Persona 5 Royal: How Much Longer Is It Than The Original?

Persona 5 Royal is demonstrably longer than Persona 5. On average, you can expect Persona 5 Royal to take approximately 100-120 hours to complete, compared to the original Persona 5’s 90-95 hours. For completionists aiming for 100%, Persona 5 Royal can stretch to a whopping 143 hours, making it a significantly more time-consuming endeavor. The added content, new characters, expanded storyline, and quality-of-life improvements all contribute to this increased playtime.

Why the Extra Hours?

Persona 5 Royal isn’t just a simple re-release with a few tweaks. It’s a definitive edition packed with enhancements and entirely new content that drastically alters the gameplay experience and length. Several key factors contribute to the extended playtime:

• New Story Arc: The most significant addition is the new third semester, which adds roughly 20-30 hours of gameplay depending on your playstyle. This arc delves deeper into the characters and themes, providing a satisfying conclusion to the overall narrative.

• New Characters: Kasumi Yoshizawa, a new playable character, and Takuto Maruki, a new confidant, are integral to the new story arc. Ranking up their confidant levels requires time investment and unlocks exclusive content and abilities.

• Expanded Confidant System: While the core confidant system remains, there are new events and scenes for existing confidants, enriching the relationships and providing more opportunities to learn about the characters.

• New Locations and Activities: New areas like Kichijoji offer new shops, activities, and mini-games to enjoy, further extending the in-game calendar.

• Quality-of-Life Improvements: Numerous quality-of-life changes, such as more efficient battle mechanics and streamlined dungeon crawling, encourage players to explore more thoroughly and engage with the game’s systems more deeply, ultimately adding to the total playtime.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much longer is Persona 5 Royal for a typical playthrough?

For a standard playthrough focused on the main story and some confidant interactions, expect Persona 5 Royal to add approximately 15-20 hours compared to Persona 5.

Is Persona 5 Royal really that long?

Yes, Persona 5 Royal is a lengthy game. Most players report needing at least 100 hours to complete the main story, and completionists can easily spend over 140 hours. It’s a significant time commitment, but the engaging story, characters, and gameplay make it worthwhile for many.

Does Persona 5 Royal have more content than Persona 5?

Absolutely. Persona 5 Royal boasts a wealth of additional content, including a new story arc, new characters, expanded confidant events, new locations, and numerous quality-of-life improvements. It’s a much more complete and comprehensive experience than the original.

Can I transfer my save data from Persona 5 to Persona 5 Royal?

No, save data from the original Persona 5 cannot be directly transferred to Persona 5 Royal. However, the game will recognize that you have save data from the original Persona 5 and reward you with a small bundle of helpful items.

How many endings does Persona 5 Royal have?

Persona 5 Royal features five possible endings: three “bad” endings, one “good” ending (identical to the base game’s true ending), and the true “canonical” ending, which is achieved by fulfilling specific requirements related to the new characters and story arc.

What are the requirements for the Persona 5 Royal true ending?

To unlock the true ending, you must reach the new third semester. This requires ranking the Councillor Confidant (Takuto Maruki) to Rank 9 before November 17th. It’s also highly recommended to max out the Faith Confidant (Kasumi Yoshizawa) and Justice Confidant (Goro Akechi) to unlock additional story content, although not strictly required for the third semester.

Is Persona 5 Royal shorter if I skip content?

While you could technically rush through the main story, skipping confidant events and optional activities, doing so would significantly detract from the overall experience. Persona 5 Royal is designed to be savored, and much of its appeal lies in the depth of its characters and world.

Is Persona 5 Royal the longest game in the Persona series?

Yes, Persona 5 Royal is currently the longest game in the Persona series, surpassing previous entries like Persona 4 Golden and Persona 3 FES in terms of playtime.

What is the shortest Persona game?

The original Persona, also known as Revelations: Persona, is the shortest game in the series, clocking in at around 30 hours.

Is Persona 4 Golden longer than Persona 5 Royal?

Generally, Persona 5 Royal is considered longer than Persona 4 Golden. Completionists might spend approximately 20 hours more on Persona 5 Royal compared to Persona 4 Golden.

Does Persona 5 Royal have more palaces than Persona 5?

No, the number of Palaces (main dungeons) remains the same in Persona 5 Royal as in the original Persona 5 (9 Palaces). However, the new third semester features a new story segment with its own dungeon-like area to explore.

Which Persona game should I play first?

You can play either Persona 5 Royal or Persona 4 Golden without prior knowledge of the other, as they are stand-alone titles within the same universe. However, Persona 5 Royal is often recommended as a starting point due to its more modern gameplay and presentation.

Is Akechi alive in the true ending of Persona 5 Royal?

The fate of Goro Akechi in Persona 5 Royal is somewhat ambiguous and depends on the player’s choices and perspective. While not explicitly confirmed, the game leaves room for interpretation regarding his survival, particularly if you maxed out his confidant rank. Maruki reveals that Akechi’s return was through Joker’s wish to save him.

Should I play Persona 5 before Persona 5 Royal?

No, it’s not necessary to play the original Persona 5 before playing Persona 5 Royal. Persona 5 Royal is essentially the definitive edition, containing all the content of the original game plus significant additions and improvements. Playing the original is redundant since Royal provides a more complete experience.

Where can I learn more about the educational value of video games?

The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) explores the intersection of games and education. Check out their website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ for research, publications, and resources on the topic.