If you find yourself here, chances are you already know that despite the comparison of Persona 5 vs Persona 5 Royal, playing them both is a must. That much is clear. However, embarking on your journey through a modern Persona game comes with a twist – the existence of multiple versions to consider.
Just like its predecessors, Persona 3 and 4, Persona 5 has joined the ranks of this dilemma. So, which version is the ultimate winner? Prepare for the ultimate showdown of Persona 5 vs Persona 5 Royal.
If you decide to go with Persona 5 Royal by the end of this article, make sure to come back and check out how to beat Okumura in Persona 5 Royal.
Which is the winner of Persona 5 vs Persona 5 Royal?
Distinct differences set the two versions apart, leading to a resounding victory without contest. If you’re ready to discover the champion, let the battle of Persona 5 vs Persona 5 Royal commence.
Persona 5 is the original JRPG released in 2016 (Japan) and 2017 (worldwide), while Persona 5 Royal emerged a few years later as an expanded edition.
These two versions exhibit significant disparities. Royal offers broader platform availability, additional content to explore, and various gameplay changes. Ultimately, Persona 5 Royal takes the crown as the superior game, thanks to the plethora of enhancements it brings to the table.
Key differences to consider in Persona 5 vs Persona 5 Royal
Before we proceed, let’s compare these colossal JRPGs by highlighting some of the core changes and distinctions that may influence your choice. Familiarizing yourself with these disparities will help you determine the ideal version for you. Here’s a brief list of these differences:
- Persona 5 is the original iteration of the sixth mainline Persona game, while Persona 5 Royal is the enhanced edition that followed.
- Persona 5 is exclusively available on PS3 and PS4, while Persona 5 Royal expands its reach to PS4, XboxOne(including Game Pass!), Nintendo Switch, and PC.
- Persona 5 encompasses two semesters of gameplay, while Royal introduces a third semester to the existing storyline.
- Persona 5 features nine members within the Phantom Thieves, while Royal introduces the tenth member.
- Persona 5 leaves Goro Akechi’s storyline somewhat incomplete within the Phantom Thieves’ narrative, whereas Persona 5 Royal fills in the gaps, doing justice to his tale.
With those broader points out of the way, let’s take a closer look at different aspects of the game.
Persona 5 vs Persona 5 Royal: Story
As JRPG games, one of the main aspects that differentiate the two games is how they handle the story they have taken into their subject. Below are how each of the games takes different approaches and adds to the main storyline of the franchise.
Persona 5
When it comes to the story, both games prioritize character development over the overall narrative. In Persona 5, the story revolves around the Phantom Thieves, a group of socially outcast teenagers determined to combat the corrupt individuals of the world by stealing their hearts within the Metaverse.
While the premise is noble and enjoyable, the plot itself tends to be predictable and lacks significant twists or surprises. Even the more anticipated events are often foreshadowed excessively, diminishing their impact.
While Persona 5’s story is serviceable and decent, it is undeniably the weakest aspect of an otherwise outstanding JRPG. However, the game successfully strikes a tone that strikes a balance between the darker moments of Persona 3 and the lighter, more comedic scenes of Persona 4, evoking a classic feel that future installments in the series may aim to emulate.
Persona 5 Royal
Persona 5 Royal, as an expanded version of the base game, maintains the same core story. However, it introduces a few fundamental changes, including new characters and alternative scenes.
While these additions contribute to the overall story, they don’t necessarily address its existing weaknesses. Nevertheless, Persona 5 Royal excels in the story department with its new content in the third semester. This segment stands as the highlight of the entire plot, delivering one of the most robust story sections in any Persona game to date. However, it does take a considerable amount of time to reach this point, and the rest of the game largely retains the same story, bringing along the original version’s shortcomings.
The takeaway
In this category, Persona 5 Royal emerges as the clear winner. It takes the weakest aspect of the original game and attempts to enhance it through additional story content, scenes, and characters. While the initial story still falls short of being the game’s strongest element, the improvements in the third semester result in some of the most captivating storytelling found in any Persona game.
