SEGA and ATLUS have launched the turn-based ARPG Persona 5: The Phantom X, a complete alternative timeline set after the events of the Persona 5 game. You play as the Protagonist, codename Wonder, as you navigate your Phantom Thief life and high school life. In this Persona 5: The Phantom X review, I will share my impressions of the game and provide an honest rating.
For this review, I played Persona 5: The Phantom X on two devices, a Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro smartphone and a Dell Inspiron 5593 Laptop, both of which are low-end devices. The performance of the game was pretty good enough on mobile, with just setting it to medium graphics. Overall, I clocked in 30 hours of gameplay time, min-maxing and grinding through the game to level up and pull for limited characters.
As I have experienced all the game’s features, I will provide a solid foundation for a thorough review. If you are just starting with Persona 5: The Phantom X, we have also covered several guides, such as Beginner’s Tips, Reroll Guide, Combat Guide, Currency Guide, Confidant Guide, Progression Guide, and the latest Tier List. Additionally, do check our Redeem codes article to grab some freebies!
Combat carries Flash, but falls Flat on Depth
Starting with the review, the core of Persona 5: The Phantom X tries hard to retain the familiar turn-based knockdown formula of the original series, but honestly? It’s a lot simpler. One-Mores are pre-selected, Baton Pass is automatic, and even things like managing HP/SP are laughably simple; just hit a safe room and you’re magically healed.
There’s no need for strategy. No tension. Just flashy buttons and cooldowns, like the weird 1-second timer on Third Eye for no reason. I find myself using the same basic patterns in every fight and breezing through unless I’m way underleveled.
That said, I do enjoy the variety of character abilities. Lufel as a starter healer is a smart choice, and Wonder has a cool multi-target mix that sets him apart. But beyond that, combat is just easy. There’s no need to think, and that’s disappointing for a series known for its layered mechanics.
The Metaverse returns with a clever Narrative Twist
I’ll be honest: I’m mostly here for the story, and despite a rocky start, I’m intrigued. The first palace feels like a watered-down Kamoshida rehash, and the early villains aren’t doing the writing any favors. But the core concept, a world slowly collapsing because people are losing their desires, is fascinating. It’s giving me strong Persona 3 vibes in all the best ways.
This alternate universe take, where the original Phantom Thieves never existed and people’s apathy is consuming society, is genuinely cool. The game’s explanation of “Palace holders” stealing others’ desires instead of just hoarding their own is a refreshing twist.
And yeah, the campy moments are very much there, but I’ve been told the writing picks up significantly from Palace 2 onwards according to the CN version, so fingers crossed!
The game’s Stylish to a Fault, yet Visually uneven
The style is classic Persona, with jazzy beats, eye-catching menus, and high-energy transitions. But once you stop and look closer, things start to wobble. Character models in the menus feel oddly floaty, like they’re rendered in some uncanny high-def mobile engine.
Cutscenes, especially the flashy ultra attacks, have that “we tried” vibe that makes me avoid them entirely. On mobile, performance is stable, locked at 30 FPS, but the PC version? Yikes. On a mid-tier rig, it stutters like it’s having an existential crisis.
GPU temps spike, framerates dip for no reason, and controller support is hit-or-miss. I straight-up got stuck in menus more than once. Keyboard and mouse have been my saving grace.
A Clunky Interface that unfortunately works best with a Mouse
The UI is a mess. Between banners, pop-ups, event menus, and a cluttered overworld, it’s visually overwhelming. I’ve genuinely tuned out most of it. The game throws so many resources, currencies, and icons at you that I’ve stopped trying to keep track; I just dump everything into character levels and hope for the best.
The controller experience is pretty rough. I eventually gave up and switched to keyboard and mouse, which is far smoother, but still not perfect. This is where the game screams “I was meant for phones!” and not in a good way.
Gacha Mechanics clash with Phantom Thief Ideals
Here’s where things get murky. The gacha system is standard fare, pull banners, hope for a 5-Star, but the “Phantom Idols” (aka your 5-Stars) feel disconnected from the story. I still don’t know who these people are or why they’re tagging along.
It’s awkward when Kotone, who shouldn’t technically be a real person, starts chirping in with dungeon dialogue. It kills the immersion. The currency economy is also very weird. The global version feels nerfed compared to China’s, with fewer rewards, removed soft pity, and stingier banner rates.
It’s frustrating to know players elsewhere get more for free while we’re stuck grinding or paying. And trust me, I’m not spending a cent. I got lucky and pulled Joker early with a few platinum cards, but if I hadn’t? I might’ve bounced.
Final Verdict
Persona 5: The Phantom X is a bizarre blend of nostalgia, style, and mobile-game chaos. It captures just enough of the Persona soul to keep me playing, but barely. The gameplay is watered down, the PC port is buggy, and the global economy feels predatory. And yet, I keep coming back.
Something is compelling about the story, even if the early writing stumbles. If you’re a Persona fan, it’s worth trying out (especially for free), but keep your expectations low. Don’t spend money. Don’t expect Persona 5: Royal. Just vibe with it, enjoy the style, and hope SEGA and Perfect World get their act together.
Persona 5: The Phantom X Review by GamingonPhone
Gameplay Mechanics - 7
Storyline - 7
Graphics and Music - 8
Controls and UI - 7
Free-to-play Elements - 6
7
Average
Persona 5: The Phantom X brings the iconic turn-based combat and social sim elements of the mainline series. If you’re a fan of Persona 5 and don’t mind a heavy dose of gacha mechanics, this spin-off might just be worth checking out.
That’s all from us for the Persona 5: The Phantom X review! Did you find my Persona 5: The Phantom X review helpful? Do let us know in the comments!
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