Persona 5 Royal: An In-Depth Review of Pros and Cons
Persona 5 Royal, a re-release of the critically acclaimed Persona 5, brings a host of new content, mechanics, and refined gameplay elements to a beloved RPG experience. Developed by Atlus, it seamlessly combines dungeon crawling, social simulation, and turn-based combat in a compelling, stylish world. However, like any game, it has its highs and lows. Let’s take a detailed look at the pros and cons of Persona 5 Royal.
Pros of Persona 5 Royal
1. Expanded Content and Story
One of the standout features of Persona 5 Royal is the addition of significant new content, particularly the new character, Kasumi Yoshizawa, and the expanded storyline that includes new social links, areas, and plotlines. Kasumi brings a fresh perspective to the story and adds depth to the already well-established cast. Additionally, the game introduces a new semester, which extends the story and provides new dungeons and events to experience, making the game feel even more expansive than its predecessor.
2. Improvements to Combat and Mechanics
Combat in Persona 5 Royal is fast-paced and strategic, but the game introduces several quality-of-life changes that refine the experience. The Baton Pass mechanic has been overhauled, and you can now chain attacks more effectively. The inclusion of Showtime Attacks, which allows you to unleash powerful combo moves with your party members, adds a satisfying layer of spectacle and strategy to battle. The overall combat feels smoother, more rewarding, and more accessible than before.
3. Stunning Visuals and Art Design
The game’s visual presentation remains one of its defining qualities. Persona 5 Royal boasts stylish anime-inspired character designs, beautifully crafted environments, and flashy combat effects. The game’s art direction is vibrant and distinct, creating a memorable visual experience that enhances the overall atmosphere. The anime-style cutscenes and smooth transitions between gameplay and story segments help keep the pacing energetic.
4. Engaging Social Simulation
A core component of Persona 5 Royal is its social simulation mechanics, where you spend time outside of dungeons building relationships with other characters, improving your stats, and choosing how you spend your days. The game strikes a brilliant balance between dungeon crawling and social interaction, making every choice and relationship feel meaningful. The interactions with friends, confidants, and strangers provide narrative depth, and each social link offers a different and rewarding story arc.
5. Incredible Soundtrack
The soundtrack of Persona 5 Royal is nothing short of iconic. From the jazzy “Last Surprise” to the intense “Life Will Change,” the music is not only thematically appropriate but also beautifully composed. The music perfectly complements the game’s atmosphere, adding energy and emotion to every scene. The jazz and rock-inspired tunes, in particular, become so intertwined with the game’s identity that they leave a lasting impression long after the credits roll.
6. Great Replay Value
With multiple routes, endings, and different playthrough options, Persona 5 Royal has great replayability. The game rewards different playstyles, offering you reasons to return to explore different social links, dialogue choices, and strategies for tackling dungeons. The introduction of the new semester and ending variations only heighten the replay value.
Cons of Persona 5 Royal
1. Length and Time Commitment
While Persona 5 Royal offers a huge amount of content, it can also be daunting for players who don’t have the time to invest in such an expansive game. The game’s main story, combined with its social simulation elements and side activities, can easily take over 100 hours to complete. For some players, the sheer time commitment may feel overwhelming, and the game’s pacing can sometimes drag during the slower social segments or when grinding through dungeons.
2. Repetitive Dungeon Design
While the combat and mechanics have been refined, the dungeons in Persona 5 Royal can feel repetitive at times. The process of traversing dungeons, solving puzzles, and battling enemies can start to feel monotonous, especially since each dungeon shares a similar structure. Although each dungeon has its own unique theme, the gameplay loop remains largely unchanged, which can make certain parts of the game feel like a grind.
3. Steep Difficulty Spike
While the game is generally accessible, Persona 5 Royal features some difficulty spikes that can catch players off guard. There are moments where the game’s difficulty increases dramatically, often forcing players into challenging battles that can require significant grinding. This can be frustrating for players who are more focused on the story and character development than on combat. However, there are adjustable difficulty settings that can ease the experience for those who prefer a less challenging approach.
4. The Final Stretch
The game’s final stretch, which includes a lot of time-sensitive decisions and events, can be somewhat overwhelming for players who may have spent too much time focusing on side activities or building relationships. The time constraints can feel a bit forced and may lead to players feeling rushed as they try to complete all their objectives before the game’s conclusion. This can detract from the overall pacing and enjoyment of the final chapters.
5. Some Social Links Feel Underdeveloped
While most of the character arcs are well-crafted and rewarding, there are a few social links that feel underdeveloped in comparison to the rest. Some confidants have less engaging or meaningful storylines, and players may feel that certain characters are given less narrative depth than others. This can be a bit disappointing, especially when compared to the rich and well-written stories of the main cast.
Conclusion
Persona 5 Royal is an exceptional RPG that successfully builds upon the foundation laid by Persona 5. Its expanded content, improved mechanics, stunning visuals, and fantastic soundtrack elevate it to one of the best role-playing games available. While the length, repetitive dungeon design, and occasional difficulty spikes may not appeal to all players, the overall experience is incredibly rewarding.
For fans of turn-based combat, character-driven stories, and social simulation gameplay, Persona 5 Royal is a must-play. It offers an unforgettable journey through a vibrant world, with a cast of memorable characters and a soundtrack that will stay with you long after the game ends.
