Persona 5 Royal
Persona 5 Royal

Changes from Persona 5

Compare Persona 5 Royal to the original Persona 5. Learn about new content, quality-of-life updates, and the brand-new third semester for returning players.

Changes from Persona 5

Welcome back, Phantom Thieves! If you're a veteran of the original Persona 5, you'll find that Persona 5 Royal isn't just a simple re-release. It's a significantly expanded and refined experience, offering a wealth of new content, quality-of-life improvements, and even a brand-new semester to explore. This section will guide you through the most impactful changes, helping you adapt your strategies and make the most of your return to Tokyo.

New Characters & Confidants

  • Kasumi Yoshizawa (Faith Arcana): A talented gymnast who transfers to Shujin Academy. Prioritize building her Confidant early, as it's crucial for unlocking the third semester and the true ending. You'll first encounter her on April 12th.
  • Takuto Maruki (Councillor Arcana): The new school counselor, introduced after Kamoshida's incident. His Confidant is also mandatory for accessing the third semester. spend time with him whenever available, especially after school in the Counselor's Office.
  • Jose: A mysterious new character found exclusively in Mementos. He offers unique items and services in exchange for Flowers and Stamps.

Third Semester & True Ending

The most significant addition is the entire third semester, extending the game's narrative beyond the original ending. To unlock this content and achieve the true ending, you *must* meet specific requirements:

  • Reach Rank 9 with Takuto Maruki (Councillor) before November 18th.
  • Reach Rank 5 with Kasumi Yoshizawa (Faith) before December 18th. (Her Confidant will automatically progress to Rank 10 during the third semester if these conditions are met).
  • Reach Rank 8 with Goro Akechi (Justice) before November 24th. (His Confidant will automatically progress to Rank 10 during the third semester if these conditions are met).

Failing to meet these deadlines will result in the original Persona 5 ending, so plan your Confidant activities carefully!

Mementos Overhaul

Mementos has received a significant facelift, making exploration more rewarding and less of a grind:

  • Flowers: These glowing collectibles are scattered throughout Mementos. Collect them to exchange with Jose for powerful items, including stat-boosting accessories and unique skill cards.
  • Stamps: Found at the end of each Mementos path and occasionally in hidden areas, Stamps are also traded with Jose. They allow you to customize Mementos' difficulty, increasing EXP, money, or item drop rates. Prioritize increasing EXP and Money early on to accelerate your progress.
  • Jose's Shop: Access Jose's shop by interacting with him in Mementos. He offers a rotating stock of valuable items, so check back frequently.
  • Will Seeds: Each Palace now contains three hidden Will Seeds. Collecting all three in a single Palace run transforms them into a powerful accessory. These accessories can be further upgraded by Jose in Mementos. The first Will Seed is often found early, the second mid-way, and the third usually requires a bit more exploration or a puzzle solution.

Combat & Palace Changes

Combat feels snappier and offers new strategic options:

  • Grappling Hook: Joker's new grappling hook allows for vertical traversal in Palaces, opening up new routes, hidden areas, and ambush opportunities. Look for glowing grapple points.
  • Showtime Attacks: These powerful, cinematic attacks are performed by pairs of Phantom Thieves. They deal massive damage and ignore resistances. Unlock them by progressing through the story and certain Confidant ranks.
  • Technical Damage Rework: Technical damage is now easier to trigger and deals more damage. Experiment with different elemental attacks and status ailments to maximize your output. For example, a "Freeze" status followed by a "Physical" attack will trigger a Technical.
  • Ammo Replenishment: Your gun's ammo now replenishes after every battle, encouraging more frequent use of firearms.
  • Persona Traits: Each Persona now has a unique "Trait" that grants passive bonuses in battle. These can be inherited during fusion, adding another layer of customization.
  • Disaster Shadows: Certain Shadows will glow red. Defeating them with a critical hit or by exploiting their weakness will cause them to explode, damaging all other enemies. This is an excellent way to clear groups quickly.

Quality-of-Life Improvements

  • Kichijoji: A brand-new explorable district with new shops, activities, and a jazz club.
    • Jazz Club (Night): Take your teammates here to permanently boost their stats, learn new skills, or even evolve their Personas. This is an excellent way to optimize your party.
    • Darts & Billiards (Day/Night): Play darts with your teammates to improve Baton Pass ranks, and billiards to increase your Technical damage.
    • Temple: Spend time meditating here to increase your SP, a crucial resource for longer Palace runs.
  • My Palace: A customizable hub where you can view achievements, listen to music, and interact with your Confidants. Collect "Awards" and "Theft Challenges" to earn P Medals, which can be spent on decorations and other features.
  • Daily Life Activities: More opportunities to boost Social Stats and Confidant ranks. Look for new books, movies, and part-time jobs.
  • Thieves Den: This new menu option allows you to revisit past events, listen to music, and customize your personal space.
  • Challenge Battles: Found in the Thieves Den, these offer difficult combat scenarios with unique rewards.

By understanding and using these changes, both returning players and newcomers will find Persona 5 Royal to be an even more engaging and rewarding experience. Don't be afraid to experiment with new strategies and explore every corner of Tokyo and the Metaverse!