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Persona 5 was already a massive game before the Royal additions. With all the content and choices to make through the game, it makes sense there are several endings to this game. In the last quarter of the game, some choices can be made that result in an early ending.
With the additional Royal content, there is an added ending that is the “true ending” to the game. Many of the choices for the endings you get are made through the last section of the game, and sometimes these choices aren’t very clear.
Selling Out Your Team
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At the climax of your interrogation with Sae, which lasted the entire game up until that point, she directly asks you who your teammates are. She will list each member and ask if they are a Phantom Thief. The game will end if you confirm these people are also the Phantom Thieves. When making this decision, the game will pause as Joker asks himself if this is the right decision. To get this ending, you must answer yes both times the question is asked. After this, a short cutscene will play out, and the credits will roll.
Accepting The Deal
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This is another ending that is presented to the player as an alternate dialogue option in an important conversation. After Igor reveals himself to be Yaldabaoth, he will present Joker with a deal to revert the world to how it was and to let Joker and the Phantom Thieves continue in an endlessly distorted world. After accepting the deal, Joker will be given another option to confirm if he wants to take the deal or turn away. After accepting the deal both times, the rest of this ending will play out as the deal promises.
The Original Ending
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For the base game, this is the regular ending that doesn’t require much work. Simply ignore the options for the bad endings earlier in the game and proceed to defeat Yaldabaoth. In order to get this ending in the Royal edition, players must make sure they don’t access the third semester’s content, as it will open up different endings to the game.
In order to not unlock the third semester, players must NOT max out the Counsellor Confidant Dr. Maruki. On November 18, if Maruki’s rank is 9, it will be maxed out, and the third semester will be locked in. To achieve the base ending, make sure he is not Rank 9 by this day; you can restrict the rank up to 8 and ensure the new content is unlocked. After passing the deadline, Maruki will lead with no further conversations with Joker, and the original ending will be locked in and seen after the final boss.
Accepting The New Reality
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To accept Maruki’s new reality, you must first enter the new reality. This is done by maxing out Maruki’s Confidant by November 18th and beginning the third semester. After beginning the third semester, Maruki will constantly ask you to accept his new reality, but no real choice is given to do so until the end of the deadline.
To achieve this ending, you’re given two opportunities. The first chance is early into the semester when just Joker and Akechi explore the palace. After finding Maruki, he will ask you to accept his reality. Should Joker agree, Akechi will ask him again if he is serious. Accepting both times initiates the final cutscenes for this ending.
The same question is asked after Maruki comes to Leblanc the night before the deadline. After Maruki leaves, Akechi will ask Joker to say aloud what he plans to do. After telling Akechi your plan to accept Maruki’s deal, this ending’s cutscenes will play out.
The True Ending
In order to achieve the true ending, you must first begin the events of the third semester. In order to access all available content for this ending, you must also complete Akechi and Kasumi’s Confidant before their deadlines. Kasumi will need to be Rank 5 before December 18th, and Akechi will need to be Rank 8 before November 24th. After completing these deadlines along with Maruki’s, this ending will be locked in. Complete the events of the third semester and rebel against Maruki’s reality, and the true endings will begin after the final boss.
