Persona 6: Redefining Dungeon Design – Atlus Sets the Stage for a Mind-Blowing Adventure

Highlights

Persona 6 could reintroduce randomization in dungeons while maintaining handcrafted levels to enhance replayability.

The procedurally generated dungeons found in Persona 3 and 4 provided opportunities for grinding and multiple playthroughs, whereas the handcrafted palaces in Persona 5 were less conducive to replayability. Persona 6 has the exciting potential to merge randomized elements with carefully designed dungeons, presenting fresh features in its new game plus mode to enhance gameplay.

Persona 6, while not officially announced yet, is highly anticipated in the JRPG community. One of the reasons for this excitement is the series' exceptional turn-based combat, refined over multiple entries, as well as its unique blend of life management and social links, reminiscent of a dating simulator. While Persona 1 and Persona 2 each have their own distinct characteristics, Persona 3 through Persona 5 share many gameplay mechanics. However, Persona 5 deviated from the norm by introducing handcrafted dungeons, unlike the randomized dungeons seen in Persona 3 and Persona 4. This shift reduced the reliance on randomization, but there is a possibility that Persona 6 may reintroduce it in fresh ways to maintain the series' traditions.

In Persona 3 and Persona 4, the dungeons are randomized. Each floor's layout, enemy placement, and item locations are procedurally generated whenever the player enters the dungeon. Notably, if the player leaves the dungeon and returns later, the layout will be different. This procedural generation has made Persona 4 a popular choice for grinding, as players can repeatedly explore and clear the main dungeons until the time limit approaches. Persona 3's Tartarus has a more flexible structure regarding time limits and progression, but it also features procedural generation.

Persona 5 Reinvented Dungeons

Persona 5's palaces deviate from the series' traditionally procedurally generated dungeons, as they are meticulously handcrafted. Each floor layout and item placement is predetermined, providing a more curated experience. Although players are still unaware of enemy encounters until they happen, specific enemies are consistently found in certain areas and often grouped together. While the manual design enhances the initial playthrough, these dungeons lack replayability. As for Mementos, it serves as a lengthy, procedurally generated dungeon, but players can swiftly complete its content, with its connection to the main objective feeling disconnected until later in the game.

Although the change in dungeon structure brought about positive aspects, such as Persona 5 Royal's grappling hook and new mechanics, it reduced the game's replayability since returning players can easily breeze through levels. Additionally, the stealth mechanics in P5 exacerbate this issue, as players can easily bypass enemies, and experienced players can defeat bosses even at a lower level, except in the most challenging difficulties. While Mementos is a valuable addition, future titles would need to offer more substantial content within a similar space, even if it doesn't encompass the storytelling found in P5's Mementos questlines. Persona 6 has multiple options available to address this issue.

Persona 6 Could Reintroduce Randomization in a Big Way

Persona 6 should incorporate a mix of handcrafted levels and randomized elements to enhance the gameplay experience. The existing handcrafted dungeons can be kept, but larger dungeons could have randomly generated rooms to add excitement when revisiting areas. Additionally, enemy encounters and their arrangements could be expanded or made completely random in specific locations. It would be interesting to introduce enemies with varying elemental types or abilities as well. If Atlus is concerned about disrupting the intentional design of levels, these features could be saved for a new game plus mode. Persona 5 Royal's new game plus only carried over player stats, items, and money, so introducing new elements would greatly enhance the mode's appeal.

Although Persona 5's handcrafted dungeons were more captivating, especially for first-time players, the opportunity for Atlus to combine both handcrafted and procedurally generated dungeons in Persona 6 is promising. Prior to the release of Persona 6, players will also have the chance to revisit Iwatodai in Persona 3 Reload. This will offer valuable insights into Atlus' evolving approach to incorporating random elements in the game. Furthermore, this game will provide fans with a fresh experience while they eagerly await Persona 6.

Persona 6 is rumored to be in development.