Expanded story and characters in Persona 5 Royal
Persona 5 Royal, developed by ATLUS and published by SEGA, expands upon the original game by introducing an additional semester that extends the story beyond its original conclusion. This new story arc features an added palace and introduces new characters, most notably Takuto Maruki and Kasumi Yoshizawa.
The Confidant system is meaningfully revised, particularly in Goro Akechi’s storyline, which now requires active player progression rather than advancing automatically. These changes deepen character development and open new narrative possibilities, including a Royal-exclusive ending and a distinctive bad ending tied specifically to the added semester. However, the added semester appears late in the story, which may affect pacing for some players.
The addition of Kichijoji expands the game world with a substantial new Tokyo district that introduces fresh activities and social options. This area features new venues such as a jazz club that enhances party members’ combat abilities, as well as minigames like darts, which directly strengthen the Baton Pass system and encourage tactical coordination.
New areas and combat enhancements
Palace dungeons receive targeted refinements, including new mechanics and optional secrets that reward exploration and strategic planning. Combat is further enhanced through Showtime attacks, cinematic tag-team abilities that unlock and develop through story progression, adding variety and spectacle to battles.
Notable quality-of-life improvements include automatic ammo replenishment after every battle, reducing downtime, alongside balance adjustments that contribute to a smoother overall challenge. The calendar system also offers greater flexibility, allowing players more freedom to engage with social and gameplay activities while preserving the series’ core time-management structure.
A polished expansion of a modern JRPG
Persona 5 Royal builds substantially on the foundation of the original game by introducing new characters, an extended story arc, and expanded exploration opportunities. Overall, the game represents a confident evolution of its predecessor, balancing substantial new content and gameplay refinements with thoughtful demands on player engagement.
Pros
- Substantial third-semester story expansion
- New characters
- Expanded Tokyo locations and activities
- Refined Confidant progression system
- Improved combat mechanics
- Quality-of-life improvements
Cons
- Third semester pacing feels uneven
