Rivers in the Desert - Scramble - Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers

Vocals by: Lyn
Lyrics by: Benjamin Franklin
Music by: Masayoshi Sasaki

[@Jirudoggu]

If Rivers in the Desert is so good, why isn't there a Rivers in the Desert 2? Rivers In the Desert 2:

[@brauliozt8754]

I think it's more like Rivers in the Desert 1.5

[@kirinotosaki9004]

I think Counterstrike is Rivers in the Desert 2 tbh

[@themonkeyman2910]

Where 3?

[@firefox309]

@@themonkeyman2910 the dancing game

[@ponygonporygon2153]

Wolf: Alright Kids, let's take him dow- PTs: *aggressively headbanging*

[@Liz-cq3rm]

I can see it now... XD

[@tsyumamatsuthehavenofguard32]

This is when you have Joker ryuji and yusuke in the party xd

[@Fireclaw5588]

Makoto:😑

[@NombreGenerico89TF2]

@@tsyumamatsuthehavenofguard32 And Sophia because she would actually join them

[@puppetweaver1975]

When Benjamin Franklin wrote the Declaration of Independence, I didn't expect him to also write lyrics for a masterpiece game too.

[@jdng86]

He was a true renaissance man.

[@shadejakva9367]

He wanted to make the Battle of Yorktown as epic as possible.

[@LocalPersona5Person]

we salute him

[@awdrifter3394]

He probably used a musket to summon his Persona.

[@fastbear9681]

it was acually thomas jefferson who wrote it

[@Rajin90]

"Lyrics by: Benjamin Franklin"

[@VenNoel]

Homeboy got resurrected to make a banger

[@Baba-yv6ml]

Benjamin Franklin makes like basically all the English lyrics Locus Juice doesn't lol

[@Hilversumborn]

No wonder it’s shockingly good

[@MrFox-wb1vj]

Joker: Franklin! *Cue the persona of Benjamin Franklin with a kite and key tied to an electric guitar.*

[@turretboi]

@@MrFox-wb1vj that would actually be dope.

[@ApalloTheHedgehog]

Vanilla/Royal: Strong Man and Cup Strikers: I AM IRON MAN

[@Johnpao215]

Don't forget the child labor wardens in Vanilla/Royal haha

[@tyranger5526]

P5/R: Diet Senator Armstrong, A Chalice, and Your School Counselor. Strikers: Iron Man, and Gold Rubix Cube.

[@dylanattix2765]

@@tyranger5526 Not to mention a Kali + Dominion and a Metatron

[@FungalFury]

@@tyranger5526 rivers in the desert doesn't play for maruki or emma.

[@TheGman938]

And possessed Sophie

[@RetroChaos]

"Oh come ON, he has a MECH?!?"

[@g0ldeclipse]

"It even looks super-powered..."

[@riovitoni]

Lmao first time i see it , it was so damn cool with this fcking theme its too perfect man can a boss be mor cool

[@zenshimagatsuyukazashi6244]

@@riovitoni its to be expected from evil tony stark

[@ballisticboo7808]

@@zenshimagatsuyukazashi6244 hulkbuster armor

[@javierguerrero953]

Rocketo Punch!

[@captainkg5910]

Before Strikers: Tension so thick you could cut it with a knife After Strikers: *THIS IS MY DECLARATION OF WAR!*

[@panthertakamaki7141]

Shido:this is my theme Konoe:hold my zypherman figure

[@lloydbagby8355]

@@Dindoofurersuuafalengo it is this jest so happens to play after beating shido

[@nokonation40]

Joker: Hold my Thor Mask

[@1000area]

@@nokonation40 lmao does everyone beat japanese tony stark with thor or something?

[@nokonation40]

@@1000area I've heard Thor makes quick work of the Zephyrus Mech

[@JTHMRulez1]

@@nokonation40 Makes sense you know. Thor does beat Tony Stark

[@splatoonistproductions5345]

“There aren’t any real heroes left. So why not make our own? “

[@someone_ykig]

YESSSSS

[@aname4141]

I’m pretty sure Iron Man has said that at least once.

