Comparing Persona 5 Royal vs Persona 5: What Are the Differences?

Persona 5, the latest addition to the long-running Persona franchise, was released in the West in 2017. The game received critical acclaim for its engaging story, well-designed characters, and turn-based combat system.

In March 2020, Atlus announced the release of Persona 5 Royal, an expanded version of the original game. The question on many gamers’ minds is, what are the differences between the two versions? In this article, we’ll take a closer look.

Storyline

One of the most significant differences between Persona 5 Royal and Persona 5 is the storyline. While the original Persona 5 follows the story of a group of high school students known as the Phantom Thieves, as they change the hearts of corrupt adults, Persona 5 Royal provides an expanded storyline. The game introduces the new character, Kasumi Yoshizawa, a first-year transfer student, who has a prominent role in the new storyline. The new storyline includes new events, new characters, and new locations.

Gameplay

While the core gameplay of Persona 5 Royal and Persona 5 is similar – the turn-based combat and dungeon crawling – Persona 5 Royal includes several new features that enhance the gameplay. One of the most significant additions is the grappling hook, which enables players to reach previously inaccessible areas. There is also a new location, Kichijoji, which features a brand new mini-game and multiplayer-based activities. The game also includes a third semester, which unlocks new activities, events, and dungeons that weren’t available in the original game.

Graphics and Sound

Another significant difference between Persona 5 Royal and Persona 5 is the graphics and sound. Persona 5 Royal features enhanced visuals and improved sound quality. The game includes new character portraits, a revamped user interface, and new music tracks. The voice acting has also been improved, with new lines recorded for the additional content.

Conclusion

Persona 5 Royal is an excellent addition to the Persona 5 franchise. The game offers a more immersive experience than the original game, thanks to the expanded storyline, enhanced gameplay features, and improved graphics and sound. However, the additional content comes at a price. Players who have already played Persona 5 before may find that some of the new content feels repetitive. Nevertheless, for fans of the series, Persona 5 Royal is a must-play game.