It has been nearly five years since the world entered lockdown. But just before that momentous shift, I purchased a copy of Persona 5 Royal—a game recommended to me by a particularly persuasive and undeniably striking store clerk. Once the lockdowns took effect, Persona 5 Royal became my near-constant companion. For almost a year and a half, I played it nearly every day, rekindling a passion for role-playing games that I hadn’t felt since Dante’s Inferno in high school. After countless hours immersed in its world, I am confident in saying that Persona 5 Royal is not just an exceptional RPG—it may be the greatest one ever made.

Set in 2016 Tokyo, the game presents a semi-open world teeming with side quests, social interactions, and a vibrantly detailed urban setting. However, its true brilliance lies in its gripping narrative, which follows a group of teenage vigilantes—the Phantom Thieves—who harness a supernatural realm known as the Metaverse to change the hearts of corrupt adults, compelling them to confess their crimes.

A Story of Rebellion and Justice

The game opens with the protagonist, canonically named Ren Amamiya (though players can select their own name), who finds himself falsely accused of assault after intervening to prevent an influential politician from attacking a woman. Convicted under false pretenses and placed on probation, he is sent to Tokyo to live with Sojiro Sakura, the no-nonsense yet kind-hearted owner of Café Leblanc. At his new high school, Shujin Academy, Ren befriends Ryuji Sakamoto, a former track star ostracized for his defiance of authority.

A mysterious app suddenly appears on their phones, and after unwittingly activating it, they are transported into a twisted alternate reality where their school has transformed into a grotesque castle ruled by Suguru Kamoshida, the gym teacher and a former Olympic athlete. In this shadowy Metaverse, Kamoshida embodies the worst aspects of his real-life persona: an unchecked predator who abuses his male athletes and preys upon female students. His most targeted victim is Ann Takamaki, a mixed-race American student subjected to relentless rumors and coercion. When Kamoshida’s manipulations push Ann’s best friend, Shiho Suzui, to attempt suicide, Ren, Ryuji, and Ann, aided by a talking cat named Morgana, form the Phantom Thieves. Their mission: infiltrate Kamoshida’s palace, steal his symbolic “treasure,” and force a public confession. Their success sets them on a path to expose Tokyo’s most corrupt figures.

The Rise of the Phantom Thieves

Emboldened by their first victory, the Phantom Thieves target Ichiryusai Madarame, a celebrated artist who secretly exploits his students by stealing their work and passing it off as his own. With the aid of one of Madarame’s pupils, Yusuke Kitagawa, the Thieves bring him to justice—only to uncover an ominous revelation. Another Metaverse user, donning a black mask, is weaponizing this supernatural realm to orchestrate assassinations. This revelation casts a foreboding shadow over their work.

As their infamy grows, the group confronts even greater threats: Junya Kaneshiro, a Yakuza boss coercing students into delivering drugs before blackmailing them into financial ruin; Kunikazu Okumura, a ruthless CEO exploiting his workforce while harboring political ambitions; and a greater conspiracy tied to the far-right populist politician Masayoshi Shido.

A critical moment arises when the Phantom Thieves cross paths with Goro Akechi, a famous teenage detective publicly opposed to their actions. Akechi’s casual mention of hearing a reference to pancakes—a remark originally made by Morgana in the Metaverse—raises alarms. The only way Akechi could have overheard that conversation is if he, too, had been inside the Metaverse.

This suspicion proves justified when it is revealed that Akechi is the enigmatic black-masked figure manipulating events from the shadows. He is not merely a rival—he is the assassin responsible for a string of mental shutdowns that have led to high-profile deaths across the city. Worse still, Akechi is an instrument of Shido, a dangerous demagogue on the verge of seizing political power.

Even after the Phantom Thieves expose Shido’s corruption and force a confession, their victory is hollow. The public, rather than rejecting Shido, remains apathetic, and he still wins the election. With their hope waning, the Phantom Thieves must confront one final enemy: the Holy Grail, an entity that represents society’s collective desire for control and compliance. In a climactic showdown, the fate of the world hangs in the balance.

A Masterpiece of Gameplay and Storytelling

Beyond its spellbinding narrative, Persona 5 Royal excels in gameplay mechanics, world-building, and character development. The confidant system—which encourages players to build relationships with allies and even pursue romance—adds layers of emotional depth. The turn-based combat, fast-paced and visually striking, reinvigorates a classic format, setting a new benchmark for the genre. The game’s influence is already apparent in Metaphor: ReFantazio, a new title from the same developers.

Yet, Persona 5 Royal is not without its flaws. Some character designs feel gratuitously sexualized—Ann’s revealing red catsuit, for example, feels incongruous given her personal backstory. Similarly, the game’s portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters is problematic. A flamboyant gay couple in Shinjuku is reduced to a comedic stereotype, harassing Ryuji for laughs, and the absence of non-heteronormative romance options is a glaring omission in an otherwise inclusive world.

A Game That Defined an Era

Despite these issues, Persona 5 Royal remains a landmark achievement. Its intricate story, richly realized setting, and compelling cast of characters set a new standard for RPGs. But more than that, the game served as an escape for me during the uncertainty of lockdown. From March 2020 to August 2021, I played it nearly every day, finding solace in its world and characters.

For those who have yet to experience it, Persona 5 Royal is more than a game—it is an odyssey, an immersive exploration of justice, friendship, and defiance in the face of oppression. And for me, it will always be the greatest RPG ever made.