[@tsyumamatsuthehavenofguard32]

Probably cause you ain't sane enough to define a hero konoe

[@darkjedirichardo]

Heroes aren't born...they're built

[@mini69__]

the heros:

[@deathboy126]

"There aren't any real heroes left. So... why not make our own? The world needs someone willing to fight for it's people's justice. A hero to lead them. To unify them. A hero like me! And if I'm the hero... that makes YOU the villain!"

[@theoddronin1]

"Aw come on, he's got a MECH?!!"

[@dynaloo5607]

Speech went so hard I tried to fight myself because I really did think I was the villain

[@dylangoodall4686]

nah, i'd rather be the anti-HERO thanks

[@gweentea9773]

@@dynaloo5607 LMAOO i honestly thought "maybe i was in the wrong all along"

[@dylanattix2765]

@@theoddronin1 "Shit, he's even got a rocket pu-"

[@Ultimataco]

This is a much better remix than the one used for the dancing game. But then again it was a remix meant for dancing and this is one is meant for KILLING EVERY SHADOW YOU SEE

[@VenNoel]

@Demisurge X then that means I gotta SAVOUR the moment :)

[@Daemon4]

@Demisurge X the original also only played like 2 or 3 times but it still slaps

[@emo_je6712]

@Demisurge X actually plays during each encounter in the last jail

[@thatoneguy5343]

@@emo_je6712 Not EVERY encounter. I think it only played for the scripted mini bosses for the last jail.

[@PervertedNovaxc3]

@@thatoneguy5343 it'll also play if you fight one of the rougher shadows. The ones with shields under their health bars

[@christhecrazy6904]

I love how they mirror Akira with Shido not only by using this song, but their cutscenes. Both ascend stairs while transforming to get on their Lion/Mech while talking about themselves like they are a chosen one. So good.

[@nobgs4505]

And then it turns out that they're actually STRONGER without their Beast/Mech.

[@FelixFalora]

@Red Star True, but that's just Strikers' theme as a whole. All of the Monarchs, while still terrible people, are more sympathetic than most of the Palace Rulers.

[@Nova-_-]

@@FelixFalora that's probably my favourite thing about Strikers. I really like when media decides to explore the grey area of good vs evil.

[@john_7000]

Yeah I love it they stays true to p5, that how a sequel in my opinion should be staying true to the original.

[@generalwashingtoad6516]

@@nobgs4505 Huh, reminds me of a certain senator..

[@reasonablequit7535]

KONOE BUILT THIS IN A PALACE, WITH A BUNCH OF SCRAPS

[@Raydnt69]

Im so glad I withstood the temptation of listening to this beforehand. Listening for the first time in game was way too awesome.

[@paperluigi6132]

And then there's me who played the Dragalia Lost event and heard it early.

[@wpdenni]

100% HARD AGREE I wanted to search for it for so bad, but I knew, KNEW, it would come.

[@wo1fsban312]

I was wondering if/when they'd use Rivers in the Desert, and I about leapt out of my chair when I heard the opening bars through Akira's cutscene

[@scream7709]

The first time it played I had a hard time telling it was Rivers In The Desert because I was watching the cutscenes, so when Lyn started singing I was like, "..WAIT A MINUTE"

[@Its_Noctis]

the first time this songs played I knew I was in for a treat. that akira cutscene was so cool

[@crimsonblob]

*Ren

[@Its_Noctis]

@@crimsonblob no I’m talking about Akira Konoe

[@catalyst539]

@@crimsonblob, Akira Konoe. Not Akira Kurusu.

[@paperluigi6132]

@@catalyst539 I feel like referring to Joker as Ren when talking about Strikers should be kinda mandatory since referring to him as Akira will just confuse people on which Akira you're talking about.

