Latest news with #JRPG
The Guardian
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘We're huge JRPG fans': Purity Ring on how nostalgia for a gaming era inspired their new single
If you were around for the electropop zeitgeist of the early 2010s, chances are that Purity Ring feature prominently on your nostalgia playlist. And if you were a young adult at that time, well, there's also a high chance that you played Japanese role-playing games as a teenager – whether that was Chrono Trigger on an SNES or Final Fantasy on a PlayStation. Purity Ring's new single Many Lives is an attempt to recapture the feeling of the RPG that you discovered as a 12-year-old and immediately made into your whole personality. Inspired by games such as Skies of Arcadia, Phantasy Star Online and Secret of Mana, it is poised to tug on the heartstrings of fans of a certain vintage. This is a bold decision for a band who have previously collaborated with Deftones and covered Eurodance classics, but members Megan James and Corin Roddick have the gaming expertise to pull it off. 'We're huge fans of the JRPG genre,' they say, naming Nier: Automata and Final Fantasy X as major influences on the sonic atmosphere of their latest work. 'And we're both currently playing Metaphor: ReFantazio – it's an incredible fantasy take on the Persona formula.' Five years after their last studio album and with more than a decade of remixes under their belt, Purity Ring are now fully independent and working under their own imprint, The Fellowship. Their next album, out in September, is described as 'the soundtrack to an imagined RPG… the record tells the story of two hapless characters - embodiments of mj and Corin - on a journey to build a kinder world amid the ruins of a broken one.' The album didn't start out as an imagined video game soundtrack, but during production they quickly realised where the idea could lead: 'There was a sense of traversing an RPG world, of a journey unfolding that felt deeply tied to the sound,' they say. With this concept identified, Many Lives and its b-side, Part II, were born. 'Many Lives is the doorway into this imagined world, and its centre – sort of like the place in the beginning of most JRPG games, where the character begins their story.' The story here centres around Purity Ring's real-life experiences during production, as well as 'memories and places of terror and comfort' from the duo's past. 'This album is an extension of the dreaming it takes to make actual change,' they say; it explores how games can offer a journey that leads to creative rebirth. On first listen, what stands out in Many Lives is the haunting voices of the choir, reminiscent of Kenji Kawai's iconic Ghost in the Shell soundtrack. This eerie intro is accompanied by a high-tempo breakbeat, culminating in a track that feels like watching classic anime while playing Jet Set Radio. Purity Ring aren't shy about their love for this era. 'The Ghost in the Shell soundtrack is such a striking combination with the visuals … it was very memorable to experience that as a kid.' Having revisited the anime for this project, the duo decided to create their new music in its image, citing it alongside the Japanese cult classic game Nier: Automata as an example of music that makes you feel part of the world. Sign up to Pushing Buttons Keza MacDonald's weekly look at the world of gaming after newsletter promotion Like Kawai's soundtrack, Many Lives channels the haunting vocals of Bulgarian folk music alongside James' vocoded lyrics. Purity Ring aren't afraid to turn to non-traditional instruments for ideas, claiming they aren't big gearheads and rarely use hardware synths. 'The Legend of Zelda series has always been a major inspiration for us,' they say. 'Especially the ocarina music from the N64 titles.' You'll hear echoes of 1998's Ocarina of Time in the melody threading through both tracks, like a half-remembered song you've not heard for some time. If the nostalgic vocals and retro Casiotone MT-240 sounds aren't enough to make you long for the golden age of games, the accompanying video's cel-shaded graphics emphasise the duo's love for all things RPG. Directed by Mike Sunday, the video is a GameCube daydream, inspired by 'a time that felt like game developers were really embracing style over realism'. It's Shinjuku meets Hyrule, reminiscent of the opening maps of JRPGs, places that are always beautiful and yet rarely revisited. Purity Ring are fondest of the PS2 and GameCube era, but they pay tribute to the PlayStation Portable too; the UI for their imagined RPG would look at home on several of the handheld's bestsellers. For me, Many Lives sounds like afternoons spent playing Baten Kaitos (I'm still hoping for a sequel). For Purity Ring, the tracks 'evoke a feeling of past, present and future – a nostalgia for something you've never experienced, but somehow still remember'. They're keen to position this forthcoming album as a new chapter for them, capturing the sound of an era – and chasing the feeling of playing a life-changing game for the first time. Purity Ring will release their self-titled 4th album on 26 September
The Guardian
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘We're huge JRPG fans': Purity Ring on how nostalgia for a gaming era inspired their new single
