Today,Atlus published on YouTubea “Super Smash Bros UltimateXPersona 5” interview video, featuring charismaticSuper Smash Bros UltimateDirector Masahiro Sakurai visiting Atlus' studio, getting cozy with Morgana, and answering some questions.
Sakurai-san was asked multiple questions related to whichPersonagames he played in the past, his playthrough ofPersona 5, his opinion on various aspects of the game, and on Atlus as a whole.
When asked whichPersonagame was his first, Sakurai-san answered that he played the firstPersonagame on PlayStation. But as everyone knows, the series initially started as a spin-off of theMegami Tenseifranchise, before becoming a series standing on its own, starting withPersona 3and its switch to a “stylish” atmosphere. Needless to say, he played all games starting withPersona 3as well.
When asked on what he felt back when seeingPersona 5for the first time, Sakurai-san answered that asPersona 4’s atmosphere was yellow-themed, the radical change inPersona 5with its red and black aesthetic did give off a weird feeling at first. However, you’d immediately realize how amazing and cool it is. The menus using characters' 3D models moving around, and turning into 2D illustrations, was a great idea as well. He said it’s impressive to see how thePersonaseries has evolved fromPersona 3toPersona 5, and howPersona 5’s UI will definitely stay a reference for many years to come.
Next, Sakurai-san talked about his favorite characters inPersona 5. He liked everyone and especially liked how each one of them felt alive. As a busy man, constantly working onSmash, he doesn’t get to play that much. But sincePersona 5was so good, he thought he might as well really invest himself in it, and he managed to max all confidant relationships on his playthrough except for one, Yusuke. After jokingly apologizing to his voice actor, Tomokazu Sugita, Sakurai-san noted how he’s the kind of player who doesn’t like to use walkthroughs, to avoid spoilers, and would rather discover everything himself. He’d often use savescumming to optimize his schedule in the game. Moreover, he thought the game would end once the calendar reached March, so he was really surprised when he realized it would end in December. He kept reloading his saves over and over, optimizing as much as possible, but no matter what, he couldn’t get enough time to finish Yusuke’s events.
Sakurai-san really likedPersona 5’s battle system and its use of weaknesses. The thrill that comes with how you can easily defeat enemies by exploiting their weakness, but swiftly get in a deadly situation if you’re not careful enough. As forPersona 5’s music, he bought the game’s original soundtrack CD and regularly listens to it. He noted how some of the battle BGMs, usually wouldn’t feel like battle BGMs, but fit perfectly in the game itself.
As for Atlus games in general, Sakurai-san joked how he’d like it more if they were clearable in half the amount of time they usually are. Before playing one, you really need to prepare yourself to spend a lot of your time. He’s currently playingPersona Q2 New Cinema Labyrinth,which released for 3DS in Japan on November 29, and unless he spends all of his New Year’s off time on it, he won’t finish it anytime soon.
The end of the video also features the announcement trailer for Joker inSmash, with slight changes in the voice-overs. Ryuji and Ann specifically mention “how Joker went to the Game Awards” now, something they didn’t do in thefirst Japanese version of the trailer.
Sakurai also drew Kirby donning Morgana’s mask for Atlus, and the drawing will stay exposed at their studio. A T-shirt featuring an illustration byPersonacharacter designer Hashino Soejima was also gifted by Morgana to Sakurai-san. You can check out both below.
Multiple website registrationsthese last hours are hinting at an imminent announcement regarding newPersona 5related games.
Super Smash Bros Ultimateis currently available for Nintendo Switch.Persona 5 is available for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4. If you don’t own these masterpieces yet, you’re able to grabSmash Ultimateon Amazon, andPersona 5as well.
