28 Games Like Persona 5 Royal (Social Sim JRPG)

Premise: Play as a detective, and solve a deepening mystery as you follow the story of 4 idol trainees trying realize their dreams of fame & fortune. 

Details: Whispers of the Luminaries is an idol-themed murder mystery visual novel with “social links” mechanic similar to Persona 5. Socialize, make friends, and unwind over coffee, or focus on solving the case in your free-time.

In Whispers of the Luminaries, you have the option to hang out at various locations such as a park, bar, or gym, where you can build trust with other characters, but instead of dungeon crawling, you play as a detective and get to investigate leads in your office. This is a visual novel, so expect lots of reading, but the story is worth playing until the end.

You can play the free prologue on Steam

2. Blue Reflection

Premise: Blue reflection is basically Persona, but with magical girls.

Details: Deal with the challenges of high school life while battling supernatural forces as a magical girl. Blue Reflection combines elements of social simulation and turn-based combat in a coming-of-age story set in a Japanese high school.

In Blue Reflection, you play as Hinako, a ballet dancer, turned magical girl who must forge friendships. She must deal with teenage drama, helping her classmates solve problems, whilst saving the world from mysterious, otherworldly threats – the Other World.

Similar to Persona, by deepening your bonds with other students, you gain support benefits to use in battle in the other world. 

Steam Store

3. Danganronpa

Premise: Danganronpa is a killing game where a group of high school are trapped in a confined location and must kill one of their peers without getting caught in order to ‘graduate’ their confinement.

Details: Similar to Persona, Danganronpa is a mixture of life sim and killing game. There are free-time events in the game where you can hang out with characters and improve your relationship level with them. You can obtain coins from the class trials in order to buy items which you can gift to other characters to raise your relationship level with them – but you need to gift the right items that they like. 

Apart from the free-time events, the game mostly revolves around investigating for clues and finding out who the culprit is. One of the best parts of the game are the “class trials” which is similar to Ace Attorney where you gather clues and find contradictions in other’s statements.

Steam Store

Related: Games Like Danganronpa

4. Persona 4 Golden

Premise: The prequel to Persona 5 – the story isn’t related at all, but it carries most of the same gameplay mechanics. In Persona 4, you solve the mystery behind a series of bizarre murders in a small town while balancing school life with dungeon crawling.

Details: Persona 4 Golden is the enhanced version of the original Persona 4, offering additional story content, updated visuals, and new gameplay elements. I personally enjoyed the story more in Persona 4. Being set in a small town, you get to become closer to the characters, feeling like a tight-knit group. 

There’s also Persona 3 Reload which just came out – I’ve just played a bit of the game, and it’s a massive improvement from the original. I highly recommend getting it!

Steam Store

5. Needy Streamer Overload

Premise: You are the manager of “OMGkawaiiAngel,” a girl with an extreme need for approval who wants to be the #1 internet angel and your job is to help her achieve stardom whilst maintaining her sanity and a good relationship with her.

Details: 

• Help OMGkawaiiAngel come up with ideas for streaming
• Manage her stress and sanity levels
• Go on dates and improve your relationship with her
• Sleep together
• Browse the internet and social media

This is a fun game with a dark twist and has multiple endings which you can unlock through your choices. If you like the stat management and free-time aspect of Persona 5 Royal, you’ll definitely love Needy Streamer Overload, since that’s the majority of the gameplay. There’s no dungeon crawling, but instead, you spend a portion of your night streaming.

Related: Games like Needy Streamer Overload.

Steam Store

6. Stardew Valley

Premise: A relaxing farming simulator, mixed with life simulator elements and character relationship mechanics. Also has multiplayer.

Details: Raise a farm – by yourself or with some friends.

Players will cultivate their farm, raise animals, mine for resources, and interact with the residents of the charming Pelican Town. There’s even dungeon crawling in this.

The game features a variety of activities, including fishing, cooking, and crafting, as well as relationship-building with the townsfolk, which can even lead to marriage and having kids.

While Stardew Valley’s art style differs from the anime aesthetic found in Persona 5, fans of the social simulation aspects of Persona 5 will appreciate the game’s focus on character development, relationship-building, and the freedom to shape your own story.

Stardew Valley follows the same calendar system as Persona, but the day cycle is in real-time, meaning every second matters. Regardless, it’s a very chill and relaxing game, with a lot of depth and charm.

