Persona 5requires a heavy strategy element for players to succeed, and there are a few good notes to always keep in mind. There are several strategies that players can employ inPersona 5, thanks to the ability to approach situations with different Personas and party members. With some plans, a player can stick to a singular set of guidelines for success. However, players cannot neglect some of the more universal rules that can lead them to success regardless of strategy.
There have already beenseveralPersona 5games made, various spin-offs and whatnot, despite the original only coming out six years ago. It follows many of the traditions that have been set by previousPersonagames while also adding a few of its own gimmicks. Most notably, its reworking of Social Links into Confidants grants the player extra abilities, and the negotiation mechanic gives the game a link to otherShin Megami Tenseigames. As a result, it has its own distinct flavor gameplay-wise, and certain unwritten guidelines help take that flavor up a notch.
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Time Management is Key to Success in Persona 5
One of the most notablestory patterns inPersonagamesis the timeline.Persona 5’s story takes place along the calendar year, just like the games before it. Every day, the player has the option to spend daytime and nighttime on various tasks that can provide certain bonuses. However, being frivolous with time can be fatal. For that reason,Persona 5players need to be smart about how they spend their days.
Most of a player’s time will likely be spent withPersona 5’s various confidants, who level up gradually with each visit. The combination of stronger Personas and Confidant abilities make them a top priority. Likewise, players can take up other endeavors to increase their social stats, which will open further options to them. Most importantly, the player must set aside the time to finish each Palace before their deadline. This deadline must be kept above all others; otherwise, it leads straight to game over.
to reach thefinal boss ofPersona 5, players must be wise with their time. By maximizing it, ensuring Confidant level-ups, and avoiding unnecessary time-wasting, they can make the most out of their limited months. While players have some leeway to spend their time as they please, they can never afford to neglect the calendar under any circumstances. Poor planning is the easiest way to losePersona 5, so a well-organized schedule can be a godsend.
Have a Persona For Every Situation Possible in Persona 5
Joker continues the tradition ofprotagonists in thePersonagameshaving the Wild Card ability. This lets them change their Persona at will, and is the crux of the ability to collect and fuse newer, stronger Personas throughout the game. With this ability, Joker is easily the most customizable member of the party, as well as the most powerful. Used properly, Wild Card can make Joker into a multitool of a character, able to adapt to any sort of challenge in battle.
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While making sure thatPersona 5’s party members have their best equipmentis a given, Joker’s Personas should be treated the same way. As a general rule, the player should always have at least one way to use each type of elemental attack among their collected Personas, ensuring that every type of weakness can be hit. Outfitting Joker with various buffs and healing spells is also recommended, since many enemies and bosses need more than simple elemental advantages to be defeated.
Arsene may be the only Persona inJoker’sSuper Smash Bros. Ultimatemoveset, but inPersona 5, he can command virtually any Persona to great effect. With some thoroughness regarding Persona fusions, Joker can have a full team of high-level Personas with wildly different movesets. Like any good thief, a well-specced Joker should have an endless amount of tricks up his sleeve. With proper preparation, no matter what foe the party faces, they will never be without a solid solution.
Persona 5’s Best Confidants are Invaluable Assets
Following the example set byPersona 4’s Mysterious Fox Social Link, Confidants inPersona 5are more valuable than Social Links of the past. Admittedly, there are a few that are underwhelming, such as Devil’s security level effects and Ryuji’s ability to instantly kill weak enemies. On the opposite end, some Confidants have such valuable perks that players should work to receive them as soon as possible. These Confidants are the much-needed edge that will help players through the game’s harder sections.
Unlocked early in the game,Persona 5’s Death Confidantunlocks the ability to buy powerful healing items, including valuable SP restoration accessories. Heirophant is similarly useful, letting the player brew SP-restoring coffee. Shinya’s Tower Confidant offers several gun upgrades, such as an instant down attack at first level, and ignoring resistances at max level. In a similar fashion, Star unlocks several tactical abilities, like follow-up attacks and party-switching. These four Confidants alone greatly increase the options at the player’s disposal.
With the exception ofPersona 5’s automatic Confidants, players need to put in work to get their better rewards. For this reason, they should always try to keep a Persona with the corresponding arcana on hand to maximize the benefit from their visits. Making sure to maximize the right Confidants early has perks that will empower the party for the rest of the game. By identifying which perks they need quickly, players can set a blueprint for the rest of their playthrough.
Like any RPG,Persona 5requires a strategic approach if players are to reach the end. FromclearingPersona 5’s Mementos requeststo unraveling the plots of the various palace holders, players will need strong Personas and a good grasp of the game’s tactical side. Thankfully, abiding by a few general guidelines should be enough to help most players on their way to success.Persona 5may not have clearly defined rules for success, but some general knowledge will never steer players wrong.
Persona 5is available now for Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
