Persona fans have a bright future ahead, as a leak from Atlus has revealed that more titles are on their way. Coming before the end of 2023 is Persona 5 Tactica, a strategy RPG with an art style reminiscent of the Persona Q dungeon crawlers. Later in 2024, Persona 3 will be the recipient of a remake dubbed Persona 3 Reload, hopefully giving the PS2 game a definitive modern version. While it's unfortunate that these games were seen early, after spending three years without new console Persona titles, Persona 5 Tactica and the Persona 3 remake are a breath of fresh air.
Part of this excitement is that a Persona entry before P5 is receiving special treatment. Many would still like to see Persona 1 and 2 get re-releases, but a major Persona 3 overhaul still feels novel. Having made up most of Shin Megami Tensei's output since it came out in 2016, Persona 5 and its spin-offs feel like they've come to embody the Persona franchise. With yet another on its way in addition to the upcoming mobile game Persona 5 X, one must wonder if Atlus intends to keep the Phantom Thieves in the spotlight even after Persona 6 is announced.
Persona 5 Has Become The New Core of Persona's Identity
In the years since Persona 5 came out, it has become the focal point of the franchise. Releases since then have included an expanded re-release called Persona 5 Royal, a Dynasty Warriors-inspired sequel called Persona 5 Strikers, the in-universe crossover RPG Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth, a rhythm spin-off titled Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight, the mobile side story called Persona 5: The Phantom X, and now Persona 5 Tactica. Even Persona 4, which had similar treatment before P5, may soon become the second most spun-off Persona.
Fans started to notice this once the 25th Persona anniversary went without a Persona 6 announcement. Instead, more titles for Persona 5 keep being announced instead of the anticipated next main entry. The sixth Persona could be deep in development, but all the other games releasing in the meantime are making that suspect. Atlus is smart to capitalize on Persona 5 and its iconic Phantom Thieves' popularity, but it almost feels like they're taking over the franchise. If Tactica means to keep this trend alive, there is a concern that when Persona 6 finally appears, its unique identity could be compromised in favor of becoming another Persona 5 sequel.
Persona 6 Could Feel Like An Extension Of Persona 5
While it's deemphasized in the numbered entries, the Persona franchise takes place in a unified setting. This is mostly limited to small nods, with true crossovers being relegated to spin-off titles like Persona 4 Arena and the Persona Q series. Otherwise, every mainline Persona game is a largely distinct entity, mostly unified by their gameplay. If Atlus chooses to keep Persona 5 relevant in Persona 6, which could happen now that P5 has so many canon sequels, the status quo could start getting messy.
Something as specific as the Phantom Thieves appearing in a future title will instantly be noticeable, and would have to be treated with some reverence considering how well-known the Thieves are in and out of universe. Persona 6 could even go as far as bringing back a familiar face from Persona 5 to help the new protagonists. If nothing else, it would be convenient and marketable to create a pattern of Persona 6's protagonists gaining new outfits from their Personas like the Phantom Thieves do. The possibility of Persona 6 being marketed with Persona 5 elements is all too real, and that may rob the newer game of some of its identity.
Persona 5 Tactica will launch November 17 for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.