🎮 Thoughts: Persona 5

Credit: P-Studio, ATLUS

Disclaimer: These thoughts are entirely my own!

Total hours played: 139 (2 full playthroughs)

Oh, Persona 5. Where do I even begin with this game? First of all, I adore it. Truly. No matter what my friends say (“Jasmine has a love-hate relationship with this game”,and yes, I’ll get to that later).

I was at a friend’s place one day when he had the game running on his PlayStation 4. I’d never played any of the Persona games before (or any ATLUS titles, for that matter). So when I saw it, my jaw dropped. It was the menu design that did it for me. The bold red, white, and black color palette immediately grabbed my attention. I kept asking him to pause the game just so I could stare at the menu design (he was probably a little fed up with me by the end of it). It also didn’t help that I recognized the Japanese voice actors! I’ve been a huge fan of them for as long as I can remember.

It’s clear this game doesn’t just have a distinct style, it has a rebellious identity. Each character’s Persona was unique to their story arc (and they all looked incredibly cool, too). The music also has a fun and energetic atmosphere to it, keeping you on your toes. Safe to say, my first impression of Persona 5 started on a high note.

Some spoilers ahead so if you’re planning on playing the game, don’t say I didn’t warn you!

The Art Direction 🎨

Persona 5’s main menu

The opening intro animation is extremely stylistic and sets the mood of the tone immediately. Again, here’s where the intensity of the red-white-black color scheme comes in. Combining with the 3D camera movement and 2D character animation, the opening sequence perfectly captures the game’s aesthetic. Each character is animated with distinct expressions, brought to life by the jazzy, upbeat soundtrack. It’s energetic, fast-paced, and unpredictable, all themes that define Persona 5.

Then comes the train. It’s seemingly one of the main motifs of the game, which makes perfect sense given the story’s urban setting. The main menu moves fluidly with each button press, and the shifting color blocks animate like a living comic strip, making navigation feel playful and alive. Right from the start, it’s clear how interactive and visually dynamic the game is. The limited color palette only adds to the dramatic flair. The bold red representing the hearts the Phantom Thieves aim to steal, while the black and white symbolize contrasting views on “truth” (is the truth ever really black and white?), a theme central to Persona 5’s story.

Even before you see the characters in full detail on the main menu, their distinct silhouettes make them instantly recognizable. The use of silhouette and high contrast is a visual signature unique to Persona, and to other ATLUS titles as well (see Catherine). The stylistic choices are so bold and consistent that you can immediately tell: this is an ATLUS game.

The balance between 3D and 2D animation makes the game’s visual experience feel both unique and genuinely fun. Subtle yet impactful 2D effects (like the background voice lines or the stylized footstep splatters in the Metaverse) are sprinkled throughout action-packed scenes, adding personality and reinforcing the game’s rebellious, youthful energy. I particularly love how the P-Studio team incorporated elements of urban visual design into the game, especially through the use of graffiti-style typography. Even more impressive is how the cut-out letter style (a nod to the Phantom Thieves’ Calling Cards) is woven into nearly every menu screen. It’s a clever, cohesive design choice that ties the entire art direction together in a beautifully and dramatically fun way.

The Menu Mechanics 🔎

This is the reason I got pulled into the game in the first place. The sheer beauty of Persona 5’s menus deserves every bit of praise it has received. The snappy yet smooth transitions between screens work seamlessly with the bold color palette and expressive typography. It continues to masterfully play with halftone, silhouette, and contrast, using patterns and iconography that clearly communicate the purpose of each menu screen. And yes, the game still uses red, white, and black as its primary color palette, but every character also has a signature color. So changing the accent colors depending on which character or purpose the menu serves? Genius. The colors immediately signal what type of menu you’re on, even before you read a single word. You always know exactly where the cursor is, thanks to the flickering shapes and color changes. Negative space and depth are used brilliantly throughout the composition to help tell the story.

You might think that all the patterns, colors, and visuals would be overwhelming, but instead, each menu feels like a work of art. Every screen is thoughtfully designed and full of motion, making the UI feel just as alive and engaging as the world itself. The bold movements and visuals make perfect sense for the game’s overall theme!

The SOUND 🎶

The jazz elements in the music are a lot of fun and make exploring the maps and playing the game more engaging. They set the mood of the game well; laid-back when you’re in the real world exploring and building up relationships with your party, but also bringing in the action when you’re in the Metaverse fighting personas. It makes sneaking around the map more exciting and gets your heart racing. The music and sound design make the rebellious nature of the Phantom Thieves feel heroic. You’re saving the world, but you don’t want to get caught doing it. It perfectly captures the essence of the characters and the story as a whole.

Shout out to the genius who added that slap sound when you hit the menu, perfectly paired with Joker’s hand front and center. Other subtle audio touches, like the charm-like clinking when navigating menus or scrolling through your phone, really tie the game together. These details keep the player energized and immersed as they play.

The GAMEPLAY 🗡️

*sigh* I guess this is where I circle back to the love-hate relationship I mentioned at the start. This was my first Persona game (actually, my first Shin Megami Tensei game) so I had nothing to compare it to. All I knew going in was that it was supposed to be good, based on the very pixelated japanese gameplay I glanced at before I downloaded the game. For my first ATLUS game, Persona 5 was the perfect introduction. It opens with an action-packed sequence that doubles as the tutorial; a moment the game eventually loops back to as the story unfolds chronologically. I’ve always loved those “how did we get here?” setups, and this one pulled me in right away.

