Since Persona 3 Reload hit the shelves in early 2024, talks about a potential Persona 4 remake have only intensified. Persona 4, while not as outdated as Persona 3 was, still falls short of modern standards seen in more recent entries like Persona 5 and Persona 3 Reload. Its 3D models and user interface don’t quite measure up, and the gameplay could benefit from enhanced features and revamped dungeons.
Rumors are swirling, fueled by claims from several insiders, suggesting that a Persona 4 remake might be underway. Although Atlus hasn’t confirmed anything officially, the buzz around this possibility is definitely growing. Adding fuel to the fire, Shihoko Hirata, known for her vocal contributions to Persona 4’s music, revealed on Instagram she’s been tapped for work at MIT Studio, a Tokyo-based recording venue linked to Sega and Atlus. This has led many to speculate she might be involved in a Persona 4 remake. While some find these rumors far-fetched, the idea might not be as outlandish as it seems, especially since a remake might arrive sooner than expected.
Imagine if a Persona 4 remake is indeed on the horizon. It would probably follow in the footsteps of Persona 3 Reload. You’d likely see the same ground-up remake approach, employing the Unreal Engine 4, alongside fresh voiceovers and soundtracks. You might even find slightly reimagined dungeons and tweaked combat mechanics to echo Persona 5’s style. This kind of overhaul would certainly be no small feat and require considerable effort. However, this project might actually take less time than Persona 3 Reload did.
One potential time-saver is the reuse of assets. Despite each game having unique characters, the combat systems, enemies, and attacks across Persona 3 and 4 show many parallels. Shadows like Angry Tables and Magic Hands appear in both, sharing sound effects too. Persona 3 Reload took over four years to develop because Atlus had to build it afresh on a new engine. Now that they have a foundation for a current-gen Persona remake, a Persona 4 remake could shave off a year or two from its development timeline by following RGG Studio’s approach with the Yakuza series—recycling assets when feasible.
Some traditionalists might balk at the idea of reusing assets, but in the case of a Persona 4 remake, this could actually be pragmatic. Shared character animations and 3D models with Persona 3 Reload wouldn’t significantly detract from the player experience. Considering this, it’s not unreasonable to suspect the rumors about Hirata’s involvement are true. Perhaps the rumored Persona 4 remake is further along than we think and could hit the market as early as 2027 or 2028.