Steam Store

7. Gaokao.Love.100Days

Premise: Experience the trials and tribulations of preparing for China’s most important college entrance exam – Gaokao – while trying to live a fulfilling high school life, and managing friendships and romance.

Details: Gaokao Love 100 Days is a visual novel and simulation game that centers around the life of you – a high school student preparing for the Gaokao, China’s notoriously challenging college entrance exam.

In this game, you start in a relationship with a girl named Muxin. Although it’s possible to branch off into other relationships, the challenge in this game is maintaing the relationship during such stressful periods.

Players must balance studying, socializing, and romance in this light-hearted, slice-of-life story. Most Persona 5 fans will love the game’s focus on social simulatoin events, the comedic narrative, and the opportunity to shape the protagonist’s relationships and future through the many choices in the story. There are tonnes of choices you can make and over 50 endings! Seriously, this game branches off more than any other game I’ve played.

Be warned, this game has terrible translation, but if you can look past that, it’s a very enjoyable experience.

Steam Store

8. Tokyo Xanadu eX+

Premise: When high school student Kou Tokisaka encounters the nightmare realm known as the Eclipse, his world is forever changed. In Tokyo Xanadu, you battle demonic forces and uncover a hidden world beneath Tokyo’s streets.

Details: Tokyo Xanadu eX+ shares similarities with the Persona series, offering a blend of dungeon-crawling, action combat, and social simulation.

Players assume the role of a high school student who discovers a hidden world beneath Tokyo, inhabited by dangerous creatures. The social simulation aspect is focused less on romance and more on friendship – for example, you can’t romance characters. Maxing the social link yields equipment or unlocks stronger linked attacks.

Steam Store

9. Eternights

Premise: A much shorter version of Persona which can be completed in 10 hours. Eternights if a game that combines dating sims with the apocalypse.

Details: The story is about a world where something or someone has turned humans into dangerous monsters and you must find a cure whilst finding love.

This was developed by a first time dev, so the game is a bit rough around the edges compared to Persona, especially the combat and story writing which can lack depth and be cheesy at times. The social sim aspect is the most interesting part about this game. You have various stats and responses which you can give to the other characters – Acceptance, Courage, Expression, Confidence. You’ll need one of these maxed out in order to maximize the rank of that character.

JPRGs Like Persona:

Can’t get enough of the JRPG elements of Persona? Here are some more games that fit the bill:

1. Mary Skelter: Nightmares

Premise: Fight through a living, breathing dungeon filled with nightmares in a fairy tale-inspired dungeon-crawling RPG.

Details: Mary Skelter combines dungeon-crawling gameplay, turn-based combat with a character-driven narrative set in a dark and twisted, fairy tale world. Players will lead a group of Blood Maidens, each with unique abilities and fight monsters.

The game has an intriguing, albeit, tropey storyline. The combat is really fun and it has an extensive class system for those who like to min-max. 

Steam Store

2. Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster

Premise: A punishing JRPG where you must survive in a post-apocalyptic Tokyo as a half-human, half-demon protagonist.

Details: Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster is an updated version of the classic PS2 title, featuring enhanced visuals and updated gameplay elements. As a part of the larger Megami Tensei series, which includes the Persona games, Nocturne shares many gameplay similarities, such as the same turn-based combat system (which utilizes the same elements such as agi), demon fusion, and exploration. The game can be very difficult depending on your difficult choices and the overall atmosphere and story is much darker and more mature.

Steam Store

3. Octopath Traveler

Premise: A beautiful, retro-inspired JRPG where you manage the stats of 8 different characters and play from their perspective.

Details: In Octopath Traveler, there are 8 characters with distinct storylines, featuring their own unique protagonist and narrative arc. It can be difficult and tedious at times to manage 8 characters, but the production value of this game is where it really shines. The soundtrack and sound design are an eargasm – one of the best ever, and it adds atmosphere and immersion to the game. The combat is fun and each battle feels very rewarding to beat – especially the boss fights. 

Steam Store

4. Yakuza: Like a Dragon

Premise: Rise through the ranks of the Yakuza in this action RPG with a unique turn-based combat system.

