I'm confused by all these new P5 versions

[Juliet]

I played P5 back in 2017 on PS4 and want to replay it now it's on steam but I'm kind of confused. Is this the same as the original release just with a new added character? And is Strikers worth playing? If yes, which should I play first or which should I avoid?

[Uma Chwan]

P5R is essentially P5.5. You get around 20-30hr of additional contents with the third semester (that got skipped in the original P5). It's also one of the best additional story in Persona series (none of the P4G Aeon arcana shenanigans).

I'd get both if I were you, but I'd play P5R first.

[Eisen]

P5R added 2 new confidant alongside with a rework for the Justice confidant (Akechi), added a 3rd semester which included with an additional palace and 1 additional party member

as for P5S most people said it is a sequel to the original P5 but as for the gameplay instead of turn based it is an action RPG (haven't played this one so i can't comment much on the gameplay)

[♋Phenex]

Originally posted by Eisen:

P5R added 2 new confidant alongside with a rework for the Justice confidant (Akechi), added a 3rd semester which included with an additional palace and 1 additional party member

as for P5S most people said it is a sequel to the original P5 but as for the gameplay instead of turn based it is an action RPG (haven't played this one so i can't comment much on the gameplay)

P5S is basically dynasty warriors but with p5 characters and enemies.

[Nibbie]

Royal is the 'definitive edition' of Persona 5. It adds new characters and story, adds and reworks a lot of mechanics, and so on; if you liked Persona 5 and wanted to replay it at all, Royal is a perfect way to do so while also experiencing new content. It contains all the content of the original P5 release and a good bit more.

Strikers is a canon sequel to Persona 5 (unlike most of the Warriors spinoffs, like Hyrule Warriors); it takes place a few months after the ending of P5. Strikers was developed at the same time as Royal so it is technically a sequel to the original Persona 5, but since Royal contains all of P5 anyway, either one works. If you enjoyed the characters and story of P5, I would recommend picking it up, as you get to see how the characters have grown and spend more time with them.

[Juliet]

Thank you everyone! I’ll definitely start with Royal then try out Strikers, I’m excited to see all the new things added

[archonsod]

Yeah, the only thing to note is don't play Strikers before Royal unless you don't mind spoilers.