[@zachselsley6312]

@@paperluigi6132 I named Joker Akira in my playthrough. *Joker and Konoe point at each other*

[@seanobrien276]

Tbh, Rivers in the Desert was actually a really good lead-up to the badass theme that comes afterward, like it basically sets the stage for Counter Strike to really shine. Really helps that fighting Akira on foot was also a badass fight, even if you just spam Ziodyne and stuff haha

[@myheroandmadaralover2372]

yah akira is no push over and way beater then shido in tream of boss fight yes even royals becuse his one vs one can be fucking cheased so not that hard

[@chloebangco3752]

Agreed! The fact that it was so easy made it so enjoyable, IMO.

[@seanobrien276]

@@chloebangco3752 Have you tried a Merciless run? Personally I feel the lead-up to Counter Strike would have more impact if the battle was more difficult, but I'm just one of those people who enjoys a real challenge haha. I do think the second phase is noticeably harder though.

[@Jamaicanmonkey91]

I played p5 on safe mode then played p5S on easy and this boss took like 30-60 minutes because all i was doing was the rail gun with haru. I didnt get hit a single time.

[@DopeioThePhoneBoi]

@@seanobrien276 Yo, Merciless in this game is no joke. Three hits and you're dead even with max stat personas and max hp. It's insane.

[@MiguelAngel-qi3ul]

Oh, Rivers in the Desert again? Well I like the song... kinda wish they made a song for Akira since he's kind of impor- *Counterstrike has logged in.* A REMIX AND A NEW BANGER!? WHAT THE FCK!

[@GunmetalGator]

The desert has never been so flooded with good tracks!

[@amharbinger]

He will always be power ranger light saber man.

[@ImpofRelentlessness]

Didn't know violins could rock harder than electric guitars, but here we are. I am LIVING for the drum work in this song, though. Needs a mash-up to slam JUST the drum track into the original version.

[@Shinji_Dai]

Check out the band Apocalyptica, they rock pretty hard with cellos.

[@ImpofRelentlessness]

@@Shinji_Dai Apocalyptica never quite caught me, even back when I was way into Metallica and they put out Apocalyptica Plays Metallica By Four Cellos. I guess I should check out some of their newer stuff though.

[@XJ43088]

*"Arséne! You're mine!"* *"CAPTAIN KIDD!!"* *"ZORRO!"* *"Behold, my inner self!"* *"Dance, Carmen!"* *"Persona!"*

[@thomascg4907]

"RAVAGE THEM" "GO CARMEN" "PER...SOOOOONA" "COME FORTH, MY OTHER SELF" "GOEMON" "CHARGE JOHANNA"

[@theoddronin1]

*VALJEAN!!!*

[@Moonhunter97]

“COME, LOKI!” oh wait...

[@roger_towny_jr]

"This is My Spirit BROUGHT FORTH!!!"

[@catalyst539]

@@Moonhunter97, he could be dlc though that’s unlikely

[@SakuraPottage]

How many old men do we have to teach?!

[@theoddronin1]

They love the young people.

[@catalyst539]

HOW MANY TIMES DO WE HAVE TO TEACH YOU THIS LESSON OLD MAN?!

[@catalyst539]

Applies to Giovanni and Konoe.

[@johnnychopsocky]

Oh god now you've made me imagine if the Phantom Thieves had to contend with Kuze from Yakuza Zero. ... Damnit, now I want a Yakuza tie-in with the P5 crew...

[@randomstuff4762]

2:13 hold on, i think my drill bit is broken

[@kyrridas1573]

the boss fight did not last NEARLY long enough. i wanted to keep jamming to this.

[@utlukka950]

Play it on Merciless mode.

[@stefanarenas4058]

@@utlukka950 YESSIR

[@garysmithfan1432]

Listen to him really do play it on merciless mode lmao its hell

[@Ampheon181]

The build-up in the cutscene was so awesome

[@LordDogeus]

this truly was a frontier

[@reeznevhater]

