Although the wait hasn’t been as long as that of a few other RPGs, an entire console generation has passed by without the release of a main numbered instalment in the Persona franchise. Offering brand new setting, characters and concepts – Persona 5 has finally been made available in Japan.
While it is possible to purchase Persona 5 as a standard edition set on either the PlayStation 3 or PlayStation 4, ATLUS have also marked the franchise’s 20th anniversary by releasing a special and considerably pricier ’20th Anniversary Edition’ on both platforms. Coming with an approximate RRP of 13,800 yen, this edition provides additional content not only relating to Persona 5, but its predecessors.
Not wanting to wait until 2017 to dive into this long-awaited game and willing to take a hit to my wallet, I decided to pick up a copy of the ’20th Anniversary Edition’ for myself. While I am not one to ramble on camera while I delicately take things apart, please keep reading as I share my thoughts on each individual item in this set, and determine whether the extra cost is justified.
The Persona 5 Art Treasure Box
The first thing you see once you pick up this edition is its packaging, which consists of a sturdy box just big enough to snugly fit the contents within. With a colour scheme consisting or red (the main colour of Persona 5, similar to blue in P3 and yellow in P4) and differing shades of white and black, one side features the game’s title w/ artwork, while the other features a single piece of artwork presenting the main playable characters.
The design is nice overall and the box itself is sturdy and well constructed. However, I wouldn’t say this packaging is anything particularly unique or special when compared against other special editions on the market.
The Artbook
The first item included in the ’20th Anniversary Edition’ is a 64-page hardcover artbook titled ‘Persona 5 Art Book ~The Aesthetics~‘. Focusing exclusively on Persona 5, this book features different final/conceptual artwork for each character, some locale designs and finalised artwork.
This is a well constructed book overall, and is about what I would expect from a special edition of this price point. Ultimately, there is only so much you can cram into a B5 artbook with this page-count. Therefore, while decent, it hardly compares against the Design Compendiums which were released and eventually localised into English for Persona 3 and Persona 4. While not something I would likely keep individually on my artbook shelf, it nevertheless adds value to this collection and is worth a read.
The 20th Anniversary of Persona Series All Time Best Album
In my mind, one of the main draws of this edition was the ’20th Anniversary Persona Series All Time Best Album’ soundtrack. This five-disc set features a selection of songs from each of the five numbered instalments in the Persona series – with each CD featuring the emblem of the game’s featured school. The soundtrack covering Persona 1 for example features the crest of St. Hermelin High School while the one for Persona 4 has the emblem of Yasogami High School. Each of these discs are nicely designed, and are securely contained within a CD case capable of holding five discs and a small eight page leaflet with the tracklist of each disc.
With the Persona 5 disc containing the least tracks, each CD holds between 20 and 43 songs. This means you don’t receive every song in the series, but rather a decent number of songs from each. Especially with regards to Persona 3 and Persona 4, there are many easily recognisable songs from ‘Pursuing My True Self’ to ‘Burn My Dread’. With the exception of what is mentioned below, I think that in general, the right song choices were made.
Those who are familiar with the series will know that every Persona game has received an enhanced port on either the PlayStation Portable or PlayStation Vita – each of which offer a new selection of songs. In terms of Persona 3 and Persona 4 you do receive these newer songs, with tracks like Soul Phase and Time to Make History included. The same is not true for Persona and Persona 2 (Innocent Sin / Eternal Punishment) however, with neither the recreated or completely new (Eg. A Lone Prayer) songs present on-disc. Outside of Dance! -Long Mix- from Persona 4: Dancing All Night, none of the more recent spin-off games are represented either.
While not a complete representation of the Persona games, and there are a few songs I would like to have seen covered in this collection, I think this is a very nice song compilation for those who don’t already own individual soundtracks for each game.
Additional Downloadable Content
The final main piece of content is found within a blue Velvet Room envelope, which itself is nicely designed. Contained within is the above message from Igor and a coupon card, which can be redeemed for four pieces of in-game DLC, a PS4 theme and PlayStation Avatars based on the five school emblems from Persona 1-5.
The first two pieces of downloadable content are costumes for each playable character, based on the school uniforms of Gekkoukan High School (Persona 3) and Yasogami High School (Persona 4). These can be worn by characters in lieu of their Phantom Thief attire, although doesn’t carry across to some cutscenes or regular clothing. While there is a lack of costumes compared against the wealth offered in Persona 4 Golden, if either costume is worn by the Protagonist, the battle theme will be replaced by either ‘Mass Destruction’ or ‘Time to Make History’.
I am generally on the fence about ATLUS offering Personas a downloadable content. However, in keeping with the “20th Anniversary” theme, the other two pieces of in-game DLC make Izanagi and Orpheus available via the Velvet Room.
Final Words on Persona 5: 20th Anniversary Edition
Overall, the Persona 5: 20th Anniversary Edition set was a pretty good collector’s edition in my opinion, which offered a solid artbook and a great soundtrack compilation. For the amount extra I paid for this set compared to choosing the Standard Edition, I find myself satisfied with what was included.
However, when it comes to special editions, I like more distinct and substantial additions such as the bonus anime episode included with Tales of Zestiria or the three-arcs-in-one-set offered for Fire Emblem Fates. Although it may offer a satisfying amount of content, in my opinion this edition there is nothing particularly distinct to set it apart from other special editions on the market.
Where to Buy
The Persona 5: 20th Anniversary Edition is still available for purchase from several online stores, including but not limited to Play-Asia. While this is a store I use quite regularly, I always recommend shopping around and choosing a store which you are happy with. Depending on when you read this, availability levels may have changed.
Note: Take Your Heart Premium Edition
ATLUS USA will be offering a “Take Your Heart” Premium Edition of Persona 5 on the PlayStation 4 next year. Do note that this review doesn’t cover most if not any contents from this edition.
Founder of The Otaku's Study. I have been exploring this labyrinth of fandom these last fifteen years, and still nowhere close to the exit yet. Probably searching for a long time to come.
