Persona 5shattered barriers and revitalized the franchise, paving the way for an array of spin-offs and sequels. The game’s narrative left enough room for expansions, which led to titles likePersona 5 Strikers,Persona 5 Royal, andthe upcomingPersona 5: The Phantom X. The success ofPersona 5allowed Atlus to continue exploring its world, providing players with fresh perspectives on the Phantom Thieves’ adventures.
By contrast,Persona 3 Reloadhas a more definitive ending. The original game, along withPersona 3 FES’s expansionThe Answer, firmly concludes the protagonist’s story, making it difficult to justify future content beyond what has already been explored. UnlikePersona 5, which left the door open for sequels, the core story ofPersona 3 Reloadensures that any additional material would have to fit within its existing framework rather than expand beyond it.
Major spoilers forPersona 3 Reloadand its DLC ahead.
Theending ofPersona 3is one of the most final conclusionsin the franchise. The protagonist sacrifices themselves to seal away Nyx, preventing the Fall and saving humanity.The Answerdoubles down on this conclusion, focusing on the remaining S.E.E.S. members as they grapple with their grief and try to move forward without their leader. The time loop they experience forces them to relive their pain, but ultimately, they accept the protagonist’s fate and break free of the cycle.
This structure does not lend itself to follow-ups in the same way thatPersona 5does. ThePhantom Thieves finish their original mission, but the story leaves room for them to reunite for another cause, as seen inPersona 5 Strikers. WithPersona 3, the narrative wraps up so definitively that revisiting its characters outside of crossover events feels unnecessary. The game’s somber tone also contrasts sharply with the more adventure-driven nature ofPersona 5, making direct sequels or spin-offs less viable.
Persona 3 Has Explored Its Spin-Off Potential
Even thoughPersona 3has been revisited inspin-offs likePersona Q,Persona Q2, andPersona 4 Arena, these games primarily explore alternate realities or crossover elements rather than expanding the original narrative.Persona 4 Arenaoffered some additional development for thePersona 3cast, but it did so within a larger framework that involvedPersona 4’s characters and an entirely different conflict.
Meanwhile,Persona 5continues to receive new content that builds upon its existing world.Persona 5 Tacticaintroduces a fresh setting and mechanicswhile keeping the core cast intact. The sheer number of expansions and spin-offs forPersona 5speaks to its flexibility as a narrative, somethingPersona 3simply does not have.
Persona 6 Could Follow a Different Path
WithPersona 3 Reload’s story essentially set in stone, the focus now shifts toPersona 6and how Atlus will approach its structure.Persona 5’s success with spin-offs could encourage Atlus to designPersona 6with plenty of room for expansion, but there is also the possibility thatPersona 6will adopt a more contained approach, similar toPersona 3,especially after the remake’s success.
Apotential dual-protagonist structure forPersona 6could influence this direction. If so, it may focus more on replayability rather than follow-ups and sequels. This approach could mitigate the need for multiple spin-offs while still providing longevity for the game through different narrative experiences.
On the other hand, Atlus has received criticism for its tendency torelease full-priced expanded editions likePersona 5 Royal. IfPersona 6follows inPersona 5’s footsteps by leaving room for additional content, it could be seen as an attempt to generate more revenue rather than delivering a complete experience at launch. Striking the right balance will be key to ensuring thatPersona 6appeals to both long-time fans and newcomers.
