Persona5: The Phantom X - A Phantom Menace or a Phantom Delight?

When your controller is more of a phantom than the thieves

Launch Day Larry

Ah, Persona5: The Phantom X, a game that promises to whisk you away into a world of stylish heists and shadowy intrigue. But does it deliver a masterful caper, or does it leave you feeling like you’ve been pickpocketed by a clumsy thief? Let’s dive into the heart of this game and see if it steals the show or just your patience.

Gameplay: A Heist with a Few Hiccups

Persona5: The Phantom X attempts to blend the beloved mechanics of its predecessors with new elements, but the execution is as smooth as a cat burglar with two left feet. The game is free-to-play, which is great for your wallet, but the gacha mechanics might have you feeling like you’re rolling the dice more than a Vegas high roller. While the Phantom Idol mechanic and visually appealing highlight feature add some flair, the limited skill slots and lack of customization feel like a step back from the series’ usual depth.

The controls, however, are where the real phantom menace lies. Controller support is as reliable as a wet paper bag, with buggy interactions and a cursor mode that seems to have been designed by a ghost. On the Steam Deck, the game runs well, offering crisp visuals and decent battery life, but the constant need to switch between touchscreen and controller is enough to make you want to pull a disappearing act.

Graphics: A Visual Feast with a Side of Stutter

Visually, Persona5: The Phantom X is a treat, with graphics that are as stylish as a Phantom Thief’s wardrobe. The environments are detailed, and the character designs maintain the series’ signature flair. The game looks particularly stunning on the Steam Deck, where the OLED screen makes the colors pop like a confetti cannon at a heist celebration.

However, the game’s mobile engine roots show through, with performance issues on lower-end systems that can make the experience feel like you’re watching a slideshow rather than playing a game. The reuse of assets from Persona 5 doesn’t blend seamlessly with new elements, leading to a visual inconsistency that might make you feel like you’re in a time warp.

Story: A Tale of Two Personas

The narrative of Persona5: The Phantom X tries to carve out its own identity, but it often feels like a shadow of its predecessors. While the story has its moments of intrigue and humor, it lacks the depth and nuance that fans of the series have come to expect. The protagonist’s backstory feels as thin as a phantom’s whisper, and the plot’s low stakes might leave you wondering why you should care about these new Phantom Thieves.

The narrative structure feels like a “copy-paste” job from previous entries, with excessive exposition that could put even the most dedicated fan to sleep. While the game is free-to-play, allowing you to experience the story without financial commitment, many players might find themselves longing for the richer storytelling of the mainline Persona games.

Final Verdict

Persona5: The Phantom X is a game that tries to capture the magic of its predecessors but often stumbles over its own ambitions. With control issues that haunt the gameplay, performance hiccups that mar the visual experience, and a story that struggles to stand on its own, it might not be the grand heist fans were hoping for. However, for those willing to overlook its flaws, there are moments of enjoyment to be found in its stylish presentation and addictive gameplay loops.

Score: 5.5/10