Once I first began the Persona sequence, I assumed nothing might high or enhance my first expertise with the video games, however I used to be flawed. After lots of of hours of gameplay, I discovered every title within the sequence an enchancment on the subsequent. Whether or not it’s battle mechanics, characterization, or simply the overall story/expertise, I used to be impressed with each title’s potential to enhance on the final title.

With the discharge of Persona 5, our hearts had been stolen as we fell in love with the immersive universe and the phantom thieves of hearts. Because the credit rolled and tears streamed down my face, I assumed to myself “nothing might high this”.

I felt like over the previous 100 hours or so I made pals with the characters and really modified the world. Nonetheless, each time I’ve crushed a mainline Persona title, this has been a recurring thought, and ATLUS continues to shock and surpass our expectations.

In a current interview with ATLUS Japan, ATLUS acknowledged that their objective was to surpass their most up-to-date hit, which is sort of an enterprise, contemplating the excellent response from final yr’s P5. How might a recreation that has acquired a number of 10/10 evaluate scores and described as a close-to-perfect title be improved?

We’ve got a number of concepts to make the expertise even higher, and contemporary, and appease each outdated and new followers of the sequence. Right here’s our Persona 6 wishlist / 19 Persona 6 concepts we need to see within the subsequent recreation:

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A Full Calendar 12 months and a Larger World

Persona video games run on a day-by-day calendar system. Though Persona 5 had an in depth calendar, what a couple of full yr? In Persona 3-5, we noticed a time skip of some months between the ultimate battles. If Persona 6 went a full calendar yr, it will have the potential to be even larger and have a good longer story. Persona 5’s story was very lengthy however effectively executed, so the problem within the new video games could be to verify it doesn’t drag on. One other problem could be making the world even larger than the streets of Shibuya.

The query is how. In previous interviews, it was revealed that Persona 5 was presupposed to be about backpacking and making a visit world wide. Possibly the subsequent Persona recreation might function a number of areas throughout Japan and even internationally, which might make it even larger and the total calendar extra justified. There’s a ton of potential with this theme, together with altering the world metropolis by metropolis or combating enemies in several areas.

Open World Exploration

Tokyo in Persona 5 was vibrant and vigorous, however think about a extra expansive, open-world setting. Image bustling streets, hidden alleyways, and secret areas ready to be found. An open-world Tokyo (or one other metropolis) would offer gamers with a way of freedom and immersion unparalleled in earlier titles. It’s not robust to think about an open world Persona 6, because it already has quite a lot of typical open world recreation components baked proper in.

Expanded Social Hyperlinks/Confidants

One of many standout options of the Persona sequence is its Social Hyperlink (or Confidant) system, the place gamers construct relationships with varied characters, unlocking bonuses and story insights. Whereas Persona 5 provided a various forged of characters to work together with, there’s at all times room for extra depth. Followers hope for extra branching storylines, the place selections genuinely impression the result of those relationships, resulting in a myriad of potentialities and replay worth.

An Older, 20-something Solid and Unexplored Setting

There’s one factor all the current Persona titles have in frequent: a forged set in a highschool. Though highschool is taken into account the prime of 1’s life in Japan and has many alternatives for tales, occasions, and extra, it will be good to see older social gathering members and characters. At one level, the principle Persona demographic was in highschool, however most of us have grown up. This was revealed in one in every of their surveys, which stated many of the fanbase is of their 20s now.

With video games like Satan Survivor, Satan Summoner: Soul Hackers, and Persona 2: Everlasting Punishment having an older forged, it will be good to see characters of their 20s making an attempt to determine what they need to do with their lives. This permits for a lot of unexplored settings, comparable to a university campus, a piece setting, or possibly even a number of younger adults elsewhere of their lives coming collectively. There are such a lot of alternatives with this age demographic, and a university campus would permit for enjoyable year-round occasions as effectively.

Extra Customization

Customization provides a private contact to any RPG. Followers are hoping for extra choices to tailor their expertise in Persona 6. This might vary from character look modifications to room decorations and even distinctive Persona designs, permitting gamers to actually make the sport their very own.

Various Protagonist Choices

The Persona sequence has historically featured a male protagonist, however there’s a rising demand for extra numerous choices. Whether or not it’s selecting the gender, background, and even character of the principle character, these selections might result in various story components, interactions, and outcomes, making every playthrough distinctive.

Persona has had a number of male protagonists, however we’ve got had a number of front-running women previously. Maya Amano in Persona 2: Everlasting Punishment and Minako Arisato in Persona 3: Transportable had been nice characters that added totally different views to the universe, and in some circumstances, a completely new story expertise. Each time Persona 6 releases, it will be good to have one in every of two issues: both a feminine protagonist or the selection between a male or feminine MC.

