If you’ve been reading me for a while, you know very well that among the columnists we write in Xbox Generation, I’m the one who bites my tongue the least. I have a flaw, which I like to call things by their name. And Persona 5 Royal is the dick. Without Flemish adjectives, it’s cock, milk, host, orgasm, ejaculation in the warmth of some sheets…call it what you want. But it’s a great game after all.
This is my first interaction with the franchise. Perhaps the most purists will reproach me that a version lost in limbo only available in Japanese is better. But it’s just that I don’t care. I just landed in this universe and it left such a good taste in my mouth that I feel like I’m in the dying desert and suddenly it feels like a barrel of frozen beer to you. Estrella Galicia, I specify, that if it was about Cruzcampo, we would be talking about a punishment.
Visual novel and turn-based RPG, a brilliant mix
For those of you who come to this game for the first time, I warn you that the presentation of this one is “LOTS OF TEXT”, just like that, without anesthesia. The game presents us with an initial story that, at first glance, gives the impression that someone was smoking; but what it takes on color thanks to the dialogues and small gameplay introductions
And therein lies the first of its secrets, history. Because if you think it will wake up “kokoros” from random people and the protagonist’s memory loss and hidden power like in 99% of JRPGs, you are wrong. It’s perhaps the most mature Japanese RPG I’ve played with Yakuza 7. And it’s that the cohesion and motivations of each character cooks over low heat, each part you read adds complexity and nuances to each of your companions. . At the beginning the badass of the institute accompanies you, and the one who wants to be a model does not demerit… but forget that, because later you will see how each one brings his part to the plot
40 hours of tutorial, and I still haven’t finished it…
But Persona 5 isn’t just a story, it also has one of the most polished turn-based RPG gameplay I’ve ever seen. If you are ready to play it, know that, at least for me, the tutorial lasted almost 40 hours. Having passed my character level 30, the game was still teaching me new mechanicsnew attacks, combo attacks, upgrades for your Personas… Crazy, and one incredible at a time.
Also, Persona 5 Royal isn’t all about running around the map and waiting for an enemy to blast you to farm levels. You level up in palaces, which are basically dungeons and the only explorable place where you fight alongside memories, which is perhaps the most boring part of the game. You could say the game splits into four types of gameplay:
- narrative part: You read the story with small decisions like a visual novel.
- playful part: You have various activities when you are not in school, history or combat. This way you can explore different areas for going to the public restroom, learning to knock, etc. These types of activities will make you raise attributes such as charm, knowledge, etc. Indispensable for developing your character and building relationships.
- Reports: All the characters involved in the main plot are likely to be your mysteries, which are essentially those who will subconsciously help you in the adventure with abilities, upgrades for Personas… and more. Building good or bad relationships will decide your success or failure.
- Dungeons: Basically you explore the castles, which are dungeons and you will have to reach a room with a treasure. I won’t go too far so as not to spoil you, but each enemy has their own.
Laziness is punished in Persona 5
But if there’s one thing Persona 5 does awfully well, it’s timing. You see, the game constantly gives you new tasks to distract you. You can hook up to open chests in dungeons, or invite the in-game girl you like (you can flirt with pretty much any of them) for Teriyaki Chicken. And that’s cool, but it takes time. Each dungeon has a deadline to complete on the calendar, and if you get lost doing something stupid, then… it’s game over.
And if the game is over, you lose. I’ll put it more simply: if you don’t complete a dungeon before the deadline, the game is over. It’s a masterful analogy of Japanese society where laziness is very frowned upon. Your punishment for procrastination does not end the game., and of course the game will penalize you for that. So finding the balance between studying, flirting, going to high school, etc., is key.
And that soundtrack…
Finally and I’m done. The soundtrack of this game has a special vibe. You don’t know you love it until you hear it play. If you don’t know what it’s all about, do yourself a favor and put it on Spotify while you re-read this article, I leave it here. I’ve been using this background soundtrack for weeks for work, writing articles, etc.
The game is on Game Pass, you really have few excuses not to give it a shot. However, I already warned at the beginning, its pace is slow and can overwhelm at first until you have mastered everything. But once you get in and he grabs you, you don’t want to get out. It is one of the best experiences I have had in recent years.
By the way, I chose Sadayo Kawakami. And you?
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