Table of Contents

Should You Accept Igor’s Deal in Persona 5 Royal? A Comprehensive Guide

Quick answer

This page answers Should you accept Igor’s deal P5R? quickly.

Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.

Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.

Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.

▶

The question of whether to accept Igor’s deal in Persona 5 Royal is a pivotal one, carrying significant consequences for your playthrough. The short answer? No, you should absolutely refuse Igor’s deal. Accepting it leads to a premature and unsatisfying “Good” ending, cutting off access to the enhanced content of the third semester and the True Ending, which most players consider the definitive and most rewarding conclusion to the game. This article will delve deeper into why you should refuse the deal, what happens if you accept it, and answer some frequently asked questions about the various endings in Persona 5 Royal.

Understanding the Stakes: Igor, Yaldabaoth, and the Deal

Before diving into the decision itself, it’s crucial to understand who “Igor” really is and the nature of the deal he offers. As the story unfolds, it’s revealed that the Igor we’ve known throughout the game is, in fact, an imposter: Yaldabaoth, the God of Control. He proposes a deal to the protagonist, Joker, to restore the world to its previous, distorted state where people are complacent and controlled, in exchange for the Phantom Thieves being praised and celebrated.

This “deal” essentially represents the antithesis of everything the Phantom Thieves stand for: rebellion, freedom, and the fight against societal control. By accepting it, you’re sacrificing the growth and impact of the Phantom Thieves in favor of a false sense of peace built on oppression.

Why Refusing Igor’s Deal is Essential

Refusing Igor’s deal unlocks the third semester of Persona 5 Royal, an entirely new arc filled with additional story content, characters, challenges, and gameplay mechanics. This semester delves deeper into themes of reality, identity, and the true meaning of happiness, offering a richer and more satisfying conclusion to the overall narrative.

Here’s a breakdown of the key benefits of refusing the deal:

Access to the Third Semester: This is the biggest reason. The third semester is a significant addition to the original Persona 5, containing a new palace, new social links, new Personas, and a compelling story arc that explores the characters and themes in greater depth.
The True Ending: By refusing the deal and completing the third semester palace, you unlock the Persona 5 Royal‘s True Ending, which provides a more nuanced and emotionally resonant conclusion to the Phantom Thieves’ journey. This ending addresses unresolved plot threads and offers a sense of closure that the “Good” ending lacks.
Character Development: The third semester provides further character development for the main cast, especially focusing on the newly introduced character, Kasumi Yoshizawa (also known as Sumire), and the return of a familiar face.
Extended Gameplay: The third semester extends your playtime by a significant amount, allowing you to further strengthen your Personas, max out social links, and explore the new content available.

The Consequences of Accepting Igor’s Deal: A Premature End

Choosing to accept Igor’s deal triggers the “Good” ending, a truncated conclusion that fails to address the larger themes and character arcs that the game sets up. This ending is considered a bad ending by many players because it sacrifices the opportunity for a more complete and satisfying experience.

Here’s what you’ll miss out on by accepting the deal:

No Third Semester: The game immediately jumps to the credits, preventing you from experiencing the new story content, characters, and gameplay additions of the third semester.
Unresolved Plot Threads: Many of the mysteries and conflicts introduced throughout the game remain unresolved, leaving a sense of incompleteness and dissatisfaction.
Missed Character Development: You’ll miss out on crucial character development, especially for Kasumi and other members of the Phantom Thieves.
A Less Impactful Conclusion: The “Good” ending lacks the emotional depth and thematic resonance of the True Ending, leaving you with a less impactful and memorable experience.

How to Guarantee the True Ending

To ensure you unlock the True Ending and access the third semester, follow these steps:

Refuse Igor’s Deal: When Igor presents his offer, choose the option that indicates your refusal.
Maximize Maruki’s Confidant: Reach Rank 9 with Takuto Maruki’s Councillor Confidant before November 17th. This is crucial for unlocking the third semester content.
Reach Rank 5 with Kasumi Yoshizawa (Faith Confidant): Reach Rank 5 with Kasumi Yoshizawa (Faith Confidant) before December 18th. This will unlock more events to take place in the story.
Maintain Good Relationships: Foster strong bonds with your fellow Phantom Thieves.
Complete the Third Semester Palace: Once the third semester begins, successfully navigate and complete the new palace before the deadline.
Make Informed Choices: Pay attention to the dialogue and make choices that align with the values of the Phantom Thieves and their commitment to fighting for justice and freedom.