The male protagonists within the Persona sequence are nice, however it will be good to combine it up sooner or later. Since ATLUS as an organization is evolving at a speedy fee, it wouldn’t be too far off to anticipate the selection between a male, feminine, or non-binary primary characters in a future title, particularly since that has been completed earlier than with P3P. This is able to attraction to all followers and make the social experiences contemporary and thrilling.

Improved Fight Mechanics

Whereas the fight in Persona 5 was already partaking, there’s at all times room for innovation. Persona 5 followers are searching for extra strategic depth, new talents, and a greater diversity of enemy designs. Incorporating components from different profitable RPGs or introducing totally new mechanics might elevate the fight expertise in Persona 6. Including extra depth to fight is at all times a win in my e-book.

Dynamic Climate and Time

Climate and time have at all times performed a task within the Persona sequence, however think about if they’d a extra vital impression. Rain might have an effect on fight within the Metaverse, or sure occasions may solely happen at particular instances or below specific circumstances. This dynamic system might add one other layer of technique and immersion to the sport. Video games like Forza Horizon 5, Ghost of Tsushima, and Crimson Useless Redemption 2 all have a dynamic climate system of types – they usually’re all executed flawlessly. Now, it’s Persona’s flip.

Extra Grownup Themes

The Persona sequence has by no means shied away from tackling mature themes. In reality, P5 delved into some deep and darkish matters like suicide, stalking, bodily and sexual abuse, police brutality, and extra. Nonetheless, followers hope that Persona 6 will delve even deeper, exploring these and different complicated dilemmas and points that resonate with each youthful and older audiences, offering a richer narrative expertise.

Deeper Integration of Every day Life Actions

College exams, part-time jobs, and hanging out with pals are all integral to the Persona expertise. Followers hope that these day by day life actions can have much more impression on the principle story and character growth in Persona 6.

Improved Localization

Localization is extra than simply translation. It’s about adapting cultural nuances, jokes, and references for worldwide audiences. A well-localized recreation ensures that gamers world wide can absolutely get pleasure from and perceive the story and characters. Some issues simply don’t translate effectively to American audiences, and it’s these types of localization points that Atlus must do higher with within the subsequent Persona recreation.

Inclusion and Illustration

In at this time’s world, illustration undoubtedly issues. Followers are calling for a extra numerous forged of characters by way of ethnicity, gender id, and sexual orientation. Such inclusion wouldn’t solely mirror the actual world’s variety but in addition present richer storytelling alternatives.

Genuine LGBTQIA+ Characters

The Persona sequence, with its deep character growth and complex storylines, has at all times been a platform the place numerous personalities and backgrounds converge. Nonetheless, one space the place there’s room for vital development is the illustration of LGBTQIA+ characters and narratives.

In previous Persona video games, there have been moments the place LGBTQIA+ characters or themes had been touched upon, however typically in a stereotypical or comedic gentle. Persona 6 has the chance to introduce well-rounded, genuine LGBTQIA+ characters who’re integral to the story, not simply facet characters or comedian reduction. These characters ought to have their very own arcs, challenges, and development, reflecting the real-life experiences of the LGBTQIA+ neighborhood.

Relationship Choices

The Social Hyperlink/Confidant system permits gamers to construct relationships with varied characters. Increasing this to incorporate numerous romantic choices, whatever the protagonist’s gender, could be a major step ahead. Gamers ought to have the liberty to pursue relationships that mirror their very own experiences or discover new narratives.

Within the Persona sequence, we kind bonds and relationships with crew members and facet characters and be taught extra about their backgrounds and targets in life. One in every of these points contains romancing a lady in case you select. One main grievance many followers had about Persona 5 was that solely the feminine forged members had been romanceable.

Contemplating the theme of breaking boundaries and combating in opposition to the world, ATLUS missed their likelihood in Persona 5 to incorporate a same-sex relationship. There have been hints of attraction to the protagonist in Yusuke Kitagawa and Yuki Mishima’s confidants, which might have made nice romance choices. Though Japan is a bit behind in same-sex equality in video games, for Persona 6 we want to see the flexibility thus far characters no matter gender, particularly since Persona offers with combating in opposition to the norms of the world.

Tackling LGBTQIA+ Themes

The Persona sequence has by no means shied away from addressing societal points, from psychological well being to societal pressures. Incorporating LGBTQIA+ themes, comparable to acceptance, id, and the challenges confronted by the neighborhood, might present a richer narrative expertise. It’s important, nevertheless, that these themes are approached with sensitivity and accuracy, avoiding tokenism or trivialization.

