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What Happens if You Don’t Agree at the Start of Persona 5 Royal?

So, you’ve booted up Persona 5 Royal, ready to delve into the stylish world of the Phantom Thieves, but you’re met with an unexpected question right off the bat: do you agree that the game is fictional? What happens if you stubbornly refuse to acknowledge the illusory nature of it all? Simply put, the game won’t let you play. It’s a rather abrupt end to what would have been a very short playthrough. The game refuses to proceed until you acknowledge that the characters and events are fictional, acting as a sort of in-game EULA (End User License Agreement).

The Initial Question: More Than Just a Legal Disclaimer

This initial question isn’t just a formality. It’s a clever meta-commentary woven into the very fabric of the game. Persona 5 Royal, and the Persona series in general, thrives on exploring the blurred lines between reality and perception, truth and lies. The Phantom Thieves themselves operate in the realm of the collective unconscious, altering the hearts of corrupt individuals by infiltrating their distorted desires manifested as Palaces.

By asking you to acknowledge the game’s fictional status, Persona 5 Royal is subtly setting the stage for this exploration. It’s a gentle reminder that what you’re about to experience, while emotionally resonant and engaging, is ultimately a constructed narrative. This acknowledgement doesn’t diminish the impact of the story; rather, it encourages you to engage with it on a deeper level, questioning the nature of reality and the power of belief. The choice is presented as a simple agreement. In fact, if you decline Igor’s deal, then you’ll continue playing and ultimately make your way to the True Ending.

Why This Unusual Requirement?

While it functions as a legal disclaimer, the in-game framing elevates it beyond a simple checkbox. Here’s why it’s significant:

Setting the Tone: It immediately establishes the game’s playful and self-aware tone. Persona games aren’t afraid to poke fun at themselves and the tropes of the JRPG genre.
Reinforcing Themes: It subtly reinforces the game’s central themes of truth, perception, and the power of belief. The Phantom Thieves challenge the status quo by exposing the lies and distortions that permeate society.
Breaking the Fourth Wall: It’s a minor instance of breaking the fourth wall, reminding you that you’re an active participant in the narrative, engaging with a fictional world.
Protecting the Developers: Legally, this protects the developers. Persona 5 makes you agree that you acknowledge that all characters in the game are fiction and do not depict real people, etc. It’s essentially an ingame EULA.

Beyond the Initial Question: True Choices and Consequences

While refusing to agree to the initial fictionality question results in an immediate game over, Persona 5 Royal is filled with meaningful choices that have significant consequences.

Igor’s Offer: Late in the game, you’ll face a critical decision involving Igor. If you agree to the deal, you will get the Good Ending. If you decline, you’ll then continue playing and ultimately make your way to the True Ending, which is the one that most players aim for.
Confidant Relationships: Building relationships with Confidants not only unlocks new abilities and gameplay advantages but also deepens your understanding of the characters and their struggles.
Palace Infiltration: Your success in infiltrating Palaces and changing the hearts of corrupt individuals directly impacts the story and the world around you. If you fail Futaba’s palace then it’s heavily implied she commits suicide as she can’t take the pain anymore, you get arrested thanks to the fake Medjed and on suspicion on being a Phantom Thief and Sojiro is arrested as an accomplice.
Daily Activities: How you spend your days in Tokyo, whether studying, working, or engaging in social activities, shapes your character’s stats and unlocks new opportunities.
Romance: There are a total of ten characters who you can romance in Persona 5 Royal — all of them female. Five of them are teammates, and five of them are confidants scattered around Tokyo. Dating is entirely optional.

Multiple Endings: Navigating the Paths

Persona 5 Royal boasts multiple endings, each determined by your choices throughout the game. There are a total of five possible endings. Three of them are considered “bad,” one is considered “good,” and then there’s the true canonical ending. Thankfully, the bad endings are easy to avoid if you know what you’re doing.

