Is Persona 5 Royal Worth It? Spoiler: Probably Yes, But Let’s Dig In
So, you stand at a crossroads, eh? You may have faced Yaldabaoth in Persona 5. Or you may be new to the Phantom Thieves buzz. The burning question is: “Is Persona 5 Royal worth my time and money?”
Well, buckle up. We will dive into Persona 5 Royal. Is this enhanced re-release a cheap cash grab? Or is it a real enrichment? Spoiler: for most of you, it’s worth it. Let’s break down why.
Why Royal is King: Worthiness After Vanilla Persona 5
Let’s address the issue at hand – the Arsene in your compendium. “Should I buy Persona 5 Royal if I own Persona 5?” This is a good question. You’ve spent hours in Tokyo, made friends with the Confidants, and saved the world. Is a repeat necessary?
The answer from the internet is a big yes. Why? Because Persona 5 Royal isn’t just a new coat of paint. It’s more like a full renovation with a new wing added. Think of it as the “director’s cut.” Because that’s pretty much what it is.
Critics sing the same tune. Persona 5 Royal didn’t merely receive good reviews; it scored a stellar 95 on Metacritic. They hailed it “an improved version of one of the best games of its era.” Honestly, who argues with that consensus? Even if you’ve danced with Yaldabaoth, Royal expands the Phantom Thieves’ world.
Is Persona 5 as good as Royal? No. Vanilla Persona 5 is brilliant. But Royal builds on that foundation. Think of Royal as the definitive version. It’s what you’ll reference when future gamers ask, “What’s this Persona 5 everyone raves about?”
Royal Rumble: Persona 5 vs. Persona 5 Royal – Spotting the Differences
So, what makes Persona 5 Royal feel… royal? It’s not just about a new title screen. Atlus made numerous additions and tweaks. Let’s break it down:
New Content & Story: More Bang for Your Buck
Imagine Persona 5, suddenly there’s a whole new semester, new shenanigans, and world-saving fun. Enter the Third Semester Arc. This isn’t tacked-on DLC; it’s a significant new story continuation. Think of it as Persona 5: Season 2. And you won’t wait a year.
A new semester means new faces! Meet Kasumi Yoshizawa, a gymnast with a mysterious past who plays a big role in the story. Also, there’s Takuto Maruki, the new school counselor who seems a bit too perfect. These characters are significant and add depth to the narrative.
Feeling cramped in Tokyo? Royal expands your playground with Kichijoji, a lively new area full of shops, activities, and a jazz club. What else would a Phantom Thief do but listen to smooth jazz in their downtime?
Ever dreamt of a Phantom Thieves clubhouse? Enter the Thieves Den. This is a customizable hangout where you can add Persona decorations, enjoy the soundtrack, and relive your favorite cutscenes. It’s pure fanservice.
Plus, new events and holidays are sprinkled throughout the year. Even world-saving vigilantes deserve some downtime (and maybe a festival or two).
Gameplay Gets a Glow-Up: Improvements You Can Actually Feel
Royal isn’t just deep; it’s mechanically refined too. Combat feels snappier, more strategic, and stylish.
Remember how abilities felt unbalanced in Persona 5? Atlus did some rebalancing. Abilities and enemies have been tweaked. Combat is now more engaging and challenging. It’s not a complete overhaul, but battles flow better.
Gun enthusiasts rejoice! Gun ammo refills after every battle. No more hoarding bullets like gold dust. Guns are now effective tools throughout dungeons, not just for exploiting weaknesses.
Baton passes are available for all from the start. No more grinding Confidant ranks just to pass the baton. This opens tactical options right away, encouraging team experimentation.
Prepare for Showtime attacks. These flashy moves can end battles stylishly. They’re powerful and look fantastic.
Palaces have expanded. New hidden areas and collectibles await. Explore every nook and cranny now.
And let’s not forget the update to Akechi’s Confidant ranks. His storyline is more developed and impactful, tying neatly into Royal’s new narrative.
Quality of Life: Because Convenience is King Too
Beyond big additions, Royal brings numerous quality-of-life upgrades.
Overall, gameplay flows better. It feels smoother, faster, and less clunky. It’s like giving Persona 5 a day at the spa.
Remember Social Links? Well, every level of every Social Link has expanded dialogues. More bonds with characters and deeper stories await. Replay value skyrockets.
