Unveiling the Ultimate Persona Remake: Why Persona 1 and 2 Face an Even Greater Challenge than Persona 3 Reload

The upcoming Persona 3 Reload has the potential to set a precedent for future remakes within the series. Leaked information suggests that Atlus is considering remaking Persona 1 and 2 as well. Although Persona 3 Reload aims to faithfully recreate the original game, there is speculation about how much inspiration it will draw from newer installments in the series. While Persona 3 may feel outdated compared to Persona 5 Royal, Atlus will face an even more challenging decision when remaking Persona 1 and Persona 2 due to their significant differences from modern Persona titles.

Persona 3 is often regarded as the starting point for the modern identity of the series, introducing enduring elements such as the calendar system and Social Links. If the recent leaks about Persona 1 and 2 remakes are accurate, Atlus may need to revisit the past and potentially discard some of these modern mechanics in order to stay true to the original games. Although there are pros and cons to this approach, the success of Persona 3 Reload will likely shape Atlus' direction when it comes to remaking the first two entries in the series.

Atlus Would Have to Make a Tough Decision About Persona 1 and 2’s Gameplay

The original Persona games, being spin-offs of the Shin Megami Tensei franchise, have a closer resemblance to their classic parent series compared to the more recent entries. In terms of features, these initial two games are much simpler, lacking components like a calendar system and Social Links that are present in the modern versions. Instead, the gameplay follows a more basic approach with fundamental Shin Megami Tensei mechanics such as demon fusion and combat with multiple rows of enemies, a feature not seen in Persona 3 onwards.

While these games retain certain elements like high school students unlocking their Persona-summoning abilities from their subconscious, they possess a distinct feel that greatly differs from what newer fans of the series may be accustomed to. Thus, Atlus faces a challenging decision of either remaining entirely faithful to the original games and potentially deterring newer Persona fans with outdated gameplay, or revamping the games completely to incorporate modern features and potentially alienating fans who prefer the original style of gameplay. Both options bring forth controversial possibilities, leaving Atlus with a difficult choice to make regarding the future of these remakes.

The design philosophy behind Persona 3 Reload is to stay true to the original games while making necessary improvements. This includes enhancements to combat mechanics, Social Links, and the introduction of new voice actors. There may be more changes yet to be revealed. Fortunately, Atlus has an easier time incorporating modern mechanics into Persona 3 Reload without losing the essence of the original, as it shares similarities with its sequels and established many of the series' defining elements.

However, completely revamping the first two Persona games to align with the post-Persona 3 titles would be a daunting task. One possibility is to maintain the gameplay and update the graphics, although Atlus has already released remastered versions of the original Persona games on the PSP in the past. However, even these remakes are showing signs of aging, underscoring the need for remakes of Persona 1 and 2, whether they stay faithful to the originals or adopt a more modern look and feel.

Persona 3 Reload will release in 2024 for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.