Atlus’ latest role-playing endeavour, Persona 5 Royal, achieves an impressive equilibrium for a project of its scope: It’s both resolutely targeted towards longtime fans of the Persona and Shin Megami Tensei series, yet distinct enough from that legacy to be exceedingly inviting to newcomers.
For those unfamiliar with the distinct style of developer Atlus, this game offers a gentle introduction to their brand of sprawling, unconventional role-playing experiences. Atlus’ recreation director Katsura Hashino dubs the forthcoming sport a “third pillar” franchise, hinting at the title’s immense potential. Early impressions suggest that developer Studio Zero has earned the right to tout the game’s promising outlook.
The narrative foundation is built upon familiar fantasy archetypes: The revered monarch’s brutal murder at the hands of an ambitious commoner sets the stage for a tumultuous succession crisis. The king’s sole heir, his son, was reported deceased, leaving uncertainty about the future of the throne. A young warrior of noble birth seizes the opportunity, seeking vengeance against the monarch’s assassin and rallying a fellowship of valorous heroes to his banner?
The location diverges from its constituents in terms of its stratification and approach to retaliation. In the realm of Euchronia, a unique blend of Western fantasy and modern flair converges to create an immersive world. Warriors engage in fierce combat wielding swords and harness the mystical power of “magla,” a talent traditionally reserved for royalty. However, Euchronia is not a medieval setting; instead, it’s a fully industrialized society with advanced expertise and contemporary concerns. Racism, tribalism, nonsecular extremism, and concerns about border security against a perceived threat from humans – yes, literally. The rivalries at the very core of the sport’s narrative.
As the campaign trail heats up, that same small town finds itself at the center of a heated political battle. In a highly anticipated spectacle, Euchronia prepares to crown its next monarch through a competitive process where multiple aspirants vie for the people’s support, including your character. As I navigated the world of politics through the game, I found myself embroiled in an extremely heated and aggressive contest against a formidable opponent. Before engaging in battle, he outlined his stance on ageism, taxation, and civil rights to his troops; however, it was our team that ultimately gained the upper hand. And it felt actually good.
While some allies fighting alongside the hero of justice are driven to uncover the truth about the king’s murder and swiftly eliminate the perpetrator, the hero’s quest for vengeance is motivated by the imperative to vanquish the culprit in a fair and square manner. in a democratic election.
There’s an additional layer to that which I didn’t fully appreciate during my hands-on experience with the game. The protagonist, accompanied by his fairy companion Gallica, delves into a fantasy novel set in a world that serves as a mystical mirror to Euchronia, where they encounter Extra, the writer of this otherworldly tale. As they navigate this narrative, they find themselves in Akademia, a liminal realm akin to Persona’s Velvet Room.
Hashino recently noted that his team is intentionally developing a game with an underlying sense of connection between fantastical and modern realms, he revealed last year when discussing the game. Despite this, he acknowledged that the truth was emerging earlier than in another pivotal election in the U.S. This is simply a matter of timing and has no bearing on my views about the candidates themselves.
I spent approximately three hours playing on my Xbox Series X in two separate sessions. From the outset of the game, my enigmatic hero embarked on a perilous odyssey to Euchronia’s capital city alongside his loyal fairy companion. In a daring move, they intend to covertly insinuate themselves within the royal guard, whereupon they will rendezvous with a reliable confidant to share critical intelligence: namely, that the king’s son remains very much alive, albeit imprisoned by an enchantment of great potency.
As I pursue my ambition to join the royal guard, a selective institution that typically accepts only the most skilled and well-connected individuals, I encounter a small handful of key allies, including Strohl, a volunteer from an aristocratic background, and Hulkenberg, a former member of the royal Kingsguard who served as private protector to the late prince. I encountered another segment of gameplay where I was joined by a hazy warrior known as Heismay in my social circle. Not a few members of our coalition appear to come and go as they please.
As I take up arms alongside these characters and others, we wage war against treacherous foes loyal only to the king, monstrous beasts that roam free, and other terrors born from the twisted imagination – creatures inspired by the very works of Hieronymus Bosch, with some even lifted directly from his most unsettling depictions. Folks appear aberrant, echoing the eccentricities found in the Persona series’ distinct narrative style. Two-legged creatures wear armor that resembles fragile eggshells. Or they’re simply sentient enamel. Like a grotesque creature conjured from the twisted imagination of Hieronymus Bosch, they are creatures with bodies half-human, half-tree. Dubbed Homo Gorleo, this peculiar creature rapidly coiled its tree-root-like appendages towards me in a threatening posture, while simultaneously munching on succulent apples plucked from its own verdant limbs to replenish its vitality.
