The Phantom Thief’s Lonely Valentine: What Happens When You Don’t Romance Anyone in Persona 5?
So, you’re diving into the captivating world of Persona 5 or Persona 5 Royal, ready to steal hearts and change society, but the whole romance thing isn’t your bag? That’s perfectly fine! A frequently asked question by many is: What exactly happens if you decide to forgo the romantic entanglements and maintain strictly platonic relationships with your female Confidants? The answer is simpler than you might think: Absolutely nothing game-breaking! You can fully enjoy the core gameplay loop, experience the entire story, and max out every Confidant without engaging in romantic relationships. The game is designed to be flexible and accommodating to various player preferences. You won’t miss out on any critical plot points, essential skills, or character unlocks by remaining single. Instead of spending Valentine’s Day with a sweetheart, you might find yourself hanging out with Ryuji, lamenting your loveless state. The core experience remains intact.
Why Choose the Platonic Path?
There are many valid reasons to avoid romance in Persona 5. Perhaps you’re playing for the first time and want to focus on the main story without the distractions of relationship management. Maybe you identify more with a platonic connection to these characters. Or, perhaps, you’re simply trying to avoid the infamous Valentine’s Day “cheater” scenario. Whatever your reasons, Persona 5 respects your choice.
The Mechanics of Platonic Relationships
Persona 5 presents its relationship system through Confidants. Increasing your Confidant rank with various characters unlocks gameplay benefits, such as new abilities, access to items, and enhanced Persona fusion options. Most female Confidants offer the opportunity to pursue a romantic relationship upon reaching Rank 9. This is presented as a clear choice, with the protagonist making a conscious decision about the nature of the relationship.
Recognizing the Choice
The game makes it very clear when you’re approaching the romantic crossroads. During the Rank 8 to 9 event with a female Confidant, a dialogue choice will appear indicating that the protagonist should choose his words carefully. Selecting the “correct” response leads to a romantic confession, while a different option solidifies a platonic friendship.
Benefits of Remaining Friends
Choosing the platonic path doesn’t penalize you. You still receive all the gameplay benefits associated with maxing out the Confidant rank. This includes powerful abilities and useful items. The only thing you miss out on are the romantic cutscenes, dialogue changes, and Valentine’s Day events.
Valentine’s Day: A Tale of Two Experiences
For those who choose to romance multiple characters, Valentine’s Day can be a rather… explosive affair. You’ll be confronted by your various girlfriends, leading to humorous (and slightly painful) consequences. However, if you’ve remained strictly platonic, you’ll avoid this scenario entirely. You will likely spend the day with Ryuji, bemoaning your lack of a significant other.
GameLearningSociety.org and Narrative Choice
The flexible relationship system in Persona 5, where players can choose their level of romantic involvement, highlights interesting points about player agency and narrative design. The Games Learning Society explores how games can teach complex social skills and encourage empathy. By allowing players to shape their relationships in the game, Persona 5 offers a subtle form of social simulation. Head over to GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.
Persona 5 Without Romance: A Summary
In short, choosing to remain single in Persona 5 is a perfectly valid and supported playstyle. You don’t sacrifice any essential content or gameplay mechanics. You simply experience the story from a different perspective. You can still forge strong bonds of friendship, max out your Confidants, and save the world without having to worry about awkward Valentine’s Day encounters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I max out all Confidants without romancing anyone in Persona 5?
Absolutely! It’s entirely possible to max out every Confidant, including the female ones, while maintaining strictly platonic relationships. This is a common way to play the game, especially for players focused on completionism or those who prefer the friendship dynamic.
2. What happens on Valentine’s Day if I don’t romance anyone?
If you haven’t romanced any of the female Confidants, you’ll spend Valentine’s Day with Ryuji, lamenting your lack of a girlfriend. It’s a humorous scene that highlights the contrast between your character’s single status and the romantic atmosphere surrounding him.
3. Do I miss out on any important skills or abilities if I don’t romance a Confidant?
No. The skills and abilities associated with each Confidant rank are unlocked regardless of whether you choose to pursue a romantic relationship. The only differences are the romantic cutscenes and dialogue changes.
4. How does the game indicate when I have the option to romance someone?
During the Rank 8 to 9 event with a female Confidant, you’ll be presented with a dialogue choice that includes the line, “I should choose my response carefully.” This is your cue that you’re about to make a decision that will determine whether the relationship becomes romantic or remains platonic.
5. Is there a “canon” romance in Persona 5?
There is no official canon romance in Persona 5. The game allows you to choose whichever character you prefer, or to remain single entirely. The “Lovers Arcana” argument might point to Ann, but ultimately it is your decision to choose who you want to date.
6. Can I romance multiple characters at once?
Yes, you can romance multiple characters at the same time. However, this will lead to consequences on Valentine’s Day, where your girlfriends will confront you about your infidelity.
7. Does dating change the ending of Persona 5?
No, dating does not significantly change the ending of Persona 5. The main storyline and overall conclusion remain the same, regardless of your romantic choices.
8. Can I break up with a character after romancing them?
No, once you’ve committed to a romantic relationship with a character, there is no option to break up with them within the game.
9. Does romancing a specific character impact other Confidant relationships?
Romancing one character doesn’t directly impact your ability to build relationships with other Confidants. However, if you romance multiple characters, you’ll face the consequences of your actions on Valentine’s Day.
10. Are there any advantages to romancing a character besides the extra cutscenes?
There is a very minor advantage to romancing a character during New Game Plus. Romancing someone will give you an item that will carry over to the next game, provided you never cheated on them.
11. Can I romance the older female Confidants in Persona 5?
Yes, you can romance several older female Confidants in Persona 5, such as Tae Takemi (the Death Arcana) and Sadayo Kawakami (the Temperance Arcana).
12. Is it considered cheating if I romance multiple characters?
The game treats romancing multiple characters as “cheating” within its narrative. You will face the consequences of this choice on Valentine’s Day.
13. Does Futaba have a crush on Joker?
It’s implied that Futaba has a crush on Joker, but it’s portrayed as more of an innocent infatuation than a fully developed romantic interest.
14. Does romancing Kasumi Yoshizawa affect the story?
Romancing Kasumi Yoshizawa in Persona 5 Royal adds some additional scenes and dialogue, particularly during the third semester. However, it doesn’t fundamentally alter the main storyline.
15. Is there a best romance option in Persona 5?
The “best” romance option is subjective and depends on your personal preferences. Each romance offers a unique perspective on the character and their relationship with the protagonist. Some popular choices include Ann Takamaki, Makoto Niijima, and Kasumi Yoshizawa.
Choosing to remain single in Persona 5 is a valid and fulfilling way to experience the game, allowing you to focus on friendships and the core narrative without the added complexity of romantic relationships.