Persona 5 Royal

The story of Persona 5 Royal is widely praised for its expanded narrative, deeper themes, and character development, with many critics highlighting its strengths as a significant enhancement to the original game. IGN notes that the story is "significantly expanded" with a new semester, palace, and antagonist, while GameGrin emphasizes the "fresh experience" offered by new content, interactions, and features. Vooks applauds the narrative’s focus on social justice and well-written characters tackling themes like inequality, and Gaming Nexus praises its exploration of real-world issues such as abuse through multidimensional characters. The addition of new characters like Kasumi Yoshizawa is frequently cited as a positive, with Digitally Downloaded noting her "well-woven character arc" and IGN highlighting how new confidants enrich the plot. Many critics also appreciate the game’s emotional depth, with Nintenderos calling it one of the game’s strongest points and GameGrin describing the story as "captivating." The integration of mature themes and the dual narrative of school life and the Metaverse is seen as a standout element, with Vandal and Games.cz praising its thought-provoking approach to societal issues. However, some critics point to specific flaws in the storytelling. TheGamer criticizes the narrative for being "worse than the original," citing unresolved plot points and a disappointing ending, while Twinfinite notes uneven pacing and underdeveloped characters, particularly in the early stages of the story. Gameplanet highlights inconsistent pacing and underdeveloped characters, though it praises Japanese voice acting despite criticizing English translations. Digitally Downloaded mentions "bloat" and transient character arcs, and Vooks observes that some new content feels "out of place." Additionally, TheGamer and Twinfinite express concerns about the original narrative’s integration with new material, suggesting that certain elements feel disjointed. While these critiques are present, they are often framed as minor drawbacks rather than major flaws, with many critics acknowledging that the story’s strengths outweigh its weaknesses. Overall, the majority of critics view Persona 5 Royal’s story as a strong and impactful expansion of the original, with praise for its thematic depth, character development, and narrative innovation. While some reviewers like TheGamer and Twinfinite point to specific issues, the consensus leans heavily toward appreciation for the game’s storytelling. IGN, GameGrin, and Vooks all highlight the narrative’s ability to engage players with mature themes and emotional stakes, while critics like Gaming Nexus and Nintenderos emphasize its complex characters and societal critiques. Even those who note flaws acknowledge that the story remains compelling, with many concluding that Persona 5 Royal successfully builds on its predecessor while offering fresh perspectives. The mixed feedback reflects a game that, despite some imperfections, is widely regarded as a standout entry in the series.

The gameplay of Persona 5 Royal is widely praised for its engaging mechanics, strategic depth, and innovative features. Critics highlight the game’s slick and stylish combat system, which includes new elements like Showtime attacks (COGconnected) and the Baton Pass mechanic (IGN Japan), adding tactical variety to turn-based battles. The integration of social simulation with dungeon exploration is frequently lauded, with CD-Action noting the seamless blend of visual novel-style interactions, Phantom Thief activities, and Tokyo-based free time. Gameplanet and DualShockers emphasize the game’s interconnected systems, such as improved dungeon layouts and reworked boss battles, while Vooks and Dexerto commend the strategic depth of combat and the ability to recruit new Personas. The social link system is also a standout, with Eurogamer Italy and Nintendo Life praising its role in deepening character relationships and enhancing gameplay through time management. These elements collectively create a rich, immersive experience that balances narrative and action. However, some critics point to repetitive or tedious aspects of the gameplay. Gameplanet and IGN Japan note that filler battles and repetitive dungeon mechanics can make exploration feel monotonous, while Vooks and Eurogamer Italy mention the overwhelming nature of time management and occasional unbalanced combat encounters. The linear calendar system (XboxEra) and lengthy dungeons (Vooks) are also seen as potential drawbacks, though many acknowledge these issues are minor compared to the game’s strengths. Additionally, some reviewers, like Games.cz, suggest that the core gameplay remains largely unchanged from the original, with improvements feeling more like refinements than radical overhauls. Despite these critiques, most agree that the game’s innovations and polish mitigate these flaws. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive, with nearly all highlighting Persona 5 Royal as a standout entry in the JRPG genre. The gameplay’s blend of turn-based combat, social simulation, and exploration is consistently praised for its depth and variety, with COGconnected, CD-Action, and GameSpot noting how new features like Showtime attacks and improved dungeon design elevate the experience. While some critics point to minor issues like repetition or pacing, these are largely overshadowed by the game’s engaging systems and strategic richness. The majority of reviews, including those from IGN Japan, Eurogamer Italy, and Nintendo Life, emphasize that Persona 5 Royal successfully balances its complex mechanics with accessibility, making it a compelling and enduring title for both newcomers and fans of the series.