Persona 5’s turn-based gameplay

One thing I didn’t fully realize until I encountered my first enemy was that Persona 5 is a turn-based game. I don’t think I’d ever played a major turn-based title before, so I wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy that style of gameplay. Up until this point, all the games I’d played used real-time combat, but I knew I couldn’t judge turn-based mechanics without actually giving them a shot.

Surprise, surprise, Persona 5 made me realize I’m just not a fan of turn-based games. At all. I find the sequential attack system slows down the overall gameplay in a way that doesn’t quite click with me. While Persona 5 does include some strategic elements, I quickly learned that progressing through battles didn’t always require much thought. Personally, I prefer fast-paced, real-time strategy where I have to make quick decisions on the fly. I lost count of how many times I used my turn as nothing more than a glorified pause menu. Knowing the game wouldn’t progress unless I moved the joystick and made a decision didn’t add to the immersive factor I subconsciously desire as a gamer.

My first play-through was extremely frustrating (though I’ll admit, part of that was on me). The latter part of the game felt especially drawn out, mostly because you’re required to push through all of Mementos, which becomes pretty repetitive over time. To make things more frustrating, the final boss area is littered with heavy-hitting opponents. If you go in under-leveled (like I did), you’re stuck spending hours only being able to farm high-level enemies right before the final fight, which really killed the momentum for me. I can’t count the number of late nights I rage-quit after getting one-shotted by the boss, sometimes 40 minutes into the fight, because I’d run out of HP and SP during the prep phase. It was so frustrating, I didn’t touch the game again for nearly a year.

My second play-through was slightly better as I spent the whole game preparing for the final boss. But to be honest, it still wasn’t that fun. Persona 5 doesn’t have particularly high replay value (unless you’re in it to romance another character, which, fair enough). And since turn-based gameplay doesn’t do much for me, I found the experience pretty dull the second time around. But hey, I beat the final boss without dying, so that’s a win, I suppose.

Relationship building with Ann

All that being said, I still genuinely enjoyed Persona 5. One of the elements I really appreciated was the constant push-and-pull between exploring Palaces and spending time in the real world. The game integrates its in-game timeline in a compelling way. You’re always making decisions about how to spend your time, and those choices directly impact your combat effectiveness. It adds a layer of strategic depth that makes the overall experience feel more immersive and thoughtful. This is something that, in my opinion, was lacking in the actual combat gameplay. You really do feel like you’re living the life of a student through the protagonist, whether it be attending class, hanging out with friends, picking up part-time jobs, or squeezing in a late-night workout. The way time passes in the game keeps you engaged, making even the mundane feel meaningful. That sense of rhythm and realism was a huge part of what kept me engaged.

Exploring the Palaces is also a lot of fun. The dialogue that pops up as you move through the map adds personality and gives subtle cues about how your party is doing, bringing their dynamics to life. On-screen elements, like alerts for nearby hiding spots or when you're about to be spotted, serve as helpful prompts without being intrusive. I really appreciate how these UI elements are thoughtfully designed; they’re clear and informative, but never clutter the frame.

The Storytelling 📖

Persona 5’s story is genuinely compelling. You play as the protagonist, who moves to Tokyo after being forced to leave his small town due to rumors about his “bad” behavior. One day, an unfamiliar app appears on the protagonist’s phone, along with a talking cat, and everything starts to change. As the story unfolds, you meet and befriend other characters who, like you, don’t quite fit into society. The premise of a group of high school students rebelling against societal norms and taking down corrupt figures is a powerful driving force of the story. It’s bold, stylish, and deeply satisfying. The whole thing radiates “main character energy,” and it’s one of the reasons the narrative sticks with you long after the game ends.

One of the many cut scenes in Persona 5

Each playable character in Persona 5 has a distinct story arc and fits into their archetype in a meaningful way. There’s a sense that every player can find a piece of themselves in at least one member of the Phantom Thieves, which makes it easy to feel like you’re part of the group too. Thanks to the in-game timeline, the story unfolds at a natural pace. It never feels rushed, and every moment feels intentional. One detail I particularly love is how the protagonist needs an entire evening just to build a single infiltration tool for use in the Metaverse. It’s such a small mechanic, but it perfectly captures that hyper-fixation energy, and honestly, I live for it.

The villains (or the corrupt societal figures) add meaningful depth to the game’s world-building. Persona 5 draws clear parallels to real-world issues in politics, power, and the economy, making the story feel grounded and relatable. The act of exposing and taking down those abusing their influence mirrors the kind of accountability we often see (and crave) in today’s social climate. It’s oddly satisfying to see those themes play out through the lens of a stylized, rebellious narrative.

But let’s be real, we all know what part of the story gets people talking: the romance. It’s always one of the big questions after finishing the game: “So, who did you romance?” Personally, I’m a Makoto fan, so she was my pick on my first play-through. Did I then go down a YouTube rabbit hole to see what the other romance dialogues were like? Mayhaps.

Take Your Heart ❤️

Despite the absolute whirlwind I experienced with this game, I genuinely love Persona 5. It was a deeply personal experience for me, spending hours on end just staring at the art, and learning my hatred for turn-based combat, all in one game. The character designs are stunning and distinct, the voice acting and dialogue are top-tier, and the story’s pacing is impressively well-balanced. If I’m being objective, Persona 5 absolutely deserves all the praise it’s received over the years, along with its many follow-up installments. And yes, despite everything… I did end up getting Persona 5 Strikers. My rage? Honestly, probably just user error.

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Thank you for reading! Want to read more game thoughts? Check out my other entries here!