Persona 5 Royal, the review

Before this Persona 5 Royal review, the recurring question from readers was one and only one: "what the hell is Persona 5 Royal?". For this reason, we believe it is right to start with the long-awaited answer.



Persona 5 Royal is the definitive version of Persona 5, with new characters and confidants, plot and gameplay refinements, a script that continues for a long third semester not included in the original game, and which introduces new combat mechanics and a myriad of changes that go to (re) touch every single aspect of the already extraordinary adventure Atlus. There is also a second question that often comes up when discussing Persona 5 Royal, and it is equally interesting: "Couldn't they do a DLC directly, instead of making a new game sold at full price?". The answer in this case is more complex: yes, distributing this version of the game through a DLC would have been technically possible, as it would have been possible to offer a digital version, cheaper, dedicated to those who have always digitally purchased a copy of the original game. . It was Atlus who chose not to, using the same strategy put into practice with the FES and Golden versions, conceptually similar to this Royal, for the third and fourth installments of Persona. But this is not just a mere commercial choice. For Atlus, the care taken in the development of all these improved versions is such that it deserves a market launch worthy of a totally new game, and in some ways we can't blame it ...



Persona 5 Royal, the review

Gameplay and differences with Persona 5: back on the benches

After finishing Persona 5 in 2017, we didn't think we would be back on the shelves again Shijin Academy could be so fun and exciting, almost like it was the first time. Persona's replayability is naturally part of his gameplay, which allows totally different choices from those made in the first place, but it is not only this that has given us the strength to retrace the game once again with the same original resourcefulness.

Le differences larger between Persona 5 and this new Royal version can be read on any wiki, they are all on display among lists and plank drawn up over time by fans, but somehow they are all additions that one expects in a relaunch like this; it is therefore no coincidence that for us who have already completed the adventure at the time of its original release, at the end of the great upheavals the many, many small improvements implemented practically everywhere, and which made this different which basically is not different. For example, the start of the game in Persona 5 Royal is very similar to that of the original, but the myriad of microscopic tricks make the experience much friendlier than in the past, which is especially useful for newbies, as well as much better paced.


Persona 5 Royal flows much better from the point of view narrative but not only that, since also i dungeon now they can count on some new gameplay superstructures that help make exploration, and related combat, more varied and fun than ever. For example, new shadows appear which, if hit in the right way, can cause an explosion that will involve all the monsters present in the fight, and new secret objects to be identified and collected. Soon, the grappling hook will also be introduced, a new tool that will immediately prove very useful, both for exploring the different dungeons and for catching the most difficult opponents by surprise. Changes that also involve some of the bosses, which now include new moves to dodge and new weaknesses to find, for a much more tactical gaming experience than before.


Persona 5 Royal, the review

Characters and hobbies: True True Ending

Essential in making the game even more structured and full-bodied are the new extras and the three new characters aggiunti: Kasumi Yoshizawa, Takuto Maruki e Jose. Kasumi she is a very pretty girl who will join the Phantom Thieves as an active member, therefore also in battle; Takuto instead he is a psychologist who will come to Shinji Academy to help students after some traumatic events, and will prove to be a rather important confidant to attend in his spare time; the latest character of some weight to debut in Persona 5 Royal is Joseph, a child from the very special world of shadows, and to whom we can sell some special items to receive equally important ones. Royal also introduces new locations to attend alone or with friends, while others already present have undergone changes in order to host new events.


Others arrive with Royal pastimes, such as darts and billiards: the first will allow you to increase the effectiveness of a new group move, while the second will raise the possibility of inflicting critical attacks on enemies. Also in this juncture it is not the case to reveal all the news present, partly because we are sure that the veterans of the game will prefer to discover them for themselves, and also because the list would be completely useless to those who have never tried the original version. , and for this reason they could not make comparisons.


A few words about the third new school semester instead we want to spend it, even if only to warn you that it will be necessary to bring a confidant to the maximum to be able to unblock it; if this does not happen, the game will end exactly where it ends in the classic Persona 5, and you will not be able to face the new unpublished dungeon included in Royal, nor to learn all the background on the genesis of Joker, the fighter version of our character that remains in the base game actually largely in the shade. Facing the third semester, it will also be possible to unlock two new endings: one negative and one positive, the latter a true "true ending".

Persona 5 Royal, the review

A new headquarters

In Persona 5, i Phantom Thieves they could get together to talk about their future plans in different places, like the roof of the school or the attic of the LeBlanc cafeteria; in Persona 5 Royal they will soon also be provided with a place in the world of shadows, or metaverse, to be customized with paintings, music and statues related to our adventures, all to be unlocked through a new currency linked to collectable to be found in dungeons, and delivered to Jose. This currency can also be used to play with other Phantom Thieves in a fun card game that has all the qualities to load another generous dozen hours on an already very long game.

