Unveiling the Must-Have Combat and Dungeon Evolution in Persona 6: A Game-Changer Worth Preserving

Highlights

The stealth and ambush mechanics in Persona 5 are a significant upgrade and should be continued in Persona 6.

Previous ambush systems in Persona games often limit the player's control and can sometimes disrupt the flow of the game. However, Persona 6 has the opportunity to improve upon the cover and ambush mechanics introduced in Persona 5, by introducing new and exciting elements such as disguises and strategic stealth gameplay.

Persona 5 Royal's dungeons surpass those in Persona 3 and Persona 4, showcasing intricate designs, enhanced puzzles, immersive environmental storytelling, and more. Notably, the addition of the ability to hide and ambush Shadows is a significant improvement from the previous games, where engaging enemies required direct interaction. This stealth and ambush mechanic should undoubtedly be retained in Persona 6, complementing its unique theme and mechanics. Despite potential changes in dungeon lore and themes, Persona 6 would likely embrace the sophisticated, pre-made design approach seen in Persona 5, rather than resorting to randomly generated layouts. Thus, Persona 6 has the potential to refine and expand upon the cover and ambush systems from Persona 5, ensuring enjoyable gameplay with an appropriate level of challenge.

Persona 5's Ambush Structure is a Leap Forward

Persona games have revolutionized the concept of ambushing enemies over the years. However, in Persona 3 and Persona 4, the process was rather rudimentary. Players had to directly follow a Shadow and attack it before it could react. This proved challenging because Shadows often moved slowly and it was difficult to determine the exact distance needed to strike with a weapon.

Fortunately, Persona 5 takes a leap forward by introducing a prompt that notifies players when Joker is in close proximity for an ambush. Additionally, the game introduces cover mechanics that allow players to control the angle and timing of stealth attacks. This greatly expands the distance from which players can initiate combat.

Reverting to the previous model from Persona 3 and Persona 4 would risk slowing down the pace of gameplay. In those games, players were often forced to wait for Shadows to turn around at a painstakingly slow pace in narrow hallways or small rooms. However, Persona 5 Royal's Palaces offer a much more dynamic experience. Players can swiftly traverse rooms and immediately gain an advantage in combat as long as they can identify the proper path between cover spots. This new approach is not only faster but also more immersive, and it encourages Atlus to design more creative dungeons.

Persona 6 may not be able to replicate Persona 5's ambush mechanics flawlessly, but it can certainly adapt and utilize them in its own unique manner. Instead of emulating Joker's lightning-fast movements between cover, the protagonist in Persona 6 might opt for a slower pace while transitioning between locations, but make up for it with imaginative choices in terms of taking cover. Players could have the opportunity to hide within boxes, manipulate objects to create distractions, or even find ways to disguise themselves as Shadows.

Moreover, Persona 6 could potentially incentivize players to adopt a more strategic and methodical approach to stealth. For instance, if the player remains concealed in cover and observes a Shadow for a brief period, they could gain valuable insights into the specific enemies they would face in combat, which could be an exceptional ability for a Confidant to upgrade in Persona 6.

Combat in the Persona series has a renowned reputation for its diverse elemental affinities. However, ambushes have also become a fundamental aspect of the franchise's game design. It is highly likely that Persona 6 will continue this tradition by incorporating ambushes, and if that is the case, it would be beneficial for the game to adopt Persona 5's mechanics in this regard. While Persona 6 has the opportunity to establish its own unique identity in various ways, it should not disregard valuable mechanics such as Persona 5 Royal's cover system and stealth approach.

Persona 5 Royal is currently available for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.