Should I go for third semester on first playthrough?

[Desticler]

I'm currectly in August and I saw in reviews what has to be done to unlock third semester, but I've also seen many people saying that it's not a good addition to the game because it takes place after the original ending and by that point they wished the game already ended. Having seen implementation of third semester in P4 where the ending was still after the third semester, it sounds believable.
I have finished P3 and P4 already, and from that I already know I will be playing this game again - I've been mostly focusing on social stats this playthrough so I can focus on soci- confidants next playthrough. So I will experience third semester either way, I'm asking if it's a good idea for the original ending to be my final impression until I pick up this game again.

[MimiDDN]

I think it’s definitely worth playing the third semester first time. Persona 5 is a huge time sink, so you have no idea how long it could be until you actually do another play through. Plus it acts as important character development for Kasumi and 2 other characters (won’t name to avoid spoilers). Sure, the third semester feels much different from the rest of the game thematically and atmospherically. However, it is still very good. I kind of consider the third semester to be a “post-game” that you would see in a game like Pokémon. You beat the main story, then get another smaller story to do after.

[Xuhybrid]

I don't see any reason why you would avoid it intentionally. It's basically the complete experience. I can't speak to the semester itself since i'm 12/24 atm but if you can, you should.

[Zunnoab #931]

Be very careful about spoilers. I'm a first-time player too and ran into a couple huge ones with poor discipline staying away from discussion about the game before finishing.

[nullpo]

Idk, I usually go for blind playthrough first time and then try to go for second path with help of a guide second playthrough. So If I don't get this third semester first time I'll probably try second playthrough with higher difficulty.

[Arifufu]

yes, going third semester first playthrough means u can get more time to do stuff that u wish to carry over on NG+. The ending is yours to choose tho, good luck with your path!

[Andre]

I kinda hate that you can miss the extended ending. I had it in P4G. If you didn't "friendship" a certain character then "sucks to be you", you can't get to the additional part.

[Desticler]

Originally posted by mimidatme:

I kind of consider the third semester to be a “post-game” that you would see in a game like Pokémon. You beat the main story, then get another smaller story to do after.

Can I just say, thank you so much for saying this. The moment I read this I knew I should mark this as the answer, and now that I reached 3rd semester earlier today, I can say that thinking of it as post-game is probably the best thing one can do. Looking forward to playing more of it :)