Diary

Persona 5 Open-World Screenshots | Apr 4, 2017

April 4, 2017

More Persona 5 open-world screenshots. Taken during my exploration of the various districts in the game.

Yongen-Jaya (四軒茶屋)

Yongen-Jaya, the starting area of the game, is based on Sangenjaya (三軒茶屋), a station on the Den-en-toshi line of Tokyo.

It’s very much just one short main street and one alleyway. To be honest, the area felt dreary on first impression, which I suppose was what the game intended.

There is a batting cage here, though, as well as a sento. The overall feel is that of an aged, working-class neighbourhood. A place most teenagers would dread to live in.

The supermarket at the heart of Yongen-Jaya. For the moment, it’s the most interesting looking feature.

The district has seen better days, that’s for sure.

The sento opposite where the protagonist lives. I would love to have a sento at my doorstep!

Shujin Academy (秀尽学園高校)

Compared to Yongen-Jaya, Shujin Academy is HUGE with two buildings of three floors each and various interconnecting corridors. Students are found everywhere and practically every door permits some sort of interaction.

With all sorts of nasty rumours flying about, the school also has a heavy air of gloom and negativity. This is one school I seriously hate to be in. I really empathise with the protagonists for being stuck here.

Corridor outside the protagonist’s classroom.

Every door allows some sort of interaction. This was a little overwhelming during my first run. So many things to explore!

What I like most about Shujin Academy: the little details scattered everywhere to add to the feel of the place. Outside the biology room, you’d find an anatomical model and medical jars. Elsewhere, you would find easels outside the art room.

Shibuya Station (渋谷駅)

The showpiece of Persona 5 lives up to expectations in the sense it quite successfully projects that labyrinthine feeling of major Japanese train stations; I’m still trying to piece together how the various areas connect.

Like Shujin Academy, almost every shopfront allows for some sort of interaction too, although most brings on no more than a short comment. (This might change deeper into the game) My favourite areas here are undoubtedly Central Street and the Underground Mall. With a little imagination, it’s not hard to imagine myself actually visiting Shibuya!

Navigation here reminds me of my first real-life encounter with Tokyo Station in 1998. During that trip, I was still getting lost in Tokyo Station after three days.

Central Street, with view towards the station and just before the famous scramble crossing.

Shibuya Crepes! Million Sweets All For You!

It’s actually quite ticklish to see how Atlus renames famous brands to avoid copyright issues. Next to this pharmacy, there’s a “Toyo” cinema.

Of all Persona 5 open-world screenshots in this post, this is the one that feels most “Japanese” to me. If you’ve been to Japan, you would know what I mean when I say Japanese convenience stores are must-see attractions.

My favourite area in Shibuya Station! I feel like spending every last yen I have here. BTW, that’s a “Body Chop” to my right.

Omiyage store. And Babel (Tower) Records. *chortle*

Kudos to Atlus for including my favourite area outside Japanese train stations. It’s the sheltered version too!

Last but not least, another view of the famous Shibuya Station Crossing.

Check out my earlier post for more Persona 5 screenshots!

Update Apr 12: More Persona 5 Screenshots Showcasing Tokyo Locations!

I’m now about 30 – 40 per cent into the game, I think. More locations have opened up!

Several of these are date locations, which means there would be cut scenes and talking and all that, but no roaming possibilities. They do still add to the overall venturing-all-over-Tokyo feel, though.

The subway/train map grows. Tokyo veterans should know why that particular train line is green.

One of the more unique looking locations.

On the third screenshot. Shinjuku is accessible after the midpoint of the third mission. With all the Yakuza activities involved in that mission, how could I not immediately think of Ryu ga Gotoku? Oh, if only Kiryu-no-Aniki pops up to kick away those pesky shadows in the third palace! (Vice versa, would be a wonderful sub-story for him too.)

Like A Dragon?!?! A story about a mafia boss who gets killed and the money goes missing?!

And … the Yakuza series does make a cameo! The Japanese name, Ryu ga Gotoku, translates directly to “like a dragon.” Morgana’s subsequent comments about the movie completely describe the plot of Yakuza 1 too.

(If you’re wondering why this tribute, Atlus is currently a subsidiary of Sega Games. The latter acquired Atlus’ previous parent, Index Corporation, after Index declared bankruptcy. With P5 being a PlayStation exclusive and all that, little surprise Sega would take the chance to do some promotion for its most renowned PlayStation series. At least, that’s my guess!)