You first encounter a massive and intimidating Homo Gorleo, its human form distorted by an otherworldly presence.Picture: Studio Zero/Atlus
As the protagonist engages in fierce combat against these formidable foes, he begins to uncover a hidden reserve of inner energy within himself. With the ability to transform into an Archetype, he can manifest a powerful, alternative form that allows him to unleash unique attacks and wield magical abilities with precision. Gamers will be able to unlock these talents not just for themselves but also for their allies, enjoying unparalleled freedom to experiment with over 40 unique Archetypes – including mage, seeker, thief, gunner, healer, and many others – by assigning each member of the social gathering a role in battle.
Fight feels dynamic. As we showcased in our earlier hands-on preview, players can quickly take down enemies in-game and gain an upper hand before transitioning into turn-based combat against their adversaries. As you stalk your prey, the rush of adrenaline intensifies with each stealthy step, leaving you breathless and poised for victory – or defeat – as the monsters awaken to the threat lurking just beyond their reach. In fast-paced turn-based combat, actions and attacks unfold with swift precision, battles progressing at a breakneck pace.
The party-based combat system features turn-based battle actions, including melee attacks, spells, and guarding. Additionally, Synthesis is an attack option that enables teams to combine the magical abilities and Archetype talents of two characters, allowing for a direct assault on multiple foes at once – albeit at the cost of using up one party member’s turn. With a plethora of options at their fingertips, offers an impressive display of flexibility and strategic depth, featuring hundreds of weapons, spells, and Archetypes, alongside the ability to summon a growing roster of formidable allies.
After engaging in fierce combat, you and your comrades will reap the rewards of battle, earning expertise that can be allocated across five distinct categories: Energy, Magic, Endurance, Agility, and Luck. As we navigate life’s journey, our archetypes can also evolve and grow in strength. The game also features an engaging outdoor leveling system that evolves your skills beyond combat encounters? Known as Royal Virtues, these character-defining traits evolve through choices made in interactions with team members and non-player characters (NPCs), ultimately yielding five distinct statistics: Braveness, Knowledge, Tolerance, Eloquence, and Creativity.
The Royal Virtues appear to facilitate the winning of the affections and esteem of Euchronians through their embodiment. Mastering eloquent communication can elevate your status as a compelling public speaker, thereby increasing your appeal to become a more electable leader. As a testament to the intensity of the electoral process, contestants’ builders claim that one may engage in physical confrontations with political opponents or participate in verbal sparring matches, such as debates – an experience I regretfully missed the opportunity to emulate.
As soon as I began playing the game, I was thrust into a saved file significantly further along in the experience. With several unaccounted-for hours under my belt, I found myself burdened by an extensive to-do list, punctuated by deadlines rapidly approaching. As the election draws near, I realized I couldn’t afford to linger, indulging in menial tasks to win over various individuals’ approval; instead, I yearned to press onward, reaching my next destination.
Embroidered on a vast canvas is a sprawling world map, teeming with numerous characters whose intertwined storylines threaten to hijack your focus from the main quest. Tension permeates the narrative, as protagonists often face time-sensitive constraints: a narrow window to complete tasks or save people while simultaneously navigating their grand scheme for dominance. As in the Persona series, nurturing and sustaining strong bonds with your allies is crucial. With election day looming, these considerations consume precious time. Engaging in strategic tabletop games with accomplished players like Nico Hülkenberg, while cultivating creative thinking or refining knowledge with experts like Oliver Strohl, inevitably diverts attention away from exploring optional storyline quests. You must maintain stability in order to be at your best and please as many people as possible within time constraints.
The notion of a personal vendetta, laden with apprehension though it may be, is what renders the story so captivating. With its grand journey combining a deep turn-based combat system boasting unprecedented breadth and customization, an innovative fantasy world, and a narrative of political upheaval, the creators behind this project seem to have something extremely promising in their hands – something that could stand strongly alongside Atlus’ more renowned RPG franchises.
Metaphor: ReFantazio