Persona 5 vs Persona 5 Royal: Gameplay
Although the story is one of the key factors of a JRPG, so is, maybe even more so, gameplay. Below, you can check out how the two games differ from one another in terms of their approach to gameplay.
Persona 5
Persona 5 revolutionized the JRPG genre with its exceptional turn-based combat system, setting a new standard for gameplay. The combat is visually impressive, fluid, and surprisingly fast-paced, constantly keeping players engaged. It’s easy to forget you’re playing a turn-based game when there is so much to love about the combat in Persona 5.
The game improved upon its predecessors in the Persona and SMT series, perfecting the press turn system and allowing players to strategically mix and match Persona skills to dominate the battlefield. Exploring the various Palace dungeons is a fun experience, and even attending school becomes a welcomed side activity.
With its puzzles, diverse dungeon environments, and the reintroduction of negotiations to persuade Personas to join your team, Persona 5 not only offers the best gameplay in the series but also stands out as one of the best turn-based combat experiences in any game.
Persona 5 Royal
Persona 5 Royal largely retains the same gameplay as the original Persona 5. However, there are a few critical changes, such as the addition of partner attacks where two party members perform flashy duo attacks known as All-Out Attacks.
Additionally, the game features significant modifications to the dungeons and boss battles in the story, aiming to improve the difficulty curve and provide a slightly easier gameplay experience. These changes have sparked controversy among purists, but they generally enhance the overall gameplay in my opinion.
In terms of gameplay, Persona 5 Royal doesn’t introduce many noteworthy additions compared to the original version. Even for first-time players, it’s easy to take some of the quality-of-life changes for granted, assuming they were always part of the game.
The takeaway
Persona 5 stands as the game that started it all, offering outstanding gameplay that approaches the level of a turn-based combat masterpiece. On the other hand, Persona 5 Royal provides only minor refinements and changes that, although noticeable, can easily be overlooked. Apart from the duo attacks, there aren’t many apparent alterations that stand out. Therefore it’s important to acknowledge that the original Persona 5 laid the foundation and deserves recognition in this category.
Persona 5 vs Persona 5 Royal: The characters
Although the narrative and mechanics are crucial within a story-driven game experience, if the characters lack depth or don’t appear sympathetic, the whole joy of the immersiveness kind of dissolves. Below, you can see how both games handle their characters.
Persona 5
The cast of characters in Persona 5 is undeniably one of the most memorable in gaming history. Fans eagerly snatch up merchandise featuring beloved characters like Morgana, Ann, Makoto, Ryuji, and many others. Throughout the Persona series, the strength of its characters has always shone, and the sixth mainline entry is no exception.
It’s often argued that Persona 5 features the best characters in the series, and it’s a valid claim. The uniqueness of these characters and the paths they embark on are truly noteworthy. There are plenty of surprises and even some refreshing departures from typical character tropes.
Romance is a prominent aspect, allowing the main character, Joker, to form intimate relationships with the ladies in the cast, including the impressive Confidant side characters. However, this aspect of the cast falls slightly short for some, as there are no standout romantic partners compared to previous games.
Persona 5 Royal
Persona 5 Royal takes the existing cast of characters and breathes new life into them while also introducing a few fresh faces. The most significant addition is Kasumi, the final member to join the Phantom Thieves (at least within this story).
Kasumi stands out as the best female cast member and the one who shares a special connection with Joker. It’s regrettable that it took this long for her character to be introduced, but she is a welcome addition, alongside the new Confidant, Dr. Maruki. The school counselor brings a calm and compelling dynamic to the cast, adding another layer to the characters’ experiences.
However, the most crucial and remarkable change lies in the resolution of Goro Akechi’s storyline. In the original game, his plotline unfolded too late in the story, but Persona 5 Royal provides more time to spend with him, allowing players to fully appreciate the depth of this outstanding Persona character.