The “Bad” Endings: Usually triggered by making poor choices during key plot points, especially during the endgame. Answering with “Very well …” to Igor will net you one of the bad endings. The game ends here, and you will not fight the final boss.
The “Good” Ending: Achieved by agreeing to a specific deal offered by Igor. This is usually seen as the least desirable ending by players.
The True Ending: The canonical conclusion to the story. This is achieved by refusing Igor’s deal and pursuing the truth to the end. Answering with “I refuse” to Igor will get you the true ending.

FAQs About Choices and Consequences in Persona 5 Royal

Here are some frequently asked questions to further illuminate the impact of choices in Persona 5 Royal:

1. Are most choices relatively inconsequential?

While many choices in conversations might seem minor, influencing only immediate reactions, the cumulative effect of these choices can shape your relationships and unlock hidden dialogue options later on. Most of the choices are relatively inconsequential, mainly determining what your character says in conversations, but some of them can lead to different responses from other characters.

2. What are the “Things Not to Do” in the game?

Don’t waste SP! Don’t Be a Trophy Hunter on Your First Playthrough. Don’t Sleep! Never Leave Home Without A Book. Don’t Forget to Read Mishima’s Text Messages. Palace First, Friends Second. Friends Second, Mementos Third. Mementos Third, Friends… Fourth?

3. Can I avoid romance altogether?

Absolutely! You can max out every confidant without needing to take a romance option, which will result in spending the day with Ryuji as opposed to with a romantic partner. You can have platonic relationships with all the girls that you meet.

4. What happens if I date multiple girls?

If you are dating multiple girls, there will be a bonus scene on Feb. 15, where your ladies catch you cheating on them. They will beat the living daylights out of you, and Sojiro will give you a bonus chocolate to make you feel better. It is a funny scene but you will end up feeling like a jerk in real life.

5. Can I fail to complete a Palace?

Yes, failing to complete a Palace before the deadline has serious consequences, typically leading to a “bad” ending. If you fail Futabas palace then it’s heavily implied she commits suicide as she can’t take the pain anymore, you get arrested thanks to the fake Medjed and on suspicion on being a Phantom Thief and Sojiro is arrested as an accomplice.

6. Is it important to read Mishima’s text messages?

Yes, Mishima’s confidant link is very helpful in the game. Don’t forget to read Mishima’s text messages.

7. What are the benefits of maxing out Confidant ranks?

Maxing out Confidant ranks unlocks powerful abilities that aid you in combat, negotiation, and social activities. You also get to see the resolution of their personal stories.

8. Who is the least favorite confidant in Persona 5?

Persona 5 has a ton of interesting confidants, but Ichiko Ohya is the least popular of the bunch for a few different reasons. The journalist, Ichiko Ohya, has been the Devil confidant in both Persona 5 and Persona 5 Royal.

9. What should I prioritize: Palaces or Confidants?

Balancing Palace infiltration and Confidant building is key. Palaces should be prioritized to advance the story, but neglecting Confidants will hinder your progress.

10. What happens if I turn myself in?

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.

11. Is it bad to get rid of Arsene?

Arsene is pretty much useless the second you gain the ability to get more personas. Unless you are doing an Arsene only playthrough or something, there’s no reason to keep him.

12. Should I accept or refuse Igor’s offer?

Answering with “Very well …” will net you one of the bad endings. 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.

13. Can you get a bad ending in Persona 5 Royal?

Yes. There are several Persona 5 Royal endings throughout this story. Some are good, many bad, but only one is true.

14. How long is 100% Persona 5 Royal?

There is a large amount of side content in Persona 5 that you’ll want to complete in order to 100 percent the game, with this task taking an estimated 143 hours.

15. Is Igor a bad guy Persona?

Igor is the overarching protagonist of the Persona series. In Persona 5, it is revealed that the real Igor was trapped by Yaldabaoth.

Conclusion: Embrace the Illusion, Shape Your Destiny

Persona 5 Royal encourages you to question everything, to challenge the status quo, and to forge your own path. By acknowledging the game’s fictionality, you’re not simply agreeing to a legal disclaimer; you’re embracing the illusion, allowing yourself to be fully immersed in the story and to make choices that truly matter. So, agree to the terms, dive in, and become the Phantom Thief you were meant to be.

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What happens if you don t agree at the start of Persona 5 Royal?