Persona 4 Revival makes changes to fan-favorite scene from the OG JRPG, and veteran players aren't sure how to feel: "I'm sure people will be normal about this"

Persona 4 Revival is still underway as a remake of one of the best JRPGs to date (no, I'm not biased at all) – but just how true it is to Persona 4 Golden remains a bit of a mystery.

Although we do know that Atlus is remaking Golden specifically, there have been a few signs here and there pointing to differences between the 2012 banger I spent way too much time playing on the PlayStation Vita and Persona 4 Revival. For instance, we've previously seen cut dialogue lines come to light – and, of course, changes in characters' voices, like Yukiko's and, perhaps most notably, Chie's actor, too.

The discussion dominating the community right now has to do with yet another supposed step away from Persona 4 Golden: the Beauty Pageant and swimsuit contest.

If you've played the original revamp from Atlus, you might recall that October 30 – in-game, that is – is the date of the Beauty Pageant event. There are two phases, casual and swimwear. Now, the change in Revival, as per new screenshots from Atlus, has to do with Rise's outfit.

As pointed out over on Reddit, she appears to be wearing her Persona 4: Dancing All Night idol outfit during the Beauty Pageant. This would likely be a replacement for her "casual" wear – unless the swimsuit portion is different as well – in which she usually wears a simple dress in Persona 4 Golden. As you can imagine, the community has thoughts on this… to say the least.

"What if they make Persona 4 Revival an all-in-one," reads one comment. I'm not so sure they'd include its spin-offs instead of references like the outfit, but as a fan responds, that would be "cool as hell."

Another person writes, "Given there is a sprite, I'm thinking this is canon in game, and they are reworking that whole segment. Just a thought, though, who knows. It also could be an additional part of the school festival. I'm sure people will be normal about this." So am I, anon. So am I.

Somebody else says, "Looks like they're changing the swimsuit contest from the school festival event into maybe a dance contest, which is honestly probably for the best imo." I wouldn't be so quick to suggest that.

Over on Twitter, an eagle-eyed Persona modder instead shares in my own sentiment here: "It's likely Rise wears her P4D outfit in the Casualwear portion of the event." Honestly, I really think this is the most probable case.

I can't see Atlus changing it entirely, and we do see Rise's swimsuit in other new pictures. Fans are also sharing those – although it does seem like her beach-ready outfit has a new pattern.

As far as I'm concerned, though, I'll be happy with whatever ends up truly ringing true here. While I don't believe the Beauty Pageant will see drastic changes or that we'll see spin-off games integrated into Revival, I'd be thrilled either way.

Here's hoping we learn more about Persona 4 Revival as we near its February 18, 2027, release date… or, you know, Persona 6 while we're at it.

Searching for more to look forward to? Browse through our roundup of the best new games coming this year and beyond to wishlist.