Code, New School RPG developed by Persona Veterans?

A team led by former Atlus developers, including studio founders and Persona co-creator Kouji Okada, is releasing an ambitious JRPG later this year called Villion: Code. Although the experience and pedigree of the game's staff really shows in its decided Persona-like features, it promises to offer something different from Atlus' turn-based RPG empire.

Besides Kouji Okada, Villion: Code developed by Tadashi Satomi (screenwriter) and Tsukasa Masuka (composer), both of whom have extensive experience working with Persona and Shin Megami Tensei series. These creators have clearly demonstrated their talents in the past and their commitment to Villion: Code should inspire some confidence, even if developer Compile Heart has struggled to find much success in the past. But will Villion: Code be a pale imitation of Persona and Shin Megami Tensei games that seemingly inspire it, or will it manage to carve out a more solid, unique reputation?

Is Villion: Code a “Persona-like”?

The first thing that is important to know about Villion: Code is its setting: the game takes place in the not-so-distant future, on a self-sustaining island city called Adhvan Resilience Research Academy City, off the coast of Tokyo. The city's namesake, the Adhvan Resilience Research Academy, was originally formed to help humanity prevent extinction, but some of its staff and student body took the mad scientist route, experimenting with advanced gene editing technology and turning into monsters known as GEMs. As a result, the island is encased in a bubble that prevents further egress or penetration.

In typical JRPG fashion, rather than some kind of military task force or group of highly trained agents, the fate of Adhvan Resilience Research Academy City, and perhaps even the entire world, rests in the hands of a group of teenagers. Participant at Adhvan Resilience Research Academy, Villion: Codes the core ensemble uses partial gene-editing technology to transform parts of their bodies into unique, powerful weapons, making them unparalleled tools of destruction, heroism, or perhaps both.

Villion: Code's lead role

• Protagonist: The player character, 17 years old, is quite advanced, having skipped a year of school. Male (gender and gender selection not included Villion: Code) is a member of the basketball team, is closest to Susilo, and is the older cousin of Rika Hayashi.

• Rika Hayashi: A 13-year-old freshman, Rika is a member of the Occult Research Club and known for her erratic, easily excitable personality.

• Susilo Sugiono: The oldest of the group, 19-year-old Susilo is an Indonesian student on the basketball team with Protagonist. His relationship with the Protagonist resembles that of an older and younger brother.

• Anastasia Ivanovna Valerievtskaya: Witty and competent, this 18-year-old is a popular cosplayer and social media personality with a tough exterior. Her superstitious nature will likely inform her adventures in taking down the GEMs.

• Chloe Berjhe: A passionate animal rights and environmental activist, Chloe has been suspended from school several times for refusing to participate in animal experiments. The 14-year-old 3rd year is a good student, but struggles with interpersonal relationships.

• Oliver Heath: Oliver is only 15 years old, but he has the jaded cynicism of a much older man. A sharp-witted member of the Debating Club, he is academically and intellectually gifted, but also widely disliked due to his harsh, nihilistic worldview.

Like any good thing Persona or Megaten game, Villion: Code features a colorful cast, but it will be interesting to see what kind of role each character will play in the game's story. Everyone except Rika has been confirmed to live in the same dorm, and since Rika is related to the Protagonist, it's likely that she'll find a way to fraternize with this larger group as well. As such, it's safe to say that players will get to know these characters quite intimately during their time with the game, but if Villion: Code will have romance, a Persona-like Bond system or other specific social sim mechanics remains unclear at this time.

Real-time, not turn-based, combat is at the heart of Villion: Code

While Villion: CodeThe ensemble cast, science-fantasy story, and unique teenage core in line with previous Atlus works, its moment-to-moment gameplay sets it apart greatly. Unlike Shin Megami Tensei and Personawhich are dyed-in-the-wool turn-based games despite their respective innovations, Villion: Code is a real-time action RPG, described as fast-paced and intense. Its dungeons, which are procedurally generated and oddly tubular, are filled with GEMs that will conjure battle arenas upon contact. Within these arenas, players can take control of various party members, hack, slash, and unleash special powers on their enemies.

Hopefully this battle system will introduce some nice variety to the ARPG combat featured in Villion: Codes trailer. There are definitely some interesting and unusual design choices on display already, such as the 360-degree air flip mechanic, so I'm eagerly awaiting to see how the game shakes out.