If you're thinking about playing Persona 5, and are unsure whether to go with Royal or the original release, then rest easy. Unlike the eternal Persona 3 version wars or even some contested discussion on the Persona 4 version, it's pretty easy to say Persona 5 Royal is the way to go for your Persona 5 experience.
This version patches up most of the issues that exist in the base version of Persona 5. Too easy? Felt the story to be too flat for what you know of Persona? Well the Third Semester patches both of those up: A rich narrative wrapped around a combat experience you simply cannot spam physical attacks to get through, and a final battle that serves as a true test of the mechanics you've learned and bonds you have formed to get to that point! The only way they could have improved things further was if they found a way to add a Chihiro cameo, but I digress. As far as reworked versions goes, this does much more for Persona 5 than Golden does for Persona 4, and it really feels like Atlus has learned from their previous remasters.
There are a few caveats, though. The grappling hook is a neat addition that the new dungeon really takes advantage of in interesting ways, but for the pre-existing dungeons it varies from feeling like it fits to feeling tacked on. Speaking of the entire Persona 5, you have to redo the entire game with a couple new things on the side before you get to the wholly new section. The new additions are all good, but given how long Persona 5 already is it can be a bit daunting but it was worth it since the new additions were for the most part good. The last issue is exclusive to the 2022 version that I played (can you believe Persona 5 on Switch isn't a meme anymore?), and that is the free access to the previously released DLC with not even no strings attached, but immediate access to a level 90 Persona and tons of abrsud powerful skills, with no option to disable access to them beyond self-imposing yourself, which can also get in the way of fusions....this also includes the powerful DLC accessories. Costumes are great but some change the battle music when Joker wears them when I wish they weren't attached so you could choose a battle playlist while the Results would only depend on your costume.
Persona 5 Royal is the definitive Persona 5 experience, that in my eyes gave Persona 5 the boost it needed to stand tall next to Persona 3 and 4 as legendary games any RPG fan must play!
This version patches up most of the issues that exist in the base version of Persona 5. Too easy? Felt the story to be too flat for what you know of Persona? Well the Third Semester patches both of those up: A rich narrative wrapped around a combat experience you simply cannot spam physical attacks to get through, and a final battle that serves as a true test of the mechanics you've learned and bonds you have formed to get to that point! The only way they could have improved things further was if they found a way to add a Chihiro cameo, but I digress. As far as reworked versions goes, this does much more for Persona 5 than Golden does for Persona 4, and it really feels like Atlus has learned from their previous remasters.
There are a few caveats, though. The grappling hook is a neat addition that the new dungeon really takes advantage of in interesting ways, but for the pre-existing dungeons it varies from feeling like it fits to feeling tacked on. Speaking of the entire Persona 5, you have to redo the entire game with a couple new things on the side before you get to the wholly new section. The new additions are all good, but given how long Persona 5 already is it can be a bit daunting but it was worth it since the new additions were for the most part good. The last issue is exclusive to the 2022 version that I played (can you believe Persona 5 on Switch isn't a meme anymore?), and that is the free access to the previously released DLC with not even no strings attached, but immediate access to a level 90 Persona and tons of abrsud powerful skills, with no option to disable access to them beyond self-imposing yourself, which can also get in the way of fusions....this also includes the powerful DLC accessories. Costumes are great but some change the battle music when Joker wears them when I wish they weren't attached so you could choose a battle playlist while the Results would only depend on your costume.
Persona 5 Royal is the definitive Persona 5 experience, that in my eyes gave Persona 5 the boost it needed to stand tall next to Persona 3 and 4 as legendary games any RPG fan must play!