The past few weeks have been especially good to fans of Japanese Role Playing Games (JRPGs). However, they may have also forced players to make a choice between which behemoth of a game they're spending time at home playing. Within two weeks of each other, both Square Enix and Atlus released massive games: Final Fantasy VII Remake and Persona 5 Royal. Despite looking quite different from each other, they have some things in common -- and not just that they're in the same genre.
Both Final Fantasy VII Remake and Persona 5 Royal are a reimagining of previously-released games. They are both incredibly long game experiences and it's possible players may have played one if not both iterations before. Here's a breakdown of each, so players can make an informed decision about which one will be a better fit for them.
Final Fantasy VII Remake
The original Final Fantasy VII was released in 1997 for the first PlayStation and is largely considered to be one of the best JRPGs of all time. A lot has changed since then, especially within the genre of JRPGs. Developers have taken the formula that worked for Final Fantasy VII and expanded upon it over the years. In the case of this year's remake, that also holds true, with there being tons of changes both in game structure and story.
The biggest change that sets the remake aside from the original and Persona 5 Royal is the combat system. It has been changed into a real-time combat system over the original, turn-based mechanics. This modernization may leave some fans of the original disappointed, but it goes a long way to modernizing the game and upping the overall pace.
On top of the changed combat mechanics, the game has received a complete graphical overhaul that looks absolutely stunning on the latest hardware. This is quite the leap from the blocky polygons of the original and it is possibly one of the best-looking games thus far on the PlayStation 4. Midgar looks beautiful by comparison and the characters received such an overhaul that it might be impossible to go back to the original after playing.
Final Fantasy VII Remake should stand out for fans interested in the original or the series as a whole, but it also should be of some intrigue to fans of modern games like Dragon Age: Inquisition or Xenoblade Chronicles. With a refreshing combat system, gorgeous graphics and a completely revamped story, this is a JRPG that will certainly top the lists for games released this year and possibly for years to come, considering that this release is only part one of an undisclosed number, destined to be released at later dates.
Persona 5 Royal
The Persona series is all about style, turn-based combat and surviving high school in Japan. Persona 5 Royal is all that and more, with an ongoing thriller arc of the characters taking out supernatural villains while masquerading as robbers. From the every day life of a Japanese student to the supernatural subway systems that serve as a dungeon for the player to explore, the world of Persona 5 Royal pops in a way most JRPGs don't.
Persona 5 Royal adds some much needed changes and overall improvements to the base game, which was released in 2017. This release adds new characters, areas and even a new palace experience to explore. Fans of the Persona series are likely to love it just on the basis of it being more Persona, but the series still remains open for new players to jump in, with each numbered iteration being a standalone experience.
Persona 5 Royal is not an experience best suited for everyone. In fact, in can be somewhat daunting for those who are unfamiliar with it. It requires hours and hours of play and managing an in-game clock and calendar with activities that can be missed. The introduction is tedious and long, with tons of dialogue eclipsing over an hour before players reach any combat sequences or traditional gameplay. But if style is something players want, look no further then the latest addition to the series from Atlus.
Which Game Should You Play?
In reality, like with most things in the world of gaming, it all comes down to personal taste. JRPG fans really can't go wrong with either Final Fantasy VII Remake or Persona 5 Royal, as both are top-tier examples of the genre.
Players who are more into style and music, don't mind a lot of micro-managing and can put up with a slow boil of a story might want to prioritize playing Persona 5 Royal. Those looking for a more modern take on a JRPG classic who don't mind the split releases of Final Fantasy VII Remake, the answer is clear. If at all possible, players should check out both games, as they are truly wonderful experiences that will help them pass the time and escape to some amazing worlds.