Persona 6 may still be a while away, but the upcoming Persona 3 Reload could be a sign of what players can expect from the next installment in the Persona franchise. The remake appears to be keeping many faithful elements from the original Persona 3 while also making improvements to give it a more modern feel. One major change is the addition of voiced Social Link rank-up scenes, making Persona 3 Reload the most voice-heavy game in the series so far. This could potentially pave the way for Persona 6 to take a new direction with its protagonist.
While Persona 3 Reload has received some criticism for not including certain elements from previous versions, such as the option to play as a female protagonist from Persona 3 Portable and the epilogue known as The Answer from Persona 3 FES, it seems that the new additions in Persona 3 Reload will make up for these omissions. Another controversial change in the game is the recasting of voice actors, which has both its pros and cons. While some players may miss the original voice cast, Atlus seems to be putting more effort into providing a greater amount of voiced lines in Persona 3 Reload. This shift towards more voiced lines could potentially lead to a fully voiced protagonist in Persona 6.
Persona 3 Reload's Emphasis on Voice Lines Could Set the Stage for Persona 6's Protagonist
The developers of Persona 3 Reload have revealed that the game will have the most lines of voiced dialogue in the series so far. This includes every Social Link rank-up scene being voiced, although it is unclear if they will be fully or partially voiced. This commitment from Atlus to include more voiced dialogue shows their dedication to enhancing the player's experience. This approach is expected to extend to Persona 6, potentially introducing a fully voiced protagonist. This would bring a significant change to the interactions between characters and give the protagonist a more distinct personality.
Having witnessed the success of other modern JRPGs like Fire Emblem Engage's Alear and Final Fantasy 16's Clive, both of which incorporated full voice acting for their protagonists, it is evident that a fully voiced main character is not necessarily essential for effective character development, as seen in Persona 5's Joker. However, the inclusion of more voiced lines would undoubtedly be a welcomed and impactful change. In order for Persona 6 to reach the same heights as its predecessor, a simple yet effective adjustment would involve adding more voiced dialogue, thereby distinguishing the title from others in the genre.
Atlus has made it apparent through their statements that the voice acting in Persona 3 Reload is a significant aspect of the game, and they take pride in the improvements made in this area when compared to the original version. The social elements of the Persona series have become a beloved feature among fans, and it appears that Atlus intends to further emphasize these elements in future installments. Consequently, it would make logical sense for the next step in advancing the series' voice acting to be fully voice acting the protagonist of Persona 6 throughout the majority of the game.
Persona 3 Reload launches early 2024 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.