Persona 5 turns 10, prompting debate on its JRPG legacy
A decade has passed since Persona 5 first launched in Japan on September 15, 2016, per Push Square. The outlet notes the game took the series from a niche favorite to a broadly recognized brand, with western fans waiting nearly seven months for the localized PS4 release.
Push Square reports that the game and its expanded re-release, Persona 5 Royal, went on to break all of Atlus's sales records. This success, according to the outlet, changed the developer's trajectory and allowed parent company SEGA to take its time with the recently announced Persona 6, which is rumored for a 2027 launch.
The article frames Persona 5 as a genre-defining title that other games have since copied, particularly praising its style and soundtrack. However, it also opens the floor to debate, asking readers if the game is a true masterpiece or perhaps overrated after ten years.
Commenters on the site offered a mix of perspectives. Some called it a life-changing, near-perfect game that got them into JRPGs, while others preferred earlier entries like Persona 3 and 4. Criticisms included the game's excessive length, repetitive dungeons, and a storyline that some felt lost its way.
A common piece of advice from fans was that newcomers can start with Persona 5, as the stories are standalone, though many recommended Royal for its improved story and quality-of-life features.
