One month after the launch of the long-awaited JRPG, Persona series director Katsura Hashino stops by to thank the fans for their support.
As a developer, I’m very happy to hear that Persona 5 is being played by so many people overseas. To be honest, it’s really hard to gauge its popularity in the West when our team’s in Japan; we’re not able to see everyone’s comments and discussions. It’d be great to interact with the fans abroad, but sadly, I’m stuck in the development room slurping instant ramen (laugh). Persona 5 is a very “Japanese” story with some political aspects to it, so I couldn’t imagine how Western players would react to it. I did know, however, that Persona 5 was highly anticipated by gamers overseas even back when we were developing the game, so I was curious to see how its story would be received.
I’m going off on a tangent here, but I think that traditional Japanese superhero stories tend to be about fighting off invaders from outside their society, while Western ones focus on fighting against villains and misfits that come from within it. There’s a sense of society being responsible for creating this evil, and such a setting lets the audience’s imagination run wild, like “it could’ve been me.” For instance, doesn’t the Joker from Batman make some valid points that resonate with you?
Persona 5 is also a superhero story in which you fight villains that are born from within society, so I thought that it might be received differently than the previous entries. Of course, it could’ve missed the mark completely and been criticized for it, so my anticipation and anxiety were split half and half. 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. 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.
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.
I appreciate all the work you guys at Atlus put into the game. I can feel the love, and attention to detail you guys have jam packed into a great game that left me feeling “Well I beat the game… Now what do I do?” Cause I know the playthroughs after that will never feel as good as diving in , and experiencing the game for the first time, I wanted to almost not finish the last bit knowing it would be the end of a wonderful journey. So from the heart thank you guys!
When this game was getting close to release, I’ll admit that started to get worried. Was I too hyped? It happens a lot these days, and a voice in the back of my head kept saying that nothing could possibly live up to the expectations in my head. So right before the game’s release, I tried to temper my expectations.
It turns out there was no need to. Persona 5 was everything I’d hoped it would be.
Now, is it perfect? No. It does have flaws. I’d mention them, but the ones I have in mind are a bit spoiler-y, so I’ll refrain. Does the fact that the game has flaws take away from what you’ve created? No! Because what you’ve made here is something truly special. It’s so overflowing with passion and detail, and it does so, so many things right, that the flaws it does have are more than compensated for.
I seriously cannot thank you enough for creating this game. Thank you so, so much. I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us next.
Persona 5 is one of the best games I have ever played, you are now one of my favorite game Directors of all time Hashino-san. I can’t wait to play the next game you make, and also can’t wait for Persona 6 as well!
Please please please stick with the “very Japanese story”. It’s very hard to find a game which has a strong Japan culture influence. I believe most Persona players like the aspect of Japanese culture which is in Persona games. Such as the school life, the after-school life, the exams, the field trips, vacations, club activities, and other stuff we usually see in anime!
Please do not westernize the Persona series too much!
I LOVE the game, it’s awesome! The english voices are impressive! I did not need to put the Japanese voices, which is really cool!
I just want to say that I am completely In love with persona 5 and all the persona games, I been playing games for a long time and I play them all but the persona series has a special place in my heart . I just want to say thank you to you and your whole team for working so hard and giving us a great game and great games too keep us entertained and too have fun with.
Best game, that I ever played (Second one is Persona 4). Only thing that I would like to change is to have higher lvl monsters at NG+.
Thank you, Atlus for continuously supporting Playstation!
I bought 3 copies of Persona 5. Both “premium” editions, and the standard PS4 one (with the controller skin). I’ve certainly done my part, and I’ve been rewarded with a 11/10 game. I might just buy the PS3 version, too :)
The writing is miles ahead already of any western RPG. You feel personally connected and motivated to defeat the villains.
I cant believe someone actual said it has hardly any gameplay! In the words of Sojiro from Persona 5, “You can go and get yourself killed if you want, but don’t go dragging other people into your mess. The last thing we need is more idiots like you roaming around.”
Thank you Atlas for Persona 5! We loved the game!
Other than the needlessly streaming restrictions which is still really dumb by the way! I am having a blast and on my second playthrough. Also thank you for proving Turn Base games have a place in the Triple A space!
Dear Atlus,
Could you please reach a deal with Arc System Works and ask them to let you re-release Double Dragon Advance on PS4?
Everyone deserves to know and play the best DD game.
I wish this was on the Vita. Just don’t have the time at home to play these massive jrpgs. Oh well maybe someday I’ll find the time to play it.
To compare this game to FFXV, isnt quite relevant. Perhaps comparing it to one of the older ones would be better. FFXV is more open world, open fight, while the older ones are turn based combat. Also, gameplay just depends on how long it takes for one to get thru the game with their play style, whether it’s skipping cutscenes and texts, or sitting thru them and following the story. Whether it’s searching for hidden collectables, or just doing a speed run. Entirely depends on you!
No, thank you for this incredible creation, you sir are a scholar and a gentleman.
The amount of entitled whining makes me nauseas. Just what has our society devolved into? None of these whiners are invested in the company and only care for their 5 minutes of fame on the internet (while monetizing their own social media channels by distributing work that they did not create or own)
Still waiting on the Persona 5 20 anniversary ps4 theme that only hit JP to be release in NA/EU
Paying top dollars for it
Since I don’t think this will get passed on, I figured I’d leave a short comment of criticism instead because let’s be honest here- THIS GAME IS GREAT. I don’t like Persona 5 as much as 4 or 2 (IS and EP), but it’s still one of the few JRPGs I can stomach.
With that outta the way… and no spoilers, I’ll be as vague as I can.
Good-goddamn this game falls off of a cliff after the sixth palace. Between time sink bosses with billions of HP to attacks that can end the fight by taking control away from you to palaces on boats and in, for purpose of vagueness, basically Silent Hill that all last for literal hours, with awful enemies that give terrible status effects, I have not played a game in quite a long time that has left me with such a bad taste afterwards.
All of that said, I still love Persona 5 and I’m replaying it again to mop up any trophies I missed- I just hope for Persona 6, the dubbing is handled smarter and I especially hope the game has more clever ways to have final sections of the game and not have it devolve into a total slog like P5 did.
I also want to say- besides Zelda BotW and Nioh, this is easily one of the best games I’ve played this year. I don’t believe 10/10’s are “perfect” games, just “must-play classics”, and this game is EASILY a 10/10.
I also don’t think the story isn’t as Japanese as it was intended- I don’t know if you know, but it’s not like North America has a spotless record of incorruptible leaders, and definitely has a widespread and sickening amount of abuses of power against the average citizen. Especially in 2017 >_>