As the complete Persona 2 package turns 25, it’s time for a remake

by

My initial introduction to the Persona series happened quite by chance. Back in the late ’90s, while shopping with my father at a discount bin in a drug store, I stumbled upon Revelations: Persona. Being a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and intrigued by the peculiar artwork on the box, I decided to give it a try due to its claim of demon summoning. At that time in my life, I had no idea about Shin Megami Tensei. The game mechanics and design initially proved challenging when I started playing, but the experience left an impression on me. It was dark, chaotic, and unlike any other games I’d played following Squaresoft’s Super Nintendo releases.

Discovering that fortunate purchase (thanks, Dad!), which plunged me into an abyss of mythologies, teenage dramas, and Jungian psychology, captivated me immensely. This peculiar game, despite remaining unfinished, sparked my admiration for Atlus. Remarkably, I was taken aback years later when Persona 3 debuted on the PlayStation 2, prompting curiosity: how could I have overlooked Persona 2? As it turned out, I joined a group of fellow enthusiasts who had also missed this installment in the series.

To commemorate its 25th anniversary, let’s discuss the overlooked games within the franchise. I’m referring to Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2 – Innocent Sin and Persona 2: Eternal Punishment, two PlayStation titles that have been somewhat overshadowed. Despite being part of the series, they seem to exist in a sort of limbo, not receiving as much attention as their more popular counterparts like Persona 3 and Persona 5.

Initially, Persona 2: Innocent Sin was launched exclusively in Japan on the original PlayStation in 1999, and it took years for an English version to become available. Instead, Western gamers only experienced half the narrative when its sequel, Persona 2: Eternal Punishment, arrived in North America in June 2000. This is akin to watching Back to the Future Part II or The Godfather Part II without having seen the first installment. Unfortunately, that was our predicament in the West. It wasn’t until 2011 when the English-speaking audience could fully comprehend the story with the release of the PSP remake of Innocent Sin. However, Eternal Punishment’s PSP remake remained exclusive to Japan.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve found myself on a quest to fully immerse in the captivating world of Persona 2. However, achieving that complete experience in the Western hemisphere isn’t straightforward; it demands playing two distinct versions, or engaging in a tedious waltz of emulation, imports, and fan translations for a consistent gameplay journey. It’s truly unfortunate, given that these games showcase some of Atlus’ most daring storytelling endeavors to date.

Title Reinterpretation: Innocent Sin Unveils the Tale of Tatsuya Suou and His High School Peers, Who Discover that Gossip Transforms into Fact. In the strange occurrences enveloping the city of Sumaru, the group grapples with their past traumas, personal demons (both figurative and literal), and a masked cult leader with a chilling connection to their history. The combat system, similar to the first Persona, is turn-based and allows interaction with monsters, offering the chance to merge and create new personas. Back then, these personas might have appeared as Satanic Pokémon; today, they are an essential aspect of the series.

In a different timeline, Eternal Punishment reverses the narrative, focusing on Maya Amano, an investigative journalist from Innocent Sin, as she delves into the mystery from a fresh perspective and uncovers the truth. It is intriguing that Eternal Punishment centers around adult characters, which some fans have requested for Persona 6. This may seem novel to some, but Atlus has previously delved into ‘adult Persona’ themes.

To put it straight from a gamer’s perspective, I find myself immersed in games that delve into profound topics such as abuse, repressed memories, societal guilt, and the journey towards maturity. These games also explore the intriguing concept of rumors shaping our collective unconsciousness, with the spread of rumors influencing both storylines and gameplay mechanics. It’s a tangled web of secrets, fears, and hidden truths that make these games incredibly engaging, albeit in a messy yet captivating way.

Sadly, all too often, these thought-provoking games get overshadowed by the popularity of series like Persona 3, 4, and 5. I believe these lesser-known gems deserve more recognition for their depth and originality.

It’s not too unexpected that Persona 2 doesn’t have the same character relationship mechanics, time management loops, or engaging combat as later entries in the series. Both the PlayStation and PSP versions of Persona 2 can sometimes feel dull in combat, and the dungeon design isn’t particularly impressive. However, what makes Persona 2 stand out is its complex, interwoven narrative that delves into psychological thriller territory, which is unique among the Persona games. Despite less attention being given to it compared to more recent games in the series, Persona 2 deserves to be recognized and appreciated for its distinct narrative.

Refreshing the roots of the franchise for contemporary fans, with both Persona 3: Reloaded and Persona 4: Revival now available, it’s an opportune moment to redesign Persona 2. This is not just a straightforward port or enhanced rerelease; rather, it should be a complete overhaul, inspired by the styles of Reloaded and Revival. The characters and story remain unchanged, but they are rebuilt with modern technology and contemporary design aesthetics.

As a gamer, I’m eager to give Sumaru City the stunning makeover it needs. Let’s not forget to streamline the user interface and bring the encounter system into the modern era. To truly immerse players in those intense character moments, let’s incorporate voice acting. However, I’d prefer if we resist the urge to modify the soundtrack to mimic the style from Persona 3, as it should retain its unique charm. Also, there seems little reason to force Social Links into this game when they were crucial elements that shaped what Persona is today, but this game should stand on its own merits and not be compared or forced to conform to past titles.

A significant number of fans have joined the series with Persona 5 and are unaware of its rich history. If Atlus truly intends to honor the legacy of this franchise, it’s crucial to include Persona 2 in the discussion. Merely featuring Joker in crossovers doesn’t suffice when characters like Tatsuya and Maya become increasingly forgotten. I’m not proposing a dancing or fighting game based on Persona 2, but rather, for this duology to step out of the darkness caused by the divided worldwide releases on two distinct consoles.

As a devoted fan, I’m not advocating for a remake of Persona 2 solely out of nostalgia. In fact, I believe many who read this may not have experienced it originally. Instead, I see it as a means to safeguard a crucial milestone in the series’ history. These games fearlessly delved into mature topics like trauma, identity, and societal underbelly, long before such themes became fashionable. They laid the groundwork for everything that followed, and their impact is something worth preserving and sharing with new generations of gamers.

Dear Atlus, if you’re tuning in, now seems like the perfect moment. Treat us to a remake that allows newcomers to delve into the chilling enigmas of Sumaru City. Allow long-standing enthusiasts to reexplore the duology with renewed perspective. And who knows, perhaps ignite whispers once more.

Read More

2025-07-06 21:56