Spin-off takes the Thieves on a fun hack and slash sequel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Violence & Scariness
a lot
Combat is constant, with players fighting against waves of enemy minions and oversized boss characters. Players use various blades, guns, and other weapons in combat, as well as magical "Persona" abilities. Most of the time, damage is represented with flashy effects and comic book-like animations, though there are some occasional splashes of blood shown onscreen.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.
Several female creatures and Personas feature partially exposed breasts, and one specific creature is designed to have an almost phallic appearance. There are also some dialogue references to sexual activity.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.
The game's a spinoff of the popular Persona franchise and, specifically, a new adventure for the Phantom Thieves' from Persona 5. The game also supports addition content to be made available via downloadable content.
Positive Messages
some
The game features strong themes about the bonds of friendship, as well as the sacrifice and moral compass it takes to help those in need. There's also a heavy focus on dealing with one's emotions and not being controlled by them.
Positive Role Models
some
Though initially thrust into their current adventure, the Phantom Thieves tend to be honorable characters, fighting to free people often controlled by their darker emotions. Though the team has a range of personalities, they all band together as friends and put the needs of others above their own.
Ease of Play
some
The game blends hack-and-slash style gameplay with some of the more tactical role-playing elements that most of the Persona games are known for. During some battles, players can easily feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of enemies.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Persona 5 Strikers is a hack and slash action role-playing game available for download on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Windows based PCs. The gameplay combines elements of the Dynasty Warriors franchise with the characters and features of the popular Persona franchise. The story continues the adventures of the Phantom Thieves in a brand-new chapter. Gameplay involves constant combat, with players using a variety of weapons and magical abilities against overwhelming numbers of enemy minions and powerful boss characters. Although violence is persistent, most damage is represented by flashy artistic visual effects. There are occasional blood splashes, as well as a dungeon with bloody floors and walls. A number of feminine creatures and Persona avatars in the game appear with partially exposed breasts and one creature has a distinct phallic design. The game's dialogue also occasionally makes use of strong profanity.
My 10-year old and 13-year old kids love this game, and I sometimes help them play it. The game has very little violence compared to most games these days, and almost no blood. Other reviews have talked about how the language is fine considering what they do in the school yard, which is very true. Overall, the only reason they rated this game at such a high age was because of the language, which should not be a big problem.
Pretty Much A Teen Fantasy with a couple swear words.
I wouldn't be worried. By 13 most kids hear these words through the apps they use on daily basis...no sex. Breasts are NOT exposed any more than a beach. Fantasy action game. Not much to worry about.
What’s It About?
PERSONA 5 STRIKERS brings back the Phantom Thieves for an action packed adventure to fight back against a malevolent new corruption threatening all of Japan. When the Thieves decide to meet up over summer vacation, the reunion gets cut short after the crew gets pulled into EMMA, an app that creates a twisted version of the world powered by people's desires and fears. While trapped within EMMA, the Thieves discover that Shadows are attacking people's subconsciousness and altering their behavior back in the real world. Joining forces with a sentient A.I. and a police investigator, it falls to the Thieves to use their unique skills and Persona abilities to uncover and expose the true source behind these manipulations and restore the hearts of the people to their original state. Players will collect multiple new and returning Personas, then travel to the Velvet Room to evolve the powerful avatars or combine them in new, even more powerful Personas. You'll also choose your party of Thieves and explore the depths of EMMA's environments, defeating the King of each section to save the hearts of the people trapped within.
When is a sequel not a sequel? When it comes to the popular Persona franchise, it's usually through the wide range of various spinoff titles that continue their stories, but in completely new and unique ways, like the action found in Persona 5 Strikers. This chapter combines the characters, story, abilities, and personality of the Phantom Thieves' odyssey in Persona 5 with the fast-paced, hack and slash gameplay style of the Dynasty Warriors series. The result is a game that's more than the sum of its parts, playing like a true sequel that expands the Persona 5 universe while also bringing something completely new to the table.
Persona 5 Strikers is a much faster, more streamlined experience than the standard, more tactical RPG (role-playing game) fare the series is known for. Combat is a constant real-time battle against hordes of minions, giving players a lot of adrenaline-fueled, button mashing action. Making use of Persona (or summoned creatures) on the field switches the action to more familiar, menu-driven tactics. There are even some stealth elements at play as the Thieves sneak around, trying not to draw too much attention, before launching surprise attacks against the Shadow forces. While the gameplay might diverge from what fans are used to, the game's presentation and attitude are unquestionably Persona through and through. In fact, the game's style is the most polished in the series' history. And combined with its focus on a constant flow of action, Persona 5 Strikers winds up feeling more like living in an anime adventure and being an active member of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about coping with emotions. What are some of the ways that people can be controlled by their emotions, and what are some positive ways to cope with negative feelings?
What are some of the traits that can create the foundation for a franchise? How can spinoffs, as opposed to direct sequels, help to extend the longevity of a franchise?
ESRB rating:
M for Blood, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
Last updated:
January 15, 2022
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