What Happens If You Don’t Date Anyone in Persona 5 Royal?

In Persona 5 Royal, the intricate web of relationships you build is a core part of the experience. However, romance is entirely optional. Choosing not to pursue romantic relationships with any of the eligible female confidants doesn’t drastically alter the main storyline, but it does impact certain events and interactions. Ultimately, you’ll still be able to max out all confidants and access their associated benefits without the romantic entanglement. The most noticeable difference will be during holiday events like Valentine’s Day, where you’ll spend time with your male friends, notably Ryuji, rather than a girlfriend. The game doesn’t punish you for being a steadfast friend, and all gameplay advantages remain accessible.

The Bachelor’s Path: Gameplay Implications

The beautiful aspect of Persona 5 Royal is the freedom of choice. If you decide against romancing any of the characters, you’ll still experience the full spectrum of the game’s mechanics:

• Confidant Abilities: The valuable gameplay perks tied to each confidant rank remain accessible whether you choose a romantic or platonic path. You won’t miss out on any crucial skills or abilities by remaining single.
• Story Progression: The main storyline remains unaffected. The Phantom Thieves’ mission to reform society will continue regardless of your romantic choices.
• Social Stats: Raising your social stats is essential for advancing in the game, and these stats are unrelated to romance.
• Ending: You can achieve the true ending of Persona 5 Royal without romancing anyone. The criteria for the best ending primarily depend on your decisions related to the overarching plot and your interactions with specific confidants involved in the main story, not your dating life.
• Item Rewards: You’ll still receive the item rewards from each confidant upon reaching rank 10, even if you haven’t pursued a romantic relationship.

The Unattached Experience: Social Events

While gameplay remains largely the same, the most significant impact of not dating anyone is on specific social events:

• Christmas Eve: Instead of spending a romantic Christmas Eve with a girlfriend, you’ll spend it with Sojiro. While not quite the same as a romantic date, it’s a heartwarming scene that emphasizes the found family aspect of the game.
• Valentine’s Day: This is perhaps the most noticeable difference. If you’ve romanced multiple girls, you’ll face the consequences (accusations of cheating!). If you haven’t romanced anyone, you’ll spend Valentine’s Day with Ryuji, resulting in some humorous scenes.
• Other Holiday Events: Smaller interactions and dialogues during other holiday events might differ slightly, but these are mostly cosmetic and don’t impact the overall game experience.

The Pros and Cons of Remaining Single

There are definitely both upsides and downsides to avoiding romance in Persona 5 Royal. Here’s a quick rundown:

Pros:

• Avoid Valentine’s Day drama: No cheating accusations or awkward confrontations!
• Focus on friendships: Deepen your bonds with all confidants without feeling obligated to choose a romantic partner.
• Less pressure: You can focus solely on gameplay and story without worrying about making the “right” choices in romantic situations.
• More Ryuji: You get to spend quality bro-time with Ryuji on Valentine’s Day and possibly other events.

Cons:

• Missed romantic scenes: You’ll miss out on the unique and heartwarming romantic scenes associated with each female confidant.
• Lack of “waifu” experience: If you’re looking for that specific kind of connection with a character, you’ll be missing out.
• Potential for loneliness (in-game): Seeing your friends all coupled up might make Joker feel a bit lonely during certain events.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to give you a better understanding of the romance options in Persona 5 Royal:

Can I max out all confidants without dating anyone?

Yes, absolutely! You can achieve rank 10 with every confidant, male or female, without entering a romantic relationship. Romance is a separate choice made during the rank 9 event.

Does romancing someone affect the gameplay?

Romancing someone grants you some extra cutscenes during holidays and special items. Other than that, it has no effect on gameplay or abilities gained from ranking up confidants.

Do I need to date someone to get the best ending?

No, dating is not a requirement for unlocking the true ending. The true ending depends on specific choices related to the main storyline and certain confidants (Dr. Maruki, Goro Akechi, Kasumi Yoshizawa), not romantic relationships.

What happens if I date multiple girls?

If you date multiple girls, you’ll be forced to choose one on Valentine’s Day. The others will confront you afterward, accusing you of cheating, resulting in a humorous (and slightly awkward) scene.

Can I romance Ryuji?

Unfortunately, no. Despite a strong friendship and several suggestive moments, Ryuji is not a romance option in Persona 5 Royal.

Can I romance Kasumi?

Yes, you can romance Kasumi Yoshizawa in Persona 5 Royal, but only after unlocking the third semester.

Who is the “canon” love interest in Persona 5 Royal?

There is no officially designated “canon” love interest. However, Ann Takamaki is often considered the closest to being a canon option due to her role as the Lovers Arcana. But ultimately, the choice is up to the player.

Is there kissing in Persona 5 Royal?

Yes, there are kissing scenes with some of the romanceable characters. The level of intimacy is generally mild and in line with the game’s overall tone.

What happens if I reject a girl’s confession?

If you reject a girl’s confession during the rank 9 event, you’ll remain friends, and you’ll still be able to max out their confidant rank.

Can I spend Christmas with Kasumi?

No, Kasumi does not have a Christmas event. You’ll have to spend it with Sojiro if you’re not dating anyone else.

Are there any consequences for cheating outside of Valentine’s Day?

There are no lasting mechanical consequences for dating multiple characters outside of the Valentine’s Day event. However, if you try to go on dates with them after cheating, you will suffer an Arcana penalty (no bonus EXP) unless you fix the problem with the girls.

Is it possible to max out all confidants in a single playthrough?

Yes, it is possible to max out all confidants in a single playthrough of Persona 5 Royal, but it requires careful planning and efficient use of your time.

Who is the most popular girl in Persona 5 Royal?

Popularity varies, but Makoto Nijima is often considered one of the most popular romance options in Persona 5 Royal.

Can you date your teacher in Persona 5 Royal?

Yes, you can romance your homeroom teacher, Sadayo Kawakami.

Where can I learn more about the impact of video games on education?

If you’re interested in exploring the educational aspects of gaming, you can visit the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. This organization delves into the ways video games can be used for learning and development.