Recent reviews by SKX

Although I’m only about seven hours in, this game has already grabbed me by the collar and refused to let go. The story is intricate, political, and personal all at once. It makes you lean in rather than zone out. The characters feel real, the stakes are high, and every line of dialogue adds weight to the world.

This is how writing in an RPG should be done. It’s smart, layered, and unafraid to treat the player like they can handle nuance. If this is just the opening act, I can’t wait to see how deep this rabbit hole goes.

Persona 3 Reload is more than just a game. It is an experience that wrestles with life, friendship, and what it means to carry on after loss. The theme of loss and carrying on is present throughout the story and comes to a powerful conclusion at the very end. Those themes hit me harder than I expected.

My father passed in 2013. When the time came, my family surrounded him, told him it was okay to let go, and we watched him pass peacefully. That moment has stayed with me all these years. Playing through Persona 3 Reload brought those emotions rushing back. The idea of being with someone in their final moments, and then choosing to move forward while carrying their memory with you, felt very real.

The way the game portrays bonds between friends, and how those bonds give you strength even in the face of death, felt deeply personal. It reminded me that even when someone is gone, the love and connection remain.

The music also stirred something in me that I did not expect. It moved me so much that I went out and purchased all of the Persona music on vinyl and even upgraded my stereo system just so I could listen to it in the best way possible.

It is rare for a game to make me feel this way. It gave me a kind of numbness, but in a good and healing way. Persona 3 Reload did not just entertain me, it helped me process something I have been holding onto for over a decade.

This game rocks. It's gorgeous, the combat is slick, and the story kept me hooked harder than my toddler on a juice box. I told myself I’d play for an hour... then skipped family dinner because I had to see what happened next. No regrets. Except maybe missing taco night.

Only downside? The late-game difficulty spikes and if you haven’t been paying attention to the mechanics, you'll get humbled quickly. Pay attention to all the battles as you grow.

Still, it’s a brilliant RPG with heart, style, and just enough challenge to make you sweat. Play it. Just maybe give your loved ones a heads-up first.

Let me start with this: I haven’t finished Persona 5 yet—but that hasn’t stopped it from planting itself firmly in my list of all-time favorite RPGs. It’s stylish, it’s deep, it’s got attitude for days, and it’s been hogging every spare moment I’ve had. My wife’s not thrilled, but hey, Phantom Thieves gotta steal hearts, right?

The gameplay is slick and addictive. From turn-based combat that actually feels strategic and satisfying, to dungeon crawling with puzzle-lite mechanics, to the surprisingly chill life-sim elements, the game keeps finding new ways to pull me in. One minute I’m battling corrupted adults in their grotesque Palaces, the next I’m cramming for exams, working a part-time job, or feeding a plant —all somehow tied to saving the world.

The story? It’s bonkers, in a good way. It dives into some heavy themes—corruption, abuse of power, personal freedom—and it doesn’t hold back. The characters are flawed, fiery, and full of growth. I genuinely care about this group of rebellious teens, even if they spend half their time bickering like a dysfunctional anime sitcom cast.

Now, the dialogue... yeah, I won’t lie, some of it had me tilting my head. There’s a certain cadence and phrasing in the Japanese-to-English translation that occasionally feels off to Western ears. Not bad—just different. It takes some adjusting, and every now and then I’d catch myself rereading a line just to make sure I understood the tone. But honestly? That slight cultural disconnect kinda adds to the charm. It's like visiting Tokyo through a video game and picking up a few quirks along the way.

And then there’s the knowledge checks—the in-game quiz questions that are often rooted in real-world trivia. It’s nerdy in the best way. I’ve learned things I didn't expect, and occasionally felt called out for forgetting stuff I should know (thanks, Persona, for the academic guilt trip).

In short: Persona 5 is a beautifully layered experience. Even unfinished, it’s a top-tier RPG. It challenges your brain, rewards your time, and just oozes personality. Sure, it might be testing the limits of my domestic bliss, but at least I’ll go down knowing I maxed out my Confidants and aced those midterms.

Verdict (So Far): 9.5/10 – Would recommend, just don’t let your spouse catch you choosing Futaba over real-life plans.

This has been some of the most fun I've had in an MMO in awhile. There's so much to do, so much crafting, exploring, and leveling up different weapons. I've had an absolute ball playing it.

I can't stand the fact that it doesn't give you an easy way to determine what stat your TemTem is, and what the other TemTem is weak to unless you jot it down and or remember. That's not fun for me.