Lastly, the UI received a visual upgrade. Menus are quicker and clearer. Less time wrestling with menus means more time stealing hearts.
In short, Persona 5 Royal isn’t merely a re-release; it’s an enhanced and expanded version that justifies the “Royal” title. It takes everything great about Persona 5 and amplifies it significantly.
End Game: Navigating the Twists and Turns of Persona 5 Royal Endings
Did you think saving Tokyo was enough? Think again! Persona 5 Royal adds multiple endings. This increases replayability and introduces “what ifs” to your journey.
Yes, Royal has different endings compared to Persona 5. While it retains all original endings, it also includes new ones tied to characters and content.
How many endings? Five in total. Buckle up for two bad endings, one standard good ending, and two true endings. One mirrors the original Persona 5 while the other is unique to Royal.
Here’s how to navigate each ending:
- Bad Ending 1: Confess to Sae during the interrogation on 11/20. Loose lips sink ships, it seems.
- Bad Ending 2: Accept Yaldabaoth’s deal on 12/24. Tempting, but not heroic.
- Original Good Ending: Avoid bad endings but miss requirements for third semester. You saved the day but not all.
- Royal True Ending: This is the golden ticket. Complete the third semester and max out a specific Confidant (no spoilers!). This unlocks the full experience.
- Original True Ending: Achieved by avoiding bad endings yet missing third semester conditions. Essentially the true ending of original Persona 5.
So, what’s the canon ending of Persona 5? Freeing the world from Yaldabaoth’s control is usually seen as canonical from the original game. And guess what? Royal’s true ending builds on this, offering more closure and explanation around the final boss’s fate. It’s like the original ending but with added context and flair.
Gameplay & Mechanics: Refined and
Ready to Roll
We mentioned this before. Let’s recap the key gameplay changes in Royal. They are impressive:
- Rebalanced abilities and enemies: Combat now feels more rewarding.
- Gun ammo refresh after every battle: Guns are now helpful, not just rare.
- Baton Pass available from the start: Teamwork helps from the very beginning.
- New mechanics like Showtime attacks: Style points matter when saving the world.
- Expanded Palaces: More areas to explore and steal from.
Fresh Content: The Royal Treatment
Let’s highlight the new content that enhances Royal:
- Third Semester arc: A new story chapter after the original game.
- New characters: Kasumi Yoshizawa and Takuto Maruki: Compelling characters with interesting storylines.
- New location: Kichijoji: A lively area for shopping and activities.
- Thieves Den: Your personal base for customizing and relaxing.
- New events and holidays: More chances for fun and chaos.
Playtime: Prepare for the Long Haul (It’s Worth It)
Persona games have long playtimes. Royal tops them all.
How much time? Just the main story takes about 98 hours. Want side content? Increase that to about 115 hours. Aiming for 100%? You’ll need over 176 hours of commitment.
Indeed, Persona 5 Royal is the longest game in the series. This journey captivates players. Getting that 100% completion takes around 173 hours. But who’s counting when you’re enjoying it?
Canon Fodder: Is Royal Actually “Canon”?
This is where things get tricky. Is Persona 5 Royal canon? Officially, it’s ambiguous. Some say Royal is an alternate universe. It’s a “what if” that diverges from Persona 5’s timeline. It exists alongside it with a richer story.
New Game +: Round Two, Fight!
Finished Persona 5 Royal? Give yourself a pat on the back. Now, dive back in with New Game +! It allows you to carry over many items from your last playthrough.
What carries over? A lot! Persona Compendium progress, social stats, gear, skills, money – everything you want! It’s like replaying the game with a boost. For details, check out this guide on New Game +.
Royal Welcome: Perfect for Persona Newbies
New to Persona games? Great! Persona 5 Royal is a perfect starting point. It’s polished, accessible, and widely acclaimed. Remember that high Metacritic score of 95? It’s friendly for beginners.
This game is “an improved version of one of the best games ever.” If curious about the hype, jump into Royal. You won’t regret it.
Protagonist Profile: Decoding the Joker
Let’s get to know the man behind the mask:
- Protagonist Name: He has many names but his canon name is Ren Amamiya.
- Code Name: His teammates call him Joker.
- Age: In Persona 5, Joker is a cool 16-year-old.
- Why the Glasses?: The iconic glasses are for aesthetic purposes. They help maintain an “unassuming image.” They make him look cooler too.
