Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 Vs Persona 5 Royal Which Jrpg Has Better Character Development

Character development in Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs) often defines the lasting impact of a title. Few franchises illustrate this as powerfully as Final Fantasy and Persona. With the upcoming release of Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3—officially titled Final Fantasy VII Rebirth—and the continued acclaim of Persona 5 Royal, a compelling debate emerges: which game offers superior character development? While both titles are masterclasses in storytelling, their approaches diverge significantly in tone, pacing, and psychological depth.

This analysis compares how each game constructs its characters’ inner lives, explores transformation through narrative and gameplay, and fosters emotional investment. By examining protagonist arcs, supporting cast evolution, thematic cohesion, and player engagement, we can assess which experience provides richer, more resonant personal journeys.

The Nature of Character Growth in Modern JRPGs

In modern JRPGs, character development is no longer limited to stat progression or equipment upgrades. Today’s best entries use layered writing, dynamic dialogue, and integrated gameplay systems to reflect internal change. This shift allows players to witness not just what characters do, but why they do it—and how their beliefs evolve under pressure.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Persona 5 Royal represent two distinct philosophies:

• FFVII Rebirth expands on a pre-established mythos with reimagined emotional stakes, deepening legacy characters through expanded backstories and new interpersonal dynamics.
• Persona 5 Royal builds its cast from the ground up, using school life simulation, social links, and psychological themes to create organic, day-to-day growth.

Both succeed, but in different ways. The former leverages nostalgia and mythic resonance; the latter prioritizes intimacy and realism. Understanding these foundations is key to evaluating their respective strengths in character development.

Protagonist Arcs: Cloud Strife vs. Joker

At the heart of any RPG lies the protagonist’s journey. In Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Cloud Strife continues his path from mercenary to self-aware hero grappling with identity, trauma, and destiny. The original 1997 game laid bare his fractured psyche, but the remake trilogy gives unprecedented space to explore his dissociation, memory manipulation, and emotional repression.

Rebirth intensifies this arc. Through surreal dream sequences, direct confrontations with Sephiroth inside his mind, and strained relationships with Tifa and Aerith, Cloud’s internal battle becomes the narrative spine. His struggle isn’t just against a villain—it’s against the false self he’s constructed to survive pain.

In contrast, Persona 5 Royal’s Joker begins as a blank slate—a transfer student wrongfully accused and socially isolated. But rather than suffering from amnesia or identity fragmentation, Joker’s arc is one of empowerment. As the leader of the Phantom Thieves, he helps others confront their inner corruption while gradually opening up emotionally. His growth is measured not in recovered memories, but in trust built, friendships forged, and empathy deepened.

“Joker doesn’t become a hero by remembering who he was—he becomes one by choosing who he wants to be.” — Hiroki Azuma, Cultural Critic and Author of *Otaku: Japan’s Database Animals*

Where Cloud’s journey is introspective and tragic, Joker’s is aspirational and communal. Neither is inherently superior, but Persona 5 Royal arguably achieves more visible, day-by-day evolution because the player actively participates in shaping Joker’s personality through dialogue choices, relationship-building, and moral decisions.

Tip: Pay attention to dialogue options that reflect empathy—they often unlock deeper Social Link scenes and reveal hidden layers of character motivation.

Supporting Cast: Depth Through Interaction

A strong protagonist needs a compelling ensemble. Both games excel here, but their methods differ.

In Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, the party includes fan favorites like Barret, Tifa, Aerith, Red XIII, and newcomers like Rufus and Chadley. Each receives expanded screen time and emotional moments. Tifa’s quiet strength and unspoken feelings for Cloud are given new weight. Aerith’s spiritual resolve and foreknowledge of her fate deepen her poise into something haunting. Barret’s rage at Shinra is tempered by fatherly love for Marlene, adding nuance to his revolutionary zeal.

Yet, much of this development occurs within cutscenes or scripted events. While impactful, it lacks the interactive layer that makes Persona 5 Royal’s cast feel alive. In that game, every major character has a dedicated Social Link—a system where building trust unlocks story beats, powers, and personal revelations.

Ryuji evolves from a loudmouthed delinquent to a loyal friend confronting academic insecurity. Makoto transitions from rigid rule-follower to someone who learns the value of emotion. Haru faces corporate exploitation and familial duty. Even minor characters like Kasumi or Maruki undergo profound philosophical shifts.

The brilliance of Persona 5 Royal lies in its integration of daily life with narrative progression. You don’t just watch characters grow—you live alongside them. You study with them, eat with them, attend festivals, and answer their texts. This creates an unparalleled sense of presence and emotional investment.

Comparison of Character Development Systems

Aspect	Final Fantasy VII Rebirth	Persona 5 Royal
Narrative Delivery	Cutscenes, flashbacks, dialogue trees	Social Links, calendar system, text messages
Player Influence	Limited (mostly passive viewing)	High (choices affect relationship depth)
Pacing of Growth	Event-driven, episodic revelations	Daily, gradual evolution
Psychological Depth	Trauma, identity, destiny	Self-acceptance, societal pressure, authenticity
Emotional Payoff	Cinematic, tragic, mythic	Personal, cathartic, intimate

This table highlights a core distinction: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth tells a powerful story about characters; Persona 5 Royal lets you experience that story unfold in real time, moment by moment.

