Persona 5 Royal is perfect for players that didn’t click with Persona 4's upbeat tone. The series wasn't on most people’s radar until its fifth installment popularized its fusion of social simulation and turn-based RPG elements. P4 Golden was the first entry to be re-released on PC. Prior to this, all Persona titles (aside from spin-offs) were PlayStation exclusives. This allowed newcomers that weren’t PlayStation owners to give Atlus’ darling franchise a try. Although Persona 4 is considered great by many, there are those who may have been turned off by its visuals, combat, and characters. Now Persona 5 Royal is portable on the Switch, and available on other platforms like Xbox and PC as well, making it easier than ever for players to pick it up.
Persona 4 starts with players being greeted by their uncle and cousin in the cheery rural town of Inaba. Persona 5 begins with a heist where players are being hunted down by law enforcement. P4 places players in Inaba because their parents are working abroad. P5 takes place in Japan’s bustling shopping district, Shibuya, after the protagonist was expelled from school in their hometown because of their criminal record.
Both games have their own core themes besides cheerful or melancholy. P4 is all about discovering the truth, while P5 is about exposing corrupted individuals in society. One of those corrupted individuals gave Persona 5 Royal the series' best villain, Dr. Maruki. In P5, the protagonist players take control of is shunned for a criminal record he didn’t deserve. While walking home from school one night the protagonist tries to stop a drunk politician from taking advantage of a woman. When the player interferes the politician becomes furious, pressuring the lady the protagonist tried to help to speak against him in court. This encounter leads to the protagonist's arrest, his expulsion from his school, a mark on his record, and the beginning of his rebellious ideals.
Persona 5 Feels More Grounded Compred To Persona 4
Characters in Persona 4 get their Personas by accepting their true selves. In P5, characters make a pact and tear a mask off their face in an excruciatingly painful way. Certain topics discussed in both games make some question whether Persona is safe for kids to play. That being said, both P4 and P5 definitely have their fair share of joyful moments, though they are more abundant in the former. Overall, Persona 5 is simply the “edgier” game of the two. With real-world hardships, players may find themselves identifying more with the characters in P5, but may not provide the same escapism as P4.
Persona 4 Golden and Persona 5 Royal are both fantastic games in their own right. Players that tried out P4 but were turned off by its bright colors and carefree vibe need to give P5 a try. If characters, tone, or music didn’t speak to those who tried Golden, Royal may be exactly what they are looking for. In gameplay and visual aspects alone, the title is an improvement in every way. Royal is also packed with content, being one of the longest single-player games to complete. With Persona 5 Royal now being available on all major platforms, there’s no better time to experience what many consider to be one of the best JRPGs of all time.