Is Persona 5 Royal Shorter Than Persona 5? The Definitive Answer & More
Unequivocally, no. Persona 5 Royal is significantly longer than Persona 5. While completion times can vary based on play style and completionist tendencies, Persona 5 Royal adds a wealth of new content, features, and story elements to the original game, resulting in a noticeably extended playtime. On average, players report spending around 100 hours on Persona 5, whereas Persona 5 Royal typically clocks in at 120 hours or more. This increase is primarily due to the addition of a new semester, new characters, expanded confidant storylines, and enhanced gameplay mechanics. So, if you’re looking for a Persona 5 experience that offers even more depth and content, Royal is the clear choice.
Delving Deeper: Why Royal Reigns Supreme in Length
The original Persona 5 was already a lengthy JRPG, renowned for its engaging story, complex characters, and intricate social simulation aspects. However, Persona 5 Royal builds upon this foundation with a substantial amount of new content that directly impacts the overall playtime.
The Third Semester: A Game-Changer
The most significant addition is the third semester, a completely new story arc that unfolds after the original game’s ending. This semester introduces new characters like Kasumi Yoshizawa and Takuto Maruki, offering unique confidant storylines and deepening the themes explored within the Persona 5 universe. The third semester alone can add anywhere from 20 to 30 hours to your playthrough.
Enhanced Gameplay and Features
Beyond the third semester, Persona 5 Royal includes a plethora of smaller additions that contribute to its extended length. These include:
- New confidants and expanded existing confidant storylines: Spending time with confidants is a crucial aspect of the Persona experience, and Royal provides even more opportunities to build relationships and unlock valuable abilities.
- New areas and activities in Tokyo: Explore new locations, participate in new activities, and further immerse yourself in the vibrant world of Persona 5.
- Gameplay tweaks and improvements: From combat enhancements to quality-of-life improvements, Royal streamlines and refines the Persona 5 experience, making it even more engaging and addictive.
- A deeper dive into Mementos: Mementos, the procedurally generated dungeon, receives significant updates, encouraging more exploration and providing additional challenges.
The Grind Factor
While the game mechanics have been rebalanced to be more forgiving, playing with a completionist mindset will inevitably lead to more hours logged. Maxing out all confidants, completing all side quests, and exploring every nook and cranny of the game world can easily push your playtime well beyond the 120-hour mark. For those interested in the broader implications of gaming on learning, the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) provides valuable insights.
Persona 5 Royal FAQs: Everything You Need to Know
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Persona 5 Royal to further clarify its length, content, and value:
1. Should I play Persona 5 before Persona 5 Royal?
No, you do not need to play Persona 5 before Royal. Royal is the definitive version of the game and includes all the content from the original, plus a significant amount of new material. Playing Royal is essentially experiencing Persona 5 in its most complete and enhanced form.
2. Is Persona 5 Royal a remake or a re-release?
Persona 5 Royal is more than a simple re-release. It’s an enhanced version of Persona 5 with substantial additions and improvements, including a new story arc, characters, and gameplay mechanics. It’s not a complete remake, but it’s a significant upgrade.
3. How many hours does it take to beat Persona 5 Royal’s main story?
On average, completing the main story of Persona 5 Royal takes around 100-120 hours. This can vary depending on your play style, difficulty setting, and how much side content you engage with.
4. What’s the biggest difference between Persona 5 and Persona 5 Royal?
The biggest difference is the addition of the third semester, a brand-new story arc that adds a significant chunk of content to the end of the game. Other notable differences include new characters, confidants, gameplay tweaks, and expanded areas.
5. Is Persona 5 Royal harder than Persona 5?
Persona 5 Royal includes a rebalanced difficulty system, with options to customize the challenge to your liking. Some players find Royal easier due to gameplay enhancements, while others find it more challenging due to the new content and enemies.
6. Is Persona 5 Royal worth buying if I already own Persona 5?
For most players, the answer is a resounding yes. The additional content, improved gameplay, and overall enhanced experience make Royal a worthwhile upgrade, even for those who have already played the original Persona 5.
7. Does Persona 5 Royal have multiple endings?
Yes, Persona 5 Royal has multiple endings, depending on your choices and actions throughout the game, particularly regarding the new confidants and the requirements to unlock the third semester.
8. Can I play Persona 5 Royal after the ending?
Yes, like the original Persona 5, Royal features a New Game Plus mode that allows you to carry over certain items, skills, and social stats into a new playthrough.
9. Is Persona 5 Royal the full game?
Yes, Persona 5 Royal is considered the definitive and complete version of Persona 5. It includes all the content from the original game, plus a significant amount of new material.
10. What platforms is Persona 5 Royal available on?
Persona 5 Royal is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
11. Is grinding required in Persona 5 Royal?
While some grinding is inevitable in any JRPG, Persona 5 Royal is more forgiving than many other games in the genre. The rebalanced gameplay and gameplay buffs you get from the Stamps make the random mobs feel more rewarding and quicker to defeat.
12. Which Persona game is the shortest?
According to various sources, Revelations: Persona is the shortest Persona game, typically taking around 37-38 hours to complete.
13. What makes Persona 5 Royal so long?
The length of Persona 5 Royal is attributed to its extensive story, numerous confidant storylines, dungeon crawling, and social simulation elements. The addition of the third semester further adds to the overall playtime.
14. How much better is Persona 5 Royal than Persona 5?
Persona 5 Royal offers a significantly improved experience compared to the original Persona 5. The addition of new content, gameplay enhancements, and a deeper story make it the definitive version of the game.
15. Is Persona 5 Royal popular?
Yes, Persona 5 Royal has been a critical and commercial success, selling millions of copies worldwide and solidifying its place as one of the best JRPGs of all time.
Final Verdict: Royal Rules the Realm of Length
In conclusion, Persona 5 Royal is undoubtedly longer than Persona 5. The additional content, enhanced gameplay, and deeper story make it a more substantial and rewarding experience for players. If you’re looking for a JRPG that will keep you engaged for countless hours, Persona 5 Royal is the perfect choice. Now go forth, Phantom Thieves, and steal some hearts!