedom, and the power of friendship, which are all hallmarks of the Persona series. The characters are also well-developed and relatable, and their interactions are a highlight of the game. The Phantom Thieves have a strong bond, and their camaraderie is infectious. You'll laugh, cry, and cheer alongside them as they overcome challenges and grow as individuals. One of the great things about Persona 5 Strikers is that it gives each member of the Phantom Thieves a chance to shine. Each character has their own unique skills and abilities, and they all play an important role in the story. The game also introduces new characters, such as Sophia, an AI companion who joins the Phantom Thieves on their journey. Sophia is a lovable and quirky character who adds a fresh dynamic to the group. If you're a fan of story-driven games with memorable characters, Persona 5 Strikers will not disappoint. The game's narrative is both compelling and emotional, and it will keep you hooked from beginning to end.

Is Persona 5 Strikers on Nintendo Switch Worth It?

So, the big question: Is Persona 5 Strikers worth buying on the Nintendo Switch? Absolutely! Despite some minor graphical and performance limitations, the game delivers an outstanding action RPG experience that's perfect for on-the-go gaming. The blend of Dynasty Warriors-style combat with Persona's strategic elements is a winning formula. The story is captivating, the characters are lovable, and the gameplay is addictive. The game's portability is a huge plus. Being able to take the Phantom Thieves with you wherever you go is a game-changer. Whether you're commuting to work, traveling on a plane, or just relaxing at home, you can always jump into the world of Persona 5 Strikers and steal some hearts. The game's replay value is also high. With multiple difficulty levels, unlockable content, and a deep Persona system, there's always something new to discover. You can spend hours experimenting with different Persona combinations, completing side quests, and challenging yourself to beat the game on the hardest difficulty. If you're a fan of the Persona series, Persona 5 Strikers is a must-have. It's a fantastic sequel that expands on the original game's story and characters, while also offering a fresh and exciting gameplay experience. Even if you're new to the series, Strikers is a great entry point. The game is accessible and easy to pick up, but it also has enough depth to keep you engaged for hours on end. Overall, Persona 5 Strikers on the Nintendo Switch is a fantastic game that's well worth the investment. It's a must-have for fans of action RPGs, and it's a great addition to any Switch library. So, what are you waiting for? Join the Phantom Thieves and start stealing some hearts!