Details: Yakuza: Like a Dragon is like Persona, but you’re playing as a bunch of old dudes. It offers a blend of crime drama, turn-based combat, and character-driven storytelling. While the game’s setting and tone differ from Persona 5 Royal, fans will appreciate the story, memorable characters, and deep gameplay mechanics.

When I was playing this game, I was surprised how similar it was to Persona 5 despite the different setting. It even felt like they took some ideas of inspiration from the Persona series.

Steam Store

5. Tales of Berseria

Premise: A story driven RPG about vengeance and self-discovery. 

Details: Tales of Berseria is an action-RPG with an interesting combo attack system, and a gearing system where characters learn skills from their equipped gear. 

The story revolves around Velvet, a once kind woman who has been overcome with hatred and vengeance due to an event that took place three years ago. She will join a crew of pirates who sail across the oceans and visit many islands in the Kingdom.

Steam Store

6. Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom

Premise: After being overthrown, you must set out on an adventure to reclaim a lost kingdom and unite the world.

Details: Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom is a beautiful adventure RPG with a story that mixes drama with comic relief – not necessarily as dark as the Persona series, but sharing a focus on character development. The gameplay is real-time combat mixed with kingdom-build elements and exploration. The art is very Studio Ghibli-inspired.

Overall, I had a very fun time with this game and highly recommend it to those who like the kingdom management aspect – which makes the game more dynamic than your typical JRPG.

Steam Store

7. Final Fantasy X

Premise: Join Tidus, a blitzball player, and Yuna, a summoner on a journey to save the world of Spira.

Details: Final Fantasy X is known for its engaging story, loveable characters, and a strategic, turn-based combat system called the Conditional Turn-Based Battle (CTB) system – a system that allows players to carefully plan their actions and exploit enemy weaknesses which many Persona fans will love.

Warning – the game starts off pretty slow, but gets really good half-way through the game. 

Steam Store

8. Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Premise: A tactical role-playing game where you must shape the future of a war-torn continent by forging alliances and leading students into battle.

Details: Play as a professor at a prestigious military academy. Nurture your pupils’ talents and help them reach their full potential at the Officers Academy. Freely roam the grounds of the Garreg Mach Monastery between lectures to undertake assignments and get to know your students to increase your bond with them and gather useful intel.

Nintendo Store (this game isn’t available on PC)

9. Volcano Princess

Premise: The successor to Princess Maker 2 – Volcano Princess is a wholesome, parenting-simulator-RPG where you must raise the next monarch and prepare her for battle.

Details: As the sole guardian of your daughter after the death of your late wife, you must prepare her for her future role as monarch by discovering her hobbies, training her for battle, and fostering connections with the citizens she’ll one day protect. Your decisions will not only shape her future but also the destiny of the entire empire.

In this engaging adventure, you will help your daughter explore new hobbies, interests, and jobs. Interact with a curious cast of characters, and ensure she attends one of the four major colleges in the Volcano Kingdom to learn music, painting, or martial arts. When she comes of age, she can pledge allegiance to one of the three lords, growing her standing and fame. The culmination of her journey is the Birdie Festival, where she’ll showcase her skills in a competition that highlights everything she’s learned.

For those looking for a game like Persona 5, but want a more wholesome experience, Volcano Princess perfectly fits the bill.

Steam Store

10. The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel Series

Premise: An epic story of political intrigue, military setting and supernatural threats.

Details: The Trails of Cold Steel series offers many elements that are reminiscent of Persona 5 Royal, such as turn-based combat, social link building, and an emphasis on character development.

Steam Store

11. The Caligula Effect: Overdose

Premise: Escape a virtual reality world governed by a rogue AI and confront the darker aspects of human nature.

Details: The Caligula Effect: Overdose is an enhanced version of the original game, featuring a new storyline, updated graphics, and additional gameplay elements.

Gameplay is a mix of JRPG dungeon crawling, turn-based combat and action. It even has a system similar to Persona’s social links – the causality links, but the dungeon crawling gameplay rough around the edges and the difficulty curve isn’t well balanced, making the game easy or tedious. However, where the game shines is the story – which is written by the same person who wrote Persona 2 – Tadashi Satomi.

Overall if you’re looking for a good story and a game with a bonding system similar to Persona, The Caligula Effect can be an option.

Steam Store

12. Utawarerumono: Series

Premise: You come to in bed, gravely injured, attended by a girl with twitching furry ears and a lush, bushy tail. In time you come to lead the villagers, to whom you owe your name and your life.

