Latest news with #Atlus
WIRED
8 hours ago
- 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.
Sydney Morning Herald
5 days ago
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
Mia Freedman's Mamamia and News Corp sued over cannabis ads
Mia Freedman's media company Mamamia and News Corp's magazine division are being sued by the therapeutic goods federal watchdog, accused of unlawfully advertising medicinal cannabis. The case, brought by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in the Federal Court, alleges Mamamia and the News Corp Australia-owned publisher of Body + Soul magazine ran articles unlawfully promoting medicinal cannabis products from alternative-medicine website and dispensary Atlus in 2022 and 2023 following a marketing campaign. Mamamia and Body + Soul published articles promoting medicinal cannabis and Atlus, which included endorsements from medical professionals, who are banned from endorsing such products under the TGA's advertising code, the body said. The TGA referred to quotes from a nurse in Mamamia's article titled '[Name] takes CBD oil daily for her anxiety. Here's what she wants people to know', and a doctor in an article, '5 health conditions you didn't know medical cannabis could help with' published by Body + Soul. The latter also contained a link to the Atlus website, the TGA said. The Mamamia article was also allegedly written by a person whose mother worked for a company associated with Atlus and was also involved in creating the Atlus' marketing campaign. The article was also posted on Mamamia's Facebook page, which had 1.3 million followers as of June 23, 2025. AG Therapeutics, which operates online medical cannabis clinic Atlus is at the centre of the case. The company's sole director, Dr Shimal Jobanputra, was a respondent, and facilitated the preparation and approval of the advertising campaign, the TGA said. Jobanputra was previously listed as a general practitioner in a Sunshine Coast clinic. Atlus used euphemisms such as 'plant medicine' in widespread advertising online and on social media for medicinal cannabis, as well as promoting cannabis' use for serious health conditions, the TGA alleged. Both publications' articles also used terms such as 'medical marijuana', 'cannabinoids', 'plant-based therapies' and 'natural therapies' that 'target the endocannabinoid system'. 'Such claims, known as restricted or prohibited representations, are strictly regulated and generally forbidden in therapeutic goods advertising without explicit TGA approval,' a statement from the regulator said.
The Age
5 days ago
- Health
- The Age
Mia Freedman's Mamamia and News Corp sued over cannabis ads
Mia Freedman's media company Mamamia and News Corp's magazine division are being sued by the therapeutic goods federal watchdog, accused of unlawfully advertising medicinal cannabis. The case, brought by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in the Federal Court, alleges Mamamia and the News Corp Australia-owned publisher of Body + Soul magazine ran articles unlawfully promoting medicinal cannabis products from alternative-medicine website and dispensary Atlus in 2022 and 2023 following a marketing campaign. Mamamia and Body + Soul published articles promoting medicinal cannabis and Atlus, which included endorsements from medical professionals, who are banned from endorsing such products under the TGA's advertising code, the body said. The TGA referred to quotes from a nurse in Mamamia's article titled '[Name] takes CBD oil daily for her anxiety. Here's what she wants people to know', and a doctor in an article, '5 health conditions you didn't know medical cannabis could help with' published by Body + Soul. The latter also contained a link to the Atlus website, the TGA said. The Mamamia article was also allegedly written by a person whose mother worked for a company associated with Atlus and was also involved in creating the Atlus' marketing campaign. The article was also posted on Mamamia's Facebook page, which had 1.3 million followers as of June 23, 2025. AG Therapeutics, which operates online medical cannabis clinic Atlus is at the centre of the case. The company's sole director, Dr Shimal Jobanputra, was a respondent, and facilitated the preparation and approval of the advertising campaign, the TGA said. Jobanputra was previously listed as a general practitioner in a Sunshine Coast clinic. Atlus used euphemisms such as 'plant medicine' in widespread advertising online and on social media for medicinal cannabis, as well as promoting cannabis' use for serious health conditions, the TGA alleged. Both publications' articles also used terms such as 'medical marijuana', 'cannabinoids', 'plant-based therapies' and 'natural therapies' that 'target the endocannabinoid system'. 'Such claims, known as restricted or prohibited representations, are strictly regulated and generally forbidden in therapeutic goods advertising without explicit TGA approval,' a statement from the regulator said.
