So you've heard about Persona 5 Dancing in Starlight? Maybe you're a Persona fan wondering if this spin-off's worth your time, or perhaps you're just looking for a slick rhythm game. Let me tell you about my first night with P5D – I booted it up around 8 PM and suddenly it was 2 AM. That neon-soaked dance floor just pulls you in. But is it perfect? Heck no, and I'll get to that later. We're diving deep into everything from song lists to controller blisters.
What Exactly Is Persona 5 Dancing in Starlight?
Imagine taking the Phantom Thieves out of Tokyo's palaces and dropping them onto a glowing dance floor. That's Persona 5 Dancing in Starlight in a nutshell. Released back in December 2018 (Japan) and February 2019 worldwide, this PS4 and PS Vita exclusive transforms Persona 5's killer soundtrack into a full-blown rhythm game. No saving the world here – just Joker and crew battling it out through dance. What surprised me most was how they managed to give each character distinct dance styles. Futaba's all nervous energy while Yusuke moves like some interpretive art piece. Really makes replaying tracks feel fresh.
Key Details at a Glance
• Release Dates: JP December 4, 2018 | WW February 19, 2019
• Platforms: PlayStation 4 & PS Vita (cross-save supported)
• Standard Edition Price: $59.99 at launch (now $19.99-$39.99 on PSN)
• Game Size: PS4 - 12.3 GB | PS Vita - 3.2 GB
• Players: 1-2 (local multiplayer)
• Voice Options: Japanese/English
• Required Playtime: 15-20 hours for full completion
Breaking Down the Gameplay Experience
Okay, let's talk about what you actually do in Persona 5 Dancing in Starlight. Picture this: notes fly toward the center from six directions (up, down, left, right, top corners). Your job? Hit them in rhythm with the music using □, △, ○, ×, and analog stick directions. Sounds simple until you're sweating bullets on King Crazy difficulty. Three main modes keep things interesting:
Story Mode - More Than Just Dancing
I'll be straight with you – don't expect Persona 5 levels of narrative depth. The story's framed as a dream sequence where the Phantom Thieves get challenged by the Velvet Room assistants to dance battles. You unlock scenes piecemeal by clearing songs with specific characters. Honestly, some interactions feel like filler, but there are golden moments too. Like when Ryuji tries to teach Morgana to moonwalk. Pure gold.
Free Dance Mode - Where the Real Magic Happens
This is where I spend 80% of my time. Pick any character, any outfit (unlocked through gameplay), any song, and any difficulty. Want Ann in her Phantom Thief gear dancing to "Rivers in the Desert"? Done. Pro tip: combo multipliers here affect your overall score rankings.
Multiplayer - Couch Competition
Grab a buddy for split-screen score battles. My sister destroyed me at this last weekend – turns out she's secretly been practicing. The simultaneous play creates this awesome competitive energy you don't get solo.
| Must-Play Tracks in Persona 5 Dancing in Starlight | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Song Title | Original Appearance | Difficulty (★★★☆☆) | Special Notes |
| Wake Up, Get Up, Get Out There | Persona 5 Opening | ★★★☆☆ | Iconic opening remix - perfect starter track |
| Last Surprise | Battle Theme | ★★★★☆ | Faster tempo than original - tricky timing |
| Rivers in the Desert | Final Palace Theme | ★★★★★ | Demanding pattern - practice makes perfect |
| Beneath the Mask -Rain- | Evening Theme | ★★☆☆☆ | Chill vibe - great for learning mechanics |
| Life Will Change | Heist Theme | ★★★★☆ | Intense chart - feels like a boss fight |
| Tokyo Daylight | Daytime Theme | ★★★☆☆ | Upbeat remix - perfect mid-game track |
Character Breakdown - Who Brings the Moves?
Each Phantom Thief dances completely differently in Persona 5 Dancing in Starlight. Makoto's precision moves contrast wildly with Ryuji's punk-style stomping. After unlocking everyone, I noticed something cool – your chosen character actually affects note patterns slightly. Haru has more circular flows while Yusuke's feel deliberately angular.
| Character Dance Styles Overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Character | Signature Moves | Unlock Requirements |
| Joker | Smooth transitions with sharp accents | Available from start |
| Morgana | Fast paw-work with jumps | Clear 3 tracks in Story Mode |
| Ryuji | Aggressive stomps and headbangs | Clear Morgana's story chapter |
| Ann | Graceful spins and hair flips | Score B rank on 5 songs |
| Yusuke | Fluid movements with dramatic poses | Complete Free Dance on Normal difficulty |
| Makoto | Precise hits with martial arts flair | Unlock all other characters first |
| Futaba | Nervous shuffles evolving into confident steps | Find 10 hidden items in menus |
| Haru | Elegant twirls with sudden axe swings | Clear Story Mode with 3 characters |
Pro Tip: Play as Futaba if you're struggling – her note patterns have slightly more forgiving timing windows perfect for beginners.
The Visual and Audio Feast
Let's address the elephant in the room – Persona 5 Dancing in Starlight looks incredible. Those slick menus pulse with Persona 5's signature red/black aesthetic. Character models show insane detail during close-ups (check Ann's eyelashes mid-spin). But performance varies:
• PS4 Pro: Locked 60fps at 4K resolution
• Base PS4: 60fps at 1080p with rare dips during effects
• PS Vita: 30fps cap with noticeable drops during climax notes
Sound design deserves special praise. The remixed tracks somehow enhance Lyn's vocals while adding electronic layers. Headphones are mandatory – hearing the directional scratches during scratch notes adds immersion. Though I do miss some original tracks; where's "Whims of Fate"?
