Atlus has long set Persona apart from its older sibling, Shin Megami Tensei, by offering a more accessible approach to turn-based RPG mechanics. While Shin Megami Tensei thrives on difficulty spikes and apocalyptic despair, Persona has taken on a life of its own by blending life-sim mechanics with dungeon-crawling. But with the explosive debut of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, there is now a compelling reason for Persona 6 to evolve in a new direction, particularly in how it handles combat.
Clair Obscur features 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 as Persona 6 enters development, especially if Atlus wants to avoid simply repeating Persona 5‘s formula.
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Clair Obscur Combat Could Inspire Persona 6
The combat system in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 features 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.
If Persona 6 borrowed some of these elements, it could breathe new life into the series. For example, Persona already uses mechanics like Baton Pass and 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, Persona must be careful. While fans appreciate experimentation, they have also come to expect a degree of casual friendliness from the series. Turning Persona 6 into an action-heavy, dodge-dependent RPG could 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 makes Persona feel like Persona.
Persona 6 Needs to Stay Persona at Heart
The DNA of Persona includes 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 5 has already walked a fine line between complexity and accessibility, offering deep combat through elemental affinities and turn manipulation. Persona 6 does not need to be harder; it needs to feel fresher. Borrowing a few mechanics from Clair 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 to Shin Megami Tensei is key here, as it caters to players who want brutal difficulty and punishment. Persona has successfully diverged, and that distinction should be preserved. There is also the question of platform expectations. With Persona 6 likely 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 of Raidou 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 19, 2025, across multiple platforms and includes upgraded mechanics and improved graphics.
This shows that Atlus is comfortable working with hybrid combat systems again. Although Persona 6 is not confirmed to follow that path, it would not be surprising if lessons from Raidou and the impact of titles like Clair Obscur shape how future entries are approached.
It is also worth noting that a Persona 4 remake was recently announced. In this context, it will be fascinating to see how it and Persona 6 may push the series further.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Released
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April 24, 2025
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
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Sandfall Interactive
- Publisher(s)
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Kepler Interactive
- Engine
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Unreal Engine 5