Persona 5 released in 2017 to a sea of critical acclaim. It took the fundamental components from previous games in the Persona and Shin Megami Tensei series' and wrapped them in an art style that is timeless, with presentation that still stands out as one of the best in the JRPG sphere. With more attention to its characters, palaces that are meticulously crafted as opposed to randomly generated, and gameplay that is a refined version of what fans have come to love, it developed upon Persona 4 in so many ways.
All that improvement resulted in an experience that's quite a lot longer than most in the genre. It's a game that uses its time wisely, but with so much content it's easy to rack up the hours; with the first playthrough clocking in at over 100 hours. While Persona 5 was lengthened somewhat when Persona 5 Royal released in 2019, it's a game that is easily enjoyed in its earliest form. JRPGs typically require a lot of time, so knowing how long Persona 5 takes to see through to the end will be important to know before players embark on their journey with the Phantom Thieves.
Persona 4 Golden
Released on the PlayStation Vita in 2012, as a remaster of the PlayStation 2 classic, Persona 4 Golden quickly became the system's most beloved game. It's now playable on Steam Deck and PC, meaning more people than ever can experience its exceptional story and unforgettable characters. In comparison to the three-digit runtime of Persona 5, its predecessor is far less daunting, with the main narrative clocking in around 70 hours.
However, this can be greatly shortened should players make the wrong choices late in the story. Persona 4 Golden has multiple endings, and finding the true conclusion will lengthen the experience, though never to the degree that Persona 5 outstays its welcome. It's a game that offers dozens of hours of enjoyment, and uses its time more wisely than the game that succeeds it.
Final Fantasy 7
One of the bigggest achievements from developer SquareSoft (now Square Enix), Final Fantasy 7 is a game that is adored for so many reasons. From the revolutionary 3D graphics, to the engaging story littered with iconic moments and stunning scenery, Cloud's journey with Avalanche was recently given the remake treatment to much success. It released at a time when so many fantastic JRPGs were available, as the mid-1990s is still considered the genre's golden age.
The story of the original Final Fantasy 7 is well-crafted, and the runtime of ~37 hours for the main campaign feels so concisely packed and expertly told. The remake takes a far shorter portion of the game and elongates it to the detriment of its pacing, but with just six hours of the PS1 classic being set in the walls of Midgar, the remake shows just how effectively Final Fantasy 7 uses its time, lasting less than half of Persona 5's average runtime.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
With a combat system that's very different from the turn-based affair of Persona 5, Fire Emblem: Three Houses requires a different approach to its gameplay and storytelling. Battles can't be overcome in a matter of moments, with much of the story leading up to larger skirmishes at the end of each in-game month. However, while it's a strategy RPG first and foremost, it has plenty of the essential staples of the JRPG genre to be considered one of them.
However, with a runtime of almost 50 hours, it takes a little longer than average to see the credits roll. Persona 5 is double that, but with the gameplay being far more repetitive by design, it feels a lot longer. This is by no means a bad thing, as it's clear that Persona 5 has the content to justify its length for the most part. Conversely, Fire Emblem: Three Houses is a 50-hour adventure that feels like 30.
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
In many ways, Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch harkens back to what made JRPGs so great to begin with, and its length reflects that. At a hair under 45 hours, it's keeping with what fans expect of the genre. While there are spots of the game that feel inconsistently paced, by the time players reach the conclusion, it's clear that the vast majority of the time is simply superb.
Its combat system is a mix of Tales and Pokemon, with pocket-sized monsters known as Familiars doing all the heavy lifting. They come from protagonist Oliver's heart, which was compromised after the death of someone close to him. What results from the emotional opening is a tale that continues the tone but in a way that's always hopeful, rather than depressing. Its sequel, Ni No Kuni: Revenant Kingdom is similar in length, meaning both Oliver and Evan's quests can be finished before the ending of Persona 5 can be seen.
Chrono Trigger
Released in 1995 and loved by millions ever since, Chrono Trigger is perhaps the best SquareSoft JRPG not named Final Fantasy. The time traveling adventure was littered with revolutionary mechanics and a tale full of satisfying twists, and is more than worthy of a HD-2D makeover should the opportunity ever arise. It's a title that is quite a bit shorter than other games releasing at the time, and as JRPGs have only got longer, its 23-hour tale feels fleeting in comparison.
Chrono Trigger's pacing is superb, though, and when it finishes the vast majority of fans are more than satisfied with the experience. However, comparing it to a game 22 years younger, it becomes obvious that the length difference is huge. Players could experience the full story of Chrono Trigger four times over in the time it takes to finish Persona 5.
Persona 5 is a notoriously lengthy game, and its sequel should be shorter. 100 hours of story-rich content is a mighty task for players to undertake, and while its systems do well to make the time feel justified, there are instances where the conclusion feels a million miles away. It's a JRPG that is revered by fans, but its length is undoubtedly an outlier in comparison to its contemporaries.
Persona 5 is available on PS3 and PS4.