DLC Content - What's Worth Buying?
Atlus released several DLC packs for Persona 5 Dancing in Starlight over 2019. While most are cosmetic, the song packs add fresh challenges. Here's the breakdown from someone who bought them all:
| Essential DLC Breakdown | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| DLC Pack | Contents | Price (USD) | Recommended? |
| Persona 3/5 Dancing Bundle | Cross-game costumes + 2 songs | $14.99 | Only for hardcore fans |
| Additional Costume Set | 10 school uniform variants | $7.99 | Skip unless you love cosmetics |
| Shadow Operas Pack | P3/P4 Character costumes | $5.99 | Great crossover appeal |
| Extra Song Pack | "Time to Make History" + "Mass Destruction" | $4.99 | ★★★★★ Must-have! |
| All-in-One Bundle | Every DLC released | $39.99 | Wait for 50% sale |
Honestly? The Extra Song Pack delivers the most value. "Mass Destruction" becomes an absolute beast on Hard difficulty. But I regret buying the costume sets – they're cute but don't change gameplay.
Common Pain Points - Let's Be Real
No game's perfect, and Persona 5 Dancing in Starlight has some rough edges. My biggest gripes after 30+ hours:
• Story Mode Feels Rushed: The visual novel segments lack depth compared to mainline games. Caroline and Justine's interactions get repetitive fast.
• Vita Performance Issues: Frame drops during complex sections make high-score chasing frustrating.
• Limited Tracklist: 28 base songs sounds decent until you realize 5 are short remixes.
• Unlock Grind: Getting everyone's ultimate outfit requires insane perfectionism.
That last point stings – I spent three hours replaying "Bloomberg Baby" for Futaba's outfit. Was it worth it? Yes. Was it fun? Not really.
Buying Guide - Physical vs Digital and Sales
Wondering how to grab Persona 5 Dancing in Starlight without overpaying? Here's the breakdown:
Physical Copies:
• Rare but available on eBay/Amazon ($35-$60 sealed)
• Asian English version often cheapest ($25-$40)
• Includes reversible cover art (gorgeous black/white design)
Digital Options:
• PlayStation Store: Base game $39.99 (frequent sales to $19.99)
• Complete Edition: $99.99 (game + all DLC - wait for 50% off)
• PS Plus Discounts: Often 30% off during summer/winter sales
I grabbed mine digitally during a Golden Week sale for $15. Check PSprices.com – it tracks historical lows and predicts discounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to play Persona 5 first?
Not technically, but you'll miss 90% of the fanservice. Story spoilers are everywhere too. Play P5 first unless you only care about rhythm mechanics.
How difficult is Persona 5 Dancing in Starlight?
Accessible for beginners on Easy/Normal but King Crazy will test veterans. Those six-button charts demand serious dexterity. My thumbs ached for days after "Rivers in the Desert" on Hard.
Does it support PlayStation VR?
Yes! The VR mode lets you watch dances from stage perspective. It's neat but mostly a novelty – you can't actually play in VR.
Are there microtransactions?
Only for DLC – no loot boxes or in-game currency. All core content comes with base purchase.
How long to platinum?
Around 40 hours if you're skilled. Requires All Fantastic rankings on every song plus tedious collectible hunting. Not for the faint-hearted.
Tips From a Rhythm Game Veteran
After countless hours with Persona 5 Dancing in Starlight, here's what I wish I knew sooner:
• Calibrate Early: Use the audio/video sync tool immediately. Default settings lag noticeably.
• Start Slow: Master Normal before Hard. Failed notes break combos brutally.
• Focus On Center Notes: Peripheral notes have more lenient timing.
• Upgrade Items Strategically: Boost score multipliers before attempting high ranks.
• Rest Your Hands: Seriously, take breaks. Carpal tunnel isn't worth S-ranks.
How It Compares to Other Persona Spin-offs
Persona 5 Dancing in Starlight often gets bundled with Persona 3 and 4 dancing games. Here's how they stack up:
Song Variety:
• P5D has more electronic remixes
• P4D features better vocal tracks
• P3D shines with nostalgic instrumentals
Story Content:
• P4D has the most substantial story mode
• P5D's narrative feels like an afterthought
• P3D strikes a decent balance
Mechanics:
P5D's six-point note system adds complexity missing in older titles. The double scratch notes (using both analog sticks) create satisfying physicality when you nail them. Still, P4D's simpler four-point system feels more welcoming to newcomers.
Final Verdict - Should You Dance?
Persona 5 Dancing in Starlight won't replace your mainline Persona fix, but as rhythm games go? It's stylish as hell. Worth grabbing if:
• You adore Persona 5's soundtrack
• You enjoy challenging but fair rhythm mechanics
• Visual flair matters as much as gameplay
• You find it discounted under $30
Skip it if:
• You dislike rhythm games fundamentally
• You expect Persona 5-level storytelling
• You're playing on Vita (performance woes)
• You demand 50+ hour campaigns
Me? I've put 60 hours into Persona 5 Dancing in Starlight despite its flaws. Nothing beats nailing that perfect combo during "Life Will Change" while Joker slides across the floor. Just maybe invest in a comfortable controller.
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