"Persona 5" director Katsura Hashino spoke about the details and characters of the upcoming game during an interview recently.
As reported by Gamespot, Hashino described that the five characters of the game do not have a place in society, but are drawn together under a common goal after discovering the Isekai-Navi.
To give the down low for non-players, the Isekai-Navi is an item that allows the characters to enter the other worlds and steal the malicious intent from the hearts of other people. Also, they become "Phantom Thieves" and if you have played the previous games, these bonds will likely be an important aspect of the gameplay.
When discussing the characters specifically, Hashino said the main character of this game is a silent and cool type, which is similar to the protagonists of previous "Personas." But at the same time, he's also described as having a streak of "roguish antihero," adding a dash of brashness about him.
Regarding the difference of this game's characters compared to the previous ones, he said that unlike "Persona 3" or "Persona 4," the protagonist and his team in this story are not dragged into some sort of major crisis that they have to solve.
It starts with all main characters looking for a sense of identity and seeking to reform society with their own will. He noted, "Picaresque heroes are fun, and you might enjoy their exploits or admire them in a work of fiction, but whether you'd actually want to be like them is a whole different story."
IGN also noted that that the characters in this game have no choice but to solve the mysteries they were confronted with.
In a related report by Game Informer, "'Persona 5' was noted as a game that tackles difficult topics. When asked what different issues the characters will tackle in this game, Hashino said, "The ones that stand in their way are the adults — in other words, the traditional authority figures who dictate every aspect of these teenagers' lives."
He added, "And in 'Persona 5,' the story takes a different spin: Rather than getting drawn into a strange case, the team throws themselves into the fray. Through their actions, they draw the attention of an even greater enemy... That's how the game sets in motion."
"Persona 5" is slated to be released this year, but publisher Atlust has since delayed the game to summer of 2016. The game will be released on both the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3.
