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Back in 2017, Persona 5 won the hearts of many. Today we can say, it continues to stand as one of the most exceptional role-playing titles on the PlayStation 4. What's truly impressive is how Persona 5 Royal not only stands up to the original but practically makes it obsolete. This enhanced re-release is unequivocally the definitive way to experience the Phantom Thieves' epic journey.
For newcomers, Persona 5 is a character-driven, calendar-based RPG that puts you in the shoes of a Japanese high school student who unlocks mysterious powers. Your mission is to change your seemingly bleak destiny while balancing everyday life with exhilarating dungeon-crawling escapades, alongside your teenage comrades, as you steal the hearts of society's vilest scoundrels.
This captivating journey is filled with an abundance of dialogue and dungeon exploration, all interconnected by the weight of meaningful player choices. When you're not attending school or diving into the main storyline, your free time is spent developing bonds with friends, improving your abilities in the randomized labyrinth of Mementos. What sets Persona 5 apart is the seamless connection between every gameplay element. Stronger friendships yield more powerful persona, otherworldly entities collected in a manner reminiscent of Pokémon.
Real-world skills, like reading books, working part-time jobs, or studying, contribute to your character's development. Time is limited, but every action serves a purpose, crafting an addictive and highly customizable gameplay loop that keeps you engaged as the days pass by.
However, without delving into spoilers, the ending of the original Persona 5 left some players feeling a tad unsatisfied, despite its level of detail. For a game that spans around 100 hours, the conclusion struggled to tie everything together in a truly memorable fashion. Thankfully, Persona 5 Royal addresses this concern impressively, introducing an encore that solidifies the underlying themes and morals of the story.
This new act adds around 20 hours of gameplay and is nothing short of fantastic. While the setup may feel predictable, especially for those familiar with Persona 5, its execution is superb. It features a plot brimming with twists, an exceptional new dungeon, and thrilling boss battles. Three years have passed since we first played Persona 5, and the additional semester showcases a noticeable improvement in overall quality, surpassing even the main game.
That said, the new semester alone might not justify the full retail price for Persona 5 Royal if you've already played the original. The question of whether you're willing to revisit the entire story is a significant one to ponder.
Fortunately, Royal offers much more than just its touted third semester. It introduces two compelling new characters: the determined gymnast Kasumi Yoshizawa and the soft-spoken guidance counselor Takuto Maruki. Both characters are integrated into the existing story with care and bring fresh dynamics to the substantial roster of secondary characters. Kasumi relies on the protagonist as her senpai, while Maruki offers a considerate shoulder to lean on during challenging times. Both Kasumi and Maruki are well-written, grounded characters that you can't help but become attached to.
In addition to the new semester and characters, Persona 5 Royal introduces an entirely new location with multiple new shops and attractions, including a darts minigame. However, it's in the finer details that Persona 5 Royal truly shines. Numerous smaller gameplay additions and tweaks enhance what was already a seamlessly structured experience, making it even better.
The brilliant turn-based battle system of Persona 5 is now enhanced with breathtaking cinematic "showtime" attacks. Mementos has returned, bigger and better than ever, offering unique rewards and bonuses worth pursuing. There are new personas, weapons, armor, and accessories, while every palace has been expanded, and each boss has been overhauled, resulting in even more thrilling encounters. New cutscenes and places to visit with friends enrich the experience. Notably, Morgana, known as the "meme cat" urging players to sleep in the original, is less restrictive in Persona 5 Royal. You have more free time, especially at night, making it easier to build up your social stats and knowledge, charm, guts, proficiency, and kindness.
In many ways, Persona 5 Royal offers a streamlined experience with countless quality-of-life improvements. These refinements accumulate throughout the game, making it challenging to return to the original Persona 5. While we could enumerate every welcomed change brought by Royal, this review would become excessively long and overly technical.
Replaying Persona 5 may appear daunting, but there's enough in Persona 5 Royal to reignite your love for one of the most impactful RPGs of this generation. Royal's myriad enhancements not only make the original game's strengths shine even brighter but also enable a deeper appreciation and enjoyment of this extraordinary experience.
Persona 5 Royal surpasses what was already one of the greatest RPGs of this generation. The entirely new semester, the headlining feature of Royal, is a fantastic addition. However, the countless smaller improvements to gameplay and structure make this enhanced re-release a worthy investment, even for those who have already played Persona 5. Our primary criticism is aimed at the full retail price upon launch. Nonetheless, it's challenging to deny the quality presented here. The Phantom Thieves have returned, and their tale of rebellion resonates truer than ever.
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