Introduction to Persona 5: The Phantom X

A new game in the Persona series is set to be released soon, although it’s not the next mainline entry that fans have been eagerly waiting for. Instead, Persona 5: The Phantom X is a spinoff, similar to Persona 5 Strikers. This game is set in the same universe as the highly successful RPG, Persona 5, but it features a new cast of characters, including a talking owl named Lufel, which seems to replace Morgana.

Game Details and Features

First announced in 2023, Persona 5: The Phantom X is a free-to-play live service game developed by Chinese publisher Perfect World. The game was released in open beta in China in April last year and introduces a fresh team of Phantom Thieves. It aims to deliver the classic Persona blend of high school drama, social interaction, and dungeon crawling with stylish turn-based battles. A new "Synergy" system is also introduced, which develops as you form bonds with NPCs. Additionally, the game includes new mini-games and a PvE mode called The Velvet Trials.

Gameplay and Monetization

The gameplay experience will be underpinned by a free-to-play model, although the exact nature of this model is not yet clear. It remains to be seen whether gacha tactics will detract from the player’s experience and how well the familiar Persona gameplay loop will translate to mobile devices. However, the game’s official website states that it is intended for both Persona 5 fans and newcomers.

Release and Future Prospects

Atlus is likely hoping that P5X will keep fans engaged until there is news about Persona 6. The studio’s most recent release was last year’s Metaphor: ReFantazio, and there is currently no information available about the follow-up to Persona 5, which was originally released in 2016, prior to the Royal update. Persona 5: The Phantom X is set to launch on June 26 for PC, iOS, and Android.