Title: "Persona 5 Royal: More Personas, More Problems (in the Best Way Possible)"
Score: 9.5/10
As I fondly call Persona 5 Royal, "The Game That Stole My Social Life (Again)," I first immersed myself in the lushly populated world of the Phantom Thieves while playing the original Persona 5. The beautiful visuals and the unusual characters, coupled with a soundtrack so infectious that it might as well be classified as a sexually transmitted disease, captured me immediately. But now that I've gone back into the metaverse, it feels like I'm invited to one of those legendary parties you never knew you needed-finished with some bonus action figures and a limited edition nacho cheese fountain.
Graphics: 10/10
Let us begin with the graphics. Picture it: I’m navigating the streets of Tokyo, and it’s like I stepped into a hyper-stylized anime. Everything is more polished than my social skills after 100 hours of gameplay. The colors are brighter, the details are sharper, and my heart races every time I see a new Persona pop up. It's like the original game went to a spa retreat, came back with a fresh haircut, and a six-pack. I half-expect it to charge me for the glow-up.
Story: 9/10
Now onto the story. Royal introduces Kasumi, who is a gymnast powerhouse whose personality is bright as her gear. Now, if you thought the original had enough twists to make M. Night Shyamalan dizzy, Royal amps it up to eleven. New confidants? Check. Unseen villains? Double check. "Wow, I’m really getting my money’s worth here," I thought when having to manage my social ties like a circus act while trying to woo a girl who loves sweets-which is amazing in itself that I didn’t accidentally profess my love for Morgana.
Gameplay: 9/10
In gameplay, it feels sufficiently similar such that devoted fans would be satisfied, but also be refreshing for newcomers to the madness. The new palace visuals are dazzling; I even caught myself thinking, "Hmm, this is definitely better than my cluttered apartment." Quality-of-life improvements have been introduced too, such as better battle mechanics and that beloved Thieves' Den, where I realized I am just as bad at decorating virtual rooms as I am towards real ones.
New Features: 10/10
Those new "Will Seeds" collectible items act much like the surprise bag of Doritos in an otherwise empty bag: you didn't realize you wanted them until you saw them. They are such an excuse to search every room of every palace, crammed full of goodies equal to that of my fridge after hours ransacking. And don't get me started on the new semester! For most of us, the idea of extending the school year might sound frightening, but here it's more chance to mingle, steal hearts, and not to study. Oh, sweet procrastination!
Soundtrack: 10/10
The soundtrack is standing ovation-worthy. It's like jazz and funk warped by my deepest regrets for not seeing friends cos I've been playing this game. Ended up toe-tapping and humming my way through it like a deranged showtune star. Each new track is a banger, and the vocal performances are, dare I say, lyrical sapphires of musical talent.
Final Thoughts: 9.5/10
In summary, Persona 5 Royal is captivating remaking and exuberant extending of the original. If Persona 5 was that cool friend to whom you went for good times and bad decisions, Royal just happens to be the same friend with a bigger wardrobe, a great DJ, and an endless stream of stories about their exciting summer abroad. This is a definite pick for fans to have, and most certainly worth your time spent if you ever want to return to its depths in this fab social sim, turn-based RPG. Just remember: the only palace you should be concerned about is the one where you keep your semester grades!
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to plan my next heist... or, you know, do my laundry. Priorities!
AUTHOR INFORMATION
This game presents a signature bright and colorful art style defined by bright, vibrant colors with hand-drawn character designs and animated motions. Graphic-novel-style panels, flashy menus, and glossy animated combat segments dominate the game's interface. The aesthetics basically speak the language of a modern Japanese metropolitan area that shouts out anime with a personalized, immersive visual flair alongside story-driven gameplay.
Chronicles the life of a high-schooler named the protagonist, who transfers to Shujin Academy in Tokyo after being falsely accused of a crime. He finds out about a hidden universe called the Metaverse, where people can materialize their true desires and together face off against adults who exploit others. With the aid of a group of classmates named the Phantom Thieves, he sets out to change the hearts of evildoers in his quest for justice and personal honor while battling various personae. The themes are rebellion, friendship, and ibid. respect for society.
Players assume the role of a high school student who leads a double life as a Phantom Thief. The game combines traditional turn-based RPG mechanics with life simulation aspects. Players traverse Tokyo, foster relationships with other characters, manage their time attending school, engage in activities, and combat supernatural enemies in a bizarre dimension named the Metaverse. The main purpose is to change the hearts of corrupt people and unveil an even larger conspiracy. New features in Royal include added characters, extended storylines, and additional refinements for gameplay aspects.
New playable characters, an extended story with additional content and events, refined gameplay mechanics, new worlds to explore, and refined graphics. There are also new personas, fighting systems, and quality-of-life improvements like user interface upgrades and deeper social interactions to enhance the player's experience.
Set against an elegantly-stylized aesthetic, the soundtrack of "Persona 5 Royal" fuses jazz, pop, and orchestral elements. Composed by Atsushi Kitajoh and others, it contains new material along with remixed and reimagined versions of original songs from "Persona 5." Themes of defiance and self-discovery enhance the game in narrative and emotional depth. Standout tracks like "Colors Flying High" and "Take Over" embody the liveliness of the game and showcase contrasting tellings through character perspectives.
PROS / CONS
- Enhanced Story and Character Development
- New Gameplay Mechanics
- Stunning Visuals and Art Style
- Engaging Soundtrack
- In-depth Social Simulation
- Complex Mechanics
- Slow Start