Geek Culture
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Culture
‘RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army' Carves Out Unique Identity With A Twist On Demon Fusion, Combat & More
Power fantasies are a dime a dozen in the gaming space, but it's not every day that a detective leads the narrative. Among those who tread into sleuthing adventures, only a handful are equipped with the fighting prowess to fend off dangerous foes, much less demons — a focal point in Atlus' Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army . The 2006 cult classic follows the titular protector of the Capital, whose job is to dispel any demonic or otherworldly threats to the city, as he works under the Narumi Detective Agency, headed by lead detective Shohei Narumi under the orders of the mysterious Yatagarasu organisation. During a routine investigation, the pair respond to a call for help from a client, a young high school girl named Kaya Daidouji, requesting them to kill her. Before the two can enquire further, soldiers in red armour and caps appear, kidnap Kaya, and attack Raidou. RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army returns nearly two decades later with a new shine to its name, and not just visually. Alongside enhanced character models and environments, the action role-playing game (RPG) now includes full voice acting in the main story, an overhauled combat system that aligns more closely with its original sequel, Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon , and quality-of-life gameplay improvements, including quicksave and autosave options, fast travel mechanics, the addition of a mini-map, and increased demon variety. The last point, in particular, holds special significance as a staple element of the Shin Megami Tensei franchise, which the original game, and by extension, the enhanced remaster, is a part of. Naturally, familiar hallmarks like the mature art style and use of real-world mythological figures have been carried over, but that's where the similarities end. The third entry in the Devil Summoner series also differs from its predecessors in several areas, from battle mechanics and story setting to having a named protagonist. In the same way, RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army seeks to establish an identity that stands on its own. As before, the title takes players back to a fictionalised version of the Taisho period of Japan (1930s), where they scour for clues, meet various important people, and unravel the grand mystery. The investigation won't be a one-man job, however, with a variety of demons available to lend assistance. Demons can be Raidou's worst enemy or his best friend, depending on the situation. With specialised tools at his disposal, the sleuth can capture demons and tap into their Investigation Skills to uncover new leads, such as Read Mind to hear the thoughts of others, Inspect to reveal concealed objects, and more. These devilish allies will come in especially handy when players hit a snag in their investigation progress, spicing up gameplay beyond the standard interrogation fare. Not able to enter a suspicious-looking room because of tight supervision? No problem – simply take control of a summoned demon and roam around, then report back to Raidou with new findings. Any items or collectibles found along the way are counted into the inventory, and if they are out of reach, activate Fly to traverse the impassible parts and get hold of them. In combat, demons are an important presence. Up to two can be summoned on the battlefield, with abilities tied to their respective classifications. Those belonging to the Pyro Order, for instance, attack with and defend against Fire, and bestow Fire attributes when fused into Raidou's sword, and the rest follows the same pattern: Frost Order (Ice), Volt Order (Electric), Wind Order (Force), Fury Order (Physical), Pagan Order (Death), and Skill Order (all manner of skills). Each specialisation also comes with a corresponding Investigation Skill, as follows: Ignite – Kindles a fire within the target Cool Down – Chills and possibly freezes the target Inspect – Reveals hidden objects of interest with a flash of lightning Scout – Identify demons and items in the area Force – Move heavy objects with inhuman physical strength Read Mind – Hear the thoughts of others Demonstrate – Boasting various effects on the battlefield Operating on a familiar elemental weakness system, RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army offers some tactical breathing room. Pitting demon companions against enemies that are weak against their element proves rewarding, but the reverse is true, too: attacking foes resistant to their attacks will be a waste of time and effort. Then, there's the matter of guarding them at the right time, which keeps them close to Raidou and redirects the enemy's attention to him. Entering combat offers the best shot at gaining stronger allies, with players able to capture demons in battles and summon them to fight on their side. Unlike before, multiple of the same species can now be recruited, and experience points (EXP) are shared between all friendly demons. The confining ability is limited to demons that are lower than or equal to the player's level, but there's another workaround for the power difference: demon fusion. RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army is set to feature over 120 pldemons, including recognisable faces from Shin Megami Tensei V , Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon , and other Atlus titles, versus 70 in the original. The increased variety unlocks new possible combinations between different demons, which need to have loyalty to Raidou before they can merge. Loyalty is built through fighting together. Fusing two demons of the same Order will result in one of the Element Order, while a Mitama Order demon is born by combining two Element Order