If you pick up a dictionary and flip to the page with the definition for "cool", you will see the words Persona 5 in the definition. Before Persona 5 even released, the screenshots and trailers already displayed the games creative direction, especially in the way of UI.
Now that the game is finally out and people have been able to dive into the experience, though not share their experiences..., it has become apparent of just how cool of a game Persona 5 is. In my over 100 hours of playing the game, the UI and menus edgy style that were showcased before the game released, are just as artistic and creative as I had hoped.
The UI and menus are great for adding flair to something, but if the core experience isn't compatible with the creativity of the added flair, then it's no better than putting Ray Bans on a pile of dog turds. Luckily, the coolness of Persona 5 is present in almost every aspect of the game. This includes the games soundtrack, which has been stuck in my head ever since the game released.
I've always loved the soundtracks from the Persona series. They offer a distinct sound and style that differentiates itself from pretty much most other JRPGs. The combination of J-Pop like music, combined with an essence of Blues or Jazz styled music, creates a soundtrack that fits the lifestyle of a student by day and a thief by night. Honestly, the shadows prowling around in the palaces are probably hoping to get ambushed by the Phantoms Thieves, just so they can hear, "You'll never see it coming!".
While the music and UI are certainly great, what helps push Persona 5 to the heights of "true coolness" is the confidence shown off by the cast of characters, especially the protagonist. The group that makes up the Phantom Thieves, may at first have trouble knowing how to handle the situations they encounter throughout the game, but they inevitably find the thing they need in order to be confident in one's self.
Going back to the definition of cool, the actual definition means: "Fashionably attractive or impressive". I would argue that Persona 5 is both attractive, with its creative UI and catchy music, as well as also impressive, it's a damn good game. While the definition is a good one, I would add that displaying confidence is a key aspect in defining a person as cool.
The main protagonist of Persona 5, from the very beginning of the game, displays a swagger that will draw anyone's attention. Joker throughout Persona 5 is confident, attractive, as well as impressive in the way he handles intense situations, by definition that means he is also cool. He exudes so much confidence that even his party members begin to feel confident as well.
In most games, Persona 5's baton pass system would be a simple "your turn" dialogue as you switch characters, but Persona 5's coolness won't allow it to do something that lame, why not an extremely satisfying high five between the characters. Along with the baton pass mechanic, there is the"All Out Attack" scene, which is a perfect combination of creative style that showcases the swag of one of the characters. Whenever I see the image of Joker after an "All Out Attack" wipes out the shadows, and he showcases that smirk, I just have to say to myself "Man he's cool".
The amount of confidence that Persona 5 demonstrates is ridiculous, there is so much of it that even I begin to feel a bit more cool just while playing the game. I'm not cool, but Persona 5 radiates so much coolness that it even rubs off on me and I feel just a little more confident throughout the day.
I think Persona 5 is one of the coolest games I've ever played, but I think one aspect that has been a theme for the series, is the theme of being honest with yourself and recognizing who you truly are. If you try to act like someone you aren't, it will become obvious to most people that that is the case. People will be able to tell based solely on the fact that you're not confident in who you are. If you face yourself and accept who you are, not only will you be happier, but you'll also be much more confident.
Everything in Persona 5 oozes with creativity and swagger that at times can be a bit overwhelming, but the game's ability to grab your attention and keep it, is mightily impressive. As much as I love the music, hud, and the cast of characters, the part that I love the most is, get ready for the most uncool and cheesy sentence in this whole piece, is the game showing people that being confident in yourself is the coolest thing of all.
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