Details: Utawarerumono combines elements of visual novel storytelling, turn-based strategy, and character-driven narrative in a richly detailed world. Are you a farmer? A scholar? A traitor? A beast? You’ve forgotten your past, but has it forgotten you? Command your comrades and fight to defend your family, and discover the secrets of this world—and your own lost history!

Do keep in mind even though it’s advertised as a strategy game, most of the game revolves around the visual novel component and the game takes 80+ hours to complete. This might seem overwhelming, but it’s done in such a way that the story and characters build up over time, making the time investment totally worth it!

Steam Store

13. Digimon Survive

Premise: A blend of Strategy RPG (SRPG) with visual novel storytelling.

Details: Digimon Survive is a game like Persona where the story’s themes are based around friendship. The story is focused on drama and bonding with NPCs through dialogue choices.

Gameplay: 90% of Digimon Survive revolves around the visual novel section and 10% on the SRPG battles. So be prepared for a lot of reading.

Steam Store

14. Hogwarts Legacy

Premise: An immersive, open world RPG for you Harry Potter fans out there.

Details: Okay, this game isn’t a JRPG, but it deserves a mention here.

The game puts you in a unique story with various activities at Hogwarts including: Summoner’s Court, wand dueling, side quests, talking with other characters, broom trials and more. It’s got outstanding graphics, but you do need quite a beefy PC to play on highest settings. An RTX 2080 might even struggle.

Steam Store

Games Like Persona, but Without Combat:

If you enjoyed Persona 5, but wish there was no dungeon crawling, lucky you – there are plenty of games that fit the bill:

1. Catherine Classic

Premise: Made by the Persona team, this game is really similar to Persona 5, but without any combat. Instead it explores the themes of of relationships, commitment, and morality. 

Details: The gameplay combines puzzle-platforming gameplay, social simulation elements, and a mature, thought-provoking narrative that explores themes of love, infidelity, and morality. Fans of Persona 5 Royal will like the game’s thrilling and dramatic storyline, memorable characters, and unique gameplay mechanics.

Catherine is one of the best games I’ve ever played, because it’s unique and tackles mature subject matters. The story is one of the best – arguably better than Persona’s, due to its drama and suspense, and the overall visuals/soundtrack is very well done and reminiscent of Persona. Overall, this is a game I recommend all Persona fans try. 

Steam Store

2. Zero Escape: 9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors

Premise: In this thrilling visual novel, nine people find themselves trapped on a sinking ship and must solve puzzles, make decisions, and uncover the truth to survive.

Details: One of my favorite games. 999 (also known as Zero Escape series) is a visual novel and puzzle game with an intense narrative and a unique, non-linear storytelling structure where your choices affect the endings.

Each 999, you are trapped on a sinking ship with little time to escape. Everyone woke up with little recollection of what happened and each person is wearing a bracelet with a number on it. You are number 5.

The game revolves around this bracelet, for example, the number determines which doors you can go though. You navigate through the story by solving puzzles, escape room style, and making decisions that leads to multiple endings, often deciding the fate of another character.

If you want a great story with suspenseful atmosphere, you will enjoy the complex plot that 999 has to offer. I actually played this game shortly after playing Persona 3 and loved it.

Steam Store

3. Coffee Talk

Premise: A game where you can just chill and talk to other characters and make coffee. That’s it!

Details: Listen to the stories and dilemmas of a diverse cast of customers while serving them warm beverages in a cozy, late-night coffee shop. There’s no fancy gameplay in Coffee Talk, it’s just lots and lots of dialogue, mixed with some coffee serving.

The game has a very soothing atmosphere and memorable characters that’s perfect for those seeking a non-combat title.

Another game similar to Coffee Talk is also VA-11 Hall-A.

Steam Store

5. Tokyo Chronos (if you have VR)

A VR game where the characters come to life in front of you. If you own a VR headset and are a fan of Persona, you must get this game.

It tells a deeply touching story, with very intriguing mystery elements. Unlike playing on flatscreen, this story becomes a lot more personal as you get to see the characters in front of you.

It also has multiple character routes and endings. If you need help getting the true ending, I wrote a guide about it.

Steam Store

Oculus Store

And that’s it! Hope you find many compelling games to play!