Navigating the Phantom World: How to Dodge the Bad Endings in Persona 5 Royal
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So, you’re diving into the stylish and thrilling world of Persona 5 Royal, ready to steal hearts and fight injustice. But lurking in the shadows are multiple bad endings, ready to cut your adventure short. Fear not, fellow Phantom Thief! This guide will arm you with the knowledge you need to secure the true ending and experience everything this incredible game has to offer.
The key to avoiding the dreaded bad endings in Persona 5 Royal boils down to these crucial elements:
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Complete all Palaces before their deadlines: Missing a deadline triggers one of the most disheartening bad endings, wiping out your progress and forcing you to replay a significant chunk of the game. This is non-negotiable.
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Answer truthfully during the interrogation scenes: The interrogation scenes with Sae Niijima are pivotal. Choosing the wrong responses leads to accepting a false reality and a premature ending.
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Max out crucial Confidants by specific dates: This is the most important aspect of Royal’s expanded ending. You MUST achieve rank 9 with Takuto Maruki (Councillor) by November 17th, rank 8 with Goro Akechi (Justice) by November 24th, and rank 5 with Kasumi Yoshizawa (Faith) by December 18th. If you fail to accomplish these, you won’t unlock the third semester content and the true ending will be inaccessible.
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Refuse the deal offered by the false god: In January, you’ll be presented with a choice that directly impacts the ending. Accepting the deal will lead to a “good” ending (but not the true ending) where everyone seems happy, but their happiness is based on a fabricated reality. Reject the offer to continue the story and fight for the true future.
By adhering to these principles, you’ll be well on your way to experiencing the full scope of Persona 5 Royal and unlocking the game’s most satisfying and complete conclusion.
Understanding the Confidants and Their Impact
The relationships you forge in Persona 5 Royal through the Confidant system are more than just sources of powerful abilities. Certain Confidants directly impact the availability of the game’s third semester and the true ending. Failing to reach specific ranks with these characters will lock you out of the additional content:
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Takuto Maruki (Councillor): Achieving Rank 9 with Maruki by November 17th is mandatory for unlocking the third semester. Maruki’s Confidant unlocks powerful support abilities, but more importantly, his story provides the foundation for the events that unfold in January and February.
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Goro Akechi (Justice): While not explicitly required to unlock the third semester, reaching Rank 8 with Akechi by November 24th unlocks additional scenes and allows you to see the full potential of the game’s expanded content. Note that you will have to get the last few ranks with Akechi at nighttime Mementos runs that he invites you on.
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Kasumi Yoshizawa (Faith): Reaching Rank 5 with Kasumi by December 18th is necessary to advance her Confidant after the new year. Her story intertwines deeply with the themes of the third semester, making her completion essential for the true ending.
The Interrogation: Truth or Falsehood?
The interrogation scenes are high-stakes moments where your choices directly impact the narrative. Sae Niijima’s relentless questioning is designed to break your resolve, but you must remain steadfast and truthful. Avoid giving answers that contradict the established events of the story or implicate your friends. Be careful with your responses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify how to avoid the bad endings in Persona 5 Royal:
1. What happens if I fail to complete a Palace by the deadline?
Failing to complete a Palace by the deadline results in a bad ending. The Phantom Thieves will be arrested, and the game will end prematurely. You’ll have to reload a previous save or start over from the beginning.
2. How do I know when a Palace deadline is approaching?
The game provides ample warnings as a Palace deadline approaches. Morgana will constantly remind you to prioritize the Palace, and the game will visually indicate the remaining time. Pay attention to these cues and plan your schedule accordingly.
3. What are the consequences of accepting Igor’s (Yaldabaoth’s) deal?
Accepting the false Igor’s (actually Yaldabaoth) deal in January results in a “good” ending where the world is seemingly at peace, but it’s a fabricated reality. This isn’t the true ending, and it locks you out of the third semester content.
4. Is it possible to romance multiple characters without negative consequences?
While you can romance multiple characters, there are consequences on Valentine’s Day. If you have multiple girlfriends, you’ll face their combined disappointment and anger. This doesn’t directly lead to a bad ending, but it does affect your social interactions and character relationships. However, Persona 4 and 5 have no consequence to cheating outside of respective Valentine Days event.
5. What happens if I don’t max out Akechi’s Confidant?
If you don’t reach Rank 8 with Goro Akechi by the specified date, certain Akechi-related scenes will not happen, his top tier Persona won’t be unlocked, and one, extra little short post-credit scene will be left out.
6. What is the “good” ending in Persona 5 Royal?
The “good” ending occurs if you accept the deal offered by the false god in January. While it seems like a happy ending, it’s based on a false reality and doesn’t resolve the true conflicts of the story.
7. What is the darkest ending in Persona 5 Royal?
Perhaps the darkest of the Persona 5 Royal endings, this one will occur when the player rejects the deal on January 9 and chooses to take on the third semester palace, but fails to complete it by the February 2 deadline.
8. Is there a secret ending in P5R?
As with Persona titles before it, Persona 5 Royal has a special ending you can unlock that’s different from the original game’s. By growing close to the characters specifically added to Royal (along with one other) you can unlock the true expanded ending.
9. Should I refuse Igor Persona 5?
Answering with “Very well …” will net you one of the bad endings. Persona 5 will end here, and you will not fight the final boss. Answering with “I refuse” will get you the true ending. That is all you have to do to guarantee that you get the true ending.
10. Is Goro Akechi dead?
Near the end of the game, Maruki reveals that Akechi’s return was through Joker’s wish to save him. Wada and Ito intentionally made it so that Akechi’s survival depended on the player’s choice in the game, specifically certain choices made in his Confidant.
11. What happens if you fail a palace in Persona 5?
Not completing a Palace means the owner of it is still up and doing evil things. This will put the Phantom Thieves (and even some others) on edge, meaning they won’t want to hangout with you until you’ve stolen the treasure of the Palace.
12. Will Persona 6 come out?
According to them, Persona 6 is currently aiming for a 2025 release, although it looks more likely that it’s going to be 2026. The next Persona was not going to come out in 2024. Right now it’s 2025, but 2026 is much more likely. It is a a higher scale game than P5, but in many ways it will be different too.
13. Who is Joker’s canon persona?
While the player can freely choose a given name for Joker, his Phantom Thief codename, he is canonically named Ren Amamiya in most appearances. Akira Kurusu is used in the game’s manga adaptation.
14. Should I turn myself in Persona 5 Royal?
Unfortunately, not all stories have the happiest of endings. Sae will find you wandering around Shibuya. Sae will ask you the hardest thing you will have to do in this game: turn yourself in. It’s the only way to ensure that Shido pays for his crimes.
15. What happens to Joker at the end of Persona 5 Royal?
Joker spends time in juvenile prison as intended, his friends manage to free him after a few months, and the Persona 5 Royal true ending plays out, with the player character getting on his train home, exhausted but victorious. Then, the credits roll, and a scene plays at the end.
Mastering the Metaverse: A Recap
In conclusion, avoiding the bad endings in Persona 5 Royal hinges on a few critical factors: completing Palaces by their deadlines, being honest during interrogations, maxing out crucial Confidants, and rejecting the false god’s deceptive offer. By mastering these elements, you’ll navigate the metaverse with confidence and unlock the true ending, experiencing the full depth and impact of this extraordinary game. Remember to also explore the educational aspects of games through organizations like the Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org. Happy heart-stealing!