If you've been waiting for a different take on the Persona formula, it seems like that take is coming closer. A new trailer for Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers was released, and it gives us a much better idea of what you'll do in the game, along with the Japanese release date of February 20th, 2020.
The entire trailer is in Japanese, which means if you don't speak the language, like me, it may be tough to tell what the story beats are. However the basic idea seems to be that a mysterious demonic "police" force is capturing people in jails cells, and Joker and the Phantom Thieves are working on freeing them. Along the way there is some mysterious box that Joker seems totally captivated by, which is likely some sort of interesting thing. The trailer ends with Joker being escorted by the police and being shocked by whom they bring him to, though we never get to see.
However the most important part of the trailer is the middle section, which shows how the game plays. For those worried, just because Persona 5 Scramble is being co-developed by Dynasty Warriors creators Omega Force, the social elements are still strong. The trailer shows Joker wandering around Japan, hanging out with his friends and having to choose how to spend his days. We get a look at the combat as well, seeing Joker take on swarms of enemies with the hack and slash combat typical to the Dynasty Warriors franchise, but all the style and charm we'd expect from Persona 5. One notable feature is that the player can switch between four playable characters at any time using the d-pad, and one section actually shows off a 2.5d platforming segment that looks nothing like either game. It certainly seems like it's trying to keep the Persona style and elements despite the radical changes.
Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers will be available on PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in Japan on February 20th, 2020. There's no current word on when it will come west.
How do you feel about Persona 5 Scramble? Think it may actually be the best Persona game by ditching turn-based combat? Wondering if it'll ever make its way to America? Let us know in the comments below!
