Persona 5 Royal Pros & Cons

Persona 5 Royal is a critically acclaimed role-playing game (RPG) from Atlus, and an enhanced version of Persona 5. It takes place in a modern-day Tokyo, where players control a high school student who becomes part of a group of rebels known as the Phantom Thieves, fighting to reform society by entering the hearts of corrupted individuals and changing their desires.

Here are the pros and cons of the game:

Pros:

1. Engaging Storyline:
   • The narrative is captivating, exploring themes like societal corruption, self-discovery, and justice. The plot keeps players engaged and emotionally invested, with twists and memorable characters.
2. In-depth Characters:
   • Persona 5 Royal introduces deeper character development, especially for new characters like Kasumi Yoshizawa. The bond-building mechanic (Confidants) lets you explore the backstories of your team, making them feel like real people.
3. Expanded Content (Royal Version):
   • Persona 5 Royal adds new story content, such as a new palace, new characters, additional dialogue, and enhanced gameplay mechanics that enrich the overall experience.
4. Stylish Presentation:
   • The game’s art direction is stunning, with a highly stylized, anime-inspired aesthetic. The menus, transitions, and overall look are eye-catching and add to the game’s personality.
5. Turn-Based Combat with Strategic Depth:
   • The combat system remains fun and tactical, requiring players to exploit enemy weaknesses. New additions in Royal (like the ability to use additional attacks in combat) make battles more engaging.
6. Great Music:
   • Persona 5 Royal is packed with a memorable soundtrack, mixing jazz, rock, and pop with a unique style. The music complements the game’s tone and keeps players energized.
7. Long Playtime:
   • With the addition of new content, including a full extra semester, Persona 5 Royal offers a significantly longer playtime (up to 100 hours or more for full completion), making it a very worthwhile experience.

Cons:

1. Slow Start:
   • The game’s pacing can feel slow at the beginning, especially with the introduction of mechanics and setting up the story. Some players may find the first 10-15 hours slow compared to the later portions.
2. Repetitive Gameplay:
   • While the gameplay loop is enjoyable, some aspects (like dungeon crawling and daily activities) can feel repetitive after extended play. The combat and exploration remain essentially the same throughout the game.
3. Long Duration:
   • Although a positive for some, the long playtime may be a con for players who prefer shorter games. The sheer amount of content can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re aiming for completionist goals.
4. Complexity for Newcomers:
   • For players new to the Persona series, there might be a steep learning curve with game mechanics like Persona fusion, time management, and relationships, although these are introduced gradually.
5. Occasional Lack of Challenge:
   • Some players might feel that the game becomes too easy as they progress, especially if they focus heavily on leveling up and optimizing their characters, which can make combat less challenging.
6. Limited Choices in Endings:
   • While there are multiple ways the story can progress, the game’s multiple endings still feel somewhat constrained by the narrative. There are limited options for players to radically influence the plot.

Overall, Persona 5 Royal is widely regarded as one of the best JRPGs of its generation, but its slower pace and length can be off-putting for some players. If you’re a fan of story-driven experiences and turn-based combat with deep character exploration, it’s definitely a must-play!