If you were around for the electropop zeitgeist of the early 2010s, chances are that Purity Ring feature prominently on your nostalgia playlist. And if you were a young adult at that time, well, there's also a high chance that you played Japanese role-playing games as a teenager – whether that was Chrono Trigger on an SNES or Final Fantasy on a PlayStation. Purity Ring's new single Many Lives is an attempt to recapture the feeling of the RPG that you discovered as a 12-year-old and immediately made into your whole personality. Inspired by games such as Skies of Arcadia, Phantasy Star Online and Secret of Mana, it is poised to tug on the heartstrings of fans of a certain vintage. This is a bold decision for a band who have previously collaborated with Deftones and covered Eurodance classics, but members Megan James and Corin Roddick have the gaming expertise to pull it off. 'We're huge fans of the JRPG genre,' they say, naming Nier: Automata and Final Fantasy X as major influences on the sonic atmosphere of their latest work. 'And we're both currently playing Metaphor: ReFantazio – it's an incredible fantasy take on the Persona formula.' Five years after their last studio album and with more than a decade of remixes under their belt, Purity Ring are now fully independent and working under their own imprint, The Fellowship. Their next album, out in September, is described as 'the soundtrack to an imagined RPG… the record tells the story of two hapless characters - embodiments of mj and Corin - on a journey to build a kinder world amid the ruins of a broken one.' The album didn't start out as an imagined video game soundtrack, but during production they quickly realised where the idea could lead: 'There was a sense of traversing an RPG world, of a journey unfolding that felt deeply tied to the sound,' they say. With this concept identified, Many Lives and its b-side, Part II, were born. 'Many Lives is the doorway into this imagined world, and its centre – sort of like the place in the beginning of most JRPG games, where the character begins their story.' The story here centres around Purity Ring's real-life experiences during production, as well as 'memories and places of terror and comfort' from the duo's past. 'This album is an extension of the dreaming it takes to make actual change,' they say; it explores how games can offer a journey that leads to creative rebirth. On first listen, what stands out in Many Lives is the haunting voices of the choir, reminiscent of Kenji Kawai's iconic Ghost in the Shell soundtrack. This eerie intro is accompanied by a high-tempo breakbeat, culminating in a track that feels like watching classic anime while playing Jet Set Radio. Purity Ring aren't shy about their love for this era. 'The Ghost in the Shell soundtrack is such a striking combination with the visuals … it was very memorable to experience that as a kid.' Having revisited the anime for this project, the duo decided to create their new music in its image, citing it alongside the Japanese cult classic game Nier: Automata as an example of music that makes you feel part of the world. Sign up to Pushing Buttons Keza MacDonald's weekly look at the world of gaming after newsletter promotion Like Kawai's soundtrack, Many Lives channels the haunting vocals of Bulgarian folk music alongside James' vocoded lyrics. Purity Ring aren't afraid to turn to non-traditional instruments for ideas, claiming they aren't big gearheads and rarely use hardware synths. 'The Legend of Zelda series has always been a major inspiration for us,' they say. 'Especially the ocarina music from the N64 titles.' You'll hear echoes of 1998's Ocarina of Time in the melody threading through both tracks, like a half-remembered song you've not heard for some time. If the nostalgic vocals and retro Casiotone MT-240 sounds aren't enough to make you long for the golden age of games, the accompanying video's cel-shaded graphics emphasise the duo's love for all things RPG. Directed by Mike Sunday, the video is a GameCube daydream, inspired by 'a time that felt like game developers were really embracing style over realism'. It's Shinjuku meets Hyrule, reminiscent of the opening maps of JRPGs, places that are always beautiful and yet rarely revisited. Purity Ring are fondest of the PS2 and GameCube era, but they pay tribute to the PlayStation Portable too; the UI for their imagined RPG would look at home on several of the handheld's bestsellers. For me, Many Lives sounds like afternoons spent playing Baten Kaitos (I'm still hoping for a sequel). For Purity Ring, the tracks 'evoke a feeling of past, present and future – a nostalgia for something you've never experienced, but somehow still remember'. They're keen to position this forthcoming album as a new chapter for them, capturing the sound of an era – and chasing the feeling of playing a life-changing game for the first time. Purity Ring will release their self-titled 4th album on 26 September
Associated Press
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Persona5: The Phantom X Officially Launched Today in Southeast Asia. Surpasses One Million Pre-Registrations. Log In Now to Claim Free Rewards.