Among the many novelties, a subtle but consistent one could not be missing graphic upgrade. Persona 5 was born as a cross-generational game, while Royal makes the most of the power of PlayStation 4 through a generous texture upgrade. On For PS4 it is possible to raise the resolution up to 4K (30fps ...) and the difference will immediately appear clear, overwhelming, thanks to a truly impressive image sharpness and which, combined with new animations and other small but effective devices, make this Persona 5 Royal truly a marvel, far more than it was originally. It seems more and more to be in front of an interactive anime, at least until an anime will really become one: the Atlus series very often makes use of cut-scenes of extraordinary quality and Persona 5 makes no difference, Persona 5 Royal also adds more. new.

Persona 5 Royal, the review

In Spanish, finally

From here on, it is very likely that the classic version of Persona 5 will be easily found at bargain prices, turning into a reference point for all those who, curious but never completely convinced, have never had the courage to invest in it. money needed to take it home at full or almost full price. There is, it's a smart choice, but if you love the genre, and chances are Persona 5 with its peculiar social mechanics is the perfect game for you, well don't be afraid to aim for the best of the best: you don't deserve it. nothing less than this gargantuan Royal edition. For all those who do not know English, the choice is even easier as Persona 5 Royal is the first Persona, in the history of the series, to boast complete lyrics. translated into Spanish (you can choose between English or Japanese voices instead). The localization is also done extremely well, except in a couple of situations (these at least those encountered in our game) and in the inexplicable desire to translate the name of the Phantom Thieves that for obvious reasons could easily remain in English.

A very important translation of Persona 5, the lack of which at the time of the original release had even pushed me to turn sacrosanct grievances to the publisher and developer, something never done before and for a reason soon explained: Persona 5 touches on very important themes, but the narrative canvas that glues the different branches of its rich plot all converge on the inability to communicate between young people and adults. You cannot talk about generational barriers when your own lack of translation is about to create another one; this problem has finally been solved and with the Royale edition, Persona 5 can finally bring together all the heads that fit its message. Thanks to all those who made it possible because although only the text has been translated, it is always a huge job, and on a genre that certainly does not guarantee easy sales.

Persona 5 Royal, the review

Role playing

What remains to be said is all that was already written in the original Persona 5 review. We are talking about a game that is already beautiful, the perfection of a formula born with Persona 3 and which in this fifth game reaches absolute qualitative peaks. There are those who will continue to prefer Persona 3, or Persona 4, but these preferences are also dictated (above all?) By the attachment that everyone will build towards the different cast.

Analyzing the last three games in depth (the first two Persona are more canonical JRPGs), there can be no doubts: Persona 5 is the one designed and built better, a gap that widens further with the Royale edition. One of Atlus' winning moves was to use the advice of the public to add, rather than replace, so as not to create any kind of discontent. A perfect example of this philosophy can be found in dungeon, which previously were only procedural and consequently lacked in characterization, but which are now divided into Castelli and Memento: the castles are built around the main enemies and have a structure thought to the millimeter, while the Memento has a procedural structure, and serves to level at will and to "steal" the hearts of secondary enemies.

But Persona is not just fights: its great strength is made up of social links and different activities that our character will be able to perform every day to improve his empathic characteristics: it is necessary to study but it is an activity that leads to double the results when it rains, it is essential to go out with friends but it is much better to do it also thinking about the feedback that a character he can give in battle, he can spend the evening watching TV series rented in a shop in Shibuya and he can organize Sunday mismatches with the group of close friends. Each action has repercussions on growth and the different specializations our alter-ego can aim for, and which can also be distorted and unglued by the winning mathematics of a FAQ to bend to our natural affinities, so as to attend only those we like, in order to do whatever we feel like doing.

There is this old diatribe, between fans of western role-playing games and those of oriental mold, on how correct it is to categorize the latter just as role-playing games, because actually very little is played "role-playing". Here, Persona 5 is one of the few JRPG in which role playing is not only possible, but it is also an essential element in the development of the character and the strategies that he can adopt in battle. In this game, enjoy the rain that falls on the windows, sip the best coffee we will be able to make, visit seasonal fairs with friends, choose which movie to go to the cinema or whether to spend the evening in a completely different way. , they are never insignificant choices; just like choosing in real life who to hang out with, or how to spend your free time, it's a pity that we almost always realize it too late ...

Comment

Resources4Gaming.com

9.6

Readers (195)

9.4

Your vote

It was a masterpiece, it remains a masterpiece, now even more defined and refined. Persona 5 Royal is perhaps the highest point ever reached by the JRPG: a result that Atlus grabs without the obsession of the blockbuster at any cost on which too many exponents slip. Perfect, or almost.

PRO

  • In 4k it is wonderful
  • A myriad of small and big news
  • Excellent Spanish translation
AGAINST
  • Are you sure you couldn't have a discount for those who already own the original?
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