Persona series is widely renowned for its thrilling combat mechanics, intricate character designs, and a consistent stream of fresh content with each new installment. However, Persona 5 Royal came swiftly after the original game’s release. It prompts the Persona players to wonder about the abrupt arrival of this new addition to the series.
Persona 5; Base Game
Moving back to a 100-hour playthrough is a challenge for gamers. In 2017, Atlus launched Persona 5, a JRPG featuring Japanese teenage vigilantes with supernatural abilities. Now, an enhanced version named Persona 5 Royal has emerged. It resolves the base game issues with new characters and gameplay adjustments. It’s a natural and elegant evolution of an already outstanding game.
Persona 5 Royal’s core remains intact as it was in initial gameplay. A high schooler arrives in a new city after a legal incident. His efforts for normalcy are disrupted as he and his classmates realize they can alter corrupt hearts through palaces (exhibitions of distorted desires). Among other heroic activities, they navigate a year, forging friendships, enhancing social stats, and managing daily tasks.
Like previous enhanced Persona releases, Royal’s new story elements emerge later. These include palaces and a new school semester, etc. So, P5R introduces new confidants, those relationships players can make, and enriches existing ones. Moreover, novel member Kasumi and a school counselor enhance the narrative. You can spend quality time with Goro Akechi, a more substantial and appropriate choice absent in the original game. Likewise, you can learn the further upgraded elements and activities of P5R.
What to acquire in P5R Edition?
Despite P5R’s swift release after the original version, it brings fewer major changes compared to releases like Persona 4 Golden and Persona 3 FES.
However, this remastered version reveals unexpected enhancements and protagonists, including fresh battle mechanics and in-game foes.
While these improvements may appear less drastic than those in other Persona games, they significantly enrich the overall gaming experience.
We’ve organized the contrasts between Persona 5 Royal and Persona 5.
Advanced Content in P5R
Introduction of a party member and a fresh character called Kasumi
Inclusion of an entirely novel school semester, which extends the narrative alongside an additional Palace
The newly introduced ‘Thieves Den’ enables you to access a vast room of unlockable extra content anytime via the pause menu. By using in-game currency, you can unlock items such as artwork, cutscenes, music, and character models
Several fresh animated narrative cutscenes have been added to P5R
New enemies
A full-fledged area, Kichijoji awaits your exploration. It meets with an outstanding scale than any additional real-world location.
Kichijoji covers a club that you may visit with your party members. It leads to bonding opportunities and novel social interactions.
New items
New armour
In Kichijoji’s club, you’ll find a darts minigame that amplifies the impact of baton passes for each character.
New weapons
Two new narrative endings
New accessories
Kichijoji’s club features billiards. However, the lack of a dedicated minigame reasonably enhances your relationships with available party members.
In Kichijoji, a temple allows you to enhance Joker’s SP through meditation permanently.
A jazz bar in Kichijoji offers party members level-ups and stat boosts
Kichijoji hosts various shops providing fresh services and items
Upgraded two novel confidants, each meets with distinct advantages
Some confidants, especially party members, enjoy added social scenes
Akechi’s social link route has been entirely restructured. They are easily integrated into the narrative
Inclusion of new Personas
Enriched calendar with new events like holidays and extra character interactions
Introduction of a third form for each party member’s Persona
What are the gameplay New Features in P5R from Persona 5?
Phantom Thieves gain ‘Showtime’ attacks. They may have sequential super moves unlock as the story advances by your gameplay.
In P5R, all Palaces were reworked, with some featuring new sections.
Novel regions have been discovered in some Palaces
While you’re going through the new dungeon regions, the grappling hook of Jokers allows you to conquer these areas
Let’s discover hidden ‘Will Seeds’ via a grappling hook. You may collect all three grants’ unique accessories and restore the party’s SP
Palace bosses revamped with new mechanics
Some Palaces feature extra boss-like foes
Mementos expanded with larger floors and exploration
Mementos adds a shop for ‘flower’ collectibles. These are accessible to you while you explore them
A new ‘stamp’ system in Mementos is discovered for permanent bonuses
Additional side quests introduced in Mementos
Unstable shadows appear and explode on death
Random ‘alarm’ mode in Velvet Room enhances fusion but can lead to unexpected results.
Velvet Room offers optional battles for rewards
What are the extra additions in P5R?
P5R is just an upgraded version of Persona 5. You may know that you can view the distinction in its dungeons, new characters, and accessories, enriching your experience. Though the concept of P5R is usually similar to Persona 5, it is elaborated here on how it’s upgraded and what’s the actual alterations in both versions.
Surplus Addition
Refresh opened movie
Enhanced graphics that are optimized for PS4 Pro
Upgraded front menu screen
Localized release that comes in a novel dialogue text font
Over 30 fresh music tracks are integrated
Some dialogue windows deliver updated visual effects
Conversations enriched with new character portraits
Unique Trophy list is introduced
Added weather effects reflecting in-game seasons
Improved New Game Plus retains extra bonuses, including SP and HP boosts. These are all distinct from Persona 5’s
What are the actual P5R Gameplay Adjustments (Daily Life)?
The game calendar is restructured for extra free time and interactions with confidants.
Increased nighttime freedom, even if you’re unable to go out of Leblanc
The ‘Assist’ function suggests confidants for you and stat enhancements
Some confidants feature revised perks
Confidants may call after meetings, offering extra dialogue options to deepen bonds.
Final Verdict
Persona 5 Royal excels beyond its previous version (Persona 5), enhancing almost every facet of your gameplay. New characters, added confidants, extended stories, and refined gameplay make it an ultimate edition. Whether you’re a newcomer or a game fan, the Royal version offers an unforgettable route with battling corruption, Phantom Thieves, bond creation, and celebrating friendship. Hence, it has become a must-play title for those players who seek rewarding gameplay.
