Members of the Atlus team recently hinted that the developer has at least one major announcement coming in 2025, and it’s something the team is very excited about. Of course, fans immediately began speculating whether the hints referred toPersona 6,the next main entry in the popularPersonaseries. It is definitely possible thatPersona 6could be one of the potentially multiple titles that seem slated for 2025 and beyond, but it may also be something else entirely. There are both pros and cons to Atlus moving directly intoPersona 6as its next major release.
The Argument For: Avoiding Delays And Branching Out
One major reason that Atlus has been so careful to avoid revealingPersona 6until they are ready is to avoid delays.Persona 5was announced in 2013 but suffered multiple delays, ultimately debuting in 2016. Atlus has been open about the fact that they see this as a misstep that they wish to avoid when it comes to the nextPersonagame, and thus they will not reveal it until they are more certain of a concrete launch window.
Releasing another game beforePersona 6could also be a positive thing for Atlus in general. Some fans previously felt that Atlus was playing it safe with the practically endless parade ofPersonaspinoffs - theArenaandDancing All Nighttitles,Persona Qand its sequel,Persona 5 Strikersand, most recently,Persona 5 Tactica.However, in 2024, the studio came out with a brand-new title,Metaphor: ReFantazio,which borrowed from thePersonaandShin Megami Tenseibattle system but featured a rich new fantasy world.
The game was a success, receiving positive reviews and winning multiple awards. Atlus team members revealed that they hopeMetaphorwill eventually become a series, but have no concrete plans at this time. Releasing another game, especially something original likeMetaphor,could help Atlus grow further and not be limited by the successful formula ofShin Megami TenseiandPersona.
The Case Against: Dwindling Enthusiasm And Phantom X Concerns
On the other hand, it has been nearly a decade since the release ofPersona 5.While there have been spinoffs and the successful remakePersona 3 Reload,many fans still very much want to see a new main series title. Unfortunately, the longer Atlus goes without announcingPersona 6,or even showing off any kind of teaser, the less excited some fans become. Some have likely begun to drift away from the studio and series because it has been so long. To some, it may even feel likePersona 6might never happen at all. Atlus concretely making a statement, showing off the game and announcing a release window could bring back some of that dwindling hype.
Concerns Regarding Persona 5: The Phantom X
Another issue is a game that does look like it will release beforePersona 6:Persona 5 The Phantom X.A mobile game with monetization elements - including a gacha system - inspired byPersona 5,the game is currently only slated for a release in Eastern markets, including China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and South Korea. Atlus has confirmed that they currently have plans to bring the game to Japan, but a potential Western release - as well as a console or PC release - is still up in the air.
Because of its mobile game status and monetization and luck-based elements, some fans are concerned thatThe Phantom Xwill feel like a cheap money grab rather than a truePersonagame. Others are simply tired of constantPersona 5spinoffs. Continuingto not announcePersona 6could only increase the potential controversy surroundingThe Phantom X,which may be the most contested of thePersonaseries spinoffs released so far.
