Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth’s Music Will Be Different, Yet Familiar

We recently got to hear a bit of Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth’s music, and Persona series composer Shoji Meguro, along with Persona Q’s composer, Atsushi Kitajo, talked to Famitsu magazine about the upcoming game and the music behind it.   In an earlier interview, series director Katsura Hashino talked about Persona Q having Etrian Odyssey’s mechanics implemented in the game, but clarified that this will be a completely new title. Famitsu asks the composers to share their thoughts from a sound developer’s point of view.   “While it does have the essence of Etrian Odyssey in it, once you get to play it for yourself, you’ll immediately know that it’s a new title of the Persona series,” says Kitajo. “Even on the sound-side of things, essentially, it doesn’t stray away from the Persona series, and we were even able to bring out a unique Persona Q sound to it.”   “The scenario has some comical parts, but the planners had a few difficult requests like wanting us to give a taste of an occult-like BGM,” shares Meguro with a laugh.   “In the first place, Persona Q has a side that is meant for the Atlus brand’s 25th anniversary festival, and in addition to this, the desire to make it a ‘complete title’ in the Persona series, has become very strong,” continues Kitajo. “In that regard, the sound direction will be changing, so we’ve also had some consultation done within the development team.”   Famitsu asks about the staff’s reaction on the soundtrack that has been completed thus far.   “They especially loved the combat BGM, so I was really happy,” shares Kitajo. “When it comes to sound, Atlus’ development staff don’t give us too many detailed tasks, and basically let us handle it for the most part. Rather, I think us, on the sound staff side, are the ones who go through trail-and-error, voluntarily retake things, more than anything. [laughs]”   Kitajo mentions that Katsura Hashino previously compared the two composers by saying that Meguro’s songs are sharper, while he considers Kitajo’s songs to be a bit more on the gentle side.   “Is that so? Well, I suppose we’re also not just limited to that either,” replies Meguro with a laugh. “Even for Persona Q, I feel that there are many techniques that are being tried out, and I can’t wait for you all to give Kitajo’s Persona Q sound a listen. It sounds really great!”   Finally, composer Atsushi Kitajo shares a message for fans:   Kitajo: “Yes, I recently play-tested the game, and once again, I thought that there’s a new mood and way to play that we’ve yet to see in the series. I felt new possibilities for the entire Persona series. On the sound side of things, from combat to fields, events to various other BGMs, they’re all full of songs I personally like. We also put a lot of effort into the game’s ending theme, so I really hope you guys enjoy Persona Q until the very end!”   Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth is slated for release in June 2014 in Japan, for Nintendo 3DS.