Persona 5 Royal: Gameplay Hours & Time Commitment

by Jhon Lennon 50 views

Hey, gamers! If you're anything like me, you're always on the hunt for a game that offers a ton of content and keeps you hooked for hours. Persona 5 Royal definitely fits that bill, but just how long does it take to beat this epic JRPG? Let's dive deep and explore the gameplay hours, the factors that influence your playtime, and what you can expect when you embark on your Phantom Thief adventure. Trust me, it's a journey worth taking! We'll cover everything from the main story to side quests and even that all-important completionist run.

The Core Story: How Many Hours to Beat Persona 5 Royal?

So, you want to know the bare minimum to see the credits roll in Persona 5 Royal? On average, players can expect to spend around 80 to 100 hours just focusing on the main story. This is based on playing on a normal difficulty and not getting too sidetracked with all the extra content. It's a significant time commitment, but that's what makes this game so rewarding! The story is rich, the characters are unforgettable, and the gameplay is just plain fun. This range gives you a good idea, but your actual time may vary based on your play style. Remember, this is a role-playing game, so the more you immerse yourself, the more time you'll spend in the world.

Now, let's break down why there's a range. If you're a seasoned gamer who knows your way around JRPGs, you might be able to speed things up a bit. But if you're new to the genre, or if you like to savor every moment, explore every nook and cranny, and chat with all the cool characters, you'll likely lean towards the higher end of that spectrum. There's a lot to do in Persona 5 Royal beyond just the main story; you can create social links, build your relationships with the characters, participate in various activities, and explore the Palaces. All these things add up and contribute to your overall playtime. Furthermore, your in-game choices can influence how long it takes to complete the game. This will have a great impact on your time.

Diving Deeper: Factors Influencing Your Playtime

Several factors can significantly affect how long it takes you to beat Persona 5 Royal. Let's break down some of the most important ones, shall we?

  • Your Play Style: Are you a speedrunner or a completionist? If you're focused on finishing the main story as quickly as possible, you'll likely spend less time in the game. But if you're like me and want to soak in every detail, explore every location, and experience everything the game offers, you'll be on the higher end of the spectrum. I'm all about talking to everyone, doing all the side quests, and just generally enjoying the world. So expect a much longer playtime if you adopt this style.
  • Difficulty Level: This is a big one. Persona 5 Royal offers different difficulty settings. If you play on a lower difficulty, you might breeze through battles and save some time. On the other hand, a higher difficulty will make battles more challenging, potentially extending your playtime as you strategize and grind. The game's difficulty affects not only the battle length, but also the amount of time you spend, exploring, and doing other things that are affected by your character's stats.
  • Side Content: Persona 5 Royal is packed with side quests, social links, and other optional activities. Completing these adds hours to your playtime but also enriches your experience and helps you understand the characters. If you want to dive deep into all the content, expect your playtime to be significantly longer.
  • Your Familiarity with JRPGs: If you're new to JRPGs, you might need some time to learn the ropes. Understanding the combat system, navigating the menus, and grasping the game's mechanics can take some time. Experienced players will be able to get up to speed much quicker.
  • Your Luck: Let's be honest, sometimes you just get unlucky. In-game events and random occurrences can affect your progress and time. For instance, sometimes, you'll need to replay sections if you get a game over. So, these can add some additional time.

These factors combine to create a truly unique experience for each player. It is what makes Persona 5 Royal so great. No two playthroughs are exactly the same.

The Completionist Run: How Long to 100% Persona 5 Royal?

Alright, so you're not just here to beat the game, you want to conquer it? Welcome to the completionist club, my friend! Achieving 100% completion in Persona 5 Royal is a massive undertaking, and it's not for the faint of heart. It involves completing every side quest, maxing out all social links, finding every collectible, and generally experiencing everything the game has to offer. In order to complete everything, you are going to need a lot of time and a guide, the game has so many secrets!

  • Estimated Time: If you're aiming for full completion, you should be prepared to invest 150+ hours. Yes, you read that right. This is a game of dedication and planning. You'll need to be efficient with your time, manage your social links effectively, and make the right choices to optimize your progress. If you are going to 100% the game, you must be prepared to make some sacrifices, so plan accordingly.

  • Why It Takes So Long: The sheer amount of content is staggering. You have a massive social sim aspect where you build relationships with various characters. You must maintain these relationships through the entire game! This also includes the dungeon crawling, which involves exploring the Palaces, the procedurally generated Mementos, and the combat. All of this requires a lot of time. You need to make sure your builds are optimal and that you are not under leveled. Maxing out all the social links will take a long time and the difficulty will be higher than the main story.

  • Tips for Completionists: Here are some pro tips if you're going for 100%:

    • Follow a Guide: Seriously, this is a must-have. A guide will help you manage your time effectively, ensure you don't miss any critical events, and optimize your social link progression.
    • Plan Your Day: You have limited time in the game world. Use your time wisely. Make sure you are using your time the most efficient way possible, you can't waste time on the wrong activities.
    • Prioritize Social Links: Maxing out your social links is crucial. Focus on the links that provide the most benefits for combat and exploration. A lot of the content is locked behind maxing out the Social Links.
    • Don't Be Afraid to Restart: Sometimes, you might mess up and realize you've missed something important. Don't be afraid to reload an old save or even restart your game. This is what you must do if you are going for 100%.

Completing Persona 5 Royal 100% is a rewarding experience, but it requires a lot of dedication and focus. Make sure you're ready for the long haul before you jump in.

New Game Plus: More Adventures Await

Once you beat Persona 5 Royal, the fun doesn't have to end! You can start a New Game Plus (NG+) playthrough. This lets you carry over certain progress from your previous run, such as your Personas, social stats, and equipment. You can also experience the game with some additional content that is unlocked after your first run. This is a great way to replay the game if you want to get 100%. This can extend your total playtime by dozens of hours.

  • Benefits of NG+: Carry over your powerful personas. You will have a huge advantage in combat, and you can focus on building relationships with other characters. You can also replay the game with a better understanding of the game's mechanics and story.

  • Extending Your Time: Depending on how much you want to experiment, NG+ can easily add another 40-80 hours to your overall playtime. This is especially true if you are going for additional endings.

Is Persona 5 Royal Worth the Time Investment?

Absolutely, yes! Persona 5 Royal is a masterpiece of a game. If you are looking for a game to spend your time with, this is the game. The story, the characters, the music, and the gameplay are all incredible. It's one of those games you'll be thinking about long after you've finished it. It's definitely worth the time. The average amount of hours spent playing the game is 100 hours. If you are looking for a game that will give you your money's worth, Persona 5 Royal is it.

Conclusion: Your Journey Awaits

So there you have it, folks! Persona 5 Royal offers a massive amount of content, ensuring that you'll have a fantastic time. Whether you're focused on the main story or aiming for that coveted 100% completion, be prepared for a long and thrilling adventure. This game will take you on an amazing journey and you'll never forget it. Remember to enjoy the ride, embrace the experience, and become the Phantom Thief you were always meant to be. Happy gaming!"