Summary
When it comes to mobile games, many would say thatHoYoverseis dominating a big chunk of the space. With recent titles likeHonkai: Star RailandZenless Zone Zerooffering exciting gameplay and immersive storytelling, it’s no surprise why fans are investing effort in them. Meanwhile, one mobile game from an equally popular franchise has continued to elude international fans, and that isPersona 5: The Phantom X.
The latestPersona 5spin-off has intrigued many fans as it introduced new Phantom Thieves members and a different adventure but with the same aesthetic as the original. The catch is thatThe Phantom Xis only playable in select Asian countries, and an international release is still unconfirmed. ManyPersonafans understandably feel alienated, but they’re also hopeful that they can one day experience the game. However, it might be a little too late, especially with HoYoverse filling the mobile RPG void.
HoYoverse Games Are at Par With Persona 5: The Phantom X
Thegameplay ofPersona 5: The Phantom Xis the same as the original: turn-based combat using a wide variety of Personas and exploration within the game’s world, where players can improve Social Links with other characters. The only difference is it has a gacha system to pull playable party members and powerful Personas for the protagonist, Wonder.
Adding a gacha twist to the familiarPersona 5mechanics has drawn many fans to the mobile game. But because it hasn’t been released in several countries yet,The Phantom Xseems to have been left behind thanks to recent releases from HoYoverse. By the time it comes out internationally, the interest in thePersona 5mobile game might have already passed.
Zenless Zone Zero’s Open-World Adventure
Set in the dystopian city of New Eridu,Zenless Zone Zeroallows players to walk around different city locations, interact with NPCs, and experience a riveting combat system. The exploration alone can go head-to-head withThe Phantom X, which also has dynamic worlds and a colorful cast of characters.
Released just this July,Zenless Zone Zerohas already attracted a massive playerbase, consisting mostly of people who love fighting and gacha games. It also greatly helped that it’s a free game with high-quality graphics that people around the world can play on their phones, PC, and console.
Zenless Zone Zerorecorded 50 million downloadsshortly after its launch last July 4.
Honkai: Star Rail’s Turn-Based Combat
Persona 5: The Phantom Xcapitalizes onturn-based gameplay, giving players the freedom to think about their next moves and customize their team to find the optimal composition to clear stages. Another game that gives players this power isHonkai: Star Rail, which is also a turn-based RPG.
Honkai: Star Railhas captivated fans for over a year now, showcasing impressive worlds, storylines, and characters to keep people interested. Currently, the game is gearing up for its next major update in the fourth world, the allegedThermae-inspired Amphoreus. Similar toZenless Zone Zero, the accessibility ofHonkai: Star Railhelped make it successful in various countries.
Persona 5: The Phantom X Needs to Find Momentum Before It’s Too Late
The good news is that there are reportedly talks thatPersona 5: The Phantom Xwill be coming to consolesand that Atlus is working on a global release as well. However, there’s no news as to when this will materialize, which may affect the mobile game’s momentum in the long run.
What HoYoverse has done right so far is give fans all over the world access to its games right from the jump. While it’s not always perfect at times, it matters to fans that they can playZenless Zone ZeroandHonkai: Star Rail, among others, so easily.The Phantom Xhas yet to give this to fans outside Asian territories, and Atlus needs to act fast. If Atlus takes too long, internationalPersonafans will likely move on fromThe Phantom X. It’s also important to note thatPersona 6and remakes of past games are rumored to be on the horizon, so the interest for the mobile game might dwindle very soon.
