How Persona 5 Royal's Mysterious Twist with Igor Sets the Stage for an Epic Persona 6 Adventure

WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS for Persona 5 Royal ahead. Proceed at your own risk.

Highlights

The highly anticipated Persona 6 promises a thrilling experience, leaving players on the edge of their seats as they brace themselves for unexpected surprises. Following the shocking twist in Persona 5 with Igor's imposter, it is clear that nothing is safe in this franchise.

In recent years, Persona has captured the attention of gamers, thanks to its reliance on familiar conventions and consistent gameplay. However, the demand for a bold and radical shift in the series has become increasingly apparent.

Igor's introduction in Persona 5 demonstrates Atlus's willingness to take risks and shake up familiar elements, indicating that Persona 6 has the potential to take an exciting and unpredictable direction. Unlike other popular series such as Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy, Persona's widespread recognition has been more recent, starting in 1996 but truly gaining traction with Persona 4 Golden in 2012. With the immense success of Persona 5 and its Royal upgrade, all attention now turns to the eagerly anticipated but unannounced Persona 6.

Persona Often Sticks to Convention

The project remains shrouded in mystery, thus fueling numerous rumors. Each new installment is eagerly anticipated, yet Persona 5 defied expectations by making a daring narrative choice that cast doubt upon these preconceived notions. The revelation that Igor has been replaced by an impostor suggests that Persona 6 will continue to surprise players, promising an unpredictable journey where anything can unfold.

JRPGs in the mid-to-late 1990s were fiercely competitive, but the landscape has changed. Nonetheless, numerous franchises are still vying for players' attention. Final Fantasy remains a strong contender, with Clive's epic adventure in Valisthea captivating both new gamers and long-time fans. Another noteworthy game is Octopath Traveler, which has successfully carved out its own unique niche. However, Persona has experienced the most significant rise in recent years, thanks in large part to its consistent reliance on certain conventions. Persona 5 Royal, for instance, built upon the groundwork laid by Persona 3, which contributed to its overall success.

There's significant value in that, as a well-executed repeatable template can consistently entertain fans without constantly reinventing the wheel. It is crucial to make adjustments, but completely overhauling it poses a significant risk. Persona proudly embraces its conventions and traditions, but with the success of its previous entries, the need for some kind of drastic change has become more evident than ever before. Persona 5 took a bold step by challenging the extent to which fans could trust Igor, the franchise's most reliable character.

Igor's Reveal is an Excuse to Change it Up

In the realm of fiction, there is a certain allure to the unexpected. The more predictable a narrative seems, the more it can captivate and astonish when its established elements are boldly rearranged. Ever since his debut in 1996's Revelations: Persona, Igor has played a pivotal role in the Persona series as the enigmatic overseer of the Velvet Room, guiding players on their profound journeys. However, Persona 5 takes a thrilling twist as Igor appears to resume his familiar position, albeit with a deeper voice and an unsettling aura. It is later divulged that Igor had been imprisoned by Yaldabaoth for a significant portion of the story, a cruel ploy aimed at sowing chaos in a world corrupted by humanity.

Persona 6 is currently being developed, promising to bring a fresh and unpredictable experience. Atlus's bold decision to challenge the familiar foundation of Persona in Persona 5 shows their willingness to take risks and explore new directions. This means that nothing is certain in Persona 6, creating excitement and anticipation for fans of the franchise and the JRPG genre.