One of the most critically acclaimed games, Persona 5 Royal, an enhanced version of the original Persona 5, builds upon its solid foundation with new content, gameplay improvements, and a deeper narrative. -----Pros:----- Deep, engaging story with compelling characters. Seamless blend of RPG combat and life-simulation mechanics. New content, characters, and dungeons that enhance the original experience. Fantastic soundtrack and voice acting. Switch portability makes it perfect for handheld play. -----Cons:----- Some graphical downgrades in docked mode. Time management can be overwhelming for newcomers. The game’s pacing might feel slow in the beginning for those unfamiliar with the series. -----Story and Characters----- At its core, Persona 5 Royal is about rebellion against corruption. You play as a high school student wrongfully accused of a crime and sent to Tokyo on probation. There, you awaken to a hidden power and form the Phantom Thieves, a group determined to reform society by infiltrating the "Metaverse," a surreal world born of human desires. The story weaves through social issues, human psychology, and fantastical elements, keeping the stakes high and the player engaged. The expanded narrative of Royal adds depth to the existing story with new characters like Kasumi Yoshizawa and Takuto Maruki, both of whom enrich the world with fresh perspectives. New social links, story arcs, and a completely revamped third semester make the game feel both familiar and surprising for returning players. The writing remains sharp and compelling, and the character development is top-notch, with every member of the Phantom Thieves getting a substantial and meaningful arc. -----Gameplay----- Persona 5 Royal blends dungeon-crawling RPG mechanics with life simulation, allowing players to balance battling supernatural foes with daily life as a student in Tokyo. The combat is turn-based but incredibly dynamic, with elemental weaknesses, baton passes, and the inclusion of new mechanics like "Showtime" attacks making battles feel strategic and exciting. Outside of combat, the life-simulation aspects of Persona 5 Royal are just as engrossing. From managing your social stats to hanging out with friends, taking part-time jobs, or completing school activities, every decision impacts how you grow as a character and how you can perform in the Metaverse. The expanded social events and activities make Tokyo feel alive and offer even more opportunities for character growth. -----Performance on Nintendo Switch----- Despite the console’s hardware limitations compared to its PS4 counterpart, Persona 5 Royal runs smoothly, with stable frame rates in both docked and handheld modes. The visuals retain the bold, stylish art direction that Persona 5 is known for, with a unique anime aesthetic and flashy menus that give the game a distinct personality. That said, the Switch version does exhibit some graphical downgrades, particularly in the textures and environmental details. These reductions are more noticeable in docked mode but are less distracting when playing in handheld mode. Overall, these visual concessions are well-balanced against the flexibility of being able to take this massive JRPG experience on the go.