The Persona 4 Remake is real. And even though we’ve only gotten a glimpse of the upgraded Inaba, the reveal trailer alone is enough, especially after what seemed like Atlus’ worst-kept secret for months.
But in today’s volatile market (filled with outspoken newcomers to the franchise), we might be in for another round of intense online discourse. Given the current state of the internet (and, frankly, of the generation engaging with it), it could easily spark controversy after controversy. And let’s be honest: controversy sells.
For those unfamiliar, we're talking about the game’s complex gender themes, which may not sit well with every player. It was already a point of tension in 2008 when the original Persona 4 launched, and again in 2012 with the release of Golden. Now, with Revival potentially dropping in less than a year, that same discourse is bound to resurface — and it's likely to be just as exhausting as it was the last time around.
When Persona 4 Revival eventually lands, expect the internet to go ballistic over its narrative beats. New players might misinterpret Kanji’s exploration of his feminine side, and Naoto’s struggles with gender identity and workplace politics will likely become focal points once again. Longtime fans of Persona 4 are already bracing themselves.
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+ 2The truth is, Persona 4 doesn’t shy away from darkness. While Persona 3 confronted the fear of mortality and the acceptance of death, Persona 4 dives deep into the concept of “Shadows,” or more specifically, the parts of ourselves we try to ignore. That opens the floodgates for a wave of repressed emotion, laid bare through a cast of characters living in an otherwise idyllic rural town in fictional Japan.
Yet, as with all Persona games, the heart of the story is hope. These are tales of young people fighting to change what matters most to them. Persona 4 is no different, and this Revival will carry those same core themes, just as it did back in 2008. The difference now lies in updated visuals and some eyebrow-raising voice actor changes.
click to enlarge + 2Of course, more drama is inevitable. Just like Persona 3 fans were prepared for the tidal wave of discourse surrounding Yukari and The Answer DLC, Persona 4 fans are already gearing up for what might be the final round of debates that have been echoing across the internet for nearly two decades.
There’s no release date yet for Persona 4 Revival, but Atlus is clearly hard at work crafting another meaningful reimagining of one of its most beloved entries. For now, all we can do is wait, and when the discourse hits, well, we already know exactly how it's going to go.
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