The takeaway
Persona 5 Royal’s characters and changes embody what Persona 5 should have been right from the start. It almost feels as though the developers rectified certain mistakes or included characters they regrettably had to omit from the base game.
While it’s unfortunate that these changes took a while to materialize, Persona 5 Royal excels in perfecting the cast, surpassing its predecessor in every aspect when it comes to character development.
Persona 5 vs Persona 5 Royal: Presentation
What a game includes in terms of its mechanics and story is quite significant, but so is how it presents them. Without proper attention to the presentation, many games waste their potential, especially within the JRPG genre. Below, you can check out how the two games differ in terms of their presentation.
Persona 5
The graphics and presentation of Persona 5 are a testament to its style and substance. The game exudes a vibrant, manga-inspired aesthetic that permeates every aspect of its design. From the meticulously detailed menus and user interface to the captivating selection screen during battles, every element showcases a rich level of detail and intrigue.
It’s evident that the developers dedicated significant time to crafting the anime-punk aesthetic that defines the characters and the world of Persona 5. This attention to detail is evident in the almost cel-shaded style of the characters and environments, which imbue the game with a distinct comic-book feel.
However, Persona 5’s presentation falls slightly short due to its release on the PS3 platform. While it’s understandable that there wasn’t a mainline game in the series for that console, the decision to release Persona 5 on the PS3 feels somewhat belated. Consequently, the graphics of Persona 5 are held back from reaching their full potential.
Persona 5 Royal
Persona 5 Royal doesn’t bring significant changes to the aesthetic and look of the base game. The removal of the PS3 platform in this version does result in sharper resolution and richer colors with HDR support, but overall, the differences are relatively minor.
The game does run slightly smoother, although it was already a reasonably fast-paced experience. The most notable change for Persona 5 Royal is its release on the Switch, a platform that suits the game’s handheld nature, allowing it to look good and run well on the hybrid system.
Additionally, the inclusion of the Thieves Den provides players with a vibrant area to explore and engage with, adding another layer of enjoyment to the game.
The takeaway
Persona 5 Royal takes the lead in this category, albeit only by a small margin. The game’s availability on newer platforms, along with minor performance and graphical improvements, give it the edge. However, it must be acknowledged that these changes do little to justify the absence of a PS3 version.
Persona 5 vs Persona 5 Royal: Content
Everything we have discussed so far affects how much a player can enjoy the two versions. However, there is another aspect that affects how much a player can enjoy them, the amount of content that there is to play. Below, you can check out the comparison between Persona 5 vs Persona 5 Royal in terms of their content.
Persona 5
Persona 5 offers an abundance of content, perhaps even overwhelming for some players. The game spans several in-game months, where you engage in various activities almost every day.
You attend school, explore dungeons, fulfill optional requests from NPCs, work part-time jobs, spend time with Confidants, purchase items, earn money, and fuse Personas. And even with all these elements, it only scratches the surface of the extensive content available in Persona 5. There are additional minigames and numerous other features that add to the overall experience.
For first-time players, the game presents a lengthy story that can easily surpass the 100-hour mark, even without fully engaging in every aspect Persona 5 has to offer.
Persona 5 Royal
Persona 5 Royal takes everything from the original game and elevates it to another level. If you enjoy building relationships with Confidants, you’ll be delighted to know that there are two more to complete in addition to a fully realized Confidant storyline for Goro Akechi that offers more player involvement.
Furthermore, there are even more minigames and activities to enjoy with friends. Not to mention the addition of a new dungeon in the third semester and the opportunity to explore Kichijoji, a new area in Tokyo.
If you thought the original game was already lengthy, Persona 5 Royal extends the playtime even further. The increased content can be either welcoming or daunting, depending on your playstyle. However, for many players, this expansion of content solidifies Persona 5 Royal as one of the best games ever played.
