Unlocking the Secrets: How Persona 6 Can Revolutionize Demon Interactions!

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Although Persona has distanced itself from being a spin-off of Shin Megami Tensei (SMT) and established its unique identity, the powerful elements it inherited from its roots continue to thrive. The diverse demons in SMT significantly contribute to the combat system in Persona, serving not only as personas for the protagonist to use with their versatile abilities but also as adversaries in games like Persona 5. The intricate demon designs found within the shadows in SMT series demonstrate the robustness of their iconography, crafted meticulously with folklore in mind. Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance serves to remind players of this rich heritage through its special demon conversations, which may inspire the negotiation feature in a potential Persona 6 game.

In the realm of Strategic Movement Turn-based (SMT) games, demon negotiation has been a significant aspect, even though it’s had fewer appearances within the mainline Persona series, as demons haven’t always served as enemies in each game. The original Persona and Persona 2 duology effectively utilized character negotiations, making it more of a team effort, while Persona 5 continued this focus, although with less input from the team, through its “hold-up” mechanic. Some fans have argued that the negotiation system in Persona 5 felt more arbitrary than intended, with the rapid-fire dialogues sometimes being hard to follow. While some may view this as an inherent quality of demons due to their complex nature, there’s a case for their folklore to be highlighted more prominently to provide a stronger foundation for the negotiation mechanic.

How Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance Highlights Folklore Through Negotiation

Demon Negotiation

People well-versed in the SMT series are aware that demons, as their name implies, can be ruthless. Games such as SMT 3: Nocturne might see demons taking all of the Demi-fiend’s money and leaving without a care, while others would walk over his grave if they didn’t obtain the items or Macca they craved. This added depth to demon personalities in a world where power commands respect, and as the series progressed, similar themes have emerged. SMT 5: Vengeance, for instance, offered negotiation options, albeit easier overall, but still included instances like these, though they could occasionally be avoided through unique demon dialogues, taking into account both the lore of its compendium and the Nahobino’s own party.

Vengeance’s Unique Demon Conversations

In the world of SMT 5 and its Vengeance counterpart, special dialogues between demons truly amplified the richness of their demonic lore. Since many of these demons are steeped in religious or mythological significance, these conversations allowed for more than just interactions with the Nahobino; they also showcased demons communicating with each other. While this feature wasn’t unique to SMT 5, its powerful execution within the game, coupled with Vengeance’s Demon Haunts and side quests, demonstrated the vast potential of demons beyond their visual designs or combat abilities.

When a demon would step away from my party for a chat with an enemy, it felt like a double reward – a narrative advancement and a mechanical one, often resulting in an item for me to use. This was a fantastic way to engage with the demons not just as tools for battle, but as characters with their own stories and interactions.

References to Demon Folklore in Persona 6

It could be pointed out that demons may not be the primary focus of the contemporary version of Persona, unlike their role in mainline SMT or its related spinoffs. In fact, they are known as Personas/Shadows and not demons, which means their mythos might not align closely with the series’ central themes. However, even though they may not be central, making subtle references to them, such as during negotiations, could potentially add depth. While it might not be practical to create unique dialogue for every demon due to the vastness of past compendiums, incorporating elements from SMT’s demon conversations while keeping the protagonist’s party in mind could help bring variety to the mechanic occasionally.

This method also applies to specific questions and replies that might be relevant. If a demon such as Muu Shuwuu, known for consuming brains, were to ask the main character about preferring “intelligence or physical strength” more, it would connect well with its folklore. In the game SMT 5: Vengeance, this creature is associated with eating brains, and this link was established in one of its new content side quests. This method could incentivize players who are familiar with these demons from the SMT series, making the negotiation process in Persona 6 less random. Furthermore, incorporating demon folklore into Persona 6’s school lessons and then later referencing it during negotiations could enhance the integration of its social simulation more deeply with combat.

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2025-02-13 02:14