Official lyrics: It's now or it's never, and I've got to Make my decision This time it could be my moment Is this a mirage or a chance to fulfill my mission? A river in a dry land The last ace in a lost hand A heartbeat for a tin man Oasis in a singed land I'm keeping the balance, but I'm standing On razor's edge now Move quick or my life is over One strike, just a feint, then ... I'm outa his field of vision Don't ask why I'm ready but I'm ready to Strike him down now A chance at a new start There's no time for indecision A river in a dry land The last ace in a lost hand When the hope of new beginnings burned our feet Now we need it: A heartbeat for a tin man An oasis in a singed land Remind us what we're here for: Creating new life Creating rivers in the desert My heart is a furnace, (It's) Hot as hell in my world of conflict One goal is what keeps me going Take back what I lost to ... The bosses of greed and fear, yeah Don't ask why I'm ready but I'm ready to take Them down now The time for a new start Is constantly drawing nearer A river in a dry land The last ace in a lost hand When the hope of new beginnings burned our feet Now we need it: A heartbeat for a tin man An oasis in a singed land Remind us what we're here for: Creating new life Creating rivers in the desert When a cool drop of water's all I need Gotta clear my head of anger and greed A place to refresh heart and mind, Can I find Some time in Rivers in a dry land The last ace in a lost hand When the hope of new beginnings burned our feet Now we need it: A heartbeat for a tin man An oasis in a singed land Remind us what we're here for: Creating new life Creating rivers in the desert

[@Daemon4]

wtf are unofficial lyrics

[@hwaht8084]

@@Daemon4 Engrish people mishear the lyrics as

[@Leviirus2]

Damn man, Benjamin Franklin sure knows how to write a song!

[@mystrrrreioucuszthlpepperac]

isaac

[@themonkeyman2910]

Bro, I named Joker by his canon name, Akira Kurusu. So in my game, Akira was stealing the Desires from Akira.

[@padfoot69]

except his canon name is Ren Amamiya

[@themonkeyman2910]

That’s his name in the Anime, in the Manga, his name is Akira Kurusu.

[@padfoot69]

@@themonkeyman2910 the manga isn't canon tho

[@bleachablemoments4618]

This didn't age well for us Akira believers...

[@masterblaster38]

LMAO I called him Ren Amamiya because when I changed the language of P5R from spanish to english (because I prefered the voices to match the text) the game puts Ren Amamiya automatically as the name so I thought it was his canon name.

[@sponsnops]

i played strikers before persona 5 how did i not know this existed until now

[@jakepearce7776]

............... I'm speechless.... (Actually, got one thing to say; I really hope Atlus would bring on some of the guys who worked on Scramble's OST in the future, they are FANTASTIC!!!)

[@ghifari77]

If you mean Kitajoh (You Are Stronger, Axe to Grind, etc), he's always been part of Atlus Sound Team and is a main composer of many persona game already such as p4a, p4u, pq, and pq2. He probably will have more prominent role in future persona titles since Meguro also have Projects Re Fantasy now. The rest are Koei Tecmo staff (including Masa who remix this song) and probably won't be part of any atlus games except if it's a collaboration with Koei like p5s.

[@catalyst539]

Koei Tecmo did this one too? They also did Hyrule Warriors, which is coming before this.

[@andreworders7305]

They’re the same music team as usual, they already bring them on for Persona and some of the other Megaten series.

[@goukenslay7555]

Omega force only helped with gameplay (probably mass mob spawning thats it)

[@thecomputer3902]

@@goukenslay7555 The entirety of Persona 5 Strikers uses the Koei-Techmo Musou game engine. If you know anything about games that use the KT Musou engine, you know that's bad news. The antialiasing is basically required to get good video quality but the AA messes up the font sprits, the engine's particle handling is horrible (especially on Age of Calamity if you're playing as Impa) and one of the big things that keeps PC games alive is modding and KT pours everything they can into preventing modders from accessing the code including encrypting the code and assets and using proprietary compression methods

[@nopenop1495]

I didn't think anything could rock any harder than the original but here we are.

[@andreworders7305]

This is probably my favorite remix from the game

[@marguy1388]

*The theme of losing most of your health to rocket fist*

[@NombreGenerico89TF2]

Riuji; "WHOA HE HAS ROCKET FISTS?" Makoto" FOCUS, RIUJI!"

[@Marlyjade]

Note to self, don't listen while driving. Holy shit I was rocking out to this song so hard I almost rear ended a pick up

[@raezor6941]

Oh God...

