The Persona series, despite its current widespread acclaim, began with rather modest beginnings. Originally launched on the PlayStation, it was a spin-off from the Shin Megami Tensei series, focusing on high school environments and weaving in elements of Jungian psychology. For quite some time, Persona was a niche interest, known mainly among dedicated JRPG enthusiasts. However, the releases of Persona 3, 4, and especially Persona 5, propelled it into global recognition. Today, Persona stands as the most celebrated creation of developer Atlus, even overshadowing its predecessor, Shin Megami Tensei.
Even with nearly annual updates since Persona 5 hit the shelves in 2016, fans are still eagerly awaiting news of a new main installment. Rumors about Persona 6 have been circulating for a while, yet Atlus has kept the specifics under wraps. If Atlus doesn’t make an unexpected announcement in 2025, the next game might still be years away. Luckily, fans have plenty to look forward to in the meantime, as Atlus offers other engaging titles to satiate long-time enthusiasts.
In a recent update during the March 2025 Nintendo Direct, Atlus revealed its next exciting project, RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army. Rather than being an entirely new game, it reimagines the 2006 classic Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner – Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army, which originally debuted exclusively on the PS2. Despite its lengthy title, this lesser-known gem from the PS2 era holds a special place in Atlus’ catalog.
Set against the backdrop of 1931 Japan, during the Taisho period, Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army diverges from typical modern-day settings found in most SMT titles. It follows the story of Raidou Kuzunoha XIV, a young detective with the extraordinary ability to capture and manipulate demons. Although its storyline is fictional, it incorporates historical figures, such as the enigmatic Grigori Rasputin. Bringing the adventure to completion takes about 25 to 30 hours, making it one of the shorter journeys in the SMT universe.
RAIDOU Remastered plans to refresh the original with several enhancements. While most Shin Megami Tensei games feature turn-based combat, Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army employs real-time action, though it didn’t quite hit the mark back then. Atlus is looking to revamp this aspect significantly in the remaster, offering upgraded visuals, quality-of-life improvements, and new voice acting. While labeled a remaster, it feels more like a thorough overhaul, akin to what fans have seen with Metroid Prime Remastered and Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster.
Though RAIDOU Remastered presents a different era and action gameplay, fans of Atlus and the broader Shin Megami Tensei universe will likely find plenty to appreciate. Unlike the highly anticipated Persona 6, RAIDOU Remastered already has a release date, set to launch on modern platforms, excluding Xbox One, on June 19, 2025.
