Persona 5 Royal Critic Reviews

By most accounts Persona 5 didn't do much wrong. While most games that achieve the critical success of P5 would rest at that job well done, Atlus has continued to further refine their masterpiece into something even better. Persona 5 Royal is proof that even the best games can be made better by acknowledging shortcomings and addressing them, however small they are.

Persona 5 Royal is everything I could want out of a re-release. The game's style and charm shine brightest in this version as it made an already great game even better. The balances and new additions were based on long-time fan criticisms, and it's evident that the developers used it as a foundation to update this adventure while still throwing in some quality-of-life changes that I didn't know the game needed, but ended up loving anyway.

The game speaks in specific and effective ways to the sheer exhaustion of living in perpetual strife, even while delivering the catharsis of standing together against turmoil, even surviving it.

For those that have already enjoyed the original game, this is a fan’s dream, with everything you could wish for and more, with nearly every aspect improved upon. A spellbinding videogame, and one that deserves to be spoken about in reverential terms for many years to come.

Persona 5 Royal isn’t just my favorite Atlus re-release, it might just be my new favorite Atlus game of all time.

Royal is much more than we expected. It’s an absolutely incredible game reaching perfection, improving on everything. On top of that, it comes localized, so the language barrier is not a barrier anymore.

Persona 5 Royal is a stunning game that takes something which has already captured millions of hearts and makes it even better. This is the quintessential Persona experience. If you're new to the franchise, this game is for you. If you're a seasoned veteran, there is enough new and improved content that this game is still for you.

Persona 5 Royal is many things: a collection of small inspiring stories, an ambitious harrowing journey with some good friends, a stunning visual and auditory experience, a resounding call to action. By refining what was already great and building on its best qualities with a brilliant new story arc, Persona 5 Royal asserts itself as an unforgettable and empowering RPG that should be recognized as one of the best games of our time.

Whether you played Persona 5 or not, Persona 5 Royal is simply a must play for everyone. There is more content with updated gameplay mechanics that make the game even more enjoyable than before. The new confidants add a new layer to Joker, deepening our understanding of its psyche and our immersion in the process. Persona 5 Royal is just better than a Persona 5 overhaul.

The number one reason I am most excited about playing Persona 5 Royal (and I’m betting this is the same for you, too) is to woo my new waifu, Kasumi. I hope this game steals your heart all over again, just like it has mine.

Persona 5 revalidates its crown with the Royal edition. Almost 40 hours of new content, changes to the entire game, new plot, new semester and new characters. A true masterpiece.

All of these changes make Persona 5 Royal the definitive version of this title, for newcomers and veterans alike. There are more characters, more things to do and more time in-game to do it all. P-Studio have managed to take a near-perfect game in Persona 5 and elevate it to another level. It gets in your head like never before thanks to its refined blend of dungeon-crawling RPG action and satisfying high school simulator mechanics. In a year where Final Fantasy VII Remake is set to take the world by storm, the Persona series has done what it always does and produced something even better.

Is Persona 5 Royal enough to justify purchasing a game fans have already played? Yes. The amount of change brought to the title is significant, and it all feels like a marked improvement. For a game that was already one of the best JRPGs in recent years, Persona 5 Royal is a follow-up that cements itself as an experience well-worth repeating in lieu of a proper Persona sequel.

Persona 5 Royal is the crown jewel of the series. It expands and improves upon everything that made the original a powerhouse title in the first place. The new activities and confidants staggeringly stand out, and the numerous minor improvements subtly propel the game into a masterful league of its own. Roll out a scarlet carpet and hail the king of JRPGs.

The statement ‘you can’t rush perfection’ has never been truer when it comes to Persona 5 Royal. The story is a slow burn, but with emotional payoffs. The enhancements and additions have been made to feel natural and fully integrated into the rest of the games systems. Persona 5 Royal is a shining example of how to reinvigorate a game. It’s a love letter to fans and a fantastic entry point for newcomers. Simply put, Persona 5 Royal isn’t just one of the best JRPGs of this generation. It’s one of the best games released in recent memory.

The original Persona 5 was already a joy to play; however, this version definitely steps up to the plate and knocks it out of the park. If Persona 5 was a perfectly executed and baked sponge cake, Persona 5 Royal is the same perfect sponge cake... but now filled with lashings of jam and cream. Everything that has been added has been amazingly well implemented. This is a wonderful title, regardless of whether or not it is compared to the original… which is still a delectable sponge cake! The story, characters, music, gameplay, and animation - everything comes together and creates an experience that is the personification of JRPG perfection. Incredibly unique and enjoyable!

Persona 5 Royal is a masterpiece. Bold, beautiful and confident in both presentation and execution, developers Atlus once again show us they are at the top of their game.

Persona 5 Royal improves the original absolutely in every respect. The new soundtrack is as amazing as ever, the bonus content offers a better ending than the original, and the combination of these elements builds an almost perfect game.

In the end, Persona 5 Royal is basically a remixed ultimate version of Persona 5, following in the footsteps of Persona 4 Golden and Persona 3 FES. Fans of the series should rest assured that it’s a worthy addition to the series and is, without a doubt, the way to play Persona 5 from here on out. Virtually everything you loved about the original game is not only in-place here, but improved upon. If you haven’t given Persona 5 a chance yet, but enjoy JRPGs… boy, do I have a game for you!

Persona 5 Royal improves upon what was already one of the greatest RPGs of this generation. The entirely new semester -- Royal's headline act -- is a fantastic addition, but really, it's the countless smaller improvements to gameplay and structure that sell this enhanced re-release, especially if you've already played through Persona 5. Our only criticism is aimed at the price tag -- full retail at launch -- but ultimately, it's difficult to deny the quality on offer here. The Phantom Thieves are back, and their tale of rebellion rings truer than ever.