The Ultimate Persona 5 Royal Playtime Guide: How Long Will It TRULY Take You To Beat The Phantom Thieves' Epic?

Are you ready to commit to a masterpiece, but worried about the time investment? As of December 17, 2025, *Persona 5 Royal* remains one of the longest and most critically acclaimed JRPGs of the modern era, offering an unparalleled blend of high school life simulation and turn-based dungeon crawling. The game’s sheer length is often the first question new players ask, and the answer depends entirely on your playstyle—but be warned, even the fastest route is a massive undertaking.

The updated and expanded version of the original *Persona 5*, *Royal* adds an entire new semester of content, new characters like Kasumi Yoshizawa, and a crucial new Confidant, Dr. Takuto Maruki, all of which significantly pad the already colossal runtime. We have broken down the average playtime across three distinct player types, giving you the definitive answer on just how many hours you'll spend with the Phantom Thieves of Hearts.

The Definitive Persona 5 Royal Playtime Breakdown (Main Story to Completionist)

The time it takes to beat *Persona 5 Royal* can vary wildly, but the data from thousands of players provides a clear average. The game is structured around a calendar system where you manage your time between exploring Palaces, navigating the expansive Mementos dungeon, and building your Social Links (Confidants).

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1. Main Story (The "Rushed" Run)

This playtime focuses solely on progressing through the mandatory Palaces and reaching the credits as quickly as possible. This approach often involves skipping non-essential dialogue, minimizing Confidant interactions, and avoiding most side quests.

• Average Time: Approximately 101 to 102 Hours.
• What You Get: The core narrative arc, the main eight Palaces, and the original ending of the game.
• The Catch: You will likely miss the crucial content for the true ending and the entire Third Semester. You also won't have the strongest Personas or maxed Social Stats.

2. Main Story + Sides (The "Standard" Casual Playthrough)

This is the most common experience. Players take their time, engage with their favorite Confidants, explore Mementos a few times, and enjoy the social simulation elements without feeling the need to complete absolutely everything.

• Average Time: Approximately 123 Hours.
• What You Get: The full main story, the entirety of the new Third Semester content (assuming you meet the unlock conditions), and a satisfying number of Confidants maxed out.
• The Recommendation: This is the recommended playtime for a first-time player. It offers the best balance of story, character development, and gameplay.

3. Completionist (The "100% Everything" Run)

The completionist run is for those who must see and do everything: maxing all Social Stats (Knowledge, Guts, Proficiency, Kindness, Charm), maxing all Confidants, completing the Compendium, earning the Platinum Trophy, and tackling all Challenge Battles in the Thieves Den.

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• Average Time: Approximately 141 Hours.
• User Reports: Some dedicated players report times ranging from 150 to over 175 hours, especially if they are not using an optimized guide.
• The Goal: To unlock the true potential of the Confidant system, access powerful abilities like "Baton Pass" upgrades, and experience every piece of dialogue and story content the game has to offer.

The Crucial Time Sink: Persona 5 Royal's New Content

The biggest difference between the original *Persona 5* and *Persona 5 Royal* is the addition of the Third Semester. If you are a veteran of the original game, this is where your extra 20 to 30 hours of playtime will come from.

Unlocking the True Ending and the Third Semester

To access the new, non-optional content that extends the game’s length, you absolutely must meet two specific requirements before the end of the year:

• Max the Consultant Confidant: You must reach Rank 9 with Dr. Takuto Maruki (The Consultant Arcana) before November 18th. Maruki is the most critical new Confidant.
• Max the Justice Confidant: While not strictly mandatory for the new semester, maxing out Goro Akechi's Confidant (The Justice Arcana) is required to see the full, true ending and experience all of his new story scenes.

Failing to meet these deadlines will result in the game concluding with the original ending, effectively cutting 20-30 hours of new story, the new Palace, and the ultimate final boss fight from your playthrough. This is why time management and prioritizing these two Confidants is crucial for any player aiming for the definitive *Royal* experience.

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Topical Authority: Key Entities That Impact Your Playtime

The playtime in *Persona 5 Royal* is not just about the Palaces; it’s about how you spend your free time. The game is a masterclass in time management, and the following key entities and mechanics are the core of your time sink:

The Phantom Thieves and Confidants (The Social Sim)

Building relationships with your allies (known as Confidants) is essential. Each relationship, from party members like Ryuji Sakamoto (Chariot), Ann Takamaki (Lover), and Makoto Niijima (Priestess) to supporting characters like Tae Takemi (Death) and Sadayo Kawakami (Temperance), grants valuable gameplay perks. Spending time with all 20+ Confidants is the primary driver of the long playtime in a completionist run. The new Confidant, Kasumi Yoshizawa (Faith), also requires dedicated time to see her full story arc.

Palaces and Mementos (The Dungeon Crawl)

The game features nine major dungeons (Palaces) that must be conquered. These include the notorious Kamoshida's Palace (The Castle), Madarame's Palace (The Museum), and the new, unnamed Ninth Palace in the Third Semester. Between these major story dungeons, players must also explore Mementos, the collective unconscious of humanity. Mementos is where you complete side quests (Requests) and farm for experience and money. The introduction of Jose and the ability to collect Stamps in Mementos adds a new layer of exploration and time commitment to this area.

New Game Plus (NG+) and Optimization

A New Game Plus (NG+) run is significantly shorter. When starting a new playthrough after beating the game, you carry over all your maxed Social Stats, your Compendium, money, and equipment. This eliminates the need to spend dozens of hours grinding Social Stats, allowing you to focus entirely on Confidants and the story. An optimized NG+ run can shave 30–50 hours off the initial playtime.

List of Relevant Persona 5 Royal Entities (Topical Authority)

To further establish the topical authority of this guide, here is a list of key entities and concepts that define the *Persona 5 Royal* experience:

• Joker (Protagonist)
• Phantom Thieves of Hearts
• Kasumi Yoshizawa (Faith Confidant)
• Dr. Takuto Maruki (Consultant Confidant)
• Goro Akechi (Justice Confidant)
• Showtime Attacks
• Thieves Den (Museum)
• Palace Rulers (e.g., Kamoshida, Madarame, Kaneshiro, Okumura)
• Social Stats (Knowledge, Guts, Proficiency, Kindness, Charm)
• Baton Pass
• Jazz Club (Stat Boosting Mechanic)
• Fusion Alarms
• Velvet Room (Caroline and Justine)
• Mementos Stamps
• Confidant System
• Third Semester