As Atlus prepares to unveil more about the upcoming Persona 6, a familiar series tradition is already causing unease among fans: the hot springs scene. This recurring element, present since Persona 3, has become a point of contention for many players who view it as dated and unfunny.
Hot springs scenes typically involve the game's high school protagonists taking a vacation, offering a more relaxed setting for character interaction. However, critics argue that these segments often serve as a thinly veiled excuse for fan service, featuring the female cast in revealing attire and engaging in stereotypical dialogue. This critique is not new, with discussions on platforms like Reddit highlighting a decade-long sentiment against the trope.
One common scenario involves a misunderstanding where the male characters inadvertently witness the female characters bathing. Instead of announcing their presence, the boys hide, leading to outrage from the girls when they are inevitably discovered. This predictable comedic beat has been a staple in Persona 3, Persona 4, and even the spin-off Persona 5 Strikers, and many fans find it has lost its appeal.
While hot springs sequences are not unique to the Persona series, with similar scenes appearing in older RPGs like Lunar: Silver Star Story and Suikoden, some modern titles have reinterpreted the trope. Xenoblade Chronicles 3, for example, uses a mixed-sex bathing scenario not for titillation, but to emphasize the characters' loss of humanity and individuality, thereby enriching the narrative. In contrast, the Persona series' approach is often seen as a tonal inconsistency that detracts from the game's storytelling.
Discontent with these scenes has been vocal within the Persona community for years, with numerous posts dating back as far as six years ago calling for their removal or a significant overhaul. Suggestions for improvement range from reversing the roles to making the scenes more character-driven and genuinely humorous, focusing on intimate conversations rather than superficial observations. The desire is for these moments to contribute meaningfully to character development rather than relying on tired, predictable gags.