Available on mobile and PC NOW. TAIPEI, TAIWAN - Media OutReach Newswire - 3 July 2025 - The highly anticipated turn-based JRPG Persona5: The Phantom X is officially launched today on iOS, Android, and PC platforms across Southeast Asia. Developed through the collaboration between Atlus' P-Studio and Chinese developer Perfect World Games' Black Wings Game Studio, this title marks the latest addition to the critically acclaimed Persona5 franchise, offering players a bold new entry with the series' signature stylish combat, rich storytelling and an entirely new cast of Phantom Thieves, bringing players to the world of Persona5. Following its recognition at Tokyo Game Show 2024, where it earned the Japan Game Awards' Future Division honour, Persona5: The Phantom X reaffirms the franchise's standing as a leader in anime-style JRPG storytelling and innovation. P5X SEA Press releaseEN 1920x1080 2 Expanding upon the thematic and narrative depth of Persona5: The Phantom X presents players with a brand-new protagonist named Wonder who awakens from a disturbing dream to find himself in a world bereft of hope. Guided by enigmatic new companions, an eloquent owl named Lufel, a long-nosed man, and a mysterious woman clad in blue. He must navigate the dual realities of daily life and the Metaverse to confront an impending ruin. This instalment retains the series' signature visual style, strategic combat system and deeply immersive storytelling. Official trailer: Persona5: The Phantom X has received an overwhelmingly positive response in the region, amassing over 1 million pre-registrations prior to launch, unlocking the milestone rewards. As a gesture of appreciation, all pre-registered users will receive free contract draws x20, free weapon draws x15, free outfit for Protagonist and free exclusive avatar frame, and player card. To commemorate the official launch of Persona5: The Phantom X, a special collaboration event featuring characters from Persona5 begins today and runs through July 31, 2025, at 05:00 (GMT+8). The exclusive 5-star Curse character Joker is one of the most iconic figures in the Persona5 series, voiced by Jun Fukuyama. Joker is a second-year high school student whose powers as a Persona user were awakened in a moment of desperation. His Persona is Arsène. In celebration of the official launch of Persona5: The Phantom X, the operations team has prepared a wide range of launch rewards for all players. By logging in and completing designated missions, players can earn the following items: Wonder exclusive weapon, extra contract draws, Phantom Thief & Weapon Selection Box, Protagonist's exclusive outfit, chat emojis, and a variety of valuable in-game items. Additionally, a Beginner Contract Draw Event is now available. Players who complete 50 draws will receive a guaranteed opportunity to select one of the following limited-time Persona5 Phantom Thieves to join their team: Ann, Morgana, or Ryuji. Persona5: The Phantom X is now officially available for download on iOS, Android, and PC platforms in Southeast Asia. Hashtag: #P5X #P5 #persona5x The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Malay Mail
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Persona5: The Phantom X Officially Launched Today in Southeast Asia. Surpasses One Million Pre-Registrations. Log In Now to Claim Free Rewards.