The majority of critics praised Persona 5 Royal’s graphics and visual design, emphasizing its stylish, vibrant, and cohesive aesthetic. Many highlighted the game’s consistent art style, which retains the original’s iconic hand-drawn anime flair while incorporating subtle improvements. CD-Action noted the "stylish visual design" that enhances the experience on PS5, while GameCritics and DualShockers pointed to crisper character models, improved animations, and new portrait artwork. The game’s menus, transitions, and interface were frequently lauded for their creativity—Xbox Achievements called them "comic book stylings" with "stylish menus," and Eurogamer Italy praised the "vibrant" comic-book-inspired dialogue windows. Critics like RPG Fan and Nintendo Life celebrated the vivid colors and unique character designs, with the latter noting that the Metaverse’s visuals "enhance the overall experience." Even on less powerful platforms like the Nintendo Switch, Vgames and Pocket Tactics acknowledged the game’s "stunning artistic design," despite technical limitations. However, some critics pointed out that Persona 5 Royal did not undergo significant graphical upgrades, with several noting minimal changes to core visuals. Push Square criticized the "enhancements... almost non-existent," while Screen Rant observed that "nothing has been upgraded." On the Switch, Vgames and Pocket Tactics mentioned a "slightly downgraded" resolution, though they acknowledged the art style compensated for this. Similarly, Gameplanet noted that the 4K resolution on PS4 was "the only notable improvement," with other aspects like textures remaining "underwhelming" (Everyeye.it). Some critics also pointed out that the game’s visual design, while consistent, retained limitations from the original, such as "limited graphical options" (PC Gamer) and "technical constraints" on older hardware. Despite these critiques, most agreed that the art direction and stylistic choices overshadowed any technical shortcomings. Overall, the consensus among critics was overwhelmingly positive, with Persona 5 Royal’s visual design being a standout feature. While some noted minor graphical upgrades or platform-specific limitations, the game’s unique artistic identity, vibrant color palette, and stylish menus were universally celebrated. Critics like Digital Chumps and COGconnected emphasized that the "unique style" and "stylish flair" remained intact, while others, such as GamersRD and Meristation, highlighted improved textures, lighting, and frame rates on current-gen consoles. Even those who acknowledged minimal changes—like Push Square or Screen Rant—recognized the game’s enduring visual appeal. The combination of a bold art style, polished animations, and creative interface design ensured that Persona 5 Royal’s graphics and visuals remained a defining strength, contributing significantly to its immersive and memorable experience.

The sound design and music of Persona 5 Royal are universally lauded as a standout element, with critics consistently praising its vibrant, genre-defying soundtrack. The game’s jazz-infused score, led by composer Shoji Meguro, is highlighted for its infectious energy and ability to elevate the gameplay experience. Trusted Reviews calls the soundtrack “exquisite,” while RPG Fan notes that new songs like those composed by Meguro enhance the overall atmosphere. Impulsegamer emphasizes how the jazz-inspired music “bolstered with new tracks” immerses players in the game’s world, and TheGamer specifically praises tracks like Beneath the Mask and Life Will Change. Many critics, such as GamingBolt, describe the soundtrack as one of the greatest in gaming history, while others like Pocket Tactics and GameGrin highlight its diversity, blending jazz, pop, and classical elements to match the game’s dynamic tone. The inclusion of new compositions, remixes, and localized voice acting further enriches the auditory experience, with RPGamer noting “stellar audio” and “excellent localization.” While the majority of reviews celebrate Persona 5 Royal’s music, a few critics note minor reservations. Meristation acknowledges that while the soundtrack features nearly thirty new tracks, some may not measure up to the original’s iconic status. This critique is largely an exception, as most reviewers focus on the strengths rather than flaws. Additionally, PC Invasion and others mention technical aspects like BGM volume adjustment but do not delve into the music’s quality itself. These points are overshadowed by the overwhelming consensus that the soundtrack is a masterful achievement, with only one critic explicitly pointing out potential shortcomings in certain tracks. The overall consensus among critics is that Persona 5 Royal’s sound design and music are nothing short of a masterpiece, cementing its status as a defining element of the game’s charm and immersion. Nearly every review highlights the soundtrack’s ability to complement the narrative, enhance emotional beats, and create an unforgettable atmosphere. Critics like Gfinity praise Lyn’s work as “one of the best in gaming,” while Dexerto calls the music “killer” for its perfect synergy with gameplay. The blend of acid jazz, rock, and pop, along with new tracks that expand on the original Persona 5’s themes, has been widely celebrated. As IGN notes, the music maintains the “energetic acid jazz style” while introducing fresh material, ensuring it resonates with both longtime fans and newcomers. With its infectious melodies, dynamic remixes, and seamless integration into the game’s world, Persona 5 Royal’s soundtrack is a testament to the power of video game music as an art form.

