The Persona series has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years. This success can be attributed to the series' appeal to a more casual audience among JRPG fans, in contrast to the often highly difficult Shin Megami Tensei, and it's now a dominant JRPG in the western market. This allowed the Persona series to spawn several spinoff titles spanning many different genres. With that in mind, Persona 6 needs to deliver, now that Atlus has confirmed it's in development.
Across the Persona series, there have been lots of ideas that were visited and left behind. These aspects give each entry in the series a unique feel and its own identity. Although, Atlus should reconsider revisiting some of these ideas for Persona 6. There are lots of aspects that fans have not seen for a long time and could benefit from being implemented into a modern Persona title. When making Persona 6, Atlus should also look at some aspects that were present in Persona 5 and consider leaving them behind to make a better game. Doing this could make for a Persona title that shows that Atlus is listening to the fans about what they want for the series.
Persona 6 Should Change Its Approach To Its Protagonist
Each of the protagonists in the Persona series are iconic in their own right. From their designs to their unique Personas, each fan likely has a favorite in the series. One aspect that has never been a focal point of the main character has been their personality. For a series that involves improving the protagonist's social skills and building relationships, largely silent main characters are an odd choice. The lack of any real dialogue with the main character makes their supposed charisma and status as a leader a little harder to believe. The player doesn't experience the personality of the main character in the same way as the other character in the game.
In addition to replacing a silent protagonist with a more talkative one, Atlus needs to add the option for a female protagonist. Surprisingly, the most recent Persona game that included a female protagonist was Persona 3 Portable, and the option has not been revisited since. The inclusion of a female main character adds a lot to the different Social Links of the game by providing different dialogue options and relationship choices. A female main character is also great for representation, as the many female Persona fans might relate to a female main character more than the traditionally male protagonists.
Persona 6 Should Bring Back Shuffle Time
One gameplay aspect that was absent from Persona 5 was the after-battle mechanic known as shuffle time. Shuffle time was present in Persona 3 and Persona 4, and it granted Persona cards, items, money, or experience bonuses after the battle. This system gives the player more of a direct choice of rewards after the battle and allows the player to strategize more around in-game resources and between battles. The shuffle time system also relates more to the themes of arcana and tarot cards that are present throughout the Persona series. Persona 6 could absolutely take this system and improve it for a modern title.
The shuffle time mechanic was replaced by shadow negotiation in Persona 5. This system is similar to the method of acquiring demons in the Shin Megami Tensei series with some minor adjustments. This system felt a bit random, as the answers that shadows gave to questions could vary depending on personality. It was difficult for the player to choose which answer would suit the demon the best, resulting in some frustrating moments. For Persona 6, Atlus should consider improving this system or leaving it out altogether in favor of shuffle time.
Persona 6 Should Move On From High School
Every Persona game thus far has followed a group of high schooler students and their struggles. Persona 6 should stray from this premise in favor of something different, as one can only do so much with the concept without it getting stale.
To keep the same vibe and systems in place for Persona 6, Atlus could try using college students as the main cast of characters with the possibility of party members coming from a variety of different backgrounds. It could also allow players to take college classes of their choice that boost different stats.
Lost Persona Characters and Systems
While many players might not have had the chance to check out some of the older Persona games, they have a lot to offer and have some ideas that could fit well into Persona 6. Persona 2: Innocent Sin has a system that involves spreading rumors that affect in-world events. Because of the nature of Sumaru City in Persona 2: Innocent Sin, rumors come true if enough people believe them. Persona 6 could play around with a similar idea of spreading rumors to affect events in the real world, possibly involving a similar supernatural world.
The various people present in the Velvet Room also deserve comebacks. In every Persona game since Persona 3, the only people present in the room were Igor and whatever Velvet Room attendant was made for the game, with the exception of Marie in Persona 4 Golden. Before that, characters connected to the Velvet Room like Nameless, Belladonna, and Philemon all had a prominent presence. They could be reintroduced in Persona 6 and become fan favorites if made available as Confidants. This could also give a lot more depth to the Velvet Room.
There are many parts of the Persona series that could use some change. The main character and the setting need a revamp in order to stay fresh, but that does not mean the series has to change everything up. Atlus reintroducing old mechanics with a new coat of paint could be beneficial to the series' longevity and quality. Many of the changes in the most recent title, Persona 5 Royal, could also be brought over to the next entry in the series. Whatever Persona 6 ends up being, Atlus should listen to fan criticism in order to make the best game it can.
Persona 6 is in development.