Schooling and Consciousness

Whereas the first objective of the sport is leisure, it could additionally function a platform for schooling and consciousness. By incorporating LGBTQIA+ characters and themes, Persona 6 can foster understanding and empathy amongst gamers who may not be acquainted with these experiences. This not solely enriches the gaming expertise but in addition promotes a extra inclusive society.

Collaboration with LGBTQIA+ Consultants

As somebody who continues to be studying to make sure authenticity and sensitivity, it will be useful for the sport builders to collaborate with LGBTQIA+ consultants. These people can present insights, suggestions, and steerage, making certain that the illustration is correct and respectful.

New Fight that Brings In (Even Extra) Parts from the Previous Persona/Shin Megami Tensei Titles

In Persona 5, we noticed some new gameplay adjustments that made the expertise even higher, extra refined, and an general enchancment on the previous. For instance, components from Persona 1 and a pair of had been introduced again in like demon negotiation, weapons, and PSI/Nuclear abilities. Demon negotiation was most likely the most effective change to the fight, so making that much more in-depth could be superb for the long run.

For instance, having lengthy, significant conversations with demons or having them work together extra may very well be one further change.  It additionally could be fairly cool to have demons change into social gathering members like in Nocturne, or have characters grow to be the demons like in Digital Satan Saga. Themes/story components from previous video games comparable to saving pals from their demise (Satan Survivor) and having a Persona twist to it. There’s a lot potential and near-infinite potentialities given the previous of the sequence.

A New Style of Music by Shoji Meguro

Persona music is at all times distinctive and has a special theme relying on the sport setting. Persona 3 had the rap vocals of Lotus Juice, Persona 4 had happy-pop feel-good tracks, and Persona 5 launched acid jazz. Relying on what the theme of Persona 6 can be, there may be undoubtedly potential for a completely new style of music to make its method. Shoji Meguro, the genius composer of the Persona video games, is the grasp of mashing music genres to make distinctive and catchy soundtracks.

Maybe we might have a set composed of digital dance music, rock/guitar, or possibly even a style we aren’t acquainted with. No matter it’s, Shoji gained’t allow us to down. We can have jams for years to return.

New Mythology of the Personas

Though Personas are thought-about part of ourselves, the designs are based mostly on a number of heroes from varied sources of literature and mythology. Persona 2 and three delved into Greek mythology, whereas Persona 5 featured well-known literary thieves. So what’s subsequent? For Persona 6, it will be totally different to see Egyptian mythology explored, particularly given the variety of personas and demons who derive from that (like Anubis).

We additionally produce other choices, comparable to European, Asian, African, Arctic, and extra. It additionally could be nice to see Native American folklore explored and even spirit animals/”personas”. Once more, all of it will depend on the theme, however there may be quite a lot of potential relating to persona designs and unexplored mythologies.

Extra Occasions/Expanded Social Parts

Persona 5 actually did a implausible job with the social points of the sport, permitting for much more time to get to know your teammates and confidants. Nonetheless, in Persona 6, it will be good to see extra, particularly after hitting rank 10. For instance, possibly new scenes and dates can unlock after rank 10, which might make the social “hyperlink” final all through the complete recreation.

Additionally, much more occasions and even the addition of a number of occasions may make the expertise in some way extra immersive. For instance, gamers might have the selection of going to the seashore with a number of the forged members or trying out an alternate occasion the identical day. There are numerous potentialities.

Characters that Break Out of The Frequent Tropes

Persona characters are often effectively completed – which is one purpose we love these video games a lot to start with. Nonetheless, that doesn’t cease Persona from counting on anime-ish tropes a number of the time. Observe: There’s nothing flawed with this, however it will be good to see extra variety. Possibly we might see past the humorous “finest pal” sort or the everyday arcana archetypes that we see in each recreation.

It’s onerous to say this as a result of the characters are already so effectively completed regardless of being affiliated with sure tropes at instances. Nonetheless, having a extra numerous forged from totally different backgrounds is perhaps facet to contemplate sooner or later.

Though Persona 5 was a masterpiece in lots of respects, there are a lot of points to contemplate when making the subsequent recreation within the sequence. There’s a lot for Persona 6 to dwell as much as, however ATLUS manages to tug collectively one thing much more refined and put along with each launch. Including same-sex relationships, a feminine MC, components from different video games, an even bigger world, and an older forged are all issues that might make Persona 6 stand out. We might have to attend some time once more, however will probably be price it.