Winner: Persona 5
Instead of adopting the open world approach that you’ll see in a lot of modern RPGs, Persona 5 is far more streamlined and even rather restrictive in a sense. Taking control of a high school student, players will live through each day of the school year, take exams, get a part-time job, and hang out with friends. Oh, and they’ll also travel into an alternate shadow dimension where the main character and his friends will fight monsters and bring some corrupt adults to justice.
You don’t see many RPGs sticking with the traditional turn-based combat system anymore, but Persona 5 keeps that system intact while also giving it a brand new shine. This game’s menus are slick with style, and being able to execute various different moves with just a click of a face button makes everything feel fast-paced and frenetic. As was the case with past Persona and Shin Megami Tensei games, there are various elemental types you have to familiarize yourself with, and know how to exploit enemy weaknesses to the full extent.
Couple that with a whole slew of interesting NPCs you can befriend and forge a bond with, as well as the game’s killer soundtrack, and you’ve got yourself a classic turn-based RPG that feels modern and engaging every step of the way.
