Summary
Persona 6is one of the most highly anticipated JRPGs of all time. After the enormous success ofP5, the series rocketed into the mainstream, and as a result, its newest entry is subject to more hype and speculation than ever before. Since the third entry, the series has centered around the dual lives of high school students, following them as they go to class during the day and combat evil forces afterward. Before this, however,P2: Eternal Punishment’s protagonist, Maya Amano, was an adult. While cozy high school slice-of-life settings have become a staple of the franchise,Persona 6exploring the life of an adult protagonist similar to Maya could be just what the series needs.
That said, according to a leaker known as Midori,Persona 6will be set in high schoollike other recent entries. Leaks should always be taken with a grain of salt, but for the most part, Midori has been a reliable source in the past, so this rumor holds some weight. The high school setting also makes sense, given the series' history. Atlus keeping the games set in high school is a safe choice, but if true it would come with as many disadvantages as it does advantages.
The Advantages Of Persona 6 Being Set In High School
Persona 6’s rumored high school setting means that it will continue a popular formula.Persona 5’s Phantom Thievesbeing in high school allows them to have rich social lives and plenty of free time. The freedom that comes with student life works well with the way thePersonafranchise handles scheduling, and very few professions offer the same amount of leisure time.
A college setting could potentially work, but more people go to high school, making it more broadly relatable. High schools also offer extracurricular activities, meaning thatPersonagames can use the setting to offer plenty to do in one area, creating a world that is rich with options for how players spend their time.
On top of high school being a convenient setting for plenty of activities and giving characters freedom, the average age of high school students is perfect for tellingcoming-of-age stories. People evolve a lot in their late teens and early 20s, so the heroes of each game being in high school means that they are ripe for character development. The social links inPersonagames tend to explore the theme of growing up and let the player control the protagonist as they develop relationships and maybe even fall in love.
The development of bonds and an understanding of the world is core toPersonagames, and their high-school-aged heroes make these stories accessible to a huge audience.
The Disadvantages of Another Persona Game Set In High School
KeepingPersona 6set in high school could rob it of the opportunity to explore new perspectives. Coming-of-age stories like that ofP5are commonplace in JRPGs. Following older characters in their twenties would allow for the series to tell more mature stories with more intricate inter-character conflicts. The more restricted schedules present in many adults' lives could also help make a game more challenging.
Furthermore, plenty of Josei andSeinen animehave successfully told stories about grown-ups, so aPersonagame about adults could explore the series' slice-of-life elements in new ways.Persona 2’s adult protagonist allowed the game to investigate the theme of regret in intricate and mature ways and showed that there is more room for the franchise to follow the lives of older characters.
Is Persona 6’s Return To High School a Mistake?
Persona 6’s rumored return to high school is sure to disappoint some fans and please others. It would be unfair to call the series' repeated use of a high school setting a mistake, but doing it again inP6is definitely a safe decision.
The high school setting is a convenient and relatable one for several reasons, but aPersonagame about adults would have more room to explore themes in new ways and not simply rely on a popular yet recycled trope. If the rumors of aPersona 2: Eternal Punishmentremakecome to fruition, and it sells well, maybe Atlus would feel confident in givingPersonaanother adult protagonist like Maya, who still remains a fan favorite after more than 20 years.
Persona 3 Reload
WHERE TO PLAY
Step into the shoes of a transfer student thrust into an unexpected fate when entering the hour “hidden” between one day and the next. Awaken an incredible power and chase the mysteries of the Dark Hour, fight for your friends, and leave a mark on their memories forever.Persona 3 Reload is a captivating reimagining of the genre-defining RPG, reborn for the modern era.Experience the pivotal game of the Persona series faithfully remade with cutting-edge graphics, modernized quality-of-life features, and signature stylish UI. Fully immerse yourself in an emotional, gripping journey with new scenes, character interactions, and additional voiceover. Choose how to meaningfully spend each day through various activities from exploring the Port Island to forging genuine bonds with beloved characters. Build and command your optimal team to take down otherworldly Shadows and climb closer to the truth.
