The originalPersona 5was released worldwide 2017 for the PlayStation 3 and the PlayStation 4. It’s a Japanese RPG set in theShin Megami Tenseiuniverse and despite being a spin-off from the mainline entries, thePersonaseries is the most mainstream.
Persona 5was one of the most critically acclaimed games of the last decade and for many fans, it ranks up there as one of the greatest RPGs of all time along with its predecessorPersona 4.Persona 4received an expanded version of the game for the PlayStation Vita calledPersona 4 Goldenand is regarded as the definitive version.
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Now withPersona 5 Royal, the developers Atlus look to continue that tradition with new areas,characters, and scenes. The JRPG is without a doubt an incredible experience but it doesn’t come without a few drawbacks. Let’s take a look at 5 of the best and 5 of the worst things aboutPersona 5 Royal.
10Loved: Reworked Combat Mechanics
The already stylish and entertaining combat system ofPersona 5has seen a massive improvement inRoyal.One of the first things that returning players will notice is the Baton Pass mechanic which allows party members that have moves that can take advantage of an enemy’s weaknesses to be available by default.
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Another new feature inPersona 5 Royal’s combat system are the Showtime Attacks which show two characters teaming up to deal massive amounts of damage to an enemy. These cinematic special attacks happen at random and are unlocked as the player progresses through the story, and they look spectacular when they happen.
9Didn’t Like: More Grinding
The people that should buyPersona 5 Royalwill fall into two categories, dedicated fans that can’t wait to relive and experience what is essentially a director’s cut of their favorite game, and those who have never played the original.
As a brand new experiencePersona 5 Royalis the best choice when it comes to its quality of life improvements and the amazing new gameplay mechanics. However, those who have already experiencedPersona 5may not be too thrilled about grinding out another 100 plus hours to see the new content.
8Loved: The Improvements To The Memento Dungeons
The Mementos inPersona 5are procedurally generated dungeons that exist underneath Tokyo, and they function in a similar manner to the Tartarus inPersona 3.However, in the originalPersona 5,the Mementos are arguably one of the most tedious aspects of the game.
InPersona 5 Royalthe experience has been far more tailored to the player’s progress and is less of a grind this time around. This is mainly because players are now able to talk to an NPC that occupies the dungeons called Jose who appears at random moments riding around in a cart.
By giving Jose stamps, players can adjust the cognition of the Mementos which means they can increase the amount of money, experience, or item drops in the dungeon. It’s also worth mentioning that the tedious music on a loop from the original has been improved by changing as the player progresses.
7Didn’t: Like: Not Everyone Will Love The Changes To Plot
For all intents and purposes,Persona 5 Royalis more like a director’s cut or a reimagining than it is a remake. Unfortunately, as is the case with many director’s cuts – George Lucas’Star Warsremasters being a prime example – not all fans will be happy with the additions.
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A game likePersona 5requires the player to invest a lot of time into its characters and its story, and when something like this comes along and shakes up that formula it has the potential to upset its audience. Furthermore, it’s debatable if some of the changes made really added anything to the core experience at all.
6Loved: The Thieves Den
The Thieves Den is another fantastic addition toPersona 5 Royalwhich functions as a hub area for players to hang out with the other Phantom Thieves and play games without losing any in-game time at all. The Den will become available once players have completed Kamoshida’s Castle.
In the Thieves Den,players can participate in card games and gamble on the casino tables. Additionally, it is possible to customize the den to one’s liking, purchase music, and unlock or purchase cutscenes which are reminiscent of the TV Listing feature that was included inPersona 4 Golden.
5Didn’t: Like: The Story’s Pacing Issues Are Still Present
One of the biggest criticisms fans and critics had forPersona 5was that despite its energetic first half, the story’s pacing takes a hit in the second half of the game. For many players it dragged andPersona 5’s running time certainly didn’t help.
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Unfortunately, the pacing issues remain inPersona 5 Royal.Furthermore, with the addition of even more story content, the second half of the game can feel like a slog to get through. Of course, the addition of a new area inPersona 5 Royaland the post-game content does alleviate this a great deal by making it feel more rewarding than the original.
4Loved: Brand New Area To Socialize In
As the player progresses through the story in the game and clears the second dungeon they will have access to a brand new area inPersona 5 Royalcalled Kichijoji. It can be accessed via the subway allowing players to fast travel there.
In Kichijoji, players can spend time with the other Phantom Thieves and play games like billiards and darts. Playing darts, in particular, is useful because it allows players to level up their Baton Pass abilities. Additionally, there are vending machines where players can purchase recovery items and a clothing store to purchase and sell armor.
3Didn’t Like: Some Unresolved Plot Holes
As mentioned above,Persona 5 Royalis something of a director’s cut the game with additional story content and new characters. However, those expecting what few plot holes there to be filled plot and some minor loose ends to be tied may find themselves a bit disappointed.
However, these plot holes are for the most part with exception to one which we won’t reveal to avoid spoilers are fairly minor, especially considering how good the writing and character development is for the majority of the game.
2Loved: The Third Semester
There is a lot of fantastic new additions to the game from the combat to the new characters but the best new feature inPersona Royal 5has got to the brand new Third Semester. The new semester adds new story events, dates, and of course interactions with the new character Kasumi.
to access The Third Semester, the player needs to make sure they develop the Councillor Arcana rank to level 9 by making time for the new character Doctor Maruki before November 18thin-game. In addition to the new scenes, the Third Semester also gives players a far more satisfying conclusion toPersona 5’s story in spite of a few misgivings with its pacing.
1Didn’t Like: The Story Is Even More Bloated
Even for hardcore RPG fansPersona 5was a very long, in-depth and expansive game. With most gamers hitting the 100-hour mark easily there was never a shortage of content either in the gameplay department or the story.
However,Persona 5 Royalmanages to inflate its content even more by adding a lot of unnecessary story elements that can make the game feel bloated. If anything,Persona 5should have been reworked so there is more context within the narrative and less unnecessary padding.
