Persona 6 – What We Want To See

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As a die-hard fan of the Persona series, having traversed through the metaverse since Persona 3, I can’t help but feel a flutter of excitement as The Game Awards approaches. The tantalizing prospect of a “holy shit” reveal has me on the edge of my seat, and my fingers crossed for nothing less than Persona 6!

As the much-anticipated The Game Awards hosted by Geoff Keighley take place tonight, many are buzzing with excitement over a potential “extremely unexpected” unveiling planned for the ceremony.

In yesterday’s Kinda Funny Podcast, well-known Bloomberg gaming journalist Jason Schreier hinted at there being at least two surprises at The Game Awards that might leave fans exclaiming “wow” or something similar.

Some speculate the reveal could be the elusive Half-Life 3 from Valve or the fabled Bloodborne Remastered. However, one game that fits the bill is ATLUS’ Persona 6.

Without a doubt, Persona 6 ranks high among the most eagerly-awaited Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs). The excitement among fans has grown significantly since the release of Metaphor: ReFantazio, which has garnered widespread praise from critics.

Anticipation runs high for ATLUS’ upcoming title, but it remains unclear where the series may be headed next. As fans brainstorm possibilities, here are SIX elements we’d love to find in Persona 6:

A New Setting

For Persona games, a change in scenery brings about opportunities for creating brand new experiences and memories. As with every Persona game, the protagonist is typically right in the thick of a significant, world-altering incident, truly living the life of a central character. A fresh setting promises to offer intriguing new directions for the storyline in Persona 6.

Couldn’t it be intriguing if Persona 6 ventured beyond Japan and embraced an international setting? In Persona 5, we got a glimpse of another country during our school trip to Hawaii. A globetrotting journey might breathe fresh life into the series, particularly for longtime Persona fans.

An Adult Cast

In some players’ opinions, one element that might seem slightly uncomfortable in Persona games is the presence of underage characters. However, the fresh vitality and optimism these youngsters bring have been a defining feature of the series. How about we introduce a mature cast instead? Consider a character like a tireless young lawyer fighting against a corrupt legal system, a medical professional struggling with the dark realities of health insurance, or a government official trying to overcome corporate manipulation. This could potentially offer a new perspective for gameplay while maintaining the essence of the series.

In a new twist, Persona 6 could present a group of characters embarking on professional journeys. To illustrate, ReFantazio showcases the charm of a mature cast that strikes a chord with viewers spanning various age groups.

If ATLUS continues with the high school setting, let’s hope they tone down the explicit sexual portrayal of underage characters instead.

Catchier Soundtrack

A Persona game wouldn’t be complete without its signature soundtrack. Persona 3 delivered Japanese rock, Persona 4 leaned into city pop, and Persona 5 impressed with its acid jazz. Each genre reflected the game’s themes, becoming a defining trait of the series.

In the spirit of maintaining tradition but introducing something fresh, Persona 6 could opt for an innovative approach. A forward-looking backdrop might resonate beautifully with low-fi rhythms, while a pastoral landscape could harmonize perfectly with indie music from Japan. Regardless of the path ATLUS chooses, fans are buzzing with anticipation to learn what’s on the horizon.

That said, it’s a shame Shoji Meguro isn’t around anymore.

More Personas

At the core of every Persona game is the unique aspect of its Personas, which are fictional representations of a player’s psyche derived from myths, folklore, and legends. Familiar faces such as Thor, Loki, Queen Mab, and Surt have been my constant companions during numerous gaming sessions.

In another possibility for expansion, Persona 6 might introduce a broader array of mythological characters hailing from various parts of the globe. Or, to delve deeper into the Shin Megami Tensei universe, they could bring back the absent demons featured in Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance. Introducing real-life personalities such as Johnny Depp or Keanu Reeves could potentially be interesting, but it might deviate too much from the Jungian themes inherent to the Persona series.

Revised Turn-Based Combat

The Persona series has successfully rejuvenated the genre of turn-based Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs), consistently introducing fresh concepts in each new release. In particular, Persona 5 introduced a popular gameplay feature called “Baton Pass,” which enables players to transfer their turn to another party member.

For Persona 6, ATLUS could explore more innovative mechanisms that significantly alter the game experience. Although incorporating the press-turn battle system from Metaphor: ReFantazio might be overly ambitious, it could introduce an intriguing level of difficulty into the gameplay.

Making the transition to live-action battles could be quite daring, but there’s a risk that fans might be turned off if the execution isn’t perfect.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’m brimming with speculation about the upcoming installment in the Persona series from ATLUS. At this point, the specifics of the game remain elusive, but one thing we do know for sure – it’s going to be green, or at least that’s the color they’ve chosen as its main hue. Beyond that, my imagination is running wild!

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2024-12-12 16:13