How many palaces are in Persona 5 Royal is a common question for new players diving into this expanded version of the popular JRPG. Persona 5 Royal introduces players to the world of Phantom Thieves, where the main characters navigate both their high school lives and dangerous supernatural realms called Palaces. These Palaces serve as story-driving dungeons that represent the distorted desires of major antagonists. In Persona 5 Royal, the total number of Palaces increases compared to the original game, providing players with more content, challenges, and narrative depth. This article offers a complete breakdown of how many palaces are in Persona 5 Royal, what they represent, and how they differ from the original Persona 5 release.
How Many Palaces Are in Persona 5 Royal?
In Persona 5 Royal, there are 10 main Palaces in total, compared to the original Persona 5’s 8 Palaces. The additional Palaces reflect the expanded story content exclusive to Royal, giving players more time to explore the mechanics of the Metaverse and develop relationships with the game’s characters. Below is a breakdown of each Palace and its significance within the narrative.
1. Kamoshida’s Palace: Castle
The first Palace in the game is Kamoshida’s Castle, which represents the warped desires of Suguru Kamoshida, the abusive gym teacher. The Castle symbolizes Kamoshida’s view of the school as his personal kingdom, where he mistreats students. This Palace introduces players to core mechanics like combat, stealth, and puzzle-solving.
2. Madarame’s Palace: Museum
The second Palace is Madarame’s Museum, a realm created by Ichiryusai Madarame, a corrupt artist who exploits his students’ talents. The Museum reflects Madarame’s greed and his treatment of students as art pieces to be displayed. This Palace introduces more complex puzzles and mechanics while exploring themes of plagiarism and exploitation.
3. Kaneshiro’s Palace: Bank
The third Palace, Kaneshiro’s Bank, represents the distorted desires of Junya Kaneshiro, a crime boss extorting students. The Bank reflects his greed and control over others through financial manipulation. Players must navigate vaults and security systems while encountering tougher enemies.
4. Futaba’s Palace: Pyramid
The fourth Palace belongs to Futaba Sakura and takes the form of a Pyramid. Unlike other Palaces, Futaba’s Pyramid is shaped by her internal struggles and trauma, not malevolent desires. This Palace explores themes of guilt, grief, and self-acceptance, providing a more emotional and personal experience.
5. Okumura’s Palace: Spaceport
The fifth Palace, Okumura’s Spaceport, is created by Kunikazu Okumura, the CEO of a fast-food empire. The Spaceport symbolizes Okumura’s view of his employees as disposable tools to achieve profit. This Palace introduces more difficult enemy mechanics and time-based puzzles, increasing the challenge for players.
6. Niijima’s Palace: Casino
The sixth Palace is Niijima’s Casino, representing the distorted sense of justice of Sae Niijima, a prosecutor obsessed with winning at any cost. The Casino reflects Sae’s belief that justice can be manipulated like a game. This Palace offers unique gameplay elements, including roulette-based puzzles and a high-stakes setting.
7. Shido’s Palace: Cruise Ship
The seventh Palace is Shido’s Cruise Ship, belonging to Masayoshi Shido, a corrupt politician aiming for absolute power. The Cruise Ship reflects his belief that society is a vessel he must steer toward his ambitions, with people seen as passengers under his control. This Palace is one of the most challenging in the game, with powerful enemies and intricate level design.
8. Mementos: The Public’s Palace
Mementos serves as the collective unconscious Palace of society, representing the desires and thoughts of the general public. Unlike the structured Palaces tied to specific characters, Mementos is an expansive, procedurally generated dungeon. Players can explore Mementos throughout the game to complete side missions, level up, and uncover deeper mysteries.
9. Maruki’s Palace: Laboratory (Royal Exclusive)
In Persona 5 Royal, Maruki’s Laboratory is an entirely new Palace that expands the main storyline. Dr. Takuto Maruki, a school counselor, becomes a key figure in the Royal-exclusive content. His Palace represents his desire to create a utopia free of suffering by manipulating reality. This Palace offers new narrative depth, emotional twists, and one of the toughest boss battles in the game.
10. The Depths of Mementos: The Final Palace
The final Palace in Persona 5 Royal is The Depths of Mementos, which represents the ultimate distortion of society’s desires. It serves as the climax of the main story, where the Phantom Thieves confront the root of societal control. This Palace provides a fitting conclusion to the narrative, with intense battles and philosophical themes about free will and conformity.
Differences Between Persona 5 and Persona 5 Royal Palaces
The inclusion of Maruki’s Palace and additional content within Mementos sets Persona 5 Royal apart from the original game. These new Palaces extend the story and provide fresh gameplay elements that challenge players both mechanically and emotionally. In addition to new areas, Royal introduces new puzzles, enemies, and a refined combat system, enhancing the overall experience.
Players who experienced the original Persona 5 will find the changes in Royal to be significant, offering new challenges and expanded character arcs. Maruki’s Palace, in particular, adds a layer of moral complexity, forcing players to confront difficult choices and rethink their understanding of happiness and reality.
Conclusion: How Many Palaces Are in Persona 5 Royal?
In summary, how many palaces are in Persona 5 Royal? The answer is 10 main Palaces, including 8 character-specific Palaces, Mementos, and the exclusive Maruki’s Laboratory. These Palaces serve as the backbone of the game’s narrative, each representing unique themes and challenges that align with the antagonist’s distorted desires. The addition of Maruki’s Palace in Royal enhances the original story, offering players a deeper, more meaningful experience.
Whether navigating the emotional depths of Futaba’s Pyramid, battling through the chaotic floors of Shido’s Cruise Ship, or exploring the mysteries of Mementos, Persona 5 Royal provides a captivating journey through a world shaped by human desires and ambitions. The variety and depth of these Palaces ensure that players remain engaged throughout the game, making each dungeon an unforgettable part of the Phantom Thieves’ adventure.
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