With the recent release of Persona 3 Reload, the Shin Megami Tensei: Persona franchise has once again been in the eye of the storm, bringing back many of those classic anime moments we love so much. Nevertheless, Persona achieved global fame thanks to Persona 5, released in 2017, a classic JRPG that captured the hearts of most fans of the genre.

Such is its popularity that Atlus, the publisher, soon launched a spin-off called "Strikers." It takes us back to the journey of the user agent Joker, a member of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts, but with a totally different approach, which was a great idea, as you will discover in the following lines.

• Release Date : March 31, 2020

• Developer : P-Studio

• Publisher: Sega

• Platforms : PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5

• Metascore : 95

When it comes to classic Japanese RPGs, the Shin Megami Tensei: Persona series cannot be left out of the equation, especially Persona 5, the last main installment of the saga and probably one of the best role-playing games of the last decade.

Persona 5 Royal is the final version of the original Persona 5, released in 2017. This final version returns us to the journey of student Ren Amamiya and his friends through the mysteries that abound in Tokyo and its parallel world. Through a classic turn-based combat and level-up system, you will have to face strange creatures in a strange world to free the normal world from threats and evil. This Royal version also includes some improvements, such as new characters, palaces, plots, and social elements.

As with every installment in the Persona series, the fifth installment brings us a brand new story and new characters that are bursting with personality and energy. And like previous games, Persona 5 is characterized by a particular color palette, a predominant tone, and strategic combat that offers us the best of this mechanic.

Persona 5 is the successful evolution of JRPGs and a title that drives the most skeptical fans crazy for multiple reasons, such as its setting, design, music, and fun gameplay.

Persona 5 Royal Steam CD Key is available on RoyalCDKeys.

• Release Date : February 20, 2020

• Developers : Omega Force | P-Studio

• Publishers: Sega | Atlus

• Platforms : Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4

• Metascore : 83

Persona 5 Strikers takes place in the same universe as Persona 5 Royal. It means that you will control the same main character, Ren Amamiya, and his group of friends while fighting strange creatures in a parallel Tokyo. Although at first glance, both titles seem to have a similar aesthetic, the same story, and even a similar objective, the truth is that both titles differ in significant aspects, despite the fact that Strikers is a kind of sequel to the original Persona 5.

Unlike Persona 5 Royal, Strikers is an action RPG, meaning you control the characters in real-time during the entire journey, even in battle, providing a more frenetic combat experience. Strikers also features a more linear story, plenty of new characters and enemies, and tough challenges, but overall similar features to the series' main title.

Suppose you're expecting a more frantic version of the original Persona 5 Royal. In that case, Strikers can give you a similar experience but with a fast pace and more dynamic missions and character relationships. In the subsequent sections, we will discuss the most important aspects of both games.

Persona 5 Strikers Steam CD Key is available on RoyalCDKeys.

Let's go straight to the main part of this article. Here, I will compare the main aspects of both titles based on my criteria and personal gaming experience with the franchise. But if I were to give you a 100% honest recommendation, it would be to play both!

To be honest, both titles do not differ too much in terms of gameplay. In both Strikers and Royal, the game focuses on the use of Personas, the emanated psychological entities that offer powerful attack and defense mechanics during battle.

Both titles also feature several dungeons with multiple secrets, enemies, and powerful bosses that you must defeat to advance the story. Bosses can provide you with new Personas that will give you new powers that you can use multiple times. You can also create additional Personas using enemies and other Personas, increasing their level and subsequent strength.

However, playing through dungeons and action stages in Strikers is more energetic and dynamic than its Royal counterpart, as the sense of verticality is stronger, allowing you to traverse maps in various ways. It makes this game feel more organic and natural than Persona 5 Royal, which can be good for players eager to experience an active adventure in the world of Persona 5.

Verdict . Persona 5 Strikers is a clear improvement in comparison to Royal from the gameplay perspective due to its speed, energy, and dizzy combat.

When you take a quick look at both games, you will notice that both titles are quite similar in terms of graphics and visual style. It is a bit obvious since both games take place in the same franchise, in the same universe, and have a particular visual style that you can't find anywhere else.

In fact, there isn't much difference between the two Persona 5 titles. The textures, lighting, shadows, cel-shading, models, etc., are almost the same, so the differences don't come to the fore. However, since Strikers is a newer game, there are some small improvements you can notice if you pay attention to the definitions and coloring. If you explore the vast landscapes surrounding Tokyo, you will perceive this condition immediately. This drive gives Strikers a livelier feel, which aligns with their fast-paced game. However, that doesn't mean I prefer Strikers' images over Royal's.

