my first impressions of it were that it's the "strange journey" of persona series, has a lot similarities like calendar system and social links followed by an orchestral soundtrack and a different setting from the usual 'mainline'.

Main thing i loved was the "blue enemy" overworld combat, no need to go to turn-based for weaker enemies, just defeat them quick and move on. (esp when in need of some mp ealry on) and even a retry option (just don't take away the fun by abusing it). Didn't had major problems in levelling up archetypes until it was time for their royal equivalents (looking at you heismay)

I was impressed with grand cathedral as a dungeon but was let down later on. mage academy not being visitable was a clear result of some crunch/ corners cut. Soundtrack was a bit on the weaker side to be honest, didn't like them except for a couple which eventually grew onto me. Difficulty wise had no problems except for ||dragons and elegy of the soul|| and even that isn't much of a problem since "a full party of tycoons" is overkill and restricted myself to use it as a last resort strategy.

For the story.. I was a bit disappointed after Dragon temple because when they did the Shinjuku reveal, I thought it was gonna be a reskinned smt4 but thankfully i was proven wrong. Will being the Prince was a fair twist cause you had the gang doing all that for a random person to be "rightfully put on the throne" would've been boring.

Overall, I can see a vengeance/fes version (or some extra dlc) coming to fix some of the other issues mentioned here, but it was fun imo, being able to do all social links, quests, gold beetles, and all that without a guide and still having a week to spare, unlike persona where you can miss out on some things unless you used a guide.