Publisher Perfect World and developer Black Wings have announced a new Persona 5 spin-off game called Persona 5: The Phantom X, set to be released on iOS and Android.
The game is free-to-play with in-app purchases, and playtests will begin on March 29 in China. Atlus is supervising the game’s development.
Persona 5 first launched in North America in 2017, receiving widespread acclaim and a new generation of fans.
Persona 5: The Phantom X – Gameplay and Features
The Phantom X’s style and gameplay are similar to the original Persona 5 but tailored for mobile gamers.
The game revolves around a fresh team of Phantom Thieves, centering on the motif of “desire.”
The main character can attend classes throughout the school day and partake in activities such as watching films and playing baseball.
Following the school day, the updated Phantom Thieves can venture into the Metaverse and explore the connected Palaces.
New Characters and Mascot
A gameplay trailer showcased new characters, including the protagonist wielding a singular pistol in battle and his unnamed Persona brandishing two shotguns with hook grooves at the ends.
Two female Phantom Thieves were also revealed, one with a crossbow and the other a rifle.Â
The animal mascot for The Phantom X is an owl wielding dual tonfas, replacing Persona 5’s black cat, Morgana.
Familiar characters like Igor return, accompanied by a new attendant in the Velvet Room. The character designs are the work of long-time series designer Shigenori Soejima.
Release Date and Future Projects
No release date for Persona 5: The Phantom X has been announced yet.
Atlus has not revealed any major upcoming projects this year aside from the Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection and Project Re: Fantasy, which is still in development.
Persona 5 first launched in North America in 2017, receiving widespread acclaim and a new generation of fans.
With the recent re-releases of Persona 3 Portable, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 5 Royal on modern platforms, fans are eager to see what’s next for the series.
Public Test on March 29
The game’s first public test will take place on March 29. Details about the gacha, microtransaction, or payment systems have not been revealed yet, but these elements could potentially impact the game’s reception.
For more information on Persona 5: The Phantom X, visit the official website.
Persona Series: A Brief History
The Persona series is a spin-off of the Shin Megami Tensei franchise, which originated in Japan in the late 1980s.
The first Persona game, titled “Revelations: Persona,” was released in 1996 for the PlayStation.Â
Over the years, the series has seen numerous entries and spin-offs, with each game featuring a unique story, characters, and setting while maintaining core gameplay elements.
The games are often set in a high school environment and blend elements of traditional Japanese role-playing games with social simulation aspects.
Players assume the role of a high school student who discovers the power of “Persona,” a manifestation of one’s inner self that grants supernatural abilities.
Throughout the series, players interact with a diverse cast of characters, build relationships, and explore parallel dimensions to battle demons and other adversaries.
Persona 5: A Modern Classic
Persona 5, the fifth main installment in the series, was released in North America in 2017 for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4, after its initial release in Japan in 2016.
The game was developed by Atlus, a Japanese video game company known for creating role-playing games with complex narratives, memorable characters, and unique gameplay mechanics.
Persona 5 follows the protagonist, known as Joker, and his group of friends who form the Phantom Thieves of Hearts.
They use their Personas to infiltrate the Metaverse, a parallel dimension where the distorted desires of corrupt individuals take physical form as Palaces.
By stealing the “treasure” within each Palace, the Phantom Thieves aim to change the hearts of these individuals and ultimately reform society.
The game was praised for its engaging story, stylish visuals, and deep gameplay mechanics, which include dungeon crawling, turn-based combat, and time management.
In addition to the main story, players develop relationships with various characters, known as Confidants, to unlock additional abilities and side stories.
Persona 5 has received multiple spin-offs, including Persona 5 Royal, an enhanced version of the original game with new content, and Persona 5 Strikers, a sequel that incorporates action RPG elements.
With the announcement of Persona 5: The Phantom X, the series continues to expand, introducing new characters and stories while retaining the core elements that have made it a beloved franchise.
Article In a Snapshot
Persona 5: The Phantom X, a free-to-play mobile spin-off with in-app purchases, is set to be released on iOS and Android, with playtests starting on March 29 in China.
The gameplay and style of The Phantom X closely resemble the original Persona 5, but are tailored for mobile gamers, featuring a new group of Phantom Thieves and a theme centered around “desire.”
New characters and an owl mascot are introduced, with character designs created by long-time series designer Shigenori Soejima.
No official release date has been announced for Persona 5: The Phantom X, and details about the game’s gacha, microtransaction, or payment systems are still undisclosed.
The Persona series, originating in the late 1980s, has a history of blending traditional Japanese role-playing games with social simulation aspects, and Persona 5: The Phantom X is expected to continue this legacy.
