Summary
Classic video game remakes and remasters have been popping up left and right, like Atlus’Persona3:Reloadand Bethesda’sTheElderScrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered. These titles cash in on fans’ nostalgia by breathing new life into old but beloved games. They also help tide players over long periods between major title releases, which is the case forThe Elder ScrollsandPersonafranchises, whose sixth sequels are still in the works. It’s also a great way to test out new mechanics and see if they can be an established part of future titles, which Atlus can do for a possiblePersona 4remake.
Atlus has been keeping itself busy these past few years, publishing the hit fantasy JRPG Metaphor: ReFantazio and remakingPersona 3with modern graphics and some new gameplay tech. It seems that the company still isn’t done resurrecting old titles, as aPersona 4Remake could be imminent, according to recent rumors of an announcement website being created for the possible title.
Persona 4’s Remake Could be a Testing Ground for Theurgy and Shift’s Staying Power
Persona 4’s possible remake is the perfect title to test out the staying power of new mechanics likeTheurgy and Shift, which were introduced inPersona 3: Reload.
How Does Theurgy Work?
When the player acquires theability to use Theurgy, its gauge will show up next to each party member’s portrait. Each unit has a unique way of rapidly filling up the gauge. For example, Junpei fills up this meter by landing critical hits. Meanwhile, the protagonist can add to their gauge by swapping Personas and using their abilities. Attacks, Persona activations, and ambushes can also fill each character’s gauge slowly. Once the Theurgy gauge is full, the player can use it to launch a severe resistance-ignoring attack on enemies or a strong support ability that can revive allies, fully restore their HP, and provide various party-wide buffs at once. Characters with ailments cannot use Theurgy, and their gauge resets when they get knocked out.
How Does Shift Work?
Those who usedPersona 5’s Baton Passmechanic will be familiar with howPersona 3: Reload’s Shift works. Both trigger when a character gets a “1 More” turn after hitting an enemy’s weakness or dealing critical damage to them. The player can then choose to either use the same character or “Shift” to another member of the party. They can shift consistently as long as they can get weakness or critical hits in until all the party members have exhausted their “1 More” turns.
One cannot Shift to teammates who have not unlocked the ability yet. Players can do so by building their relationship with the party member.
How Theurgy and Shift Could be Integrated into Persona 4’s Remake
Shift is a pretty straightforward ability that can easily be integrated into any Persona game. ThePersona 4Remake could have players unlock the ability for every character through the main story’s progression or keep it behind each character’s relationship level, like inP3R. TheP4Remake could also choose to retain the Baton Pass buff fromPersona 5or forego it, like inP3R.
Theurgy, on the other hand, can be more difficult to integrate due to its connection to the game’s story. InP3R, the team acquires it from aspecial type of cartridge for their Evoker. PerhapsP4’s Remake could tie this to the cards that characters break when they summon their persona or a gadget that players plug into their TVs, which they use to enter the Midnight Channel dungeons.
ThePersona 4Remake could be the perfect testing ground to adjust the intricacies of Theurgy and Shift. Atlus could add or remove features from these mechanics in the upcoming remake and see how it fares among fans. This can give them the data they need to determine whether these new gameplay mechanics have a place in future titles likePersona 6, and if so, how they can perfect them.
Persona 4 Golden
WHERE TO PLAY
The world-renowned Persona 4 Golden promises unforgettable adventures, meaningful bonds, and heartwarming experiences shared together with friends. They say your soulmate will appear if you stare into a television set on a rainy night… This strange rumor slowly spreads through the rural town of Inaba, the protagonist’s new home, just as a chain of mysterious murders begin. As the protagonist and his teammates chase after the truth, they find themselves opening the door to another world.Explore otherworldly dungeons, take down monstrous Shadows, and confront the darker sides of one’s self as you inch closer to the truth behind the serial murder cases. Venture around the town of Inaba, partake in an eventful school year, meet kindred spirits, and forge invaluable bonds. New quality of life features including improved graphics and smoothness, difficulty selection and quick save functionality.