demons. In both scenarios, allies can inherit both combat and passive skills that were gained by levelling up or from skill books, where abilities are learned in stages. After a certain stage, a demon can be additionally fused into Raidou's sword to make it more powerful. Demons are just one part of the battle equation, however. Marking a departure from turn-based tradition, RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army fuels fast-paced combat with real-time mechanics that revolve around shooting, chaining attacks, and special abilities called Summoner Skills. Where the first type, Combat Skills, encompasses element-imbued techniques, Sword Skills grant passive bonuses once equipped and can be changed at will, even mid-battle. Reinforcing the importance of exploiting elemental affinities, hitting a foe's elemental weakness not only stuns them but also amplifies the player's physical damage output and the amount of MAG, otherwise known as mana points, gained from attacking. Jumping and dodging are integral to victory as well, especially for boss encounters, adding a touch of precision to the hack-and-slash action and enemy analysis process. There are other notable overhauled elements, too. The addition of a lock-on feature makes it easier to target hostile targets, while firearm use activates Shooting Mode, complete with a visual indicator of ammunition count. Stealth Strike grants tactical advantages in battle, triggered when Raidou ambushes or lands a first strike on an enemy. For the adrenaline seekers, the Nameless Shrine offers more challenges. By following certain steps, the Herald of Yatagarasu can be summoned to perform the Ritual of Entry, which sends Raidou to the demon-infested Dark Realm. Enter the hidden Training Hall via the shrine's wash stand to tackle foes across 10 floors, or dive into the Trial of a Hundred Demons and fight 100 demons back-to-back within a time limit. The first in the entire franchise to be set in the past, RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army pays its due respect to history in the real world. For example, the time period, though fictionalised in the context of the game, was chosen for its cohesive relevance to the major theme of co-existence, conveyed through a mix of Western and traditional Japanese architectural stylings. The design influence carries over to the four districts of the Capital, serving as representations of real-life locales: Tsukudo-Cho, the home of the Narumi Detective Agency; Fukagawa-Cho, a downtown neighbourhood that houses a bathhouse, a freak show, and other recreational facilities; Ginza-Cho, the commercial centre boasting multi-storey buildings, streetcars, and automobiles; and Harumi-Cho, a bustling port known for its brick buildings and churches. Players can also travel to the Shinoda Shrine, looking quite close to present-day Osaka's Hijiri Shrine, which features prominently in the Kuzunoha legend of whom Raidou shares a surname. Exploring these areas of interest is more accessible and convenient than before, courtesy of a mini-map, the dash feature, and Express Streetcars that allow instant travel to previously visited and key locations, including Narumi Detective Agency and Tsukudo-Cho's Konnou-Ya, where helpful items can be purchased. Along the way, players are free to pick up Case Files, requests from various humans and demons that give rewards on completion. The cultural nods also fit within the larger world, such as the influence of the Aka Manto urban legend on the red cloaks worn by Kaya's abductors, the summoning tubes used by Raidou that were based on the kuda-gitsune, a spirit who lived inside bamboo sticks, and extending beyond Japanese history, the character of crooked Devil Summoner Rasputin, named after the Russian historical figure Grigori Rasputin.
Economic Times
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Persona 4 Revival officially announced: Atlus delivers a modern makeover
Getty Images Persona 4 Revival officially announced After months of swirling rumors and cryptic hints, Atlus has finally confirmed what fans have been hoping for: Persona 4 Revival , a complete remake of the iconic 2008 RPG, is officially in development. The announcement came during the Xbox Games Showcase on June 8, 2025, sending shockwaves of excitement through the gaming community. Persona 4 Revival is set to launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, and will be available day one for Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. While Atlus has not revealed a release date, the debut teaser trailer showcased a fresh 360-degree camera system, replacing the original's fixed perspective and promising a more immersive exploration of the rural town of Inaba. The remake is expected to follow in the footsteps of 2024's Persona 3 Reload , featuring upgraded visuals, enhanced sound, a revamped combat system, and expanded social simulation elements. Longtime fans are already speculating about quality-of-life improvements and new gameplay mechanics, though Atlus has remained tight-lipped about notable development is the absence of several original English voice actors, including Yuri Lowenthal (Yosuke), who recently shared on social media that they were not invited back for the remake. This has sparked discussion among fans eager to see how the new cast will reinterpret beloved characters. Originally released for the PlayStation 2 and later as Persona 4 Golden on the PS Vita, the game is celebrated for its blend of murder mystery, dungeon crawling, and high school social life. The remake aims to introduce a new generation to its gripping narrative and quirky cast, while giving veterans a reason to revisit Inaba with fresh eyes. Although details remain scarce, the hype is undeniable. As Atlus puts the finishing touches on Persona 4 Revival , fans are already counting down the days until they can dive back into the Midnight Channel.