The voice acting in Persona 5 Royal received widespread acclaim from critics, with many praising its ability to elevate character depth and storytelling. GamersRD highlighted that both Japanese and English dubs were "well-executed," adding emotional resonance and enhancing immersion. Similarly, Cubed3 noted the "impressive" quality of both language tracks, while Atomix emphasized how performances enriched character interactions and emotional impact. Critics like DarkStation and DualShockers praised the "solid and enjoyable" voice acting, with the latter highlighting its role in making minigames and dialogue more engaging. The Japanese cast was frequently lauded for its authenticity, with Impulsegamer noting that new lines were recorded to improve the experience, and Games.cz calling it "top-notch." Even regional adaptations, such as the French translation praised by MGG and Italian subtitles highlighted by Everyeye.it, underscored the game’s commitment to localization quality. The inclusion of both English and Japanese voice options was seen as a significant plus, allowing players to engage with the narrative in their preferred language. Despite the overall positivity, some critics pointed out minor flaws. Gameplanet criticized the English voice-overs as "horrendous and unlistenable," a stark contrast to the praised Japanese performances. Jeuxvideo.com and RPG Fan noted translation issues, with the former mentioning persistent quality problems in character dialogue and the latter pointing out "pronunciation issues" in the English dub. 3DJuegos and Vandal also flagged instances of overly literal translations that occasionally disrupted natural flow. Additionally, PCMag acknowledged that while the voice acting was well-executed, translation discrepancies could affect non-Japanese speakers’ experiences. These critiques, though limited in scope, suggest that while the voice acting was largely successful, some localization challenges remained, particularly in the English version. The overall consensus among critics was overwhelmingly positive, with the majority agreeing that Persona 5 Royal’s voice acting was a standout feature. Even critics who noted minor issues, like Gameplanet’s harsh critique of the English dub or RPG Fan’s mention of pronunciation flaws, acknowledged the broader excellence of the performances. The game’s ability to balance strong character portrayals in both languages—whether through the Japanese cast’s authenticity or the improved English localization—was a key strength. Critics like Cubed3 and Nintendo Life emphasized that the voice acting "enhanced the emotional depth" of the narrative, while others, such as Vgames and We Got This Covered, highlighted its role in making the game “immersive” and “engaging.” While some translation and pronunciation hiccups were noted, these did not detract from the general acclaim, reinforcing that Persona 5 Royal’s voice acting was a critical success.