The takeaway
Persona 5 Royal unquestionably takes the lead by enhancing the already substantial amount of content in the base game. What’s even more impressive is that the additions in Royal are some of the best content available, such as the new Confidants, areas to explore, and the third semester. Together, these elements create an exceptional JRPG experience packed with the finest content you can find.
Which is the winner of the Persona 5 vs Persona 5 Royal comparison?
When deciding between Persona 5 vs Persona 5 Royal, the clear winner is Persona 5 Royal. It excels in almost every aspect, making it the superior game overall.
The gameplay remains largely the same between Persona 5 vs Persona 5 Royal, but Persona 5 Royal enhances the characters by introducing new additions to the cast. The new content in Persona 5 Royal is impressive, and the story in the third semester stands out as some of the best storytelling in the series.
Persona 5 was already an exceptional game, but Persona 5 Royal takes it to the next level. It feels like a complete and polished masterpiece in comparison between Persona 5 vs Persona 5 Royal. Not only is it the best game in the series, but it also ranks among the best games ever made.
If you have to choose one version to play, it’s highly recommended to go with Persona 5 Royal. It offers everything that the base game had and much more if you want to delve into the additional content. Moreover, Persona 5 Royal is available on modern consoles, PCs, and even on the go with the Switch. It’s also accessible through Xbox Game Pass, providing more options to experience the game in all its glory.
Can’t decide between Persona 5 vs Persona 5 Royal, what are the alternatives?
If you’re craving more content similar to Persona 5 and Persona 5 Royal, here are some outstanding alternatives worth exploring:
Persona 3 and Persona 4
It’s highly recommended to delve into the earlier games of the Persona series, Persona 3 and Persona 4. These games laid the foundation for Persona 5 and are regarded as some of the best JRPGs ever made. Persona 3 offers a darker atmosphere, intriguing twists, and a captivating story, while Persona 4 provides a charming small-town setting, a phenomenal soundtrack, and a tight-knit group of characters. Both games are fantastic experiences that shouldn’t be missed.
Soul Hackers 2
Soul Hackers 2, part of the Shin Megami Tensei series, feels like a spin-off Persona game with its Persona influences. Set in a cyberpunk world, you’ll explore Tokyo with a cast of characters wielding Personas and demons. The game offers side quests, demon fusion, and engaging combat reminiscent of the battle between Persona 5 vs Persona 5 Royal, making it a worthwhile alternative while waiting for Persona 6.
Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse
Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse, another title from Atlus, stands out as a character-driven adventure within the mainline SMT series. The game features excellent character development, surprising twists, and an outstanding English dub. It retains the core mechanics of the franchise, including demon fusion and dungeon exploration, making it a great portable experience to dive into the core SMT series.
Fire Emblem Three Houses
While Fire Emblem Three Houses differ significantly from Persona 5 Royal in terms of gameplay and style, it shares some surprising similarities. As a tactical RPG, you play as a teacher at a school, where you can engage in various activities and build relationships with students. It offers a dark story with strategic battles, providing a unique blend that may appeal to Persona fans looking for a different experience than Persona 5 vs Persona 5 Royal.
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet takes inspiration from the Persona series, featuring an open-world environment where you attend school, build relationships with teachers, and experience a Pokemon-collecting adventure. It infuses Persona-like mechanics into the Pokemon franchise, creating a distinct gameplay experience with undertones of a possible romance.
The Legend of Heroes Trails of Cold Steel series
The Legend of Heroes franchise, particularly the Trails of Cold Steel series, is highly recommended. These games share similarities with Persona, such as attending school, turn-based battles, and building relationships with friends. Trails of Cold Steel III, in particular, is regarded as a masterpiece, offering superb characters, an intricate story, strategic gameplay, and captivating locations. It’s a must-play experience for those who can’t make up their mind about Persona 5 vs Persona 5 Royal.
These alternatives provide a diverse range of experiences, each with its own unique elements reminiscent of the battle between Persona 5 vs Persona 5 Royal. Exploring these games will surely satisfy your craving for immersive JRPG adventures.
Featured Image: Credit
