Persona 5 Scramble, the sequel spin-off of Atlus RPG Persona 5, has widely been praised by critics and fans alike overseas. Although the game shook up the classic RPG formula by providing a hack-and-slash Dynasty Warriors-esque experience, it stuck to a lot of what was traditional for the series, too, like the game's calendar and time management system. However, it's possible that could change at some point in the future, according to a new interview with the game's director, Daisuke Kanada.
The calendar system has held in a big role in Persona games. Depending on the series entry, the calendar has had an impact on everything from the game's story to what activities are available for the day. While this provides the player with a unique experience every day in-game, it can also be somewhat limiting.
That appears to be the reason why Kanada is interested in potentially shaking up the formula in the future. Speaking with Famitsu, and translated by PersonaCentral, Kanada discussed where the Phantom Thieves might travel next if Persona 5 Scramble receives its own spin-off or expansion. This line of thought led to the game's calendar system, which dictates where the Phantom Thieves travel to and how long they stay there. Kanada notes that "we adopted the date concept in terms of Persona 5, but I have a dream of graduating from the calendar and being able to depict the Phantom Thieves being able to visit various places freely."
A change this significant would likely shake up the Persona series and the fandom. Part of the each game's replayability comes from the fact that it's nearly impossible to complete everything available to do in a single playthrough. However, fans also often lament the game coming to an end, so having a spin-off where players can explore and fight for as long as they like without the restrictive calendar system might be a boon.
In the meantime, players in the west are still waiting for an official announcement that Persona 5 Scramble will be translated. It seems as though it's only a matter of time at this point, though, as the recent western release of Persona 5 Royal was explosively popular. As summer gets into full swing and game developers and publishers unveil upcoming titles, Persona fans should keep their eyes open for an announcement.
An English translation of Persona 5 Scramble has yet to receive a release date.
Source: PersonaCentral