Thematic Resonance and Emotional Authenticity

Great character development doesn’t happen in a vacuum—it’s rooted in theme. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth grapples with fate, free will, and the cost of defying destiny. These are grand, operatic ideas, mirrored in Cloud’s battle against predetermined tragedy. The game asks whether individuals can change the future when forces beyond comprehension manipulate time itself.

Meanwhile, Persona 5 Royal explores autonomy in a more grounded way: Can people break free from societal expectations, abusive systems, and internalized shame? Each Palace represents a corrupted heart—one warped by greed, fear, or denial. By changing hearts, the Phantom Thieves model personal revolution.

What sets Persona 5 Royal apart is its willingness to question its own ideology. The addition of the third semester introduces Maruki’s reality-altering power—a utopia without pain. This challenges the player: Is healing always about facing truth? Or can happiness exist without suffering?

This philosophical complexity elevates the character arcs. Characters like Futaba and Hifumi don’t just “get better”—they wrestle with trade-offs. Their healing isn’t linear, and their choices carry weight. This level of psychological realism is rare in the genre.

Tip: Complete all Confidant routes before the final story arc to fully appreciate each character’s resolution and maximize team abilities.

Mini Case Study: Futaba Sakura’s Transformation

Futaba Sakura’s arc in Persona 5 Royal exemplifies the game’s mastery of character development. Introduced as an agoraphobic hacker living in isolation, she believes her mother’s suicide was her fault—a burden fed by manipulation and misinformation.

Over months of gameplay, the player helps her slowly re-engage with the world: first through digital communication, then small outings, eventually attending school. Her Social Link reveals layers of guilt, intelligence, humor, and vulnerability. She jokes about anime, blushes at compliments, and defends her friends fiercely.

The climax comes when she confronts the truth about her mother—not through combat, but through emotional acceptance. In a tearful scene, she says, “I want to live… for both of us.” It’s not just a plot point; it’s the culmination of dozens of small interactions the player facilitated.

Compare this to Aerith’s fate in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Her death remains a pivotal, emotionally devastating moment—crafted with cinematic precision. But while deeply moving, it’s predetermined. The player cannot change it, nor influence its aftermath directly. The grief is powerful, but passive.

Futaba’s journey, by contrast, feels earned because the player participated in every step. That interactivity transforms empathy into agency.

Which Game Has Better Character Development?

The answer depends on what kind of development you value most.

If you seek epic, emotionally charged storytelling with mythic proportions and deeply tragic arcs, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth delivers an unparalleled experience. Its characters are icons, reshaped with modern psychological insight. Cloud’s unraveling identity, Aerith’s grace under doom, and Sephiroth’s chilling manipulation make for a narrative that lingers long after the credits.

However, if you prioritize organic, interactive growth—characters who evolve through your choices, conversations, and shared routines—then Persona 5 Royal stands above. Its fusion of simulation and RPG mechanics creates a lived-in world where relationships matter not just narratively, but mechanically and emotionally.

In terms of sheer depth, consistency, and player involvement, Persona 5 Royal edges ahead. It doesn’t just develop characters—it lets you nurture them.

Checklist: How to Maximize Character Engagement

• ✅ Prioritize Social Links/Confidants weekly
• ✅ Choose dialogue options that show empathy and support
• ✅ Attend optional hangouts and respond to in-game messages
• ✅ Reflect on character motivations during key story scenes
• ✅ Replay pivotal moments to catch subtle emotional cues
• ✅ Avoid rushing through story segments—immerse in downtime

FAQ

Will Final Fantasy VII Rebirth allow more player influence over character relationships?

While Rebirth expands on party interactions and includes optional dialogue choices, it does not feature a relationship-building system like Social Links. Development remains largely narrative-driven, though companion quests offer deeper insights into individual backstories.

Can you miss character development moments in Persona 5 Royal?

Yes. Because the game follows a strict calendar, failing to spend time with a character on the right day can delay or even prevent certain Social Link levels. Proper time management is essential to experiencing full character arcs.

Is Cloud’s mental health portrayed accurately in the remake?

The remake handles PTSD and dissociative identity with surprising sensitivity. Mental health professionals have noted that Cloud’s symptoms align closely with real-world trauma responses, particularly among soldiers and survivors of abuse. The game avoids sensationalism, instead showing recovery as nonlinear and ongoing.

Conclusion: Why Character Development Matters

At their best, JRPGs don’t just entertain—they resonate. They mirror our struggles with identity, belonging, and purpose. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Persona 5 Royal both achieve this, but through different lenses.

Rebirth reminds us that some wounds run deep, and heroes may carry invisible scars beneath their armor. Royal teaches that change begins with connection—that no one heals alone.

If character development is measured by emotional authenticity, player agency, and the feeling that relationships truly evolve, then Persona 5 Royal sets the benchmark. It’s not just a game about saving the world—it’s a game about learning to live in it.

🚀 Ready to dive deeper? Pick one of these games, invest the time, and let the characters change you as much as you help change them. Share your favorite character arc in the comments below.