Exploring the Intriguing Plot and Stylistic World of Persona 5 Royal
When and Where is Persona 5 Royal Set?
The setting of Persona 5 Royal is present day Tokyo, in the year 20XX. Throughout the game, players are greeted with the ability to visit some famous parts of Tokyo, like Shibuya or Shinjuku. During the day and evenings, players get the opportunity to visit these locations to complete various tasks to boost confidant ranks or social skills.
Depending on the part of the city the player visits, the things available vary. In some areas, shops are available to allow players to buy and sell items and equipment. In some areas, there are cafés or arcades, which can be used to boost confidant rankings.
Alongside the “real world”, Persona 5 Royal features the Metaverse, which is the manifestation of the cognitive world. In the Metaverse, there are two primary places the player will visit: Palaces or Mementos. Each Palace is unique depending on the ruler the player visits. Some are based on castles, some as banks.
The Palaces you visit will be tied to the plot of the game. Mementos, on the other hand, is based on the general cognition of the human race. In theory, Mementos is everyone’s Palace. In the game, this is based on a subway station, with multiple floors that lead downwards towards the depths.
What Happens in Persona 5 Royal?
Now, how does all this fit into the story? Well, the first half of the game is spent in essentially a flashback. The protagonist, known as Joker, is arrested for various crimes. While telling Sae, a prosecutor, the events that lead up to his arrest is where the game starts. In the past, Joker saves a woman from being assaulted, however, due to some strings being pulled, Joker is instead arrested for assault.
As such, he sent away to Shujin Academy on probation. If he stays out of trouble for a year, he will be released from his punishment. After beginning his new life, he soon stumbles into a Palace, which leads to Joker’s discovery of the Metaverse. With the help of some new found friends, he and his friends known as the Phantom Thieves, steal desires from people to trigger a change of heart. Through these changes of hearts, the corrupted adults will see the error of their ways and confess to their crimes.
Persona 5 Royal features a wonderful story which you should experience yourself. However, what was written above is the basic timeline for the plot. If you are looking for a more in-depth review of the entire game, let’s dive in!
