The recent reveals from ATLUS incited a mixed reaction from fans as more information of the gameplay mechanics and overall themes of the much-awaited Persona 5 game was released, along with the confirmation that the game's release was now pushed to Summer 2016 in a released trailer during the Tokyo Game Show 2015, as reported by N4BB.
Persona 5 is an upcoming JRPG, and is the 5th game of the Persona series, which were originally a spin-off of the Shin Megami Tensei series but has then become its own series in the shared universe of the two series. The game would feature a deviation from the last few Persona games, as the protagonists of Persona 5 are well-meaning delinquents from what appears to be a reform school, the story's theme centers around thieves and stealing as opposed to catching culprits, and the game would deal with darker themes and the struggle between morality, individuality and freedom. Because of this, the fans of the series are quite excited for the release, and have continuously been disappointed by its delays. Originally, the release was scheduled to be on winter of 2014, but was moved up to winter of 2015, and now summer of 2016.
While the news of its delay was the cause of much dismay in the fanbase, it's confirmed that the game's delay was brought along by a desire to improve and polish the game. The game's director, Katsura Hashino, has released the following statement: "(...)please know that we are delaying the game in order to make sure the next iteration of the Persona series lives up to the expectations of fans."
While there is speculation that this may also have something to do with the rampant rumors of a planned DLC for Persona 5, there has been no confirmation or denial about this development just yet, according to iSchoolGuide. In the most recent game trailer, key information of its gameplay was revealed. The player will apparently navigate around a crowded city using a map app and enter dungeons from there.
Stealing people's hearts seems to be the driving mechanic, and the protagonist is revealed to be able to take masks from enemies to equip as his own Persona, seemingly as a reference to the initial Persona Arsene, who is based on the fictional gentleman thief Arsene Lupin, a master of disguise in the novels he appears in. And it appears as if Demons will make a comeback in the Persona series for the first time since Persona 2. CrossMap lists down some other previous gameplay reveals, which include Cooperation, which would apparently stand in for Social Links and run on a similar system, stealth mode, traps, and what appears to be limited platforming in dungeons.
Persona 5 is set to be released on the PlayStation 3 and 4, and is again re-scheduled for summer of 2016.
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