Summary
It’s still unknown whenPersona 6will come from Atlus, but a new game in the form ofMetaphor: ReFantaziois certain to be coming later next year in the meantime. While seemingly an expansion on several of the concepts in the mainlinePersonagames,Metaphoris set to leave the high school setting behind in favor of a global scale. There are several key contributors to the greaterMegami Tenseifranchise working onMetaphor, it appears to actually be a completely separate IP. While it may share many fundamental similarities with most modernAtlusreleases,Metaphor’s protagonist has already been established to set it apart in a cinematic way.
The protagonists of thePersonaseriesas a whole have always served as more of a vehicle for the player and less as developed characters of their own, and evenPersona 5’s Joker shares this quality while still having an interesting backstory.Persona 6is expected to follow a similar formula, butMetaphorhas shown a new side to Atlus' approach to presentation through voice acting.
Strictly speaking,Metaphorisn’t aPersonaorShin Megami Tenseigame, and Atlus' other games have had protagonists speak before.
An Innovative Change to the Atlus Formula
Metaphor: ReFantazio Seems to Separate Itself
Having a mix between turn-based and real-time combat systems was already a surprising twist, but having a voiced protagonist is a shift that could makeMetaphor’s presentation the developer’s most cinematic yet. Whilethe gameplay of Atlus’Soul Hackers 2hasn’t quite established itself as a pillar ofMegami Tenseito the same extent asPersona, the choice to use more voice acting inMetaphormay have been inspired by the style of that game’s protagonist, Ringo.
Persona 6’s Potential Connections to Metaphor: ReFantazio’s Presentation
The Implications of Persona 6’s Protagonist
There hasn’t been a recent update regardingwhere the nextPersonais at in terms of development, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see its protagonist also feature a voice ifMetaphorbecomes the success Atlus seems to be hoping for. The addition of a voice and a more distinct identity for the player inMetaphorseemed to have a larger meaning in development, as highlighted by designer Shigenori Soejima in an interview with Weekly Famitsu as seen on Persona Central:
While there is a “player = protagonist” dynamic, the protagonist isn’t simply a blank slate. I designed him as an androgynous young man with a gentle yet intriguing aura, possessing a with a strong gaze. In the case of a fantasy project, if the protagonist is already fully immersed in that world from the beginning, players may find it difficult to see the world from the same perspective. Interpreting the world in their own way is part of the charm of fantasy…
The Potential for Distinct Franchises Under Atlus
While it could be a natural progression to allow the next playable character ofPersonato have their own proper voice in dialogue, there’s still a chance thatMetaphor’s changes represent something different for the future. Given the several experimental shifts from the core formula of its typical releases, Atlus likely intends forMetaphor: ReFantazio’s gameplayto stand on its own in the long run.
A voiced protagonist inPersona 6would be a compelling addition to the series, but leaving conversations to the player’s interpretation could remain a creative decision. Regardless of the directionPersona 6goes when it is eventually revealed, the risksMetaphoris taking are likely to allow it to stand out and possibly influence the future of Atlus as a whole.
Persona 5 Royal
WHERE TO PLAY
Don the mask and join the Phantom Thieves of Hearts as they stage grand heists, infiltrate the minds of the corrupt, and make them change their ways! Prepare for the award-winning RPG experience in this definitive edition of Persona 5 Royal, featuring a treasure trove of downloadable content included!Forced to transfer to a high school in Tokyo, the protagonist has a strange dream. “You truly are a prisoner of fate. In the near future, ruin awaits you.” With the goal of “rehabilitation” looming overhead, he must save others from distorted desires by donning the mask of a Phantom Thief.Explore Tokyo, unlock Personas, customize your own personal Thieves Den, experience alternate endings, and more. Become the ultimate Phantom Thief and defy conventions, discover the power within, and fight for justice in the definitive version of Persona 5 Royal.