[@jonnathanvivas]

oye amigo eso es peligroso, entendible, pero peligroso

[@raiden8929]

Thats fucking hilarious

[@ennui9745]

​@@jonnathanvivas It is indeed understandable with a song like this.

[@jackripple5179]

I'd rather have this on racing game, thank you.

[@drghostly1756]

Legit heard the opening to this song for Konoe and was like "oh shit this brings back memories, time to play for real"

[@vamptonio]

Tbh, I love how ' eerie ' the original song sounded, but in Persona 5 Strikers, it's still so amazing! For sure- Rivers In The Desert is definitely my favourite soundtrack!!

[@didyouactuallyexpectaname7438]

As I hardcore Persona fan, I always get goosebumps listening to P5 music.

[@nopenop1495]

Is nobody gonna talk about that sick bassline?

[@itsgideon257]

WERE GETTING OUT OF THE DESSERT WITH THIS ONE🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🗣🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@dylangoodall4686]

never though this song would play while i fight a knock-off featherman in a Fisher price toy

[@schlibbity]

I miss that minor 6 in the second verse of the original but got damn every time I listen to this version a new hole shows up in my wall

[@riovitoni]

Finally river in the desert 2

[@glitchedblood]

More like RITD v1.5

[@Yurihyuga766]

@3:41 this version of this part is so much better than the old one

[@neoforrester4401]

While I was playing Megaman Starforce 2, when I got to the part I fought Solo, I got the idea of putting this version of Rivers in the Desert while facing him. Lemme tell you, it pumped me up somewhere fierce. To the point that when I played Starforce 3 I did nothing to put this song *every.single.time* I was encountering him.

[@PWLfr]

ah yes my favorite boss: Tony Stark

[@Hilversumborn]

Phantom Thieves vs The Iron Mandalorian

[@albertb.6417]

Yo, this song is fire, saved for my workout playlist 🔥

[@lunatic0verlord10]

At this rate, I won't be surprised if this is gonna be the Swtich Launch Trailer Theme.

[@KayFiOS]

Oh no... He's bringing out the Hulkbuster...

[@bookid1581]

I can’t believe there’s a game out there where we get to hear Rivers in the desert while fighting Tony Stark

[@Tom-fy2lc]

I love the guitar in the bridge for this version

[@PrestoChango0913]

*"& if im the hero, that makes YOU the villains!"*

[@flamollusk420]

benjamin franklin went hard on this one🔥🔥🔥

[@krasherom]

Akira is definetly one of my favorite boss fights thanks to this and Counterstrike, as well as the Fact that he is essentially Tony Stark in SOOOOOO many ways.

[@Marlyjade]

I wanna learn this on the drums but my feet can't move that fast I know it's probably two base drums but still, damn the drums in this song are so so so good. It feels like such a driving part of this song.

[@KaizoKitsune625]

Keanu Reeves vs Robert Downey Jr

[@matiasgomez8651]

at this point. this is officially the main villain theme of the franchise

[@ReBornTx]

I love timing the end of all-out attacks with the begining of the chorus , it' s so fucking satisfying :D

[@SonicBoom0]

I love the drums.

[@andrewhaase1826]

My favorite boss in the game is amplified to greater heights by a remix of one of my favorite songs in Persona 5!

[@winterdragon2004]

I love how this is generally a warm-up leading into Counterstrike. It fits the scenarios they play in: a dash a familiarity, only for it to go into a new direction

[@pogen7279]

This would be a good song to listen to during a midterm

[@alahirbarboza7355]

My god, the good now is the best thing of the world. This OST is awesome.

[@potatopanter3755]

This is just the politician theme for persona

[@JessePrower]

Aw, come on! He's got a mech?!

[@internalforce]

The battle of Justice. Which Desire thief is truly just?

