Persona 5, a Persona 4 remake for Vita, and Persona 4... the 2D fighting game?

Atlus recently launched a mysterious teaser site that left many suspicious a remake of Persona 4 might be coming. The latest issue of Famitsu (reported by Sinobi and translated by Andriasang) confirms it: Persona 4: The Golden is coming to Vita. But Famitsu also unexpectedly added that Persona 4: The Ultimate In Mayonaka Arena (a 2D fighting game) and a Persona 5 have begun development — though the latter game is still a long way from being finished.

Above: First screens of the Persona 4 fighter from Famitsu

The Vita remake, Persona 4: The Golden, is both a port and an upgrade of the game — possibly very much like Persona 3 Portable for the PSP was an enhancment of the PS2 version of that game. The Golden will add 50 percent more voice acting, a new character named Mary, and wireless support that can be used to ask others for help in dungeons. It's due out in the Spring of 2012 (in Japan). We loved the first one so we'd recommend anyone who let Persona 4 slip by check it out.

While remakes of Persona games aren't new, Persona 4: The Ultimate In Mayonaka Arena is. Atlus has partnered with Arc System Works (BlazBlue, Guilty Gear) to take the dense RPG and re-imagine it as a fighting game. The story takes place two months after the end of Persona 4, but features characters from both Persona 3 and 4. It's expected in Japanese arcades in spring of 2012 and to become a downloadable game for PS3 and Xbox 360 in summer of 2012 (again, in Japan).

The last bit of information wasn't as much of a revelation as a confirmation that events are proceeding as expected. The development of Persona 5 has begun, at least as far as assembling the development team. Returning developers from Persona 3 and 4 include Katsura Hashino as director, Shigenori Soejima as character designer, and Shouji Meguro as main composer. We'll let you know as we learn more.

Aug 31, 2011

Source: Andriasang