Failing To Complete The Final Palace

Failing to complete the final palace leads to a bad ending. Specifically, 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.

Learning Through Games

The narrative complexity of Persona 5 Royal, and the weight of choices like whether to accept Igor’s deal, highlight the potential for video games to be powerful learning tools. Understanding the consequences of decisions, exploring complex moral dilemmas, and engaging with diverse perspectives are all valuable skills that can be developed through gameplay. For more on the educational applications of games, visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/, a community dedicated to exploring the intersection of games and education. Or GamesLearningSociety.org.

Final Verdict: Reject the Deal and Embrace the True Ending

In conclusion, while accepting Igor’s deal might seem tempting in the moment, it ultimately leads to a less fulfilling and incomplete experience. To truly appreciate Persona 5 Royal and its expanded content, refuse the deal, max out Maruki’s Confidant, and pursue the True Ending. You won’t regret it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the endings of Persona 5 Royal to further clarify any confusion:

Are there multiple endings in Persona 5 Royal?

Yes, Persona 5 Royal has multiple endings, including a bad ending, a “good” ending (reached by accepting Igor’s deal), the original True Ending (reached by declining the deal and completing the original game’s content), and the enhanced True Ending (reached by declining the deal, maxing out Maruki’s Confidant, and completing the third semester).
Does accepting Igor’s deal prevent me from accessing the third semester?

Yes, accepting Igor’s deal immediately ends the game and prevents you from accessing the third semester content.
What happens if I fail to complete the third semester palace?

If you fail to complete the third semester palace before the deadline, you’ll get another bad ending.
Do I have to max out Maruki’s Confidant to get the True Ending?

Yes, reaching Rank 9 with Takuto Maruki’s Councillor Confidant before November 17th is crucial for unlocking the third semester content and the True Ending. Also reach Rank 5 with Kasumi Yoshizawa before December 18th.
Is there a secret ending in Persona 5 Royal?

The True Ending in Persona 5 Royal, which is the expanded ending with the third semester, is often considered a “secret” ending because it requires specific actions to unlock.
What is the bad ending in Persona 5 Royal?

There are several bad endings. One is achieved by accepting Igor’s deal, and another is achieved by failing to complete the third semester palace before the deadline. You can unlock one of the bad endings from the get-go by refusing to agree to Igor’s contract in the Velvet Room. If you turn yourself in, your friends will most likely get caught in the crossfire with you.
Does Persona 5 Strikers follow the events of Persona 5 Royal?

No, Persona 5 Strikers is a direct sequel to the events of Persona 5, not Persona 5 Royal. The events of the third semester, certain characters, and certain events throughout the main game are not considered canon to Strikers.
Should I be honest with Sae Niijima during the interrogation?

To get the best ending, it’s imperative that you never cooperate with Sae Niijima while she interrogates you. Ratting out your fellow Phantom Thieves will put you on the path to a bad ending.
Can I use Satanael in the third semester?

No, despite the Third Semester being added in Royal, you’ve still got to wait until NG+ to fuse Satanael. Satanael cannot be fused in the Third Semester.
Is Akechi dead in Persona 5 Royal?

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.
Who is the true culprit behind the mental shutdowns?

Goro Akechi is the true culprit behind the mental shutdowns.
Why does Akechi hate Joker?

The reason Akechi “hates” Joker is because he doesn’t know how to react to these new and unfamiliar feelings of love.
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.
What is Igor’s purpose in the Persona series?

In every Persona game to date, Igor has played the role of Proprietor of the Velvet Room, a space which transcends both dream and reality. As the Proprietor, Igor provides insight to the protagonists regarding their powers, emotional bonds, and possible dangers that await them in their journey.
Was Morgana ever human?

Despite Morgana’s excessive claims that he was once a human, it’s revealed at the end of Persona 5 that he’s a creature created from the depths of the Metaverse to help Joker in saving the world.