Persona 5 is one of the greatest games ever made, and definitely one of the best games this year. The overwhelmingly stylish JRPG took the world by storm when it released a month ago, thanks to its aesthetic, its addictive gameplay, charming characters, meaningful story, and incredible soundtrack.
To fans who have stuck with the series over the last few years, this was all old news, of course- Persona has followed this template and delivered top quality experiences ever since Persona 3, when the franchise came under the creative purview of Katsura Hashino (the game director), Shoji Meguro (the music director), and Shigenori Soejima (the art director). These three folks can weave magic with anything they touch- as evidenced by the amazing run the Persona franchise has had.
But now, it is time for them to move on from the franchise. In a new thank you note from Hashino to Persona fans, thanking them for the successful western launch, he confirmed that the franchise has been handed to ‘successors’ within P Studio, as he moves on to work on his upcoming, enigmatic Project RE Fantasy.
“Since the game just launched in the West, I’d like to look back on it at a later time, once I receive feedback from the Western audience—how their gameplay experiences were, what kind of things they felt, etc,” Hashino said, in a message posted on the PlayStation Blog. “I hope that the tale of Persona 5 will leave a lasting impression on everyone who plays it. No matter what kind of project I take on going forward, I love creating RPGs that are both moving and relatable regardless of cultural differences—in fact, I’m most interested in strengthening those aspects right now.”
He confirmed that he is indeed moving on.
“Last year, with the milestone of the Persona series’ 20th anniversary, I handed off the series development to my successors and announced the start of my new RPG project that takes place in a fantasy world. Be it a game set in modern day, like the Persona and Shin Megami Tensei series, or a game set in a new fantasy world, I aim to create games that provide an invaluable experience of reflecting on oneself through a journey, while roleplaying as characters that players can deeply relate to.
“These efforts are only made possible thanks to the positive reception we receive from fans—not just in Japan, but worldwide—of the Persona series and Atlus RPGs in general. I appreciate all your support for the newest entry in the Persona series, and I hope that everyone will enjoy the new Atlus RPGs to come.”
Thank you, Mr. Hashino, for all the wonderful Persona games you have provided us. All the best on your next venture, and we can only hope Persona 6 is able to live up to the lofty standards you have set.
Persona 5 is available on PS3 and PS4.
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