Although Persona 5 Royal is an older game (this condition is clearly visible in the model designs), the developers provided settings with a particular aesthetic that really marvels at the environment.

What do I mean by “particular aesthetics”? I mean that each palace, event, and neighborhood has a particular setting, color selection, lighting, and music that help build an excellent atmosphere for the action.

Additionally, the feeling of being in a big city of modern Japan is felt very well in Royal, as each neighborhood has its unique ecosystem and things to offer.

Verdict . I believe that Royal has a more comprehensive sense of the world and a better ambiance, which really affects the gameplay.

The main difference between both titles lies mainly in the combat system. As we mentioned before, Persona 5 Strikers is an action role-playing game whose combat takes place in real-time, bringing you closer to a hack-and-slash experience that stands out due to the interactions between the main characters and dozens of enemies that populate the setting. This way, Strikers feels more than an action-adventure with battles in various locations and places, like Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth or even Bayonetta, which can come in handy for those interested in these types of titles.

Persona 5 Royal, on the other hand, is a classic RPG, meaning you'll take on enemies through turn-based gameplay. This way, you can implement a single action per turn, whether it's a basic attack, a guard, an item, a particular order, or using a Persona attached to a specific member of your team.

You can even take on enemies and recruit them based on a series of questions and answers you get. You can also convert these enemies into Personas by mixing them. The result may be unexpected. Still, the interactions on the battlefield are great, not to mention the synergy between characters. Last but not least, the boss fights are tough and require a lot of concentration and strategy, which is definitely a plus.

Verdict . I know that it could be a matter of taste, but I prefer Persona 5 Royal since it allows you to deliver several mechanics and strategies that define your game style.

The storyline of Persona 5 Royal follows a familiar pattern seen in previous games of the franchise, focusing on a group of young individuals tasked with saving both reality and others by venturing into the Metaverse. This parallel world is resided by hidden desires, creatures, and otherworldly phenomena. The primary objective of Persona 5 Royal is to rescue individuals plagued by their inner demons by confronting their Metaverse counterparts and addressing the repercussions affecting real-world people.

Since Persona 5 Strikers is a direct sequel to Royal, it functions as an expansion for Persona 5 on many levels, which means a ton of new content to enjoy. First of all, Strikers involves all the characters from the Royal version plus two more, Sophia and Zenkichi, who really contribute to the plot and fuel the relationships between the team members. The plot also deals with mysterious events that take place in an alternate version of Tokyo, featuring many of the locations we see in Royal.

From a certain perspective, the story of Strikers is simpler than the story of Persona 5 Royal since Strikers is more linear and does not have intricate plots like Royal. Persona 5 Royal, on the other hand, involves more complex gameplay flows with multiple things to do and stories to follow. It could be a great option for more experienced players looking to immerse themselves in a world full of interesting characters developing their personal stories.

Verdict . Shin Megami Tensei is a role-playing game franchise. As such, multiple stories and a deep plot that delves into the characters are desirable, which is the case of Persona 5 Royal.

Since Strikers works more like a hack-and-slash adventure game, it focuses on action activities, such as crossing maps by hanging from various structures and fighting monsters in furious and fast-paced battles. Still, it has several RPG elements, such as the classic leveling up, which you must learn to balance to increase your MP and HP. Remember that your actions on the battlefield directly depend on the ability to launch attacks and Personas.

Strikers, like Persona 5 Royal, has three levels that you must level up: the character level, the bond levels, and the Persona level. To develop all levels of supporting characters, you must actively include a member in your party. To get the best out of the entire team, it is best to continually change members to get a balanced party that gives you the expected fight. And don't forget Personas, as they are the key to a good ending.

Royal includes an evolved version of the "Social Link" system seen in Persona 3 and 4, providing a Confidant rank that helps develop relationships between characters. This way, you can unlock skills and access new equipment. Of course, in Persona 5 Royal, characters and Personas level up alike, so you can accumulate experience to increase your chances of surviving inside the palaces and the strange creatures that live there.

Verdict . Both titles do not present strong differences regarding this issue, although Persona 5 Royal stands out for its “Confidants” mechanic.

I would say these two versions of the original Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 5 are incredible games that provide hours and hours of visually appealing gameplay. You should also keep in mind that the Royal version is a very long adventure, which can take you over one hundred and thirty hours to complete! That’s an extensive adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat, treasuring every moment you live in that wonderful and endearing Tokyo.

In one sentence, I think Royal beats Strikers from most points of view! It is because Royal is an improved version of the original Persona 5, with more content and better visual quality. But still, Royal is a huge video game and one of the essentials of the last generation.

Remember that both video games are available at RoyalCDKeys at unbeatable prices. Get them faster than Joker summons a Persona!