Love is in the Air (and in the Metaverse): Romance Options
Persona games focus on bonds. In Persona 5 Royal, there are various romanceable options:
- Ann Takamaki: Classmate and international model.
- Makoto Niijima: The smart Student Council President.
- Futaba Sakura: Tech genius with a kind heart.
- And more… you’ll find out!
Can you date multiple girlfriends? Yes, but it comes with consequences. You won’t lose relationships, but risk an awkward Valentine’s Day if you juggle too many romances. But in love and Phantom Thievery, anything goes, right?
Is there a canon girlfriend? Not officially, but Makoto Niijima, represents the closest concept of a canon romance. Ultimately, it’s your playthrough, your choices!
Tech Specs: Can Your Rig Handle Royal?
Planning to play Persona 5 Royal on PC? Here are the minimum requirements:
- OS: Windows 10
- Processor: Intel Core i7-4790 at 3.4 GHz | AMD Ryzen 5 1500X at 3.5 GHz
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
If playing on PlayStation, be aware: there’s no free upgrade path from PS4 to PS5. If you want to play on a PS5, you must buy it again.
Graphically, some claim Persona 5 Strikers looks better than Royal. Strikers has smoother animations and beautiful locations. But Royal’s charm shines through too.
Related Reads: Expanding the Persona-verse
Interested in other Persona titles? Here is a comparison of Royal with a few others.
Persona 5 Strikers vs. Royal
First, they’re different genres! Persona 5 Royal is a JRPG, while Persona 5 Strikers is an action RPG. The gameplay in Strikers involves real-time combat and slashing through enemies, unlike Royal’s turn-based style.
The graphics? Strikers sometimes tops Royal in visual quality. Both games have style and appeal.
In Strikers, don’t expect the rich romance of Royal. Romance options are quite limited in Strikers. It focuses more on adventure than dating. There is one “date” scenario in the entire game.
Persona 3 Reload vs. Persona 5 Royal
This is a hot discussion! Both games are great but provide unique experiences. Some believe Persona 5 Royal has a complex narrative structure, while Persona 3 Reload offers a more emotional story. It’s all about preference: do you prefer stylish heists or deep life explorations?
Miscellaneous Musings: Nuggets of Persona 5 Royal Wisdom
Here’s a list of helpful Persona 5 Royal tidbits:
- Turning Yourself In: At a key moment, Sae offers a tough choice: turn yourself in to defeat Shido. It’s difficult but sometimes sacrifice is necessary.
- Getting Arsene Back: Lost your starter Persona, Arsene? Don’t worry! You can summon Arsene back from the Compendium in the Velvet Room, though it costs money. Velvet Room summons are never cheap.
- Things Not To Do: Pro tip: Avoid wasting SP, don’t hunt trophies in your first run, don’t waste days sleeping. Carry a book and read Mishima’s texts! Focus on Palaces first, then friends, then Mementos. Time is crucial in Persona 5 Royal.
- Difficulty Settings: Royal offers settings from easy to hard. Choose your level of challenge!
- Time Limit?: Technically, there is no real-time limit in Persona 5. You control your days without stress. Unless aiming for a 100% run on your first playthrough, relax and enjoy.
- Inappropriate Content?: Persona 5 Royal includes vulgar language and adult themes, ranging from humor to narrative elements. Be mindful of that.
- Keep this in mind if you think of it for younger players.
- Missable Content: There is a lot of missable content in Persona 5 Royal, including the true ending! Research or follow a spoiler-free guide. Make sure you do not miss out on the best parts.
- Persona 6 Speculations: Awaiting Persona 6 news? Rumors exist, suggesting a Persona 6 reveal in early 2025. It might lead to a summer 2025 or later release. Let’s hope!
- What Happens to Joker After Royal?: After the credits roll, Joker returns home, his name cleared and Shido caught. He brings a friend along. Happy endings occur!
The Royal Verdict: Is Persona 5 Royal Worth It? (Yes!)
If you reached this point, well done! You are like a Persona 5 Royal expert. It is clear that Persona 5 Royal is essential. Whether you are a Phantom Thief veteran or a newcomer, Royal provides a unique JRPG experience.
It has new content, refined gameplay, quality-of-life updates, and an engaging story that captures your heart (pun intended). So, put on your mask. Step into the realm of Persona 5 Royal. You won’t regret it. Also, for portable play, check out this Persona 5 Royal Switch review – Phantom Thievery on the go is great too!