[@modelomegatyler]

the winner

[@Astr0-1408]

I didn't think this song could get better

[@AcePigeon109]

Literally the only thing missing from P5 was a battle with an enormous mec- :D

[@deepnooben2602]

THE FRONTIER IS FANTASTIC

[@hopper321zxsuperbombermanr9]

I love this game and sound

[@weebemperor5786]

Such a goddamn masterpiece! It's really good to hear that my favourite game easily has the best music! (Even though most of 'em are remixes, they're better than the original)

[@DadrianGayton]

Listening to this makes me wanna go do a merciless run of the game now…how dare you >.>

[@dr_jalux]

YOOOOO THIS SOUNDTRACK IS EFFIN' FIREEEE 🔥🔥🔥

[@Spongeman25]

My favorite version of this song. Rock n roll, guitar, drums. Rock on.

[@benleow1914]

Now i kinda wish royal had it's own remix of this

[@garryrptr]

damn MASA don't have to go this hard on a Persona game, but i'm glad he did.

[@SeventhPow3r]

Ah, yes, the song that played when the colonists confronted King George.

[@jacobweatherford4696]

I might just like this version more than the original.

[@DonPiccolo]

Throughout the entirety of Persona 5 Strikers, I kept saying "man, if only Robert Downey Jr. voiced Konoe." The entire time, he was just evil Tony Stark with EMMA being Ultron. I just feel like it could've been a neat casting choice. Though Konoe's VA did an incredible job.

[@shadejakva9367]

He definitely sounded like he was doing an RDJ impression

[@shayanmanteghi5662]

Robert Downey Jr.? One of the most highly payed actors ever? He made more from Infinity War and Endgame combined than Atlus was purchased by Sega for. They could never hire him to voice Konoe, even if they wanted to.

[@DonPiccolo]

@@shayanmanteghi5662 yeah, but it would've been cool.

[@Ramo123ism]

"Where did you lowlifes obtain that power? . . . No matter, if you have a complaint, I'm willing to listen."

[@YoungLeosword]

Link, the Aytolis twins, and Nobunaga walk into a game music rock concert… ;3

[@Odyanii]

3:41 - 4:07 reminds me of Persona 4's Ameno-Sagiri boss theme

[@midnightarcanacentraltv5815]

You mean The Almighty?

[@natelecarde962]

Sephiroth called, he wants his supernova back.

[@bluesclues2980]

Wow...............

[@AvatarST]

I lost it when this started playing in strikers

[@awdrifter3394]

They should've played this song at the 2023 Burning Man.

[@yukithesnowman314]

LMFAO you ain't right for that!

[@legoferrari14]

"Aw, _COME ON!_ He has a *_MECH!?"_*

[@davidtimmer596]

Oh, shit! He's even got a Rocket Pu-

[@MobiusThreeMusic]

It sure was fun spamming showtimes, concentrate + Ziodynes on the poor guy while this played lol

[@nastycrimeboy5279]

I just played as joker with Thor did a square,square, triangle, triangle then spammed square square square triangle. Basically a free attack boost then spammed the ziodyne combo

[@Loispealz34]

@@nastycrimeboy5279 Or... you could just let Ryuji handle it. Boy M U R D E R S akira.

[@ridercornejo3974]

@@nastycrimeboy5279 same, but with Trumpeter

[@Thilothon]

crazy

[@cronos21619]

Rivers in the Desert: metal cover

[@myheroandmadaralover2372]

even thought i still love origal rivers this one is great way beatter than dancing one

[@internetname1482]

Great song to listen to while I stun locked Akira's mech from 75% health to 5% health as ryuiji spamming square, square, square, hold triangle while zenkichi, yusuke, and joker just keep stabbing him repeatedly

[@Leppo7]

Such a fkn good song

[@gottesurteil3201]

Super Sentai Final Boss

[@Jayhawk416]

When I first heard this I sat up in my chair, because that that moment it was time to game

[@riccardofazioli1692]

Oh river in the desert is so cool it couldn’t be possible do bet…..

[@RoseVectorBatGaming]

Liked this theme in persona 5 and royal addition.... But to hear it remixed... In a more heavy metal like way.... That just tells me one thing... "Kick this bosses butt!!!"

[@nikitabhoelai4420]

Rivers in desert 2 sounds so good.

[@SuperFusionAJ93]

Rivers in the desert II

[@spyman3000]

Holy shit this is so cool