Free on Steam: Sega JRPG Spin-off Hits #1 on Charts

Key Takeaways

1. Persona 5: The Phantom X (P5X) is a new game developed by Black Wings Game Studio, in collaboration with Atlus and Sega, launched on June 25-26, 2023.
2. P5X features a different story set in an alternate world, with a new main character named “Wonder” and a plot involving corrupted wishes and a group of Phantom Thieves.
3. The gameplay retains classic Persona elements, including school life, part-time jobs, and turn-based battles, alongside a gacha system for acquiring new allies and personas.
4. The game has received mixed reviews on Steam, praised for its design and combat but criticized for aggressive monetization and mobile-focused user interface.
5. P5X is free to play with optional microtransactions, contrasting with the $60 price of Persona 5, making it appealing to JRPG fans.


The Persona series has been an interesting mix of turn-based JRPGs and the daily lives of Japanese students since it started in 1996. Originally a part of the Shin Megami Tensei franchise, it was created by Atlus, which has been owned by Sega since 2013. Persona 5, which came out in 2017, really put the series in the spotlight. Now, there’s a new game called Persona 5: The Phantom X (or P5X) that was developed by Black Wings Game Studio with help from Atlus and Sega. This game launched on June 25 and 26, depending on where you are. You can play it on PC through Steam, as well as on iOS and Android. A cool feature is that your game progress syncs between PC and mobile.

A New Adventure Awaits

P5X isn’t exactly a sequel; it tells a different story in an alternate world. The main character, who goes by the codename “Wonder,” wakes up after a scary nightmare in a dark version of Tokyo. He’s joined by Lufel, a wise owl, and Igor, a character familiar to long-time fans, along with his new helper Merope. As they dig deeper, they discover a creepy plot: someone is taking people’s wishes and turning the shared unconscious, called “Mementos,” into a wasteland. To fight back, Wonder gathers a new crew of Phantom Thieves to solve the mystery. They aim to heal corrupted hearts by stealing the “treasures” of the villains, helping to restore the city’s hope.

Gameplay Elements

When it comes to gameplay, The Phantom X follows the classic Persona style we know and love. You’ll spend your days in school, taking part-time jobs, or hanging out with friends, referred to as Synergy Links here. These activities not only improve your stats but also grant helpful bonuses for battles. At night, you and your team will enter palaces or the endlessly twisting Mementos, where you’ll face off in traditional turn-based battles. You can gain new allies and monsters (called personas) using a gacha system. The game includes optional microtransactions: you can buy in-game currency to get more gacha pulls or recover stamina, which limits your exploration time in dungeons. While P5X is free to play, players who don’t spend money will need to take breaks because of stamina limits. Even though it doesn’t strictly fall into the pay-to-win category, many players criticize this monetization strategy.

Mixed Reviews on Steam

Persona 5: The Phantom X has been praised on Steam for its faithful design, enjoyable combat, and smooth gameplay. However, player opinions are a bit divided. While many reviews commend its authenticity and how well it’s made, they also point out issues with aggressive monetization, including expensive microtransactions and frequent prompts to buy. The user interface has been noted as being too focused on mobile use, and there are complaints about the lack of proper controller support.

Because of these reasons, the game has received mixed feedback on Steam, where it has around 1,900 reviews with a 72% positive score. It remains at the top of the “Trending Free” list, making it an attractive, no-cost option for JRPG fans and Persona lovers. For comparison, Persona 5 is priced at about $60 on Steam, though it’s currently discounted to around $24 (‑60%) until July 10. In contrast, P5X is free to start, but has optional purchases within the game.

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