The Japan-based developers at Atlus have always maintained their unique perspective on gameplay and narrative story-telling throughout their titles, and amongst them is their well-known Persona series. Shin Megami Tensei, as it is identified overseas, has no doubt achieved grandiose recognition due to their unusual approach to the RPG genre. Implementing variations of mythos and an alternate realities located deep within the thresholds of time, or the cumulative subconscious of all human life. Depending on your preference, the numbered sequels will range from “meh” to deeply motivational. Some of the more popular Persona releases will be establishing their own spin-offs this coming year, each on their own specific platform. Chances are you’ll be capable of picking up at least one, if not all of them once they manage to reach North American shores.
So starting from the earliest due in 2014, and ending with the elusive numbered sequel set for next year in 2015; here are your choices for advancing (or beginning) your adventure into Atlus’ domain. Don’t forget to equip your Persona and check your Social Links!
[promo title=”Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth for the Nintendo 3DS”][/promo]
Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth feat. previous protagonists Yu Narukami (left) and Minato Arisato (right)
The trailer for Persona Q was released to English-based fans less then three weeks ago on Atlus’ channel.
Crossing the cast of both Persona 3 and Persona 4, the counterpart Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth will take place in-between the realm of Tartarus and Yasogami High. Stemming from the fleeting rumor that whomever hears the mysteriously reappearing clock tower’s chime will die; both teams of subsequent games are teleported into the endless labyrinth upon listening to the clock’s bell ringing. Their one mutual goal: to get out alive with the aid of two never-before seen characters who might just end up holding the key to escaping the eternal maze. The only hindrance; both Rei and Zen have somehow lost their memories prior to entering Yasogami High’s intersection of Persona 3’s Dark Hour and Persona 4’s Midnight Channel.
In all there’s about twenty companions that can be swapped out between battles and subsequent areas. Minato Arisato and Yu Narukami return from their roles as protagonists in Persona 3 and Persona 4, respectively, as possible choices for the player’s main avatar. Depending on who is chosen, the dialogue and story will alter in a drastic fashion; so there’s a good chance you’ll be playing through Persona Q at least twice to unlock all of the potential content.
The RPG will also include old and new mechanics; such as the all-out attacks, and exploiting the enemies weaknesses to boost your critical chance meter. There’s some new additions to the previous limitation to one Persona per unit, and is explained as being an addition to the meshing of the dual character casts. That means more choices for a supporting character’s sub-Persona, which is awesome!
While catapulting Persona Q onto the 3DS seems like a split-second decision, the adjusted art style and collaborative story makes it worth checking out. The RPG will be released in Japan on June 5, 2014 and land in our hemisphere in the coming fall.
[promo title=”Persona 4: Dancing All Night for the PlayStation Vita”] [/promo]
Persona 4: Dancing All Night feat. Yu Narukami
While there isn’t a lot of information out on Persona 4: Dancing All Night just yet, we’ve gotten our first glimpse of gameplay earlier this month. In general, it seems to be an unexpected concoction of Final Fantasy: Theatrhythm meets Project DIVA F. Enemies will be beaten through a combination of dance moves and synchronized battles, so it’ll take a break from that familiar Persona tactical, turn-based format. Which could roll in Persona 4: Dancing All Night’s favor, since the original Persona 4 was equally acclaimed for its musical pieces and OST in 2008 and in the re-release of Persona 4: Golden in 2012. However, Atlus seems a little late to the party on their debut into the rhythmic game genre.
Persona 4: Dancing All Night will follow Rise Kujikawa in the events half a year after the Persona 4’s Investigation Team disbanded. With the previous murder solved, she returns to the entertainment industry where a familiar rumor is causing majority of her fellow idols to vanish. Sounding a lot like the previous Midnight Channel, Rise is transported to the world of Mayonaka Stage where these ‘dance battles’ are taking place.
Reuniting with the original cast of Persona 4, there’ll also be a singular ‘new’ character who will become accessible for these dance skirmishes. All we’re aware of at the moment is her employment as a fellow Idol underneath Rise Kujikawa, and you can bet there’s going to be more to that tale–.
The rhythm-based game will be released in Japan the fall of this year, with North America having to wait until 2015 to get their hands on a copy.
[promo title=”Persona 5 for the PlayStation 3″]
“You are a slave. Want emancipation?” feat. Persona 5’s teaser trailer
The awaited sequel of the Persona series, and the one Atlus has kept under wraps since an interview with Katsura Hashino alluded to the likelihood of Persona 5’s production. That was three years ago, and the information on Persona 5 is still bordering the minuscule side. Last month, Atlus revealed their English teaser trailer; which set the overall lethargic theme of the approaching RPG.
That being said, we still have absolutely zilch to go on in terms of characters, story-line, or even the Japanese high school it’ll take place in. Dengenki PlayStation magazine stated, “the game will be an RPG that sends a strong message of catharsis, after overcoming trials to free yourself from your shackles.” As displayed visually in the teaser trailer; five chairs, and presumably five different characters, will feel restricted by the expectations of modern-day society. Each having their own substantial amount of weight, and struggling to overcome it as they progress throughout their daily lives.
Atlus commented that the motif they’re pursuing is, “a story that can allow players to experience a new world, along with a new sense of values, together with characters who will bring out a strong sense of reality.” So be prepared for some ominous, gritty realism in 2015; which is when we’ll be granted access to Persona 5.
Which title will you be anticipating the most?