Atlus has long setPersonaapart from its older sibling,Shin Megami Tensei, by offering a more accessible approach to turn-based RPG mechanics. WhileShin Megami Tenseithrives on difficulty spikes and apocalyptic despair,Personahas taken on a life of its own by blending life-sim mechanics with dungeon-crawling. But with the explosive debut ofClair Obscur: Expedition 33, there is now a compelling reason forPersona 6to evolve in a new direction, particularly in how it handles combat.
Clair Obscurfeatures a fusion of real-time movement and turn-based attacks. Its combat draws influence from action games without fully abandoning strategy, creating a hybrid that feels both cinematic and mechanically satisfying. It is the kind of system that might be worth studying asPersona 6enters development, especially if Atlus wants to avoid simply repeatingPersona 5’s formula.
Clair Obscur Combat Could Inspire Persona 6
The combat system inClair Obscur: Expedition 33features timed dodges, stagger mechanics, and defensive positioning that feel more dynamic than traditional turn-based battles. Rather than initiating attacks from a menu and waiting for a static animation, characters can move in real time during defensive turns, block incoming damage with active input, and land critical hits based on well-timed actions.
IfPersona 6borrowed some of these elements, it could breathe new life into the series. For example,Personaalready uses mechanics like Baton Passand All-Out Attacks to encourage momentum, so layering on action components would not be unthinkable. Atlus could retain the turn-based core while integrating timing-based defenses or limited character movement within battle arenas, keeping encounters feeling responsive without overwhelming players.
Clair Obscur’s combat was designed by Sandfall Interactive to be visually reactive without fully relying on Soulslike punishment.
Still,Personamust be careful. While fans appreciate experimentation, they have also come to expect a degree of casual friendliness from the series.TurningPersona 6into an action-heavy, dodge-dependent RPGcould alienate players who rely on its turn-based rhythm and accessible strategy. The challenge, then, is finding a middle ground that expands the gameplay without compromising what makesPersonafeel likePersona.
Persona 6 Needs to Stay Persona at Heart
TheDNA ofPersonaincludes social links, calendar systems, dungeon crawling, and psychological motifs. Any major shift in combat has to fit alongside these elements without dominating them. An overly aggressive action system could overshadow the pacing, especially when half the game is spent in school life sequences and character-driven dialogue.
Persona 5has already walked a fine line between complexity and accessibility, offering deep combat through elemental affinities and turn manipulation.Persona 6does not need to be harder; it needs to feel fresher. Borrowing a few mechanics fromClair Obscur, such as parries or stagger bars, could introduce a welcome layer of interaction, especially during boss fights, without overwhelming the rest of the game.
The comparison toShin Megami Tenseiis key here, as it caters to players who want brutal difficulty and punishment.Personahas successfully diverged, and that distinction should be preserved. There is also the question of platform expectations. WithPersona 6likely launching on modern consoles like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, the hardware will support more visually ambitious and reactive systems. But graphical flair should enhance, not replace, thoughtful combat design.
Atlus Already Shows Signs of Combat Evolution
Atlus seems aware that turn-based combat can evolve. The recent announcement ofRaidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army, an action RPG originally released on PlayStation 2, shows that the developer is revisiting older, more experimental designs. The remaster arrives June 28, 2025, across multiple platforms and includes upgraded mechanics and improved graphics.
This shows that Atlus is comfortable working with hybrid combat systems again. AlthoughPersona 6is not confirmed to follow that path, it would not be surprising if lessons fromRaidouand theimpact of titles likeClair Obscurshapehow future entries are approached.
It is also worth noting thataPersona 4remake was recently announced. In this context, it will be fascinating to see how it andPersona 6may push the series further.