The technical performance of Persona 5 Royal across platforms is largely praised for its stability, smooth gameplay, and optimizations tailored to each system. On PS4, critics like Impulsegamer highlighted improved graphics and faster load times, while Trusted Reviews and GamePro Germany noted a stable experience with no significant issues. The PS5 version received acclaim for 4K resolution, 60 FPS performance (PLAY! Zine, PlayStation Universe), and reduced loading times (GamersRD, CD-Action). On PC, the game runs smoothly with customizable frame rates (PC Gamer) and modest hardware requirements (PCMag), though PC Invasion mentioned occasional framerate dips. The Nintendo Switch version was consistently lauded for its stability, with Pocket Tactics and Vgames praising 30 FPS consistency and quick load times, while Dexerto acknowledged minor texture compromises compared to other platforms. Xbox Series X also saw positive feedback, with XboxEra highlighting crisp graphics and smooth performance, though potential online issues at launch were noted. Overall, the game’s technical execution was seen as a strong upgrade over the original, particularly on next-gen consoles. Despite the generally positive reception, some platform-specific drawbacks emerged. On PS4, Gameplanet pointed out minimal technical advancements despite 4K resolution, while Everyeye.it noted aging graphical elements. The PC version faced occasional performance hiccups, with PC Invasion citing framerate dips during intense scenes, though Oyungezer praised its high frame rates and settings flexibility. For the Nintendo Switch, Nintenduo mentioned resolution drops in handheld mode, and Dexerto observed slightly less refined textures compared to PS4. On Xbox Series X, XboxEra flagged potential online issues at launch due to Game Pass integration. While these flaws were minor, they underscored the challenges of porting a game originally designed for more powerful hardware. Critics like Vandal and TierraGamer acknowledged that while the Switch version’s 30 FPS cap and graphical trade-offs were evident, they didn’t detract from the overall experience. The consensus among critics was overwhelmingly positive, with the majority agreeing that Persona 5 Royal delivers excellent technical performance across all platforms. The PS5 and PC versions showcased notable improvements in frame rates, resolution, and load times, while the Switch version impressed with its port quality despite hardware limitations. Even on older systems like the PS4, reviews from Gameplanet and Digital Chumps emphasized smooth gameplay and stability. While minor issues—such as texture quality on Switch or framerate dips on PC—were mentioned, they were consistently framed as negligible compared to the game’s overall polish. Critics like GamersRD and XboxEra highlighted how technical upgrades enhanced the experience without overshadowing the game’s core charm, reinforcing that Persona 5 Royal stands as a technically sound and well-optimized title across its platforms.

The majority of critics praise Persona 5 Royal for its robust replay value, highlighting its extensive content and new features that encourage multiple playthroughs. Many reviewers emphasize the game’s expanded narrative, including additional story arcs, new confidants, and multiple endings. For instance, Noisy Pixel notes that extra activities, reworked Mementos, and challenge battles provide fresh experiences, while Game Informer points to revamped relationship mechanics and new characters as key draws. The inclusion of a third semester, Thieves Den mode, and quality-of-life improvements (as noted by Metro GameCentral and GamingTrend) further enriches the experience. Critics like IGN and Eurogamer Italy stress that the added content—such as new characters, gameplay mechanics, and extended storylines—makes the game a compelling revisit for fans, with some even citing over 100 hours of gameplay (e.g., TheGamer, XboxEra). The ability to explore different choices and relationships, as highlighted by We Got This Covered and SomosXbox, also adds depth, making the game feel fresh on subsequent playthroughs. However, several critics point out limitations that could deter replayability. CD-Action notes that the PS5 version lacks new content, reducing its appeal for returning players, while IGN Japan and IGN Spain argue that the core story remains largely unchanged, which may disappoint those who’ve already played Persona 5. Others, like Wccftech and XGN, suggest that accessing new content requires significant time investments or starting over entirely, which could discourage players. DualShockers and Player 2 mention pacing issues from the original game, with some dungeons feeling overly long. Additionally, Nintendo Life and TierraGamer acknowledge that the game’s length and complexity might be off-putting for newcomers or those seeking a more streamlined experience. These critiques highlight that while Royal offers substantial content, its structure and repetition could pose barriers for certain players. Despite these drawbacks, the overall consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding Persona 5 Royal’s replay value. Most agree that the game’s additions—such as new endings, confidants, and gameplay tweaks—make it a worthwhile revisit, especially for fans of the original. GameCritics and Cubed3 note that the extensive content and narrative paths justify multiple playthroughs, while Eurogamer Italy and IGN Italia emphasize its appeal to completionists with over 200 hours of gameplay. Even critics who acknowledge minor flaws, like RPG Fan and NintendoWorldReport, express enthusiasm for returning to the game’s rich world. While some concerns about pacing and repetition persist, the majority of reviewers, including IGN, Game Rant, and Push Square, conclude that Persona 5 Royal’s depth and variety make it one of the most replayable entries in the series, offering something new for both veterans and newcomers.