Summary

  • Persona 6 should skip re-releases to focus on developing its existing characters for a more impactful experience.
  • While new characters like Yoko in Shin Megami Tensei 5 may enhance a game, they risk overshadowing existing cast members.
  • Persona 6 should prioritize its core cast rather than introducing new characters to ensure a well-rounded, engaging story.

Now that the usual wave of spin-offs and re-releases has come and gone, all eyes have turned to Persona 6. The game certainly carries a heavy burden, with anticipation mounting to see how the next chapter in the series may make or break several longstanding traditions. Though few things are certain about the game so far, there's one trope in particular that Persona 6 would be better off without.

Even before the game has been officially unveiled, franchise tradition makes a Persona 6 re-release seem like a sure bet. Every single mainline entry has had a re-release or remake of some kind, and that isn't necessarily a bad thing either. More often than not, these re-releases are much more than a fresh coat of paint. However, they often introduce new characters to the picture, and this would only drag down future versions of Persona 6.

Persona 3, 4, and 5 Protagonists on a Persona 3 Reload Tartarus Backdrop. They are depicted left to right: Joker/Amamiya Ren (Persona 5 Royal), Yu Narukami (Persona 4 Arena), Makoto Yuki (Persona 3 Dancing)
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Why Persona 6's Setting May Be its Most Unpredictable Factor

The Persona series has gone all over the map, so it's hard to imagine that Persona 6 will be like anything fans have seen before.

Persona 6 Should Leave the 'Re-Release Girl' Trope Out of a Potential Re-Release

Shin Megami Tensei 5 Brings Series Tradition Back with a Vengeance

Although Persona is the series most tied down to this trope, it's by no means alone. Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance followed this formula as well, and has received a mostly warm reception for it. Yoko Hiromine is a new character introduced in Vengeance, and she certainly spins a new dynamic in much of the game.

Yoko Hiromine is simply the latest example of a longstanding trend in Atlus' titles. Even Catherine: Full Body had its very own version of this trope, with the addition of a third titular love interest. Yoko's inclusion in Vengeance may signal that the "re-release" girl trope is here to stay, but Persona 6 would be better off avoiding it altogether.

The most sound counterargument against dropping this trope is the sheer popularity of some of the characters it has spawned. There's perhaps no better example than Kasumi Yoshizawa in Persona 5 Royal. Kasumi had a very compelling story, and quickly became a fan favorite. Persona 5 Royal featured another new character, Takuto Maruki, who was similarly well-received. As much as Royal highlighted the benefits of this age-old approach, it also revealed the most persistent downsides.

Persona games are infamous for their long run times, which should theoretically be more than enough room to lend every character proper development. However, the very same titles tend to spread themselves thin across a very large party. Persona 5's vanilla release was especially criticized for this. Characters like Haru Okumura simply joined too late to create a sufficiently dramatic impact, and many fans hoped this would be properly resolved with the game's inevitable re-release.

Persona 5 Royal certainly made improvements in this regard. Haru is introduced earlier, and each member of the party gets some additional time to shine. However, Kasumi is also introduced at the very beginning of the game, and re-release characters always run the risk of overshadowing their counterparts.

Persona 6 Should Stick to its Guns

Persona 6 is likely to have a similarly large party, and that cast is no doubt brimming with potential. It is of the utmost importance that each character gets enough development to really make the most of their potential. It's worth mentioning that, despite how popular Kasumi and Maruki are, they weren't the most compelling part of Royal for everyone.

Some of Persona 5 Royal's returning characters lost out on potential screen time thanks to its new characters. However, this wasn't the case for everyone. Goro Akechi receives additional development than he did in the first place, and the improvements to his arc are often cited as one of the game's best features.

While many would miss most re-release characters now, they obviously wouldn't miss a character they don't know exists. On the other hand, Akechi's arc in Persona 5 Royal proved that Atlus is more than capable of focusing its attention on returning characters. In fact, if other members of the Phantom Thieves had gotten the same treatment, it's possible these changes would've been just as celebrated.

Persona games receiving re-releases is an unbreakable tradition, but that doesn't mean Persona 6 should carry all the baggage that comes with it. The Persona series is known for the depth of its characters, and Persona 6 is more than capable of delivering on that front. Persona 6 shouldn't give its favor to a brand-new addition, and should instead solidify the returning cast that will no doubt be the backbone of the game.