Free on Steam: Spin-off of Sega’s beloved JRPG series rockets to #1 on Steam charts

The Persona series – originally a spin-off of Shin Megami Tensei – has blended turn-based JRPG dungeon crawling with the everyday lives of Japanese students and strong social sim elements since 1996. Initially developed and published by the Japanese studio Atlus, the franchise has been under Sega’s wing since the company's acquisition in 2013. Persona 5, released in 2017, brought global recognition to the series. Now, Persona 5: The Phantom X (or P5X), a new spin-off developed by Black Wings Game Studio under the supervision of Atlus and Sega, launched on June 25/26 depending on the region. The game is available on PC via Steam, as well as on iOS and Android. A handy feature: your progress syncs across both PC and mobile platforms.

P5X isn’t a direct sequel but a parallel story to Persona 5, set in an alternate universe. After a haunting nightmare, the unnamed protagonist – codenamed “Wonder” – wakes up in a bleak version of Tokyo. By his side are the articulate owl Lufel, the enigmatic Igor (a familiar face for longtime fans) and his new assistant Merope. Together, they uncover a disturbing mystery: a hidden mastermind is stealing people’s wishes and warping the collective subconscious – known as “Mementos” – into a desolate ruin. In response, Wonder forms a new team of Phantom Thieves to unravel the mystery. By stealing the wrongdoers’ “treasures,” they heal corrupted hearts and restore the city’s lost hope.

In terms of gameplay, The Phantom X sticks closely to the tried-and-true Persona formula. You spend your days attending school, picking up part-time jobs or socializing with friends – known here as Synergy Links. These activities not only boost your stats but also unlock useful bonuses for combat. When night falls, you and your team venture into palaces or the maze-like Mementos, where classic turn-based battles await. New allies and monsters (personas) are acquired through a gacha system. The game is funded through optional microtransactions: you can purchase in-game currency to get extra gacha pulls or instantly restore stamina, which limits how often you can explore dungeons. While P5X is entirely free to play, non-paying players will have to take occasional breaks due to stamina restrictions. Though the system doesn’t fall into classic pay-to-win territory, its monetization approach has become one of the most common criticisms among players.