'Persona 5' DLC price, release date and best deals

The latest game by Atlus will finally be available to the rest of the world on April 4, so it’s time for players to mark their calendars with the upcoming “Persona 5” launch. The latest entry in the “Persona” series first saw a release last Sept. 15, 2016, in Japan, so fans have been eagerly awaiting to get their hands on the PlayStation-exclusive title.

Chronologically, the game is the sixth instalment within the “Persona” franchise. As with other games in the series, players will take control of a silent protagonist as he and the rest of his companions slowly awaken to their Persona characters. With their abilities gained through their respective Persona counterparts, the protagonists will thus work together to fight off supernatural beings… all while staying in school.

Interestingly, this new instalment is set in Tokyo and even features notable locations such as Shibuya and Shinjuku. This brings something fresher to the table, as the title’s predecessors (“Persona 3” and “Persona 4” in particular) were set in small towns.

Notable for its social simulation scenarios and classic role-playing game elements, the “Persona” series has gained momentum in the industry following the success of its other games. With the upcoming release of “Persona 5,” fans and newcomers alike will get the chance to enjoy the game with a multitude of deals and upcoming downloadable content (DLC) expansions that will further prolong their enjoyment.

A SteelBook edition of the game is available for $79 on Amazon. This includes a copy of the actual game accompanied by a SteelBook collectible case. For more die-hard fans, the game’s “Take your Heart” Edition not only comes with the game and a SteelBook case, it also includes a soundtrack CD, four-inch plush toy of Morgana, a hardcover art book, a collector’s box, and a school bag similar to that owned by the student protagonists in the game. The Take your Heart Edition costs $118 on GameStop.

Bonuses and other game freebies will be further supplemented by upcoming DLC packs for the month of April. These will include the following:

April 4

• Japanese Audio Track (free)
• Healing Item Set (free)
• Skill Card Set (free)
• New Difficulty Level Challenge (free)
• Protagonist Special Theme - PS3 only ($1)
• Ryuji Sakamoto Special Theme - PS3 only ($1)
• Morgana Special Theme - PS3 only ($1)
• Ann Takamaki Special Theme - PS3 only ($1)
• Protagonist Special Theme & Avatar Set - PS4 only ($3, but free with digital pre-order)
• Ryuji Sakamoto Special Theme & Avatar Set - PS4 only ($3)
• Morgana Special Theme & Avatar Set - PS4 only ($3)
• Ann Takamaki Special Theme & Avatar Set - PS4 only ($3)

April 11

• Regular Clothes & Uniforms Set (free)
• Yusuke Kitagawa Special Theme - PS3 only ($1)
• Makoto Niijima Special Theme - PS3 only ($1)
• Futaba Sakura Special Theme - PS3 only ($1)
• Haru Okumura Special Theme - PS3 only ($1)
• Yusuke Kitagawa Special Theme & Avatar Set - PS4 only ($3)
• Makoto Niijima Special Theme & Avatar Set - PS4 only ($3)
• Futaba Sakura Special Theme & Avatar Set - PS4 only ($3)
• Haru Okumura Special Theme & Avatar Set - PS4 only ($3)
• Izanagi & Izanagi Picaro Set ($4)
• Orpheus & Orpheus Picaro Set ($4)
• Persona 3 Costume & BGM Special Set ($9)
• Persona 4 Costume & BGM Special Set ($9)

April 18

• Phantom Thieves Logo Morgana Car Sticker (free)
• Persona 20th Anniversary Logo Morgana Car Sticker (free)
• Goro Akechi Special Theme - PS3 only ($1)
• Igor & Attendants Special Theme - PS3 only ($1)
• Goro Akechi Special Theme & Avatar Set - PS4 only ($3)
• Igor & Attendants Special Theme & Avatar Set - PS4 ($3)
• Kaguya & Kaguya Picaro Set ($4)
• Magatsu Izanagi & Magatsu Izanagi Picaro Set ($4)
• Thanatos & Thanatos Picaro Set ($4)
• Shin Megami Tensei: Persona Costume & BGM Special Set ($9)
• Shin Megami Tensei if… Costume & BGM Special Set ($9)
• Persona 2 Costume & BGM Special Set ($9)

April 25

• Swimsuit Set (free)
• Tsukiyomi & Tsukiyomi Picaro Set ($4)
• Asterius & Asterius Picaro Set ($4)
• Ariadne & Ariadne Picaro Set ($4)
• Shin Megami Tensei IV Costume & BGM Special Set ($9)
• Persona 4 Arena Ultimax Costume & BGM Special Set ($9)
• Persona 4: Dancing All Night Costume & BGM Special Set ($9)

It’s clear that the game has left no stone unturned with its generous lineup of expansions to entertain every nook and cranny that fans will look for. It’s also worth noting that this is the first “Persona” game on the PS4, so expectations for improved graphics have been high.

“Persona 5” will be available for the PS3 and PS4. Other DLC packs are set for release on the Atlus website in the months following the game’s worldwide launch.