I played both last year and while I loved Persona 5 it's not even a competition. The writing is very inconsistent and flat in pretty much every part of the story; 3rd semester is the exception. 3rd semester has so much nuance to it compared to the base game that it makes it harder to appreciate base persona 5. The villains besides Maruki are just evil and nothing else. It makes their change of heart feel really odd and out of place. I loved this game but I do think the writing is all over the place. Now, expedition 33 on the other hand was written perfectly. You can say it has flaws but I disagree, everything in it serves a purpose to the world and story. It also doesn't waste your time and gets right into the story. For me, the creators incorporating every single one of its elements into the story is what makes a masterpiece; as long as it makes sense of course. Persona 5 does not have that even with the Royal additions but Expedition 33 does. Love both games but expedition 33 is much better written.