Available on mobile and PC NOW. TAIPEI, TAIWAN - Media OutReach Newswire - 3 July 2025 - The highly anticipated turn-based JRPG Persona5: The Phantom X is officially launched today on iOS, Android, and PC platforms across Southeast Asia. Developed through the collaboration between Atlus' P-Studio and Chinese developer Perfect World Games' Black Wings Game Studio, this title marks the latest addition to the critically acclaimed Persona5 franchise, offering players a bold new entry with the series' signature stylish combat, rich storytelling and an entirely new cast of Phantom Thieves, bringing players to the world of Persona5. Following its recognition at Tokyo Game Show 2024, where it earned the Japan Game Awards' Future Division honour, Persona5: The Phantom X reaffirms the franchise's standing as a leader in anime-style JRPG storytelling and upon the thematic and narrative depth of Persona5: The Phantom X presents players with a brand-new protagonist named Wonder who awakens from a disturbing dream to find himself in a world bereft of hope. Guided by enigmatic new companions, an eloquent owl named Lufel, a long-nosed man, and a mysterious woman clad in blue. He must navigate the dual realities of daily life and the Metaverse to confront an impending ruin. This instalment retains the series' signature visual style, strategic combat system and deeply immersive The Phantom X has received an overwhelmingly positive response in the region, amassing over 1 million pre-registrations prior to launch, unlocking the milestone rewards. As a gesture of appreciation, all pre-registered users will receive free contract draws x20, free weapon draws x15, free outfit for Protagonist and free exclusive avatar frame, and player commemorate the official launch of Persona5: The Phantom X, a special collaboration event featuring characters from Persona5 begins today and runs through July 31, 2025, at 05:00 (GMT+8). The exclusive 5-star Curse character Joker is one of the most iconic figures in the Persona5 series, voiced by Jun Fukuyama. Joker is a second-year high school student whose powers as a Persona user were awakened in a moment of desperation. His Persona is Arsè celebration of the official launch of Persona5: The Phantom X, the operations team has prepared a wide range of launch rewards for all players. By logging in and completing designated missions, players can earn the following items: Wonder exclusive weapon, extra contract draws, Phantom Thief & Weapon Selection Box, Protagonist's exclusive outfit, chat emojis, and a variety of valuable in-game items. Additionally, a Beginner Contract Draw Event is now available. Players who complete 50 draws will receive a guaranteed opportunity to select one of the following limited-time Persona5 Phantom Thieves to join their team: Ann, Morgana, or The Phantom X is now officially available for download on iOS, Android, and PC platforms in Southeast #P5X #P5 #persona5x The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
WIRED
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- WIRED
'Persona 5: The Phantom X' Brings The Series To Your Phone—and It's Shockingly Good
Jun 27, 2025 3:11 PM The free-to-play game is the first time the JRPG is available on mobile, offering fans a quick fix with a few hidden costs. Still from Persona 5: The Phantom X. Courtesy of fortyseven communications Persona games are herculean efforts to finish. A single playthrough of any game in the main series, which includes everything from saving the world to studying for finals, frequently clocks in at around 100 hours. Much of that time is spent building relationships with the game's characters and world by hanging out with friends, doing mundane tasks like laundry, or finding new parts of the city to explore. It creates a dedication that leaves many players so attached to each game's cast that they'll eagerly jump into new experiences just to get more time with them. Persona 5 was no exception. Since its launch in 2016, the JRPG has inspired spinoffs across a variety of genres, from rhythm game Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight to the strategy-based Persona 5 Tactica . On June 26, co-developers Atlus, Sega, and Perfect World released Persona 5: The Phantom X —a spinoff for PC and mobile that mirrors the original game so closely, it works as both an easy introduction to the series, and an enjoyable re-entry into Persona 5 's world. Much like with Persona 5 , Phantom X s follows a group of teenage vigilantes known as Phantom Thieves who gain the power to summon powerful entities, Personas, to fight evil forces. More directly, the game feels like Persona 5 , adopting its turn-based battle system, music, visual style, social links, and more to deliver an experience on PC and mobile devices that works surprisingly well for a series with so much to do. While The Phantom X opens almost identically to the original game, it quickly veers away from Persona 5 's cast to establish its own. Something is off in the world of high school student Nagisa Kamishiro, where people are losing the desires that guide their free will and dreams. In order to help people reclaim their lives, Nagisa and his friends will need to crawl through the Metaverse, a foe-filled alternate reality only they can enter, and fight back. The Phantom X is free-to-play, but is a gacha game, meaning it has in-game purchases and relies on randomized pulls for things like characters from other games in the series and items. It's a controversial style that can prompt players to fork over cash endlessly to get the experience they want. Because of that system, The Phantom X is best played at a daily pace, rather than long stretches. The game has daily activities and awards to earn, and developers plan to continue releasing content for it over the coming months. Right now, the game only features Japanese voice acting and English subtitles, which may be a deterrent for some fans. Although the Persona series is available on handheld consoles, like the PS Vita or Nintendo Switch, The Phantom X is the first time the more traditional JRPG version is available on mobile. The game uses touch controls to move through its world and select commands. Its cutscenes work well even on a small screen, and though its menu can feel at times cramped (depending on your screen size) it's an experience that flows seamlessly. Mobile platforms are well-suited to the dungeon crawling aspects of the game especially, allowing for much needed breaks and the ability to quickly jump back in at any time. For players who want to relive the highlights of the Persona 5 universe, The Phantom X is an easy recommendation. Its faithful recreation of the original game's best elements, mixed with a new story, makes the experience feel like a premium one—and a promising look at what a Persona game could look like on your phone.
