Sony’s June 2022 State of Play may have downplayed expectations ahead of release, emphasizing a focus on VR games, but it delivered far more than PlayStation fans might have expected. Alongside a variety of compelling VR titles, Sony announceda major update forHorizon Forbidden West,dropped a release window forFinal Fantasy 16, and much more. The show’s indie offerings can’t be downplayed either. For instance, the State of Play revealed a new hack-and-slash JRPG from indie developer Studio Sai. The game is calledEternights, and it may have a lot to offer fans of Atlus’Personafranchise in particular.
InEternights,players take control of a young adult trying to survive in a world on the brink of apocalypse. Mutated humans make the world unsafe, and survivors like the protagonist scavenge to survive. Over the course ofEternights,unassuming characters will seemingly develop incredible powers that help them beat back monsters, and at the same time, bonds with fellow survivors will empower the player. WhileEternightsclearly packs lots of original ideas, the similarities toPersonacan’t be ignored. Studio Sai’s debut title might be the perfect game forPersonafans to pick up while waiting for a new installation in thePersonafranchise itself.
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Comparing Eternights to the Persona Series
Eternights' handling of supernatural powers seems to be extremely similar toPersona.In thePersonaseries, normal teenagers with all kinds of down-to-earth woes awaken to supernatural abilities throughmanifestations of their true selves called Personas; the contrast between slice-of-life activities and supernatural adventures is a defining characteristic of the series.Eternightssimilarly appears to star a normal young man who gains remarkable abilities in the thick of the apocalypse, possibly due to the magical arm that he seems to gain at the start of the game. From then on, he and several other normal young people have to take it upon themselves to battle monsters and protect each other.
The social elements inEternightsare an even more clear adaptation ofPersona,which is famous for its social sim aspects.Ever sincePersona 3,fans ofPersonahave had the opportunity to take a break from the RPG side of the game and hang out with Social Links or Confidants, whose friendships unlock various bonuses that empower the player.Eternightshas a similar system in mind and open bills itself as a “dating-action” game. Players will need to spend their time inEternightscarefully, picking characters to hang out with and earning rewards from their bonds.Eternights' social elements clearly focus more heavily on romance thanPersonadoes, but odds are good that players can bond withEternights' main characters platonically too.
Eternights' New Take on Persona Themes
Of course, there are plenty of ways in whichEternightsdifferentiates itself fromPersona.For instance, whilePersonais known for its turn-based combat,Eternightsis more action-driven despite incorporating RPG elements. Additionally,Eternightstakes place in a very active apocalypse, which is more reminiscent oftheShin Megami TenseigamesthanPersona,the latter of which usually only teeters on the brink of the world’s end. The focus on adult characters is also a significant departure fromPersona,which generally revels in the trials and tribulations of high school. It’ll be interesting to see how these variations onPersona’s ideas add up to a unique experience.
All in all,Eternightscould be a solid debut gamefor Studio Sai. The developer has said openly that the game is inspired by thePersonafranchise, and while that much is clear, the game does plenty to differentiate itself. If Studio Sai can deliver on its ambitious promises of flashy combat and dynamic cutscenes that change through different romances, thenEternightscould be a great start from the studio. Since it’s not clear when the nextPersonagame will release, fans of Atlus' work should consider puttingEternightsin their calendars, since it might scratch the right itch beforePersona 6hits store shelves.
Eternightsreleases in early 2023 for PC, PS4, and PS5.
