Persona 5 Strikers is accurately described as a hybrid action RPG that blends Dynasty Warriors-style combat with Persona series mechanics. The game features real-time action combat on the battlefield, but pauses when you access Persona skills from a menu, allowing for tactical decision-making. This creates a dynamic system where you can engage in flashy hack-and-slash combat against large groups of enemies while still leveraging the strategic elemental weakness exploitation and turn-based skill selection that define the Persona franchise.
The gameplay retains core Persona elements including ambushing enemies, exploiting elemental weaknesses to trigger All-Out Attacks, and collecting Personas through enemy drops and fusion in the Velvet Room. New mechanics introduced for the action-oriented format include Master Arts—special moves unlocked through command inputs that become available as you use each character more in combat—and the Showtime gauge, which charges during battle and unleashes powerful ultimate attacks when filled.
The game also preserves stealth mechanics from the original Persona 5, allowing you to avoid enemies and lower the dungeon Alert meter through surprise attacks. Instead of the traditional Confidant system, Strikers introduces the BAND system, which grants stat bonuses and special perks by increasing character levels through interactions, battles, and story progression.
Your description of the setting is accurate: the story takes place six months after Persona 5 and follows Joker and the Phantom Thieves as they explore six different cities in a mysterious version of Tokyo filled with supernatural enemies.
